Every Peluva review in one place — 5,720 verified buyer ratings plus 0 testimonials from Instagram, YouTube, Reddit and customer emails. Unfiltered, unedited, and searchable by product.
I have suffered from foot pain for years—pain that at times prevented me from walking normally. I had to stop walking when I played golf, and had to use a cart. The problem with my right foot became much worse after I had my right knee replaced nine months ago.
I saw two podiatrists in the last year for professional opinions. The first diagnosed Morton’s toe involving my right second and third toes. He gave me a shot, but unfortunately it did not help. Months later, after a right knee replacement I saw a second podiatrist who said my second toe was enlarged with arthritis and that surgery could solve the issue. The recovery would require two to three months.
After replacing my knee during last winter so I could play golf this summer, I was not at all eager to face another surgical procedure. So I began using AI to help me better understand and diagnose my problem. Most of the research pointed toward a metatarsal issue. I also discovered how many bones were in the foot and why foot surgery often causes life-long issues rather than solving the problem,
As AI suggested, I bought several different pairs of wide toe-box shoes with zero drop, some helped but did not eliminate the pain. Then I started installing metatarsal pads in the problem shoe, and eventually in both shoes. I purchased different sizes of pads and tried them in various locations under several different insoles I had purchased. After a lot of trial and error, the pain became controllable, though not gone. I was walking fairly well, but still with moderate pain.
Then I happened to watch a golf instructor video. The instructor was wearing unusual black shoes with individual toes. I studied the video several times to try to determine the brand but couldn't make it out, then after several searches, I found your site.
I received your shoes ten days ago. At first, they were very difficult to put on but fit perfectly—but VOILA the pain was gone immediately upon the first wearing.
What?
How could this be? What was so different about these shoes that allowed me to walk like a kid again? Suddenly I could walk without special insoles or pads. You two inventors are magicians.
I bought the golfing model ( one size up as you suggested) of your shoe, but now I only use them as my house slippers to, as you suggest, “train” my feet. About four days ago, I began to ease into the shoes more naturally and get my toes into the shoe on the first try, just as you said would happen, because the shoes began to form to my feet.
On my wish list: a different color golf shoe, white ankle socks, and a more stable heel so I can slide into the shoes without fiddling with the heel pad, which often collapses when I put the shoes on.
Thank you so much for designing these shoes.
God bless you for curing the foot pain of this 83-year-old man.
Tomorrow I will try to walk the golf course when I play...not sure how far I will make it in my old golf shoes. And I will buy another pair of your shoes as I don't want to get my current house slippers dirty!
Jess
What an incredible story - so glad the Apollos have helped you walk comfortably again and enjoy life with less foot pain!
Verified Buyer
My New Favorite Winter Wear
Alright, I’ve had these for about a week now, so I’ll give my “first impressions” review.
First off, these are comfortable. Like, super comfortable. The moment I put them on, I was like “yeah, this solidifies it. I am never wearing ‘normal shoes’ ever again.” I’ve had my Strands for a few years now, and they are also amazing, but these ones signed, sealed, and delivered my devotion to this company. The Aspens are warm, soft, and have more structure than the Strands do. They feel more like a boot, but not in that inflexible and stiff way that normal boots feel. These are a comfort that I cannot explain.
Second, I live in Northwest Wisconsin. It is cold. We get ton of snow. Granted, we are towards the end of our snow season (I hope) so I haven’t had the chance to test these in deep snow, but I have had the opportunity to test them in about 4-5 inches. They are not 100% waterproof. They are water resistant. If you walk through small puddles, your toes will get wet. That’s just how it is. If you are trudging through deep snow, you will probably end up with wet socks. That’s just the reality of living where it snows half the year. I will say, if I did some of the things that got only my toes wet in the Aspens in the Strands, I would have had to change out my whole sock, because it would have been dripping, not to mention I would’ve had to dry my shoes out for hours, if not days. To conclude, they handle the snow like any other boot. They aren’t ice fishing boots, they are walking boots. And they do that extremely well. They keep the snow out of you are on regular walking trails, and if your foot sinks in a few times, you will still be dry, which is all a person can ask for. They perform like my regular old winter boots and they keep my toes warm, which is something the Strands could never do. And they are about a hundred times more comfortable than my old boots, so these are my new go-to for the winter season.
