It’s not every day you have the opportunity to work with companies like Oliberté. This footwear company is extremely unique because they are the world’s first Fair Trade Certified footwear manufacturing factory. If buying products from a company who gives back in many ways is important to you, Oliberté’s offerings are a perfect place to look.
About
“Oliberté is a sustainable brand supporting workers’ rights in sub-Saharan Africa. We believe in empowerment, transparency, and doing right by all. This means making premium quality products with a lifetime warranty, and it means treating every employee, everywhere in the world, with respect. In 2009, we started off as a small footwear company partnering with factories and suppliers in Africa. Since then, we gained enough momentum to launch our very own factory in 2012. We make every single pair of Oliberté shoes at this factory in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In September 2013, we also became the world’s first Fair Trade Certified™ footwear manufacturing factory.” To read more about Oliberté’s story and the Fair Trade model, check out their About Us page on their website
This company is dedicated to quality, respect, and humanity. Each and every pair of shoes or boots they produce reflect these intentions and principles. We will be taking a look at the Oliberté Narivo shoes, the classic Oliberté shoe.
Construction
The Narivo shoe was immediately a household favorite when it arrived. My siblings were envious and my parents were constantly complimenting the shoe’s construction. Right out of the box you could tell the shoes had been formed with care and passion. The premium Ethiopian-sourced leather is soft to the touch, yet provides adequate support and structure. The inner lining is dark brown goat leather, allowing your foot to slide in easily. Using the traditional stitch-down stitching, the leather upper is attached to the crepe colored natural rubber sourced from various African countries. All in all I have been pleased with how well these shoes have been constructed. Quality materials, expert local craftsmanship, and a good cause put these shoes in good standing.
Function
I have steadily used these shoes for about 2 months now. I have taken them to Las Vegas, the Oregon Coast, college classes, and numerous day trips all over Oregon. Only once have my feet been uncomfortable in these shoes, and that is because the the first time I wore them I walked 25 miles in 2 days while at the trade shows in Vegas. These are extremely comfortable, all-purpose shoes, perfect for numerous occasions. The only negative aspect of the Narivo is the sound they make when I walk. Occasionally I’ll sound like a duck clapping down a hallway, so I have to adjust my gait before receiving stares from people. Perhaps this is just how I walk, but it is the only pair of shoes where this happens to me. Nonetheless, these shoes consistently perform well.
Aesthetic
The Narivo is genuinely a do it all shoe. The casual loafer style truly allows the shoes to be worn with numerous wardrobes, which I can really appreciate. The shoes come in two different leathers. Brown/Yellow Pullup, and Dark Grey Nubuck. Both of these colors are rich and full, and both are top quality. The lacing on both pairs of shoes matches their color, giving them a very slick, well-rounded look. When the shoes first arrived, the stitching was a dark tan color, but after using them for a while the color changed to a dark brown, matching the shade of the leather. If you’re in the market for a pair of high quality, do it all leather shoes, the Oliberté Narivo shoe is a great place to start. The company also has several other casual shoe and boot styles that meet these criteria.
Conclusion
The Narivo shoe has performed extremely well, especially for the price point. At $125, this shoe is a great deal for men looking for quality leather, casual footwear. Oliberté continues to impress me with their leather shoes, and their business model. Head on over to their website and check out some of their offerings and what makes them so unique. And for the women, don’t worry. We have a review of a pair of women’s shoes coming very soon.
