Oliberté Bokoroo Review – $140

The world we live in is constantly changing and there’s great people out there who are making efforts to be better at everything we do. I believe that a small portion of this success can be attributed to Oliberté and their Fair Trade efforts. The Oliberté shoes we have reviewed before were quite nice, so I am excited to dig in to the latest piece, the Bokoroo.

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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.

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This company is dedicated to quality, respect, and humanity. Each and every pair of shoes or boots they produce reflects these intentions and principles.

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Construction

Right from the start the Bokoroo’s construction has been the most notable aspect of the shoe. Their classic, retro design are complemented by excellent quality stitching and premium leathers. The Bokoroo is constructed with a full-grain leather upper, goat leather lining, and natural rubber sole with an awesome map of Addis Ababa, the Oliberté factory location in Ethiopia. I Bokoroo is built extremely well, and the only niggle I have with its construction is the small leather heelpiece that isn’t completely attached. This may be for aesthetic, but I would prefer it to be sewn together due to it unfolding after extended periods of use.

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Function

I have not had one single issue with how the Bokoroo performs at all. The high-top has treated me well during miles of Las Vegas trade show perusing, thousands of miles on my motorcycle, and countless day trips around town. I am extremely impressed with Oliberté’s dedication to high-quality, accessible footwear. These shoes are built to last and I definitely have and will continue to put them to the test.

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Aesthetic

This is my first pair of high-tops that I have actually enjoyed looking at as much as wearing. The deep black leather is very attractive, and I am sure the other two colors are as well. The Bokoroo is built on the Oliberté Anbesso last, so there is plenty of arch support and comfort. Over time, the Bokoroo has stretched out just a little bit, but it still fits my feet perfectly, which are a little on the wider side. The shoe has already started to develop a worn in look, which goes well with the retro, African infused design.

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Conclusion

If you are a person who enjoys supporting companies that are truly committed to fair trade principles, Oliberté is an excellent choice. I have been impressed with the quality of Oliberté’s shoes for the price–  purchasing a pair is not going to break the bank. At only $140, the Bokoroo is a wise purchase for men looking for some quality, unique casual footwear. Head over to their site and check out some of the new models, some of which are a great deal. Ladies, be ready for an Oliberté women’s shoe review coming soon!

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Oliberte Women’s Amboa Review – $125

I got my first pair of TOM’s the first month of my senior year of high school. By the second month of my senior year of high school, they were trashed. The canvas was threadbare in several places and the poorly constructed toe was peeling away from the sole. Since then, I’ve been quite wary of TOMS and companies of their breed.

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When I opened up my Oliberte Amboas, my fears were immediately put at ease. These are no TOMS. First of all, their mission is much more sustainable. Instead of sending poorly made shoes to impoverished countries, Oliberte actively invests in the Sub-Saharan economy, boosting industry and providing justly compensated jobs. Their factory and sourcing is completely fair trade certified. Secondly, the quality of their products is much higher. To learn a bit more about their social and environmental mission, check out their About Us page.

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THE LEATHER

Oliberte sources their leather from the Hafde Tannery in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The upper on the Amboa is made of African nubuck, the midsole is made of veg-tanned cowhide, and lined entirely with goat leather. The leather is smooth yet firm and hasn’t stained or scuffed after quite a few wears. It comes in black and brown colors as well. The dark grey is a very unique color that I have found to be very versatile. The color is a bit lighter in person than on the website, and it has almost a light blue hue. They go great with dark skinny jeans, especially since they have a subtle heel.

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CONSTRUCTION & FUNCTION

The leather is cemented to the sole, made of molded rubber with a 2/3 inch wedge heel (15 mm). The laces are standard nylon, in the same grey color as the leather. The bottom of the sole is printed with a map featuring Addis Ababa, a fun little detail that I’ve been asked about several times. It’s a fun reminder of Oliberte’s mission.

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The only issue I want to warn you about is sizing. I generally wear a size 9.5, and was told the Amboas run a little large, so I ordered a size 9 (they don’t come in half sizes). They ended up being a little small and I now wish I had ordered a size 10. I worried that since they’re small, the cemented sole is starting to pull apart a tiny bit on one side. But I’ve worn the shoes probably two dozen times for long periods of time and it hasn’t gotten any worse, so I wouldn’t be too concerned. Just be sure to order up if you’re usually a half-size.

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Even though they’re a little tight, they’re not uncomfortable. I can easily wear them all day long. I’d recommend wearing the tiny socks made for ballerina flats because the goatskin liner can be a little squeaky without socks.

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CONCLUSION

These are great, unique shoes from a company with an amazing mission. These aren’t meant to be everyday shoes that will last you forever, but the Oliberte Amboas are a great purchase that will last much longer than a cheap shoe from Payless. Plus, they boast a much more distinctive look and story. At $125, these are very fairly priced, especially since they frequently put them on sale on their website. They’re currently down to just $60, so snatch them up while you can, and keep an eye out for sales on some of their other great looking styles.

 

 

 

Oliberté Narivo Review – $125

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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