If youre already a fan of the Lems Primal 2, then consider the Primal Zen its heir apparent. Lems took the components you love in the Primal 2 - the wide toe box and the flexible IBR outsole - and built a shoe on a new platform that wraps around your foot like a glove. For a more comfortable feel, they also added 2mm of extra sole for added protection and durability. They didnt call this shoe Zen for nothing. In shoes this comfortable, all of your worries will just slip away. This super-minimalist, kicking-around-town shoe offers a wider outsole width than the Primal 2, and a touch more cushion while still keeping the weight off, at just 8.2 oz. The Primal Zen's slick construction also includes an attached tongue that won't fall out of position, and slightly stretchy laces to give you the perfect fit across the top of your foot. The cork footbed guarantees your feet will stay cool and comfortable, with or without socks. With so much comfort designed into this shoe, you'll truly feel like you're wearing nothing at all.The Primal Zen fits TRUE TO SIZE, and you can order your normal US size. The Primal Zen has a wide toe box and a removable insole, so those who prefer extra depth or better ground feel may consider removing the insole.
If youre already a fan of the Lems Primal 2, then consider the Primal Zen its heir apparent. Lems took the components you love in the Primal 2 - the wide toe box and the flexible IBR outsole - and built a shoe on a new platform that wraps around your foot like a glove. For a more comfortable feel, they also added 2mm of extra sole for added protection and durability. They didnt call this shoe Zen for nothing. In shoes this comfortable, all of your worries will just slip away. This super-minimalist, kicking-around-town shoe offers a wider outsole width than the Primal 2, and a touch more cushion while still keeping the weight off, at just 8.2 oz. The Primal Zen's slick construction also includes an attached tongue that won't fall out of position, and slightly stretchy laces to give you the perfect fit across the top of your foot. The cork footbed guarantees your feet will stay cool and comfortable, with or without socks. With so much comfort designed into this shoe, you'll truly feel like you're wearing nothing at all.The Primal Zen fits TRUE TO SIZE, and you can order your normal US size. The Primal Zen has a wide toe box and a removable insole, so those who prefer extra depth or better ground feel may consider removing the insole.
If youre already a fan of the Lems Primal 2, then consider the Primal Zen its heir apparent. Lems took the components you love in the Primal 2 - the wide toe box and the flexible IBR outsole - and built a shoe on a new platform that wraps around your foot like a glove. For a more comfortable feel, they also added 2mm of extra sole for added protection and durability. They didnt call this shoe Zen for nothing. In shoes this comfortable, all of your worries will just slip away. This super-minimalist, kicking-around-town shoe offers a wider outsole width than the Primal 2, and a touch more cushion while still keeping the weight off, at just 8.2 oz. The Primal Zen's slick construction also includes an attached tongue that won't fall out of position, and slightly stretchy laces to give you the perfect fit across the top of your foot. The cork footbed guarantees your feet will stay cool and comfortable, with or without socks. With so much comfort designed into this shoe, you'll truly feel like you're wearing nothing at all.The Primal Zen fits TRUE TO SIZE, and you can order your normal US size. The Primal Zen has a wide toe box and a removable insole, so those who prefer extra depth or better ground feel may consider removing the insole.
If youre already a fan of the Lems Primal 2, then consider the Primal Zen its heir apparent. Lems took the components you love in the Primal 2 - the wide toe box and the flexible IBR outsole - and built a shoe on a new platform that wraps around your foot like a glove. For a more comfortable feel, they also added 2mm of extra sole for added protection and durability. They didnt call this shoe Zen for nothing. In shoes this comfortable, all of your worries will just slip away. This super-minimalist, kicking-around-town shoe offers a wider outsole width than the Primal 2, and a touch more cushion while still keeping the weight off, at just 8.2 oz. The Primal Zen's slick construction also includes an attached tongue that won't fall out of position, and slightly stretchy laces to give you the perfect fit across the top of your foot. The cork footbed guarantees your feet will stay cool and comfortable, with or without socks. With so much comfort designed into this shoe, you'll truly feel like you're wearing nothing at all.The Primal Zen fits TRUE TO SIZE, and you can order your normal US size. The Primal Zen has a wide toe box and a removable insole, so those who prefer extra depth or better ground feel may consider removing the insole.
