Aylla Tiksi Winter are a very special piece of winter barefoot footwear. These leather shoes are lined with real sheepskin (a great rarity in barefoot shoes) which, despite the lower height of the shoe, will keep you perfectly warm throughout the colder part of the year.
Aylla is a young Czech barefoot brand that has only recently started its journey, but has quickly made its mark. Their shoes are inspired by natural materials and a wide range of colours, including soft pastels. In the review you will be able to see their new Tiksi Winter model, which is a warmer upgrade of their Tiksi all-year model.
Disclaimer: I was given the shoes as a gift to review, but as always, all opinions expressed here are my own and I receive no compensation if you decide to buy them.
Tested on:woman, medium-wide feet, 26.3 cm long and 10 cm wide, low instep, skinny ankles with narrow heel, fin-shaped foot (see my how to measure guide and foot type) – wearing size 43
| Made in EU | Adults | Leather | Ship Worldwide |
2. Material characteristics
2.1 Upper
Aylla Tiksi Winter are the winter version of their all-year Tiksi model, so the outward appearance of those two models is very similar. The only differences are in the range of colours, the thermal characteristics and the internal lengths, which are shorter in the Winter model due to the thicker lining.
Winter Tiksi models are available in different colours. Of course, there is also the classic black and brown, but I have chosen a soft pink colour, which is a little less common in winter shoe collections.
The pink leather is complemented by offwhite laces and a brown-yellow outsole.
For both decorative and practical reasons, a pull-loop is added to the top of the shoe. The heel is not reinforced, so the shoe is very soft in the heel and ankle area.
2.2 Lining
The shoe is lined with genuine sheepskin, which offers an extremely cosy, warm and soft feeling on the foot. These are one of the very few barefoot shoes that use real sheepskin for the lining, so your feet will be warm in them despite the fact that the model is lower.
2.3 Sole
The sole is made of recycled TPR material (a mixture of plastic and rubber), 4 mm thick. The sole is thin and flexible, with very shallow lugs, making it suitable for urban environments. The ground feeling is good.
Flexibility is good thanks to the soft leather and sole and the shoes roll easily in all directions.
See also the video for a close-up.
3. Sizing information
3.1 Length
Available in sizes 35 to 47, the Tiksi models are suitable for women and men, as well as children who already wear bigger sizes. Pink is only available up to size 43.
The values in the size chart are true only for the Tiksi all-year model, while for the Tiksi Winter model the note added to the size table should be taken into account. The Winter boots are approx. 5 mm shorter due to the thick sheepskin lining.
With my foot length of 26.3 cm, I chose size 43, which has an internal length of approx. 27.5 cm. This means that the shoes are 12 mm longer than my foot. This is also the space I prefer in my shoes.
I also tried a size 42, which was too small for me. My toes touched the end of the shoe when I walked, which is not ok.
The Aylla Tiksi Winter shape has a stronger slope towards the little toes, so this shape is best suited to foot types 1, 2 and 5. Feet with a squarer foot shape (3,6) and feet with a distinctly longer second toe (4) may run out of space for smaller toes in this shape, so the shoes will not be the right shape for them.
I have a foot type 4, but the second toe is only slightly longer than the first, so I can still wear this shoe shape. My smaller toes do not touch the front part of the shoe when I walk.
The shoes are best suited for medium and wide feet. There is plenty of room above the toes, but the thick lining does take away some of the volume. I don’t mind the reduction in volume at the expense of the warm lining so much because the sheepskin feels extremely comfortable.
3.3. Fit around the instep, heel and ankle
The Winter Tiksi is best suited for low and low-medium height instep. They are not suitable for high instep. The problem for high instep occurs at the point where the laces start (they will feel too snug), and the appearance at the tip of the tongue will also be distracting because the eyelets will be too far apart.
They are suitable for different ankle widths and will fit both narrow and wide ankles. For my low-volume feet with skinny ankles, this model fits very well.
4. Comfort
The combination of soft leather and sheepskin is the perfect symbiosis for incredible in-shoe comfort. I have no complaints.
5. How and when to wear them?
The Tiksy model pairs perfectly with casual clothes. The range of colours is suitable for those who prefer classic black and brown and for those who want to stay colourful even in winter.
6. Price & where to buy
The Aylla Tiksi Winter can be purchased on the official website and is also available in various stores in Europe. The price for the Tiksi Winter model is 151,04€.
7. Shipping info
Aylla Shoes ships to selected EU countries as well as to some countries outside the European Union. The shipping cost for the EU is 9€.
8. To sum up
The Aylla Tiksi Winter is the right choice for those who prefer low-cut models even in winter. The extremely warm and soft lining made from natural hypoallergenic sheepskin will ensure thermal comfort despite the thin sole. Just be careful to choose the right size, as the shoes are shorter than the values in the size chart due to the warmer lining.
Aylla soles look similarly shaped to belenka’s leaf sole to me, would you say? Same chart measurements (eu 42 273 x 103). Though Aylla’s men’s 42 are 274 x 108. I’d like to try these if they are wider than belenka.
Yes, they have a similar shape as the Be Lenka UrbanComfort sole. This specific model is slightly wider than Be Lenka, but we haven’t tried other Aylla models yet, so it is hard to comment in general as the fit can depend on the material and design of the upper too.
Mine were broke after one season. My sole on one shoe at the point where the big toe is broke. It felt like the sole hardened out too much. A chunk the size of 0,5 x 2 cm is now missing and now the shoe leaks when it rains. I’m gonna adress Aylla with the problem. Other than that really comfy shoes, almost as comfy as my Be Lenka boots from three years ago.
Thank you for sharing your experience with the shoes! We appreciate your feedback, and we’re sorry to hear about the issue you encountered with the sole. It’s unfortunate that they broke after just one season.
We hope Aylla wes able to assist you with the sole issue.
Hi, we are Katja and Tjaša, and we are dedicated to helping you get started with barefoot shoes. We believe that everyone should be able to walk without pain and enjoy the benefits of going barefoot. With our personal experience and knowledge gained, we have created this blog to guide and support others on their journey towards a healthier lifestyle.
Aylla soles look similarly shaped to belenka’s leaf sole to me, would you say? Same chart measurements (eu 42 273 x 103). Though Aylla’s men’s 42 are 274 x 108. I’d like to try these if they are wider than belenka.
Yes, they have a similar shape as the Be Lenka UrbanComfort sole. This specific model is slightly wider than Be Lenka, but we haven’t tried other Aylla models yet, so it is hard to comment in general as the fit can depend on the material and design of the upper too.
Mine were broke after one season. My sole on one shoe at the point where the big toe is broke. It felt like the sole hardened out too much. A chunk the size of 0,5 x 2 cm is now missing and now the shoe leaks when it rains. I’m gonna adress Aylla with the problem. Other than that really comfy shoes, almost as comfy as my Be Lenka boots from three years ago.
Thank you for sharing your experience with the shoes! We appreciate your feedback, and we’re sorry to hear about the issue you encountered with the sole. It’s unfortunate that they broke after just one season.
We hope Aylla wes able to assist you with the sole issue.