I discovered Arcopédico recently and since I’m always on the look out for great clothing, bags, accessories, shoes and technology gear for travelers, the Arcopedico shoe line jumped out. In my research for comfortable travel shoes, I kept reading comments that suggested that they’re the most comfortable pair of shoes they had ever worn. Hmmm! Such kudos from so many people had me intrigued.
Here’s the thing! Comfort more often than not, does not mean stylish, unless of course you care about design, which this Portuguese family run business certainly seems to. After browsing through some of their designs (boots, sandals and walking shoes), I realized that a lot of thought not only went into the material and the comfort, but also the way the shoe looked, right down to color choices.
Ever notice how often you fall in love with a product design, a dress or a pair of shoes only to discover that they don’t come in half sizes, so it doesn’t fit quite right or it only comes in two colors, the opposite spectrum from what you want or need? Both pairs of shoes I’ve been testing out bake my feet in comfort but the LS (Item #1151 – the ordering system on their U.S. site refers to its models by number, not name), is like taking a hike on cotton.
Here is it in RED but note that the line comes in more than 15 colors (yes, really) and had I seen the Brown StarryNite color option, that would have been the option I would have chosen — talk about a choice that would literally go nearly everything in your closet.
Their soles are incredibly durable…..
Below the Brown StarryNite.
To give you an idea of how different they look depending on color, take a look at the same shoe in pink.
Then there’s the LETA (Item#: 4861), a really flexible choice for travelers. While they don’t come in as many colors as some of their shoes, they don’t need to because the LETA is the kind of shoe you throw in your luggage for easy city and town walking and want them to simply go with everything – with navy blue, black and red options, you’re pretty much set!
What else is great is that they’re compact and incredibly light. Below is the LETA shoe in navy which is probably more attractive and interesting then the black ones I ordered, however I wanted them to literally go with everything including a skirt when I was on an adventure travel trip and couldn’t pack a lot.
Forward wind the clock to after wearing two pairs and testing them out on the road. Let’s just say that they’re a step beyond comfortable — “when I walk in these beautiful gens, I almost feel as if I’m floating on air.”
They also make boots and have a vast array of choices and again, to our delight, they love color as much as we do. Below is the R66 (Item #4243) in Bordeaux — talk about fun!
Another boot choice below to give you an idea of just how well designed and stylish they make their Arcopedico footwear .
They pay attention to the nylon fiber materials and the leather they choose, so you not only get great quality and design but durability, which is a must for frequent travelers.
The Arcopedico Thinking and Process:
The volumetric density for correct blood circulation and total foot coverage is tested. The patented anatomic insole is formed to give metatarsal support and a specific stability for the heel has twin supports to maintain the correct angle of foot arch support.
In a normal shoe, the total weight of the body rests on three points only. This often causes pressure to the arch of the foot, as well as the big toe curvature, causing blisters and calluses etc. With “Arcopedico footwear” the foot rests on the whole surface area of the insole.
Consequently, there is less tiring of the foot arch and the elimination of blisters and callouses. Their shoes exercise the foot, which strengthens the muscles, assists the circulation of the blood and ensures more comfort in walking.
The hallmark of all Arcopédico shoes can be seen in two fundamental design principles: the “barefoot” upper—a soft, non-binding design that that conforms to the top of the foot to allow circulation and all-day comfort—and the patented, metal-free twin arch-support soles (made from molded polyurethane), which protect the foot arch and allow the distribution of bodyweight through the entire plantar surface.
They use a patented Lytech material, which is an innovative, ultra-light blend of polyurethane and Lycra, which is not only incredibly comfortable but it allows the shoes to be easily packed for traveling and machine-washed. Arcopédico’s Lytech shoes are also BioCalce Certified, introducing an eco-friendly, vegan, water-resistant and biodegradable option.
Behind the Scenes:
As I mentioned above, the team behind Arcopedico is a Portuguese family who specializes in high-quality women’s comfort shoes that are lightweight, anatomically-designed, arch- and circulation-supporting. The company was founded in Portugal in 1966 by Elio Parodi, inventor of the original knit shoe and today, it remains a family run business which I love.
Lightweight & Fun Colors:
The other thing I loved about them is their weight, which as little as 10.9 ounces, making them ideal for travelers, women working on their feet or people who suffer from chronic circulation problems, sore feet and dropping arches. The shoe line also comes in a variety of really fun colors — a great find for women travelers!
Add on note: I just came back from Japan and wore a pair of their LETA shoes in black for several days on back-to-back tours which involved extensive walking and my feet are in heaven.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE their shoes and give the brand a major thumbs up! For more info and to order, you can visit their site. You can also find them on Zappos and other online sites.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