Last updated at 03/21/2026 13:07:54
Men's Primal Zen Suede Graphite / 9
Delivery between 27 Mar – 1 Apr $106.42
Lems Primal Zen Suede Graphite Unisex Suede Polyester Minimalist Shoes Size US M9 W10.5 Widest Toe Box Zero Drop
Delivery between 25 Mar – 2 Apr $11.95
originally posted on lemsshoes.com
I was really excited when i first got these. This is my 5th pair of Lems. I love the way they fit and these are no exception. These have that same great feel but with a slightly more substantial sole than the original primals , but less than the primal pursuit, which is perfect for me. I also love the new cork insoles. The only reason im not giving these 5 stars is unlike all my previous lems these already look terrible after only casual wear over a month. After only a couple weeks the plastic like layer on the sides started to crack right where your foot bends as you walk. At this point that part is basically shredded, just from walking. The rest of the shoe looks brand new, but that part looks terrible. I would understand if if had been a year, or if i had been ... MoreI was really excited when i first got these. This is my 5th pair of Lems. I love the way they fit and these are no exception. These have that same great feel but with a slightly more substantial sole than the original primals , but less than the primal pursuit, which is perfect for me. I also love the new cork insoles. The only reason im not giving these 5 stars is unlike all my previous lems these already look terrible after only casual wear over a month. After only a couple weeks the plastic like layer on the sides started to crack right where your foot bends as you walk. At this point that part is basically shredded, just from walking. The rest of the shoe looks brand new, but that part looks terrible. I would understand if if had been a year, or if i had been hiking in them or something, but that isn't the case. I still love them, im just disappointed that my favorite pair of Lems ive had so far ended up looking trashed so quickly. Please fix this in the next iteration of this shoe, I will buy them.
originally posted on lemsshoes.com
These are my favorite minimal-ish shoes yet (I have 4 other lems, 5 Xero, 6 Vivo)1) Great last: tons of forefoot room while snug on midfoot. For me this is the best last available from any company. The toe room for toes 3-5 is noticeablely better than Boulder Boots or Chillum. I am disappointed that Lems only offers this last on 2 shoes.2) Outstanding quality. All my Lems have been incredibly well designed, great materials, superb quality of construction (my Chillum dark blue canvas did fade badly and quickly, to the point where I look only wear them for yard work).3) My preference is for a firm sole. The Primal Zen sole is a bit softer than I'd choose, but its good.4) These are very good looking shoes. Simple, clean. I have the blue suede, and I will be buying ... MoreThese are my favorite minimal-ish shoes yet (I have 4 other lems, 5 Xero, 6 Vivo)1) Great last: tons of forefoot room while snug on midfoot. For me this is the best last available from any company. The toe room for toes 3-5 is noticeablely better than Boulder Boots or Chillum. I am disappointed that Lems only offers this last on 2 shoes.2) Outstanding quality. All my Lems have been incredibly well designed, great materials, superb quality of construction (my Chillum dark blue canvas did fade badly and quickly, to the point where I look only wear them for yard work).3) My preference is for a firm sole. The Primal Zen sole is a bit softer than I'd choose, but its good.4) These are very good looking shoes. Simple, clean. I have the blue suede, and I will be buying the gray suede.I love this super wide forefoot last, and I'm gonna buy the waterproof Chelsea boot, even though I already have the waterproof Boulder boot.
