Customer Reviews El Naturalista Soft Grain N5701

I used to really like El Naturalista shoes and something changed in the last 4 years with their quality and they are not the same brand or quality. I figured the company was in growing pains and the shoes would bounce back to the support and comfortable footbed they used to have; I was wrong as they have only gotten worse. Are they outsourcing their labor or cutting costs on the insoles? It seems to be the case. These shoes felt true to size, however the insoles did not support a natural footbed (or at least mine) and they just felt "off" and uncomfortable with my feet. To me, their shoes used to feel immediately comfortable and required no break in period. Now the footbed/insole just feels lumpy, weak, and cheap.

Fit and size and arch support were as expected. I have pretty average feet -- size 8 medium width no major foot issues. The one weird thing about these compared to two others I bought to try on is -- they "fart" when I walk. I don't know if anybody who has owned these for a while can say whether this goes away or if it sticks around because it's really really annoying. And a bit loud. I don't want to walk through a quiet room with my feet going "fart fart fart fart" -- may have to return these simply because of that.

First time trying this brand and i Am very pleased. Very comfortable. I was worried the front of the shoe was going to be too wide looking. It is wider but not so much that it looks odd. Definitely has a clog style look to it which is what I was going for. Love that it has no extra heel height which for me is the most comfortable for all day walking.

I was so excited to see this shoe available on Zappos! I own two pairs of this style and brand which I wear all the time. I was so disappointed that the style had changed a bit in the shape of the toe. It is tapered rather rounded and my feet were just not comfortable in these. I had to return them.

This brand makes amazing shoes: I love these and can't wait to wear them.

These were absolutely beautiful shoes! Gorgeous and soft leather. The sizing was good. The shoes were a bit heavier than most. I'm going to have to return them because my left foot wouldn't stay on the shoe - undoubtedly my wonky feet and not the shoes...I've had that problem with a lot of backless shoes.

A little chunkier and more Birkenstock-ish than I thought they’d be from the pictures, but buttery soft and very well made. The sole is surprisingly heavy (think clog more than sandal) but still comfortable, with good arch support.

These didn't look as good in person as they do in pictures. The tan sole is more obvious, and the red is more subdued. Beyond that, the forefoot was very narrow.