Lastly, they seem to be constructed very well. Granted, it’s only been a week so far, but my Strands have held up for several years, so I expect the same performance from the Aspens. To conclude this whole review, I would say that I highly recommend these 10/10 if you live somewhere that has cold winters. 9/10 if you like ice fishing, because these won’t replace your ice fishing gear, but they are still pretty darn good if you ask me. I’m excited to wear these in the winters to come, and to continue supporting this company, as they continue to put in quality work. I actually sent the company an email back in September of 2024 asking for a winter boot for the people up north, and I gotta say I couldn’t be more pleased with what they gave us. Definitely worth the wait Peluva. I will continue recommending your shoes to everyone who dares to ask me about them. Keep up the good work!
Thank you for taking the time to write all of this. We’re genuinely glad they’re keeping you comfortable and warm, and we really appreciate the realistic notes on snow and water resistance.
Verified Buyer
How I found Peluva
This one is a little long for a review but I hope it helps people out if you may be a little skeptical about This brand or even this style of shoe.
So about 15 years ago I had a really bad foot injury that took almost a year to heal up. About 6 months later after I healed up I was finally able to walk around no problem on my foot with no issues. Then roughly five years after that my foot and ankle would start to cramp up so bad every night when I went to sleep that when I woke up in the morning it would be painful to put on my socks and then I would have to stretch my feet out for a good ten to fifteen minutes just to be able to put my boots on to go to work but even then walking around at work my feet still ached for most of the day. I had no clue what was going on with my feet so I started doing my own research because I didn’t want to pay all kinds of money on custom molded soles or inserts for my feet that I felt would only mask the problem which I just want to say is my own opinion. So with all the research I was doing brought me to another brand of toe shoes because Peluva was not around yet. And I will tell you they helped me out a lot. Within a month or two of time wearing them my feet stopped hurting because I was stretching and strengthening them with every step I took.
Fast forward to now. The one thing I hated the most about the other brand of shoe is they are not designed to be on pavement and concrete but more for training and trails so your heel and feet after awhile start to really ache unless you’re on more natural ground.
Let’s fast forward to present time.
One day I was scrolling through Facebook and Peluva popped up I watched the add didn’t think much about it kept on scrolling and then on another add I saw Mark say that they were true Zero drop but with a thick foam midsole which then caught my attention because I could walk more comfortably on both pavement and concrete.
So then I started doing more research on Peluva and watched more of Marks adds about Peluva on YouTube and how he was talking about his research on feet and mobility and was talking about a lot of the research I remember looking up plus a lot more and the design and description of his shoes and why. I was then sold on them and bought a pare of the green Strand ATR and I’m glad I did. I wear them everywhere they are so comfortable really flexible and honestly super lightweight.
I read their reviews and decided not to go a half size larger but to go with my true size 12. Even with wearing thicker Marano wool toe socks they fit perfectly and are not to snug but perfect. I have not yet had a chance to take them hiking yet on some of Maine’s mountainous trails yet but I’m sure they will hold up. I will let you know.
Thanks so much for sharing your journey, Andrew. We're honored Peluvas are part of your recovery and helping you stay pain-free on hard surfaces. It means a lot that you took the time to share your experience. We look forward to hearing how they perform on the trails!