originally posted on lemsshoes.com
I didn't have a store in my area that these in stock so I had to buy online; I was worried about sizing. I reached out to support to check the width first in case these being "the widest" would mean potential sizing issues (I usually wear around an 11/43-44 depending on the shoe brand).A men's size 11 is 10.6cm wide per support which was too narrow for my feet. I located Lem's older sizing videos and guides online and measured against a piece of paper + compared against the guide before purchasing; based on the measurements I needed a 12/12.5 and went with a 12.5 (they fit great).Outside of the confusion over the initial sizing the shoe is light and seems like a good first/second step into the barefoot shoe market (I have some Vibram Fivefingers as well). Being ... MoreI didn't have a store in my area that these in stock so I had to buy online; I was worried about sizing. I reached out to support to check the width first in case these being "the widest" would mean potential sizing issues (I usually wear around an 11/43-44 depending on the shoe brand).A men's size 11 is 10.6cm wide per support which was too narrow for my feet. I located Lem's older sizing videos and guides online and measured against a piece of paper + compared against the guide before purchasing; based on the measurements I needed a 12/12.5 and went with a 12.5 (they fit great).Outside of the confusion over the initial sizing the shoe is light and seems like a good first/second step into the barefoot shoe market (I have some Vibram Fivefingers as well). Being suede these look great but aren't as breathable as other material; it's in the high 90s here and even walking in the evening when it's dipped to the low 80s you can tell these aren't made from lighter fabric. This is something I expected and doesn't impact my enjoyment of the shoes, I wanted to mention it as a counter point to the reviews that say how breathable these are.Overall I'm very satisfied (initial worries over sizing aside) and would pickup a pair of these again. 4 stars for now; we'll see how they hold up over time.
Men's Primal Zen Suede Graphite / 9
Delivery between 27 Mar – 1 Apr $106.42
Lems Primal Zen Suede Graphite Unisex Suede Polyester Minimalist Shoes Size US M9 W10.5 Widest Toe Box Zero Drop
Delivery between 25 Mar – 2 Apr $11.95
I was really excited when i first got these. This is my 5th pair of Lems. I love the way they fit and these are no exception. These have that same great feel but with a slightly more substantial sole than the original primals , but less than the primal pursuit, which is perfect for me. I also love the new cork insoles. The only reason im not giving these 5 stars is unlike all my previous lems these already look terrible after only casual wear over a month. After only a couple weeks the plastic like layer on the sides started to crack right where your foot bends as you walk. At this point that part is basically shredded, just from walking. The rest of the shoe looks brand new, but that part looks terrible. I would understand if if had been a year, or if i had been ... MoreI was really excited when i first got these. This is my 5th pair of Lems. I love the way they fit and these are no exception. These have that same great feel but with a slightly more substantial sole than the original primals , but less than the primal pursuit, which is perfect for me. I also love the new cork insoles. The only reason im not giving these 5 stars is unlike all my previous lems these already look terrible after only casual wear over a month. After only a couple weeks the plastic like layer on the sides started to crack right where your foot bends as you walk. At this point that part is basically shredded, just from walking. The rest of the shoe looks brand new, but that part looks terrible. I would understand if if had been a year, or if i had been hiking in them or something, but that isn't the case. I still love them, im just disappointed that my favorite pair of Lems ive had so far ended up looking trashed so quickly. Please fix this in the next iteration of this shoe, I will buy them.
These are my favorite minimal-ish shoes yet (I have 4 other lems, 5 Xero, 6 Vivo)1) Great last: tons of forefoot room while snug on midfoot. For me this is the best last available from any company. The toe room for toes 3-5 is noticeablely better than Boulder Boots or Chillum. I am disappointed that Lems only offers this last on 2 shoes.2) Outstanding quality. All my Lems have been incredibly well designed, great materials, superb quality of construction (my Chillum dark blue canvas did fade badly and quickly, to the point where I look only wear them for yard work).3) My preference is for a firm sole. The Primal Zen sole is a bit softer than I'd choose, but its good.4) These are very good looking shoes. Simple, clean. I have the blue suede, and I will be buying ... MoreThese are my favorite minimal-ish shoes yet (I have 4 other lems, 5 Xero, 6 Vivo)1) Great last: tons of forefoot room while snug on midfoot. For me this is the best last available from any company. The toe room for toes 3-5 is noticeablely better than Boulder Boots or Chillum. I am disappointed that Lems only offers this last on 2 shoes.2) Outstanding quality. All my Lems have been incredibly well designed, great materials, superb quality of construction (my Chillum dark blue canvas did fade badly and quickly, to the point where I look only wear them for yard work).3) My preference is for a firm sole. The Primal Zen sole is a bit softer than I'd choose, but its good.4) These are very good looking shoes. Simple, clean. I have the blue suede, and I will be buying the gray suede.I love this super wide forefoot last, and I'm gonna buy the waterproof Chelsea boot, even though I already have the waterproof Boulder boot.
