Espadrilles that won't fall apart

July 21, 2017 1:48 PM

In the summer I like to wear alpargatas/espadrilles, but the Tom's canvas alpargatas I bought in late-May have already begun to fall apart. Any recommendations for sturdy, well-constructed espadrilles/alpargatas that won't fall apart? (note: not boat shoes)

I do walk a lot, and I'm not a small guy so I probably put them through more wear than some might, but still! I remember I bought some alpargatas at a little shop in Barcelona that lasted me a whole summer of walking around Europe, so surely some well constructed shoes must be out there. It would be great to find a pair I could wear for the rest of the summer, put away for fall and winter and wear again for at least another season.

Can MeFi help a sockless, thin-sole, espadrille loving guy out?

posted by dis_integration to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (3 answers total)

The Toms canvas shoes do fall apart easily and I wouldn't recommend them. I switched from their canvas classic style to the Avalon model, which don't fall apart (I've had my current pair for almost two years). For alpargatas, instead of canvas, maybe try the version with the rubber sole?

If you're not wearing any socks, they may get smelly though. I suspect maybe your shoes started to fall apart before they could truly reek? I wear no-show socks with my Toms. I also use a combo of foot sprays and powders to keep them fresh!
posted by AppleTurnover at 2:43 PM on July 21, 2017

Ropey Soles
posted by caek at 3:49 PM on July 21, 2017

I haven't tested them, but Paez is also a well known brand from Argentina.

For more traditionally constructed ones, this summer I'm using espadrilles from Casimiro Perez (Italian). From Spain you have Alpargatus.
posted by sukeban at 3:50 AM on July 22, 2017