Product test
Two years with Skinners: a re-review
by Michael Restin
Skinners 2.0: more freedom, less crumbling, different stench
11.8.2021
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
The «Skinners» sock shoes are an integral part of my shoe collection. I’ve been out and about in the latest model since this spring. Compared to its predecessor, version 2.0 does certain things better – but not everything.
I’m the type of guy who tramps through the world in socks. When I reviewed Skinners for the first time nearly three years ago, I still felt like a freak. By now, I couldn’t be less bothered. When temperatures climb above ten degrees, I make a point of walking around in these tarred-looking trainers. Even when it’s only the air that’s warm.
My first pair became holey after two and a half years of wear; I’ve been wearing the updated version on my feet ever since – the Skinners 2.0, which launched again thanks to a Kickstarter campaign. They don’t do everything differently, but heavenly improvements and devilish quirks are sometimes in the details.
What’s the deal with the Skinners, anyway?
The basic idea of Skinners is to merge high-quality socks with a thin sole made of durable polymers. Without seams or glue, the result is less than a shoe but more than a sock. The Skinners do protect the soles of your feet. Most people will wear them only occasionally and use them as lightweight travel companions, at the gym or on walks. It’s a good idea to take it slow in the beginning. Since the Skinners offer no cushioning or support, making the transition is hard. I got used to them step by step over several months. For me, these ultra-minimalist shoes are now constantly in use. Unless I’m walking totally barefoot (article in German), that is. With the original Skinners, I only ever added an insole when going jogging. So, I’m pleased that an insole is included with the Skinners 2.0.
Two millimetres makes a difference
One issue with the original Skinners was that at higher temperatures it felt like I was standing barefoot on a rubber mat. The bottoms of the Skinners are waterproof, but only their tops are breathable. This can make for a sweaty affair. You can increase comfort by wearing a pair of socks underneath. But wearing socks inside socks contradicts the basic minimalist idea. The two-millimetre thin, perforated sole included with the Skinners 2.0 is supposed to solve this problem and create a better climate for your feet.
It not only combats the problem of sweating, but also noticeably changes the way you walk. Given the sole of the Skinners is only three millimetres thick, two extra millimetres is a lot. It is indeed comfortable in most situations, though I did initially struggle with the sole slipping slightly when putting on the Skinners. Since then, the soles have adapted to the shape of the «shoes» and stay put rather well. But I do occasionally take the soles out again, because they still slip with abrupt movement. Every now then, when wearing the Skinners to play soccer with my son, the soles get a mind of their own.
In search of more freedom
Putting versions 1.0 and 2.0 one on top of the other, I find it hard to believe that the Skinners 2.0 really have a wider toe box, as advertised. Their shapes seem identical. Because the sock-shoes have to provide enough support without a rigid structure, it was a tight fit for wider feet.
The improvement lies not primarily on the bottom side of the soles, but at the top side. The black polymer now stretches a little higher over the toes and further inwards at the sides. This gives your toes a bit more room and acts as a reserve for wide feet. Thanks to the stretchy material of the sock, it adapts to the wearer. Be it the Skinners 1.0 or 2.0 – the sock-shoes adapt perfectly to my feet. But the old model was a tad tighter.
Featuring a new stench
Painful experience has taught me just how stinky the Skinners can get when wet. My own pair is a witness to this, and my children’s pairs even more so ever since they began wearing them on the daily. My kids will wear their Skinners to school, prance around in puddles and mud, only to stash the sock-shoes in some bag or shoe rack – soaking wet, of course. Version 1.0 had an antibacterial silver-infused fabric, which didn’t manage to prevent the stench. Version 2.0 is made of «StretchKnit» – a mix of synthetic and natural fibres – which doesn’t really prevent the stench, either. The new model just stinks differently. And maybe a little less. But sooner or later, it does begin to smell. The solution to this problem is simple: wash the shoes. The Skinners are super easy to wash: turn them inside out, throw them in the washing machine, and – if you’re in a hurry – give them a quick blow dry. Done.
A less sock-y look
Although a miracle formula against bad odours has yet to be found, I like the new material and design with the colour gradients and discreet logo. It has a more dynamic look to it and doesn’t look quite as sock-y as its predecessor. The fabric is slightly thicker and more textured.
A single, size L (43/44) Skinner 2.0 without the insole weighs 102 grammes. That’s a good 17 grammes heavier than my worn-out predecessor. In most situations, this feels nice. The sole curves further over the foot and the stretch fabric has an airy fit. But in water, the Skinners 2.0 absorb more than the Skinners 1.0 and become significantly heavier. The old version will serve you better on your SUP or at the beach.
Farewell, crumbling
I almost forgot to mention one last improvement: the Skinners 2.0 don’t crumble. When I tried the first Skinners three years ago, bits and pieces of the sole kept falling off until they were properly broken in. This was not only annoying to deal with in a backpack or travel bag, but also unsightly for the environment. The manufacturer emphasises that the Skinners are made in the Czech Republic without any objectionable adhesives or toxic plasticisers and with less than one per cent production waste. And then, just like that, a part of the sole crumbles off when you walk... That doesn’t quite add up. At least I no longer noticed this problem with version 2.0. Will this really make the sole even more durable than its predecessor, as promised? It’s now supposed to last an average of 800 kilometres. In time, I’ll find out if this is really true. The sole on version 1.0 started cracking after just over two years of continuous use. Not bad for such a thin sole.
Verdict: a lot – but not everything – is better
The makers set the right priorities for the updated model. Wearing comfort has especially been improved. Thanks to the included airy insole, you get to choose how you want to wear your sock-shoes. The Skinners 2.0 are slightly heavier and have a looser fit overall due to the new material and extended sole. More often than not, this is no problem. In fact, it’s very comfortable and certainly the better choice for people with wider feet. But in the water or while doing sports that involve quick changes of direction, I feel more comfortable in the old model.
At first, I didn’t notice the change in fit too much. But it is significant, and it’s a good idea to take a close look at the sizing. My old pair fit rather tightly at the toes, so I tried on the new version in sizes 43/44 and 45/46. I ended up going for the smaller size again because of the increased toe room. It’s best to measure your feet using the official size chart. There’s a separate one for the Skinners 1.0 and the Skinners 2.0. The differences between the models are like the Skinners themselves: small, but oh my!
See all Skinners in our range.
Michael Restin
Senior Editor
Michael.Restin@digitecgalaxus.chSimple writer and dad of two who likes to be on the move, wading through everyday family life. Juggling several balls, I'll occasionally drop one. It could be a ball, or a remark. Or both.
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