I didn't have a store in my area that these in stock so I had to buy online; I was worried about sizing. I reached out to support to check the width first in case these being "the widest" would mean potential sizing issues (I usually wear around an 11/43-44 depending on the shoe brand).A men's size 11 is 10.6cm wide per support which was too narrow for my feet. I located Lem's older sizing videos and guides online and measured against a piece of paper + compared against the guide before purchasing; based on the measurements I needed a 12/12.5 and went with a 12.5 (they fit great).Outside of the confusion over the initial sizing the shoe is light and seems like a good first/second step into the barefoot shoe market (I have some Vibram Fivefingers as well). Being ... MoreI didn't have a store in my area that these in stock so I had to buy online; I was worried about sizing. I reached out to support to check the width first in case these being "the widest" would mean potential sizing issues (I usually wear around an 11/43-44 depending on the shoe brand).A men's size 11 is 10.6cm wide per support which was too narrow for my feet. I located Lem's older sizing videos and guides online and measured against a piece of paper + compared against the guide before purchasing; based on the measurements I needed a 12/12.5 and went with a 12.5 (they fit great).Outside of the confusion over the initial sizing the shoe is light and seems like a good first/second step into the barefoot shoe market (I have some Vibram Fivefingers as well). Being suede these look great but aren't as breathable as other material; it's in the high 90s here and even walking in the evening when it's dipped to the low 80s you can tell these aren't made from lighter fabric. This is something I expected and doesn't impact my enjoyment of the shoes, I wanted to mention it as a counter point to the reviews that say how breathable these are.Overall I'm very satisfied (initial worries over sizing aside) and would pickup a pair of these again. 4 stars for now; we'll see how they hold up over time.
These are my first pair of minimalist shoes. I ordered these because they are credited as being among the widest for Lems (and other brands), have a decent amount of cushion for the transition to minimalist footwear, and they do not stand out as looking that much different from conventional shoes. I got the blue suede because I wanted them to have stretching capability. I really like how they fit my feet. I don't even have to cinch up the laces and they just stay put while allowing room to wiggle my toes/feet around. However, I still don't think they are wide enough at the ball of the foot or toes. The ball of my big toes is deforming the suede after wearing for 2 weeks with limited activity - although this is better than the shoe deforming my foot :) This will ... MoreThese are my first pair of minimalist shoes. I ordered these because they are credited as being among the widest for Lems (and other brands), have a decent amount of cushion for the transition to minimalist footwear, and they do not stand out as looking that much different from conventional shoes. I got the blue suede because I wanted them to have stretching capability. I really like how they fit my feet. I don't even have to cinch up the laces and they just stay put while allowing room to wiggle my toes/feet around. However, I still don't think they are wide enough at the ball of the foot or toes. The ball of my big toes is deforming the suede after wearing for 2 weeks with limited activity - although this is better than the shoe deforming my foot :) This will prevent me from ordering any of the narrower footbed styles of Lems shoes. I thought this was quite strange because the Brannock device says I am a 'C' width at the ball of my feet, and these shoes are supposedly EE. I would say that I have a pretty large big toe and ball of big toe, but my feet overall would not be considered 'high volume'. Lengthwise, I think they also are a tad bit small and I will only wear them with a thin sock or sockless. The zero drop is amazing - I've been plagued by low back pain for years and the relief is pretty much immediate. I wish my chiropractor had told me that even low heel elevation in athletic shoes could cause posture issues. Go slow in your transition - the switch from 4mm to 0mm drop had my achilles on fire.