Verified Buyer
This will be the only shoes I wear
I am new to the toe shoes. These shoes will be the only shoes I wear from here on out until I am no longer walking. I first bought a pair of the Men's Stand ATR at the end of January. I ordered the same size as my regular shoe and when they arrived they felt great. I should have gotten a half size up but im size 13 and the next size was 14. I was afraid they were gonna be too big as I didnt plan on wearing socks. At first they felt great but after a couple months it felt a little tight. I attributed the tightness to my feet conforming to the natural splay being widened due to new use of this type of shoe. When I would prop my feet up and let it rest on the heels my pinkie toes would slide out. This made me think if I were to get a size bigger that it would make the pinkie toe fall out the pocket even more so I didnt think anything of it. Winter was here for a couple days(Texas) and the new Winter boots came out. Instantly purchased those as well and kept my regular size 13 for those as well. These were a bit tighter than the ATR but I had slightly faded thr inside sole where it shows Peluva brand name so I didnt reach out for a return as I figured it would have been declined. Then the new color Black/yellow DAVID Stay flexy color combination came out and I decided to go ahead and try the size 14. Boy oh boy I should have done what Peluva recommended the first 2 times as they clearly know the recommendations for sizing. Yes my pinkie toes still slip out but only when I curl my toes downward. The extra size difference allowed my big toes and other little piggies to have more room to naturally stay in the pockets easier especially when in a depp squat position applied with standing on tip toes in the deep squat position. I'm able to move my feet in the natural positions that you can without wearing shoes while being barefoot. These toe shoes are a game changer. My feet and toes are stronger. My toes are more splayed out instead of being crammed together and are more grounded for a solid foundation. If you have been thinking about it but just haven't made a decision on yes I hope this review will help someone else out there consider the change. Just make sure you get half a size to full size up so you have room if you decide to include the socks. Adding the socks will also help fill the shoes in more and lessen the chance of pinkie toes falling out of the toe pockets. I will never wear another pair of non toe type shoes from here on out. Thank you to Peluva for creating the outlet and to David as well for promoting this as I would have never given them a chance unless I saw his videos.
This means so much to us! We’re glad sizing up made the difference and that Peluva has become your go-to.
Verified Buyer
The Only Shoe I Actually Wear Now
Only two legitimate complaints, but first it's worth noting that this is actually the best shoe I have ever worn in my entire life. For around a year I tried about three different barefoot brands, all decent shoes for what they offer, but none of them quite what I needed. It was getting to the point where I was getting intense back pain, hip pain, and pain on my soles all day long. There's no way to scientifically quantify this, but since I started wearing Peluvas, I don't have the pain anymore. That speaks for itself.
As far as constructive criticisms, only two things to point out:
1. I love zero drop, but I've noticed that after a few months of wearing my Peluvas, the sole beneath my heal has somewhat begun to compress and wear out faster than the sole under the ball of my feet. This leads to my heal being ever so slightly lower than the balls of my feet. Essentially what feels like "negative drop." A nearly negligible difference, but it's still there. I am intentional about not striking heavily on my heal when I walk, especially when running, but some impact is inevitable. I've wondered if Peluva might compensate for this by designing some of their shoes with perhaps even just a half centimeter drop, just to adjust for long-term wear.
2. The second point goes along a similar theme. I have been wearing my Peluvas for 9 months. Already I have noticed the outsole beginning to fall off, and some of the seams along the toes are coming undone. Granted, I wear my Peluvas about 8 hours a day, 5 days a week on average. Occasionally I'll use them to play pickleball or walk around downtown. They definitely take a beating, but their durability nonetheless falls short compared to most other name brands. I'm happy to continue investing my money in Peluva, but I would also prefer not to have to buy a new pair every year.
(A gentle third complaint could be that the Strand Lightweight Trainers in particular becomes EXTREMELY slippery on wet floors, but we can live with that easily enough. Just something to be careful about.)
Perfection is an illusion and it's normal to have areas of growth. Unless I'm going to a formal event or a fancy date, I exclusively wear my Peluvas anywhere that does not allow me to be barefoot. It's not an exaggeration to say that they have changed my life for the better. The simple fact that I stopped experiencing daily pain almost INSTANTLY when I started to wear Peluva is enough for me to be a committed customer. They're comfortable, light, flexible, easy to keep clean, and as far as a barefoot shoe goes, the least dorky pair I've ever owned.
Nicholas, we’re so glad Peluvas have helped relieve your daily pain, that means the world to us. Thank you for sharing such thoughtful feedback on durability, outsole grip, and long-term wear. We’ll be sure to pass your suggestions along to our design team as we keep improving.
Verified Buyer
Game Changing Footwear
I am still in the process of getting the sizing right, but with Peluva's return policy and excellent customer service I have plenty of time to do so. I cannot say enough good things about these "shoes." Yes, they are a bit of a pain to put on, but you figure it out. That said, my Strands have been a game changer.
Somewhere between 60-63 my feet started giving me problems. Neuropathy, neuroma and arthritis had impeded my lateral and quick step movement to almost non-existent. Fitness has always been a thing for me. The prospect of losing mine had become depressing.
