Like a good fitting T-shirt can be hard to find, a well fitting minimalist shoe is even harder...but that became a thing of the past when I came across Wyde's "Arcus" model.
Having worn barefoot shoes from MANY other companies for years, I would be lying to myself if I told you that they actually truly fit the shape of my foot. Still a step up from traditional footwear, but something was missing and I seriously almost lost all hope for a shoe company that would create an actual foot shaped shoe, backed by research.
That's where Wyde Footwear delivers.
As the name "Wyde" implies, their shoes are ACTUALLY wide, and not just your typical narrow wide barefoot shoe that still tapers at the big toe. Getting down to detail, the Arcus model pays particular attention to true anatomical form of the natural foot, noting the curve towards the big toe which allows for proper splay and the use of their toe spacers.
They also took into consideration that we live in a modern world with hard surfaces, so the sole of the shoe isn't paper thin (like most functional footwear) but instead is just thick enough to provide hours of comfort on concrete yet still allows the foot to be completely functional.
Double points for also being aesthetically pleasing. They actually look even better in person and when paired with a sweet pair of jeans or chinos, it's the perfect combo for me.
Aside from function and design of the shoe, Wyde is just an overall outstanding company from their customer service to their mission/purpose.
In regards to maintenance, The Arcus model will get dirty eventually just like ANY other shoe, so I would suggest pairing it with a good shoe spray protector for grime/liquid to protect your investment before wearing them outside and then following up with a good shoe cleaner with a brush. I've repeated this process as needed and both of my Arcus pairs (All white and all black) look just as good as the day I got them.
I'm writing this review after having worn their first Hallux 1.0 model and Arcus model for almost a year combined. Now I have purchased the Arcus+ model which I love even more!
The shoe does exactly what it's supposed to do and I look forward to purchasing future models. Thanks Wyde!