Lems Shoes was founded in 2012 by Andrew Rademacher in Portland, Oregon. The brand started with the Primal, a simple canvas sneaker that looked normal but had a zero drop sole and wide toe box. That ethos — barefoot function in everyday styling — still defines the brand.
Philosophy
Lems prioritizes looking like regular shoes while delivering barefoot benefits. Their designs avoid the "barefoot shoe aesthetic" that puts some people off. Each shoe is zero drop, flexible, and has a roomy toe box, but you wouldn't guess it from the outside.
Product Range
- Sneakers — Primal 2 (canvas), Chillum (knit) for casual wear
- Boots — Boulder Boot, Waterproof Boulder for hiking and everyday
- Dress — Nine2Five for office wear
- Trail — Trailhead for light trail use
What Sets Lems Apart
The Boulder Boot is one of the best-selling barefoot boots ever made. It looks like a conventional chukka boot but packs flat for travel, weighs almost nothing, and has a fully flexible sole. Lems nails the intersection of style and function better than most barefoot brands.
Their shoes run comfortable out of the box — less break-in than Vivobarefoot or some stiffer options. The fit is relaxed and forgiving, making them popular first barefoot shoes.
Who Chooses Lems
People who want barefoot shoes that don't look like barefoot shoes. Travelers who need packable footwear. Workers who need office-appropriate zero drop options. Anyone prioritizing comfort and style over maximum ground feel.
All Lems Shoes
83 shoes
Lems Boulder Boot Grip Waterproof
running · moderate
Lems Chelsea Boot
mixed · moderate
Men's Boulder Boot
running · moderate
Men's Boulder Boot Leather
running · moderate
Men's Boulder Boot Mid Leather
running · moderate
Men's Boulder Boot Mid Vegan (Discontinued)
running · moderate
Men's Breck Boot Insulated
mixed · moderate
Men's Chelsea Boot Tuff
mixed · moderate
Men's Chelsea Suede Barefoot Boot
mixed · moderate
Men's Chillum
mixed · moderate
Men's Chillum Grip
mixed · moderate
Men's Chillum Suede
mixed · moderate
Men's Chukka Canvas (Discontinued)
mixed · moderate
Men's Chukka Grip
mixed · moderate
Men's Chukka Suede (Discontinued)
mixed · moderate
Men's Drifter
mixed · moderate
Men's Drifter Fur
mixed · moderate
Men's Drifter Grip
mixed · moderate
Men's Kourt
mixed · moderate
Men's Kourt Grip
mixed · moderate
Men's Malibu
mixed · moderate
Men's Mariner
mixed · moderate
Men's Mesa (Discontinued)
trail · moderate
Men's Nine2Five V2
mixed · moderate
Men's Primal 2 (Discontinued)
mixed · moderate
Men's Primal 3
mixed · moderate
Men's Primal Eco
mixed · moderate
Men's Primal Pursuit (Discontinued)
mixed · moderate
Men's Primal Zen
mixed · moderate
Men's Primal Zen Leather
mixed · moderate
Men's Primal Zen Suede
mixed · moderate
Men's Summit Pro Boot
mixed · moderate
Men's Switchback Sandal
mixed · moderate
Men's Tactical Pro Mid Boot
mixed · moderate
Men's Tactical Pro Tall Boot
mixed · moderate
Men's Telluride Boot
mixed · moderate
Men's Trail Blazer
running · moderate
Men's Trail Blazer Mid
running · moderate
Men's Trail Thrasher
running · moderate
Men's Trailhead
running · moderate
Men's Trailhead Originals
running · moderate
Men's Zen Clog
mixed · moderate
Lems Mesa
trail · moderate
Lems Nine2Five V2
mixed · moderate
Lems Primal 2
mixed · minimal
Women's Boulder Boot
running · moderate
Women's Boulder Boot Leather
running · moderate
Women's Boulder Boot Mid Leather
running · moderate
Women's Boulder Boot Mid Vegan (Discontinued)
running · moderate
Women's Breck Boot Insulated
mixed · moderate
Women's Chelsea Boot Tuff
mixed · moderate
Women's Chelsea Suede Barefoot Boot
mixed · moderate
Women's Chillum
mixed · moderate
Women's Chillum Grip
mixed · moderate
Women's Chillum Suede
mixed · moderate
Women's Chukka Canvas (Discontinued)
mixed · moderate
Women's Chukka Grip
mixed · moderate
Women's Chukka Suede (Discontinued)
mixed · moderate
Women's Drifter
mixed · moderate
Women's Drifter Fur
mixed · moderate
Women's Kourt
mixed · moderate
Women's Kourt Grip
mixed · moderate
Women's Laguna
mixed · moderate
Women's Mariner
mixed · moderate
Women's Mesa (Discontinued)
trail · moderate
Women's Nine2Five (Discontinued)
mixed · moderate
Women's Primal 2 (Discontinued)
mixed · moderate
Women's Primal 3
mixed · moderate
Women's Primal Eco
mixed · moderate
Women's Primal Pursuit (Discontinued)
mixed · moderate
Women's Primal Zen
mixed · moderate
Women's Primal Zen Leather
mixed · moderate
Women's Primal Zen Suede
mixed · moderate
Women's Summit Pro Boot
mixed · moderate
Women's Switchback Sandal
mixed · moderate
Women's Tactical Pro Mid Boot
mixed · moderate
Women's Tactical Pro Tall Boot
mixed · moderate
Women's Telluride Boot
mixed · moderate
Women's Trail Blazer
running · moderate
Women's Trail Blazer Mid
running · moderate
Women's Trail Thrasher
running · moderate
Women's Trailhead
running · moderate
Women's Zen Clog
mixed · moderate