While I have known about these shoes for a couple of years, it took me as much time to give them a try after suffering different, traditional training shoes, physical therapy and indifferent sports doctors.
Immediately after putting them on, I found it easier to walk and keep my balance. Over the course of a week as I became less conscious of them, I found myself moving the way I used to and should. When I realized this, I attempted quick lateral movement. Miraculously, I felt healed! I performed aerobic and Tennis like movements I haven't made for some time with ease and certainty.
The shoes are sturdy and light. Feeling everything beneath my feet is interesting and reminds me I am doing something good for myself.
Tune into Stay Flexy (Movement By David) on You Tube. He's a most persuasive, impressive spokesman!
Shout out to Kyla in customer service. We have/had an ongoing exchange regarding shoe details and EVERY question I asked was answered.
Now for the caveats...
They ABSOLUTELY run small. I think I'll need to go up a full size before the testing I'm doing is finished.
So what if they aren't the best looking footwear. The more satisfied I am with them the better looking they become.
They'll take some getting used to. After half a day in them of relatively active use, my feet become fatigued. Research on this tells me my feet will get stronger from wearing them. I believe this. I pray they may be "corrective."
Availability is bad. Sorry not sorry, Peluva. Most of the shoes in my size range were unavailable.
None of these caveats would keep me from getting more. I look forward to a long relationship with this brand.
Incredible feedback, Nicholas. It’s so powerful to hear how the Strands helped restore your mobility and confidence. We’re thrilled they’ve made such a difference for you. Totally agree on the sizing, going up a full size is often the best move. Thanks for sharing your journey and insights!
Verified Buyer
Exactly what I was looking for in a shoe!
These are great! Nice and wide, zero drop, no toe spring, and have a bit of stack height to them with out being squishy, but I can still feel the ground! For me, the size tool was accurate, no need to size up like the company recommends. My left foot is 25cm long and 9.4 wide, my right is 24.8cm long and 9.5cm wide and these shoes are perfection! I have medium to medium high volume feet and my feet do not feel squished in any way shape or form in these and I think they could easily accommodate a foot that is 10cm for those pizza shaped feet out there! If you have been barefoot for a while already, you will have an easier transition into these than someone just starting to get away from traditional shoes. If you are coming from traditional shoes, be patient with it! I had went to barefoot style and then tried going back to traditional footwear and wound up with capsulitis in the 2nd metatarsal in the ball of my foot. The podiatrist and PT were little help for me. It took learning on my own about what I could do and it took a long time but I am finally able to wear shoes with out metatarsal support again! It does still flare up if I wear shoes that are a bit tight so I try to avoid that. These shoes are perfect for my needs. I originally bought them just for walking but they have become my main shoes. Having to invest in the socks on top of the shoes is what had me going back and forth but it was definitely worth it! I also had to use the return process because I wasn't sure if I still had to size up or not and it was super easy! I chose the option that I dropped them off at a UPS store and they sent me the replacement! I want to say it was maybe 3 or 4 days and I had my replacement pair! It was so easy and so fast. No pair of shoes will fix problems with your feet, you still have to do the things but these shoes are definitely a great tool and I will likely stick with them long term. It's so hard to find a pair that check all the boxes and are wide enough for my feet and these fit the bill as long as your foot shape matches the shoe.
Thanks, Latischa! We love hearing how well these are working for your feet.
Verified Buyer
If you have a bunion and LONG second toe, read this!
I am amazed! This is the only shoe that I can wear all day long not not have my bunion feel like it is going to explode - check out the ugly picture! The history about my cramped toes and bunion: I ran track through college and jammed my feet into very tight track spikes, then spent 38 years in small toe box dress shoes (I was a CEO), and now play tennis using shoes that don't help the situation.
On top of that, I have the long second toes that make every shoe fit problematic.
On longer! I have had the strand atr for 4 days and have had zero issues. I'm a size 9 and ordered a 9.5 along with the socks (I'm now using toe socks with my tennis shoes). The long toe has a little space and at first I thought it was rubbing against the edge while walking, but that is starting to go away as I wear the shoe. The other toes have a good gap, so ordering a 10 might be too much. Most of what I am feeling is the toe actually doing its job on the surface of the ground, which is something you might have to get used to.
