Customer Reviews Naot Matai

I chose this style because the reviews indicated the length was possibly longer than other Naot styles, and that the width was on the narrow side. I agree with reviews on these two points. I have been wearing the Naot Kirei as well as Naot sandals for ages, and generally find the shoes comfortable, although sizing can be difficult - I wear an 8.5 slightly narrower than medium, but go with medium width which works ok. In Naot shoes, I wear a 39 or 40 depending on the particular shoe. Width in the 40 tends to be wide for me. In the Matai, I chose a 39 based on Naot suggestions for this style. So, the length was perfect - -the only good thing about this shoe for my feet. The vamp in the Matai comes up higher on the instep than the Kirei, for example. I found that design made the shoe very clumsy in appearance. The toe box was generous, and so cramping of toes shouldn't be a problem for most people. I think the high vamp, apart from looking unattractive, bothered me because I have a high instep, and felt like the shoe pressed on that part of the foot. The black patent leather material is very stiff and even feels a little like plastic. Perhaps the shoe in leather is more flexible and therefore more comfortable. I think even if the shoe had been more comfortable, I still think it's one of Naot's less attractive shoe. I've also worn the Matua which is a little narrower than the Kirei and definitely prettier than the Matai. I suppose for those who need to feel wrapped in shoe, and maybe need more support than other Naot styles offer, the Matai would work out. I have no complaint about the manufacture of the shoe, just the style, fit (for me) and the inflexible patent leather.

This would have been my third pair of Matai shoes. They have been wonderfully comfortable, until this pair. The fit is much too snug. I hope I can find another style that is roomier.

The sizing was as advertised - - a true 39 (8-8.5), and it is narrower than most of the Naot shoes. But, the style was awful. The shoe looked like a big box on my foot. Also, the shoe was very stiff. Perhaps the stiffness is caused by the patent leather. Maybe the other leather Matai shoes are more flexible. The vamp is unusually high for Naot shoes, and for some wearers, this may be fine. I've been wearing Naot sandals and the Kirei style for years, and have always been super pleased with Naot. So, this shoe was a big shock. If you want a shoe with a large toe box, high vamp, cut narrowly, this may be the shoe for you, but I would suggest avoiding the patent leather.

The strap was really odd the way it crossed my foot. Shoes are so subjective, but I didn't like these at all and had a different experience than most other reviewers. I did try the Naot Sea Mary Jane flat in my normal size (37) and they fit perfectly. They're a keeper for me because of the comfort factor. They are cute....but a bit clunky in comparison to the Matai.

The Naot Matai are the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned in my life, that is when I get a pair that fit well but the sizes vary. I have been buying them for many years. I wear them every day. The ones I bought many years ago fit perfectly. The ones the last few years were too long and wide but I kept them because they were good with socks. I bought 2 pairs a month or two ago to replace some that had worn out and they fit me perfectly! Then I bought the Ink Leather-Navy Reptile Leather and they are too narrow in the sole under the ball of the foot. Not tight but it's like there isn't enough sole material underneath to support the outside of the foot so outside of my foot is being pushed up by the edge of the shoe. None of my other Matai shoes fit like that. These shoes are also a tiny bit shorter than the others but I'd keep them if they fit in the width. I hope they don't start making all of them like that.

The sole did not hold up as expected for such an expensive shoe. After several years the sole completely deteriorated and crumbled - had to throw away. Will not buy another Naot shoe.

Both side of the shoes there is gap by the inner arch area that the shoe flares out which the other Matai did not do that. I'm just so unlucky with this pair. :(

I would definitely think twice about purchasing these shoes...I bought them and while they are extremely comfortable, the Velcro stopped gripping after about two years, to the point where the strap will not stay closed at all. Neither the manufacturer (Naot) nor Zappos will do anything about it since it didn't happen within one year. Considering I have other shoes with Velcro closures that have been working well for much longer than two years, it seems unreasonable that a pair of shoes this expensive should have closures that go bad in that amount of time. The shoes themselves are still in great shape, so it will be up to me to pay for a repair at a shoe repair place, if that is even possible.

Very disappointed with this shoe after reading all the great reviews. M was the only option. I need a W. Also it does not run large. I returned them for the Naot Kirei. Much better fit. Thanks Zappo for all these returns before I found the right shoe.

Very cute and very well made, but, unusually for Naot, no arch support and way oversized!

These are seriously cute shoes, but, alas, they're not for me. Although they have removable insoles, they did not accommodate my orthotics. The leather is lovely, but too soft to provide support mid-foot, where they gapped on me. I thought about ordering a size smaller, but, unfortunately, I think I need a more overall supportive shoe and may be relegated to oxfords : (

Beautiful shoe!! So disappointed that it didn’t fit as expected. I have that longer second toe and it hurt the minute I pit these shoes on! And I sized up a whole size, too!

I have tried to wear these shoes in a size 42 but the toe box is too small for my feet. I am so disappointed.

