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Mohinders City Slippers Solid Review – $165

I’m no stranger to the awesomeness that is Mohinders. I reviewed their classic City Slippers 2 years ago and aside from my belt, they were probably my most used leather piece. The slip on and go functionality quickly won me over. When I moved this year to the east coast and forgot to pack them, you can imagine my dismay. However, they’re back with the Mohinders City Slipper in Solid, and I’m excited to give them a go.

Construction

The City Slippers are constructed from water buffalo leather. Locally sourced botanical tanning agents free of chemicals are used in treating the leather.  The cavani style of weaving brings the upper and natural crepe sole together. The Mohinders branding can be found on the inside heel. The footbed is firmly padded. The slippers are made by hand in India by a group of skilled artisans. Seriously, go on the Mohinders website and check out the bios of the men behind the shoes. 

The Cavani weave replaces typical stitching and is a lot more durable than thread.

Function

Let me state one thing right away, the City Slippers are stiff out of the box.  I could barely get my foot in.  This wasn’t my first Mohinder rodeo though, I knew I had to work at them a little. After about 2 weeks of somewhat uncomfortable wear I was rewarded with a very good fit that stretched to the exact dimensions of my foot. This may be a turnoff for some, but it’s worth the effort.

I’m not a traditional sandals guy and I loathe flip flops so the City Slippers offer a great compromise. They stay on your feet well and offer above average comfort from a leather slipper.  They’re great for warm weather outings and the slip on/slip off functionality will win you over in no time.  Great for the beach as the solid leather covers your foot and keeps small rocks and other debris out. This model lacks the breathability of it’s woven brother but I prefer this closed toe design.

Perfect for lazy Sunday afternoons.

Aesthetic

These are good looking slippers. I almost dislike referring to them as slippers, lest images of bunny shoes and Isotoners come to mind. The clean, uncluttered design makes these babies instant classics. I’ll admit, the original Mohinders took some getting used to stylistically for me. I liked these right out of the box. Paired with seersucker 7” inseam shorts, Oxford with rolled up sleeves and you’re doing damage! They’re stylish which too in a way can limit them. I definitely wouldn’t wear them with gym shorts or cargos, but this is America and you can if you want. The leather will darken and take on a more golden hue as they wear in, I really like this and enjoy the character they develop as I use them.

Conclusion

If you can get past the pricing, I think the Mohinders City Slippers are a great summer footwear option. They break the tired mold of flip flops and offer a more versatile wearing experience. The company’s efforts in making this an ethically sourced product are admirable as well.

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Mohinders Men’s City Slippers Review – $145

With spring here and summer on the way, finding the right casual footwear can be a pretty challenging task. I’ve never been a “flips flops” kind of guy but wanted something light and easy to slip on. After quite a prodigious search, I came across the Mohinders Men’s City Slippers and had to give them a go.

Mohinders CitySlippers

ABOUT

Mohinders was born when founder Michael Paratore came across a pair of hand woven leather shoes in the markets of Mumbai. It was back in the states when he decided to quit his corporate job and start a shoe company. What followed was a journey back to India to locate the artisans behind the shoes he first encountered. Once he finally tracked down the craftsmen, Mohinders was born. Taking the original design and tweaking the style, comfort and durability, the CIty Slippers aims to be a wear all shoe you can sport anytime, anywhere. Skeptical? Well, if a man quits a successful career and opens a company essentially based on one shoe, it must be worth a second look!

MohindersCitySlippers (4)

CONSTRUCTION

The City Slippers arrived in a very cool sackcloth pouch with a patterned lining. The shoes themselves are handwoven from vegetable tanned buffalo leather. The smell of the slippers conjured up memories of  petting zoos but this was only noticeable when deliberately held up to my nose. Mohinders credits this unique aroma to the dyeing process that uses babul tree and the myrobalan nut. The sole of the City Slippers are natural crepe rubber. If you noticing a pattern, the Mohinder’s are about as natural as it gets. The environmental impact from production is about equal to playing a round of croquet on the neighbor’s lawn.

MohindersCitySlippers (5)

FUNCTION

If there’s one thing we like to stress about high quality leather products, it that there is usually a break in process to let the leather stretch and become pliable. That rule definitely applies to the City Slippers. At first they were a bit snug and I experienced a little abrasion on my pinky toe, but in the words of the great George Michael, you gotta have faith. As expected, the leather conformed to my foot perfectly. Not too tight where they felt constricted and loose enough to allow easy on and off. The crepe soles really impressed, very flexible and after several week of continuous use, show little wear and a promise of prolonged life.

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AESTHETIC

The City Slippers are a welcome alternative to flip flops, Jesus Cruisers, mandals, and all other sorts of exposed footwear for men. I have pretty hairy feet (think Frodo Baggins) and don’t usually feel comfortable wearing traditional sandals. The City Slippers on the other hand look great and allow for that laid back vibe. The styling is very adaptive and I can wear these around the house just as easily as I can at the farmer’s market. Served with chino shorts and an Oxford with rolled sleeves and you’re good to go.

MohindersCitySlippers (2)

CONCLUSION

The Mohinders City Slippers are a solid option for men who aren’t into the whole sandals thing, or who simply want a new, casual good looking summer footwear option. The $145 price tag is a little steep, but you’re supporting artisans in rural communities, and wearing an environmentally conscious shoe. Oh, and you’ll look good every step of the way.