For kicks, I did a few sprinting bursts and felt like I could run 10.1 in the 100 again! I wear them around the house, for walks, and working out.
What are the downsides?
1) Getting used to how to put them on. By day 2, I figured out that if I WIGGLED MY TOES while sliding my foot on, the toes find the slots much easier.
2) Deciding whether to go a half size larger or one size larger regarding the toe fit. There is some contradictory info on the website about fit - one section recommends half a size larger, and the shoe-specific section indicates one size larger. This causes a lot of second-guessing what to order, i.e., at first I wanted to return for size 10, but gave it time and decided to keep the 9.5.
Overall, I wear these things all the time now (except on the tennis court - but if Mark wants to send me a free tennis version, I'll play test them!). My wife thinks they look wierd but is putting up with them in public!
They call me the "Flash" and now, because of the way the shoe looks, I am officially the Tiger Flash!
Thank you, Len! Your feedback is incredibly helpful. We’re thrilled the Strand ATRs are easing your bunion discomfort and working well for your long second toe. We’re taking note of your sizing concerns and your awesome tips for getting them on. Love your “Tiger Flash” nickname, we’re cheering you on!
Verified Buyer
A learning curve required but highly recommend them!
After watching Chalene Johnson’s YouTube episode about walking/workout shoes and her new favs Peluvas, I ordered a pair. It took several tries to get the right fit. I wear a shoe size 7, so ordered a 7-1/2 the first time. Had to exchange them for an 8. Received them and found that the big toe was still too snug though the rest of the shoe felt perfect. SO, I exchanged those for an 8-1/2 . The morning after receiving them, I put them on, and decided I was never taking them off! I may even sleep in them I thought. Here is the thing , I first put them on without socks and found that the big toe did not have as much room at the tip as the rest of the toes, but I think a larger size would cause the rest of the shoe to be too loose. The back of the shoe (the Achilles heel area) felt a bit too high up and was rubbing that area which was quite uncomfortable. However, I was able to remedy that problem easily with socks. Here is what I did: I had previously ordered one pair of the Peluva toe socks which are thin. SO (and this idea came from Chalene), I put one toe sock on then put a regular sock over it, figured out where I thought I should cut, removed the regular sock then cut that top area off and put them back on over the toe socks. It is working perfectly. Very snug and soft. I will try to post a pic here. I then walked outside for a couple thousand steps and they felt great. It could be my imagination, but I could swear my posture was better🤷♀️. So, bottom line is, I would definitely suggest at least 1-1/2 sizes larger than your normal shoe size. I’ve walked everyday since I received them a couple wks ago. I have less ankle and knee pain with this shoe and I expect that will continue to improve. I feel stronger when walking in them. Easier to push off and feel more balanced. I’m up to 10-11,000 steps per day and feel my feet ankles and legs getting stronger. I highly recommend them. Be patient determining the right size and get plenty toe socks.! Enjoy!
Thank you so much for the detailed and thoughtful review, Susan! We're thrilled to hear the Strand Lightweight Trainer is already making a difference in your comfort, balance, and posture. Great tips on the sock layering, so creative! Sizing can take a little trial and error, but it sounds like you've found the right fit. We appreciate your support and recommendation!
Peluva review FAQs
Are Peluva reviews from real customers?
Yes. The star-rated reviews on this site are pulled directly from Peluva's Okendo review platform, where each review is tied to a confirmed order. Reviews marked as testimonials come from public social media posts and customer emails, and are labelled with their original source.
What do customers say about Peluva sizing and fit?
Fit is the single most discussed topic in Peluva reviews. Because the shoes have individual toe pockets, sizing runs differently from conventional footwear — most reviewers recommend measuring your foot rather than ordering your usual size. Browse the reviews for any model below to see what buyers of that specific shoe say about sizing.
Do Peluva shoes take time to get used to?
Reviewers consistently describe a transition period. Feet accustomed to cushioned, narrow shoes typically need a few weeks of shorter wear before full days feel comfortable. Reviews that mention a transition almost always report improved comfort afterwards.
Is this the official Peluva website?
No. This is a dedicated review archive. To buy, check current pricing or contact support, visit peluva.com directly.
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