First I want to say that I have 3 other pairs of Naot Matai shoes and I would give them all 5 stars. They are my favorite and most comfortable shoes. This shoe is the "Ink Leather/Navy Reptile Leather" and does not fit like the others or hold it's shape like the others. The leather is flimsy compared to the all-leather ones without the reptile and there is not enough structure to hold the shape well. This gives it a sloppy look as it bulges out at the sides at the ball of the foot. I do not have bunions and my other Matai shoes do not bulge and they look great on. The sloppy look is accentuated by the bright colored trim around the top edge of the shoe which follows this irregular shape. It looks more like a baggy slipper than a shoe. As for fit, it is too wide in the ball of the foot. It's as if the shoes had been worn for years and stretched out. I love the blue color and reptile look but the sloppy look far outweighs the pretty color. I'm sending them back.

Sent for the smaller size as suggested, but it lacked the real comfort Naots have in my previous purhases. Also, I didn't like the fabric on the navy shoe. Leather would have been more attractive.

I've had two pairs of Naot in other styles that I was very happy with, but both were open heels, and this closed heel was too wide for me (I have a narrow heel but like a comfy wide toe box). I also felt that it didn't look as good as the others I d had (both styles now out of print) and frankly for the price the quality didn't seem all that good.

I have had three pairs of this exact shoe. The first pair I wore two years straight - with and without socks, hiking in Australia and every day to work until they fell apart from sheer wear. They were best shoes I have ever had! I bought replacements twice and both of them split on the front seam within the first month. I am very sad and afraid to buy them again. I have a bad toe from bone spur surgery gone wrong and most shoes aggravate it into searing pain after several hours. I wish that I would have purchased five pairs the first time around. I think the quality control changed with time.

So disappointed...this is a cute shoe but runs very small. Not true size at all. I ordered my normal size and even with a thin silky sock could not get my foot in this shoe. Did Naot make some kind of sizing adjustments due to large comments? Too bad...going back now.

I had to return it because it was too small. I ordered a size down as the review suggested but it was too tight. I normally wear a size 9 (40) and have flat feet and bunions.

Althey are comfy enough though this shoe was listed as being roomy and running large, it was really small and tight on me! Because the color was marked copper, I was hoping the copper would be a little brighter/shinier/more metallic than in the photos, but it isn't. It really does look like the photos, and wasn't as cute as I'd hoped.

This is my biggest shoe purchase regret. I bought these because of their great reviews and cute little elfkin design. When I first tried them on, I was indeed smitten. HOWEVER. They ran big to begins with, but seemed to loosen an entire size over the course of the year I owned them. I didn't gain or lose weight or change in any special way, so it's def the shoes. Also, without that much mileage, they look really beat up. I'm embarrassed to wear them now. When I bought them, a salesperson at a local show store told me they sell the inserts. If I wanted to replace the inserts and basically wear these the rest of my life, I could. Um, no. That is not true. I'm going to try Tieks next and maybe go back to Keen.

I loved the color and style of this shoe to look at; however, the heavy insole/sole is in conflict with the rather delicate/thin leather upper; at the strap stress point, the shoe pulls the leather as if it were fabric...high price for a not-so-quality construction.

The toe box is SO narrow that I would have to gnaw off my own foot, if I actually wore them. I am shocked that people swore that they were true to width. Great for a narrow footed, artsy woman.

Really impressive at first. The Naot Matai didn't have much staying power. These shoes were the first shoes I'd been professionally fit for since I was twelve. After 15 years of buying pinching, cheap, too-narrow, too-small shoes with no support or cushioning to speak of, I finally wised up, and went to a specialty footwear retailer in my town. The first time I put these shoes on, it was like a revelation. They were more comfortable than being barefoot, and heaps more comfortable than any sneaker I've ever owned. I was walking on air, and I felt like I was walking on a cloud, too. I walk to work (less than two miles each day), but I have an office job. I kept these clean and only wore them in dry weather, but was really disappointed with the way they endured. After a month, the strap detached from the shoe, and I had to have them repaired. After three months (not of daily wear, either, because I bought these in the spring and I tend to wear my Birks all summer), the footbed on these was torn apart and really compressed. A year later, they've been in for repair three more times. The last time I brought them in, the person who took my shoes asked me "what are they, ten years old?" The icing on the cake is that the footbed hurts my feet now, and a day in these will leave my feet (I have bunions, but nothing extreme) stiff and aching. Maybe the pair I bought were a dud, but I'd be really hesitant to recommend these shoes to anyone who plans to wear them for more than six weeks.

Comfy, but not very attractive - I bought these shoes hoping for a comfortable shoe to wear to work. They were super comfortable, but not very stylish - they are pretty bulky. Sadly, I had to return them. Since they are relatively expensive (in my opinion), I wanted to really like what I was wearing! Zappos made it really easy to return them!