Home All Items Men's Ababa Leather

Vivobarefoot Ababa Leather

4.2 
Based on 306 user reviews

Sizing:

62% "Felt true to size"

Based on 53 user reviews

100% "Felt true to width"

Based on 4 user reviews

Women's Sizing:

68% "Felt true to size"

Based on 28 user reviews

Everyday slip-on made from Wild Hide leather, consciously crafted in collaboration with Soul of Africa - a shoemaking social enterprise in Ethiopia.

Most suitable for:

Daily Use, Work, Walking, Indoor.

Minimal Meter:

Pretty good minimalist standards.

What does it mean?

Manufacture Short Description

Ababa is our simple slip-on shoe on a mission. This shoe is made from Wild Hide, the naturally-scarred leather of free-roaming cattle, sourced from small scale farmers in Ethiopia. As part of our Soul of Africa range, the Ababa shoes are handmade in Ethiopia, empowering makers and supporting local communities.

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  • Men's
  • Women's
Vivobarefoot logo From 100$ See deals
Amazon logo From 166$ See deals
Amazon UK logo From 64£ See deals
Zappos logo From 0$ See deals
Vivobarefoot logo From 100$ See deals
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  • Review
  • Description

Review Summary

The Ababa Leather Men’s slip-on is made from Wild Hide sourced from small-scale farmers in Ethiopia. The leather material on the upper is soft and flexible enough to allow unrestricted movement with a decent level of breathability, fit for daily use. Part of the Soul of Africa range, the manufacturing of the Ababa slip-on helps support local communities.

  • PROS
  • Comfortable
  • Minimalist & Casual Style
  • Provides good ground feel
  • Ideal for daily use
  • Functional & Lightweight
  • Flexible
  • CONS
  • Sizing misses
  • Tread may not be too reliable on wet and slippery surfaces
  • Some user mentioned that insole was cumbersome
  • Some consumers reported early perforation of the outsole

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.

Expert Reviews

  by 

Expert reviews

User reviews:

Specs

Brand Vivobarefoot
Model Ababa Leather
Product Type Shoes
Activity Type Daily Use, Strolling, Work
Terrain Road
Eco Friendly Eco Friendly
Design ,Casual, Slip-On,
Materials Leather
Season All Year
Sole Attributes Puncture-Proof
Water Protection
Weight 8 ounces (227g)
Heel Toe Drop 0

Manufacture Short Description

Ababa is our simple slip-on shoe on a mission. This shoe is made from Wild Hide, the naturally-scarred leather of free-roaming cattle, sourced from small scale farmers in Ethiopia. As part of our Soul of Africa range, the Ababa shoes are handmade in Ethiopia, empowering makers and supporting local communities.

Manufacture Full Description

CONSCIOUSLY CRAFTED SHOES, EMPOWERING MAKERS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES.
Hand-stitched in Addis Ababa, and directly providing sustainable jobs to local communities.
Wild Hide leather naturally tanned by our partners Pittards, and ourced from independent Ethiopian farmers.
Carries the Proudly Made in Africa award, independently verified for their quality, materials and ethical production.
WILD HIDE LEATHER

Naturally-scarred African leather tanned by Pittards®, from the hides of free-roaming animals.

SOUL OF AFRICA

Made in Africa, in collaboration with the Soul of Africa social enterprise. A portion of our profits goes back to supporting local employent and education initiatives.

LEATHER UPPER

Ababa Leather Mens’ shoe features leather in its design and construction.

  • Description
  • Review

Manufacture Full Description

CONSCIOUSLY CRAFTED SHOES, EMPOWERING MAKERS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES.
Hand-stitched in Addis Ababa, and directly providing sustainable jobs to local communities.
Wild Hide leather naturally tanned by our partners Pittards, and ourced from independent Ethiopian farmers.
Carries the Proudly Made in Africa award, independently verified for their quality, materials and ethical production.
WILD HIDE LEATHER

Naturally-scarred African leather tanned by Pittards®, from the hides of free-roaming animals.

SOUL OF AFRICA

Made in Africa, in collaboration with the Soul of Africa social enterprise. A portion of our profits goes back to supporting local employent and education initiatives.

LEATHER UPPER

Ababa Leather Mens’ shoe features leather in its design and construction.

Expert reviews

User reviews:

Specs

Brand Vivobarefoot
Model Ababa Leather
Product Type Shoes
Activity Type Daily Use, Strolling, Work
Terrain Road
Eco Friendly Eco Friendly
Design ,Casual, Slip-On,
Materials Leather
Season All Year
Sole Attributes Puncture-Proof
Water Protection
Weight 8 ounces (227g)
Heel Toe Drop 0
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