Vivobarefoot Ababa Leather

Detailed Review

The Ababa Leather Men’s slip-on is simple in terms of design but it was created to be the kind of footwear that makes an impact. It is made in collaboration with Soul of Africa – a social enterprise that facilitates the provision of employment, performs training and income generation through shoemaking, and supports different local community projects.

Making an Impact

In 2017, Vivobarefoot and Pittards started a shoe-making production line in the Capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. Vivobarefoot’s Ababa Leather Men’s natural slip-on is one of the shoes produced as part of that program, hence the name. Since its start, over 70,000 pairs of shoes were produced, and more than £114,000 was generated to do more training, continuously improve the supply chain, and support more local projects.

Design & Usage

The upper of the Ababa Men’s slip-on is made from leather called Wild Hide which is a naturally scarred leather hide taken from free-roaming cattle. It appears shiny, and most reviewers mentioned that it gives off a premium feel. Right out the box, the slip-on can already be worn since Wild Hide is soft and flexible. There’s no more break-in period for this shoe. 

Goring panels are located at the top of the vamp on both sides of the shoe. These panels allow a user’s foot to slip in easily. The rubber of the outsole extends to the upper part of the heel to make a pull tab, another feature that allows the shoe to be easily put on.

There were mixed reviews online about the shoe’s quality. The majority mentioned that the slip-on feel well-made. However, there were a small number of users who observed that the sole showed signs of tearing only after a few uses. The stitches, on the other hand, remained intact as mentioned by the majority of reviewers.

Fit

The Ababa Leather Men’s slip-on has enough room in the toe box. Despite that, the roominess might not be enough if you have wide feet. Online, some people expressed that their pinky toe was digging into the leather on the side of the shoe. It may be best to take proper measurements before making the purchase. 

Grip

The tread on the bottom of the Ababa Leather Men’s slip-on is shaped like a foot. The grooves and lines form shapes and sections that mimic the underfoot. While this type of tread works well on dry surfaces, dirt, or the road, said a good number of reviews, it may not be as reliable when stepping on wet or slippery surfaces.