This was my transitional shoe for wearing more barefoot shoes. I had struggled with really bad Plantar Fasciitis and while I had been doing much better, I was concerned about transitioning too fast and causing a problem again. So I started wearing these for a few hours at a time but within a week, I was personally able to make these my full time shoes. They’ve been comfortable and I work for 8.5-10.5 hour work days on linoleum over concrete floors. My feet ache some at the end of the day but more like normal “tired”. I love how flexible they are and how the sole is thick enough to protect my feet but I can still feel the ground. The top does show some wear already but I had read that the extra flexibility and decrease in material could cause barefoot type shoes to ... MoreThis was my transitional shoe for wearing more barefoot shoes. I had struggled with really bad Plantar Fasciitis and while I had been doing much better, I was concerned about transitioning too fast and causing a problem again. So I started wearing these for a few hours at a time but within a week, I was personally able to make these my full time shoes. They’ve been comfortable and I work for 8.5-10.5 hour work days on linoleum over concrete floors. My feet ache some at the end of the day but more like normal “tired”. I love how flexible they are and how the sole is thick enough to protect my feet but I can still feel the ground. The top does show some wear already but I had read that the extra flexibility and decrease in material could cause barefoot type shoes to age a little faster in that way. They’ve become my everyday shoe so I’ve already put a lot of miles on them. Overall I’m in love.
I love the Primal Zen suede shoes I recently added to my other two pairs of LEMs shoes. these are the best shoes I have ever had. I love them so much. All three pairs. I am a newly certified structural reflexologist and this is one of the very few shoe brands that I recommend for my clients. Foot shaped, really flexible, lightweight and enough cushioning for older folks but little enough to feel the ground. And the have backs which is important for our gait. I originally wore them for short periods each day and exercised my feet daily until my muscles got strong again. I had been wearing stiff hard Keen shoes for years and they had made me lose muscle tone. We don't need arch supports because our arches are our spring, where the shock of walking gets absorbed. ... MoreI love the Primal Zen suede shoes I recently added to my other two pairs of LEMs shoes. these are the best shoes I have ever had. I love them so much. All three pairs. I am a newly certified structural reflexologist and this is one of the very few shoe brands that I recommend for my clients. Foot shaped, really flexible, lightweight and enough cushioning for older folks but little enough to feel the ground. And the have backs which is important for our gait. I originally wore them for short periods each day and exercised my feet daily until my muscles got strong again. I had been wearing stiff hard Keen shoes for years and they had made me lose muscle tone. We don't need arch supports because our arches are our spring, where the shock of walking gets absorbed. Wearing hard high orthotics all the time means not only have you lost muscle tone, but the shock wave moves up the body into the top of the foot, up to the lower back, or to the neck. I wish your company would make wide shoes for really wide feet. Some of my clients cant wear your shoes because of this.
These are really comfortable. Issue with these is if they get a drop of water on them.... They stain.. literally, the stain will never go away. Ever. If you wash them thrle entire shoe will go dark with a noticeably more (way more) rough texture. Aside from this cosmetic issue. They are comfortable. The width for the toes and how they feel when walking is very nice and makes them worth the price. Do to the nice shine and new look being ruined to a drop of water... I'm pretty salty about it. During researchimg the product there's no information of the fabric used and the cleaning or protection instructions associated with that fabric. I would recommend this as a nice quality of life update for the customer so you're not blamed for making it difficult for customers to ... MoreThese are really comfortable. Issue with these is if they get a drop of water on them.... They stain.. literally, the stain will never go away. Ever. If you wash them thrle entire shoe will go dark with a noticeably more (way more) rough texture. Aside from this cosmetic issue. They are comfortable. The width for the toes and how they feel when walking is very nice and makes them worth the price. Do to the nice shine and new look being ruined to a drop of water... I'm pretty salty about it. During researchimg the product there's no information of the fabric used and the cleaning or protection instructions associated with that fabric. I would recommend this as a nice quality of life update for the customer so you're not blamed for making it difficult for customers to know how to care and protect there shoes. A link with specific fabrics and how to protect that fabric along with cleaning instructions would of did wonders for me. I don't think peoples shoes should look completely no longer new after a simple light rinse to get rid of a water drop stain.
