Lems Chillum Review
A casual, minimalist, all-purpose shoe that provides maximum breathability, durability, and comfort for all-day wear.
Specifications
- Heel stack
- 10 mm
- Forefoot stack
- 10 mm
- Heel-to-toe drop
- 0 mm
- Weight
- 8 oz
- Cushion
- Minimal
- Arch support
- Neutral
- Pronation
- Neutral Pronation
- Widths
- Wide
- Available in
- Mens, Unisex, Womens
Where to buy
Retail links may earn us a commission — it never touches the score. How scoring works.
Reviewers and buyers disagree
Owners rate this 2.1 points higher than professional reviewers (9.5 vs 7.4) — a shoe that tests unremarkably but wins people over in daily use.
How this score was built
- urbankitsupply.com Retailer customers 10.0 → 9.2
- lemsshoes.com Brand-site customers 10.0 → 9.1
- neptunemountaineering.com Retailer customers 10.0 → 8.8
- packhacker.com Independent review 7.4 → 8.5
- orvis.com Retailer customers 8.0 → 8.8
Each source is re-centred against its own historical average, then weighted by tier and type. Full methodology.
What people like
- Extremely comfortable and lightweight
- Lightly cushioned with removable cork insole
- Beginner-friendly intro to barefoot shoes
- Casual and stylish for everyday wear
- Great breathability
- Sturdy outsole
- Versatile and packable
- Wide toe box
What people don't
- Sizing inconsistency
- Not as compressible as other barefoot shoes
- Some fraying after awhile
- Slightly thicker sole (great for beginners but not for those who want a true barefoot shoe)
How it performs
Comfort and fit
Made with the same materials as the popular Boulder Boot, the Chillum is an exceedingly lightweight, minimalist shoe that’s perfect for those transitioning to a barefoot shoe. The ultra-thin, 0.8mm removable cork footbed provides a slight cushion for all-day comfort, like a memory foam. Its flexibility and wide toe box also allow for your feet to naturally spread and feel the ground without compromising the soft comfort and stability across a variety of activities.
Durability
Made with a mixture of quality materials, this shoe provides great durability across various activities and is long-lasting, making it a great choice for both indoor and outdoor activities.
Traction
Tough outsole provides great grip and traction across various terrains, including wet and rocky conditions. However, these are not made for strenuous and extreme outdoor activities.
Breathability
Made with a soft mesh, moisture-wicking, odor-absorbing, and fast-drying material, this shoe gives great breathability for all activities and climates. It’ll keep your feet nice and cool throughout warm weather!
Support
With a slightly thicker outsole, a removable cork insole, and quality materials all around the upper, the Chillum is guaranteed to support your feet throughout the day.
Protection
The reasonably thick, proprietary rubber outsole not only provides comfort but protects the feet from outside elements. While you can still naturally feel close to the ground, you’ll be able to walk for long periods across rocky surfaces without feeling bumps and spikes.
Flexibility and responsiveness
The mix of quality materials make the Chillum extremely flexible and responsive.
Style
Not only are these functional and practical shoes great for light hiking, biking, and running, but they’re also super stylish and are perfect for the office, date night, or just an everyday shoe! Customers especially love the shoes in white as it pairs perfectly with any outfit!
Construction
Outsole
9.0mm LemsRubber™ (air-injection rubber) outsole is thick and sturdy to provide the ultimate protection from outdoor elements. Customers report the extreme durability and protection this shoe provides through the construction of its outsole.
Midsole
An ultra-thin and removable 0.8mm cork top layer with 3.0mm PU underlayer that provides a slight cushion for long-lasting comfort.
Upper
The upper is made of suede, canvas, and wool material with a polyester lining. Another special option is the Blackjack color, which uses vegan microfiber instead of suede. The soft mesh material also delivers great, all-around breathability.
Lacing
Soft and easy-to-tie laces that make slipping the shoe on and off as convenient as possible.
Overall, the Chillum is a perfect shoe for beginners who are transitioning to barefoot shoes. The mix of quality materials makes this the most lightweight, flexible, and comfortable shoe on the market without compromising its sturdiness and durability. Customers especially love its versatility and how stylish it is for any occasion!
Video reviews
Sources consulted (6)
Carried over from the previous methodology. Ratings shown are historical and do not contribute to a current pulse score.
- Lems — 10
- Google — 10
- Pack Hacker — 7.4
- Orvis — 8
- Neptune Mountanineering — 10
- urbankitsupply.com — 10