| Tweet |
I’ve had a thing for shoes for a while now. However, it’s usually running shoes, ice climbing boots, climbing shoes or fueling my ever unhealthy obsession with Chacos. Then, I got a “big girl” job, and wasn’t allowed to wear my running shoes or my sandals to work anymore. Crux. With the exception of my Danskos, I know nothing of “big girl” shoes. Thankfully, Patagonia has released a line of women’s shoes that are both fashionable and functional. My favorite choice out of this line is the Patagonia Addie Boot.
As with Patagonia’s clothing line, you can expect paramount quality and performance with environmentally conscious construction with Patagonia Footwear. Also similar to their apparel line, the footwear line commits 1% of their sales to the preservation and restoration of the environment through the 1% for the Planet program. This year’s Women’s Casual Line features 3 different sub-lines of shoes: The western inspired, casual-yet-dressy Addie line, the fancier Elegance line, intended to “bring out the feminine side of us outdoor tomboys” and the Surf line, featuring flops and beach-worthy sneaks. I chose to try out a pair of Addie Boots for my day to day wear at work.
Patagonia Addie Boot Features
- Constructed of “Better Leather.” Patagonia goes out of their way to work with the Leather Working Group and only sources their leather from companies that have been certified as Gold, Silver or Bronze tanneries by the LWG. This means the leather on your feet comes from sustainable, environmentally oriented tanneries.
- Soles are constructed of 70% Hevea Natural Latex, which is created from Hevea tree milk. The extraction of milk from the trees allows more milk to be produced, so it’s a sustainable way to create the outer portion of a shoe.
- Uppers are a full grain leather/suede/pigskin combo, while the sole has a 2mm steel shank in it so you’ve still got some support and flex.
- Fit: Medium with, toe box and arch support. Fits true to size. I am a 7 across the board, and a 7 fit just great.
Patagonia Addie Boot Review
After wearing these boots for a week of work days, I’m sold. They have a tiny heel on the back so you’ve got a bit of elevation (we’re talking 2-3 cm at most), without so much that you’re going to topple over. The “western-esque” style is right up my alley- not overly girly, but still stylish and feminine. They also aren’t so over-the-top-cowboy that they make you look like you’re missing your spurs and a giant belt buckle. The sole is super comfy, and I can wear them for a full day on my feet and come home with happy footsies. I’ve worn them with jeans and with a skirt, and they look great with both. I like being comfortable. I like knowing that my leather has come from some place responsible. I like looking like I have some fashion sense (despite my obvious absence of any awareness of trends that aren’t related to running shoes). With the Patagonia Addie Boot, I get everything I like. Is it still weird for me to grab a pair of leather boots for my day to day shoe as opposed to my trail runners or sandals? Yes. But I guess we all have to grow up sometime. Fortunately, Patagonia has made that transition a bit easier for me.
Patagonia Addie Boot: The Good
- Stylish AND comfy: What a nice combo.
- Environmentally friendly kicks.
- True to size fit.
Patagonia Addie Boot: The Bad
- Leather boots aren’t happy in wet conditions. Perhaps save these beauties for after the spring melt off.
;)
