Lems Kourt

The Kourt from Lems is inspired by the classic tennis sneaker style to be dressed up or down. Designed using the same outsole as the Chillum, the Kourt is made with a full grain leather upper with a subtle suede detail against the heel to add a hint of contrast to the shoe. The perforated tongue and perforations in the back, coupled with the moisture-wicking polyester lining, make way for airflow. 

Lems’s proprietary ultra-thin cork insole provides a natural cooling sensation and can be worn with or without socks, or without the insole entirely if you prefer a more minimal feel.

Specs

• Waterproofing: None
• Last: Lems WIDE Natural-Shape™ Last
• Upper: Full grain leather and suede
• Lining: 100% polyester
• Outsole: 9.0mm LemsRubber™ (air-injection rubber)
• Insole: Ultra-thin 0.8mm cork top layer with 3.0mm PU under layer
• Stack Height: 10.0mm (not including 3.8mm insole)
• Drop: zero drop to 1.5mm drop
• Weight: 8oz (Men's 10)

While this shoe itself is zero drop, as of June 2024 the optional insoles have a small drop (1.5mm for the Minimal Cork insole or 3.5mm for Adventure Poly insole). You can see their breakdown of which models have which insoles here.

• Lems suggests that the insoles compress over time, so you may not notice a drop after the shoes are broken in.
• If you prefer not to use an insole that has a drop, you can wear these without any insoles, or try a zero drop insole such as our Alpaca Insoles.

Sizing Info

Lems recommends your usual size for the Kourt, unlike the Chillum (for which you’d want to go half a size up).

The Kourt is a Lems unisex model, so the men's 9 is the same pair of shoes as the women's 10.5. They use the American sizing system.

• Lems have a triangular footprint shape, wide at the forefoot and tapering to be nice and secure towards the heel.
• The forefoot width is fairly evenly distributed on the inside and outside edge of the foot.
• The forefoot shape suits all but the widest of toe shapes, and you can always accommodate those by going half a size up.
• The Kourt should suit a wide variety of feet like the Chillum, from low to high volume, narrow and wide.
• Their leather uppers will stretch and mold to the shape of your feet.

Both Lems and Cool East Market recommend about 1-1.5cm of room in front of your toes for an ideal fit that allows for full range of motion.

Groundfeel

The Kourt is totally suitable for your transition to minimal shoes!

Due to the thick (for minimal) stack height (everything between you and the ground) of almost 14mm including the removable inserts, and the bouncy lightweight outsole material, these will be very forgiving on unnaturally hard surfaces like concrete. This makes for all-day comfort.

We always recommend starting with a shoe that is forgiving so that you can get used to zero drop, a wide toe box, and the amount of movement that's possible in minimal shoes before wearing shoes that feel like walking in bare feet (shoes with very thin or thin feeling soles). After all, you may be relearning how to walk, so it's nice to make that process smoother and more enjoyable!

Customers who are looking for the maximum amount of connection and feedback from the ground may want to pass on these and we're happy to suggest alternatives. That said, sometimes when you know you'll be spending a long day on concrete, asphalt, and other hard surfaces it can be nice to have a comfier pair of shoes that’s still minimal.

Care

You can read our care tips for leather (and suede) in our Learn area. As for the soles, you can wipe them down with a damp cloth to clean.

Make sure to store your leather footwear such as the Kourt away from heat sources like radiators, as this can dry out the leather making it brittle over time.

Best Uses

These shoes feature a wide toe box and zero drop for maximum flexibility and packability, making the Kourt an obvious choice for travel or weekend getaways. Available in Whiteout or Black Top, these shoes will go with any outfit because they are classy that way.

The Kourt’s cushiony outsoles, everyday style, and all-day comfort make them great for those who are new to minimal, as well as being a top pick for almost any occasion, so they’re a perfect place to start!