I’ve been wearing the LEM’s Primal Zen Suede Men’s shoes in gray for the past few weeks and I’m thoroughly impressed. Not only do they look stylish and contemporary, but the comfort level they offer is top-tier.The suede upper gives the shoe a premium, stylish feel and the gray color is versatile, pairing well with most of my watches, which is primarily the 365 pant from Flint & Tinder. The shoes seem to be quite durable and well made.One of the standout features has to be the comfort. The Primal Zen shoes adhere to LEM’s philosophy of natural, minimalist footwear. They offer a roomy toe box and a zero-drop design, providing a more natural foot position and stride. This design is not just comfortable, but it has also made my heavy walking days more ... MoreI’ve been wearing the LEM’s Primal Zen Suede Men’s shoes in gray for the past few weeks and I’m thoroughly impressed. Not only do they look stylish and contemporary, but the comfort level they offer is top-tier.The suede upper gives the shoe a premium, stylish feel and the gray color is versatile, pairing well with most of my watches, which is primarily the 365 pant from Flint & Tinder. The shoes seem to be quite durable and well made.One of the standout features has to be the comfort. The Primal Zen shoes adhere to LEM’s philosophy of natural, minimalist footwear. They offer a roomy toe box and a zero-drop design, providing a more natural foot position and stride. This design is not just comfortable, but it has also made my heavy walking days more enjoyable.If you’re looking for a shoe that combines style, comfort, and a natural, minimalist design, the LEM’s Primal Zen might be a perfect fit. They’re not just a purchase, but an investment in foot comfort and health.
Love the color choices on the Sunray sneakers, classy vintage looks with a little flare. Overall comfort of these is great, especially the heel cup. It locks your foot in pretty well so there isn’t much if any slip. Also even though the sole is thinner than most sneakers, it does not make them any less comfortable. I actually prefer them over the thicker cushy soles of my altras. For fit I would say it just depends on your preferences, they are a bit wide for me even with my E width feet, so there is more side to side play than I would prefer in sneakers, but they are very comfortable. I don’t think you can ever really have a perfect pair of shoes, but these are as close as I have ever come with my wider than average feet. Also a note length wide Lems seem to run ... MoreLove the color choices on the Sunray sneakers, classy vintage looks with a little flare. Overall comfort of these is great, especially the heel cup. It locks your foot in pretty well so there isn’t much if any slip. Also even though the sole is thinner than most sneakers, it does not make them any less comfortable. I actually prefer them over the thicker cushy soles of my altras. For fit I would say it just depends on your preferences, they are a bit wide for me even with my E width feet, so there is more side to side play than I would prefer in sneakers, but they are very comfortable. I don’t think you can ever really have a perfect pair of shoes, but these are as close as I have ever come with my wider than average feet. Also a note length wide Lems seem to run short for me. I have never worn anything above a 10 in shoes before (besides winter boots) but needed 10.5 for these and the new Kourt shoes.
Most comfortable shoe out of the box I've ever experienced. When you slide them on, its instant wow factor. I'm not a beginner with barefoot shoes, having a year of acclimatization to a fully barefoot vivo model. However, long days at work on concrete floors, the full barefoot shoe isn't suitable. LEM strikes the perfect balance here. Attractive enough for work, and enough padding for a 24 hour shifts standing on concrete operating room floors. Sizing is exactly true to size. If you want the floopy toe box recommended by vivo - go up half a size. As work shoes, I went true to size. They fit like a glove, about 2mm of space from toe nail to end. I no longer have to choose between foot health and adequate padding. Lem - if you ever stop making these, reach out, I'll ... MoreMost comfortable shoe out of the box I've ever experienced. When you slide them on, its instant wow factor. I'm not a beginner with barefoot shoes, having a year of acclimatization to a fully barefoot vivo model. However, long days at work on concrete floors, the full barefoot shoe isn't suitable. LEM strikes the perfect balance here. Attractive enough for work, and enough padding for a 24 hour shifts standing on concrete operating room floors. Sizing is exactly true to size. If you want the floopy toe box recommended by vivo - go up half a size. As work shoes, I went true to size. They fit like a glove, about 2mm of space from toe nail to end. I no longer have to choose between foot health and adequate padding. Lem - if you ever stop making these, reach out, I'll buy a pallet.Sizing - exactly true to size. If you want the floppy toe box recommended by vivo - go up half a size. As work shoes, I went true to size. They fit like a glove with about 2mm of space from toe nail to end.
