VIBAe Helsinki Leather

The Helsinki ankle boots are made from leather that adapts to the shape of your foot. They’re a great choice for in-between seasons when you want to keep your ankles protected from the wind.

The design shares many features with barefoot shoes, but the Carbon Step insoles inside give them just enough structure that the manufacturer doesn’t classify them as true barefoot shoes. Compared to regular shoes, however, your feet still get to work in a more natural way. The sole structure is only 3 mm thick.

The shoes have what’s known as zero drop—the sole is the same thickness at the heel and the ball of the foot. This places the foot in a more natural position than typical shoes, which usually have a raised heel. The insole is slightly wedge-shaped, but the soft material compresses under the heel to match the thickness under the front of the foot.

Pair the Helsinki boots with jeans, a suit, or a skirt – they’re versatile and go with many styles.

• Wide fit
• Designed in Finland and the United States
• Handmade in Portugal
• Outer material is vegetable-tanned, chrome-free leather made in Portugal and certified by the Leather Working Group
• Stretch fabric panels on the sides – easy to slip on
• Outsole made from recycled natural rubber

VIBAe only uses leather and hides that are by-products of the food industry in its production.

The Carbon Step insoles are removable. They are 11 mm thick at the heel, 14 mm at the arch, and 7 mm at the forefoot. The material molds perfectly to your foot. The open-cell polyurethane material helps prevent microbial growth and thus also reduces odor formation.

VIBA as a word is Finnish slang for vibe. The small letter e can be skipped when pronouncing the brand name, but not ignored: it stands for ecological production, ethical choices and ergonomics.