When you’re a big guy looking for things to wear, you’re probably used to taking what you can get. What if I told you there’s a socially-conscious, sustainable shoe brand making shoes for big and wide feet? Adelante Shoe Co. is doing exactly that with their boots, shoes, and new formal collection, with sizes to 17 and EEEEE width.
Last year, we put a pair of their Havana boots to the test and loved them. This time around, we slipped into the Romero, a dress shoe from their formal collection. Did it fit as well as the boot? Find out below.
One of the most compelling things about Adelante is their focus on social good. The company pays their Guatemala-based workers above “The Living Well Line” – a social impact methodology that is used to define the relative cost of living well in a given community anywhere in the world. This allows Adelante’s craftspeople to live comfortably (and make double their market rate) while creating the best possible product.
When you buy a pair of shoes from Adelante, you are connected to the person who is actually making your shoe. You’ll get an intro email and a link to a video featuring that craftsman telling their story. Jairo, the gentleman who made my shoes is a second generation shoemaker with over a decade of experience handcrafting shoes. We rarely get to know the people who make the things we buy, so this entire experience made the process more meaningful.
Adelante’s new Formal Collection launched a few months ago, offering a higher-end option for folks needing something dressier. You’ll find two styles, the Romero and the Luca, available in black and brown leather. The Romero (pictured here) is a derby, while the Luca is a penny loafer. Either will look great with more put-together outfits for the office, or as a way to quickly upgrade a more casual look.
When my new Adelante shoes arrived, the first thing I noticed when opening the box was that delightful new leather smell. The shoes themselves look expertly crafted and well put together. As someone with a very, very wide (EEEE) foot, I’m used to shoes not fitting me well. This was not the case with the Romero. It offered the right amount of room for my foot, both length and width wise. It’s amazing what a difference having a shoe that fits properly makes.
I put the shoes to the test, wearing them throughout the day, walking around the studio, and even running a few errands in them. The high density memory foam insoles kept me comfortable, no matter what I was doing. I’m also a big fan of the reddish-brownish hue of the chestnut leather. It stood out just enough with my chinos and really pulled the look together.
Adelante Shoe Co. has done it again with their new Formal Collection. The socially-conscious company continues to make shoes that last a lifetime and fit feet of many sizes. Get the Romero for yourself for $216 or shop their full collection of handmade shoes and boots at their website.
