I was recently sent a pair of the Ahnu Women’s Karma Mesh to review for ActionHub, as was my colleague. We’ve been wearing the shoes for about three weeks so far to and from yoga classes as well as on a daily basis, and I can honestly say they’ve become my go-to pair of shoes. They truly are multi-functional.

Finding shoes to wear to yoga class has long been a struggle for me, for several reasons. First, the studio I go to is in a converted loft space, offering students a small room of open cupboards in which to store their belongings. This room becomes cramped after class, as everyone is waiting their turn to grab their things before departing. Being able to put on your shoes quickly is the goal for most, but that’s hard to do when most people wear shoes to class that must be tied or fastened in some way. While slip-on sandals can also be a great option, they don’t provide that much protection to the foot. The heel design of the Karma Mesh has made this process so much faster.

The heel’s fabric is structured yet flexible, allowing wearers to pull it back completely and easily place their foot in the shoe. This is also helpful after a hot yoga class when you’re especially sweaty, as it’s easier to slip your shoes back on. I’ve even noticed the breathability while wearing the shoes outside of class on a hot day. Because the shoe is partially open, there’s no need to wear a sock. However, the covered areas of my feet never got sweaty and the shoes felt extremely airy.

The first time I wore the shoes, they felt very stiff and I became worried about how my high arch would adjust to the structured fit. After weeks of wear, they’ve molded well to my feet and now hug my arch much better than they first did.

The fact that these shoes are comfortable and stylish enough to wear on a daily basis is what I consider to be the biggest selling point. If someone was wearing them around town, it wouldn’t immediately be known that they were made for yoga enthusiasts. They blend in well with everyday clothing.

The Karma Mesh is available in four colors: Anemone, Astral Aura, Dark Citron, and Dark Grey. Simply put, they’re available in hot pink, dark blue, bright green, and dark grey.

Let’s check out the specs of the Ahnu Karma Mesh:

• 100 percent animal-free, vegan construction
• Synthetic mesh upper
• Made in USA from imported materials
• Hidden gore system along the straps allows for a perfect fit
• EVA midsole for lightweight support and cushioning
• Microfiber lining treated with Aegis antimicrobial agent
• 4 mm non-marking rubber

My colleague has taken to wearing the shoes on a daily basis as well, and said she’s experienced zero discomfort, even after wearing them all day.

“The heel and the criss-cross straps on the top do not irritate my feet at all, even when wearing them for eight-plus hours,” she said. “I wore them in the rain and they have good traction and dried out quickly after I stepped in a puddle. I really like that my foot feels very secure in them, but at the same time the shoes breathe. They are very easy to take on and off (even if you’re sweaty) because the back of the shoe stretches back far.”

For those who like the design of the shoe but aren’t crazy about the mesh, Ahnu also offers the Karma, Karma Textile, Karma Nubuck, and the Karma Vegan, among other similar styles.

Images by Ariel Black