To Pad or Not to Pad ?
Rubber soles are anti-slip pads that also protect the leather sole of your sandals. You can add them when you order, or later through a cobbler. Here is everything you need to decide.
Your two options
Both are valid. The right choice depends on how and where you plan to wear your sandals.
Option 01
Add them now
Select the "Pads" option when placing your order. We install the rubber soles in our atelier before your pair ships. Ideal if you plan to wear them on city streets or slippery surfaces straight away.
Option 02
Add them later
Wear your sandals for one summer on natural leather. The sole gradually moulds to your foot and becomes less slippery with wear. After the first season, take them to a cobbler to have rubber soles fitted for the next.
Lisbon's pavements are notoriously slippery. If you are based here or visiting a city with similar streets, we strongly recommend adding rubber soles from the start.
Two schools of thought
There is no wrong answer. Here is how each approach works in practice.
Practical first
Add rubber soles from day one. You get immediate grip and protection on the leather sole. Your sandals are ready for any terrain, any city, any summer.
The purist approach
Start on bare leather. The sole softens and shapes itself to your foot over one season, giving a more personal fit. Then protect what you have built with rubber soles for the seasons ahead.
Without rubber soles, you can speed up the break-in by walking on gravel or textured surfaces. This reduces the initial slipperiness of a new leather sole after just a few days.