Kuru Footwear

Heel-Hugging Comfort from the Boardroom to the Bedroom

I'm not a boot guy, but I am a shoe guy. A long time ago, before the idea "how often does anybody look at a man's shoes" was immortalized by The Shawshank Redemption, I was told that “...you can really tell a lot about a man by his shoes.” And it's true. My dress shoes all come from the same place and have served me well for not only years, but decades. Which is why I was hesitant to try anything new. After all, if it isn't broke....as they say,

I was introduced to Kuru earlier this year. Like most footwear, it seemed stylish enough, priced accordingly, but did I really need to try another pair if what I had worked so well? I guess so, because here we are.

There were 2 options I tried; the DRAFT Aalto boot, and the DRAFT 2 House-slipper.

Boots On The Ground

Let's start with the Aalto Boot. Out of the box, the shoes felt lighter than expected and were soft to the touch with the brushed leather. Some minor scuffs that occurred from either being on display somewhere before arriving in my mailbox, or from simple bumping around during shipping were apparent but nothing that took away from the overall look and feel of the shoe.

They are stylish, fit well with their patented support of the heel, and look well when worn with jeans. At least from the profile. Looking down at my toes, I felt like I was looking at a pair of heavy work boots that made my foot appear wider and clunkier than it was, at least in my opinion. I inquired to the others around me what they thought and the general consensus was that it appeared that way only to me.

With living in Florida, I don't have much need for a shoe this heavy; and if it is a situation where I'm wearing pants made of linen or some other light, island fabric, usually the shoe choice would be of something much slimmer and lighter. So I had to wait until I traveled for Thanksgiving to really give them their proper trial. We were in Missouri, just ahead of the first snowstorm this year, so the timing was perfect. The weather was below freezing, but no precipitation as of yet.

Although they didn't keep my feet as warm as I had hoped, they were comfortable for standing or walking around for several hours during our Black Friday shopping. Kuru does make a more insulated hiking boot which would definitely be geared toward the outside more.

Household Comfort

The house-slipper has been my favorite of the two. They are lightweight and extremely comfortable.

They almost feel like a slip-on dock shoe or something similar. Perhaps that is because they slip on easy but don't fall off your heel as you walk around. I've even walked out the front door, only to have to return quickly to put on actual “going out” shoes, due to forgetting that I even had them on. The outer fabric is light and soft to the touch and the inner fleece linings keep your feet warm and cozy all the time while still being breathable so your feet don't get sweaty and sticky. From Florida to the Midwest during a snowstorm, everything was great! Truly bringing relaxation at home to a new level of cozy.

What We Thought

Overall great value for the quality for both pairs. The boots ran a little big compared to my other similar pair and the slippers ran a bit tighter. Neither was uncomfortable. The boots are great for fall casual wear, but not ideal for colder outside adventures. The slippers were ideal for both warm and cold climates and I'll probably buy another pair once these wear out. Both pair had an ergonomic feel, especially around the heel (which is what Kuru is famous for in the first place) that made wearing them comfortable and supportive, a combination that is usually only reserved for a much higher end shoe or something that has been custom made...both of which I have in my closet.

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DRAFT 2 House-slipper

Mens and Ladies Styles Available

Best For: Around The House, Lightweight, Cozy*

Price: $119.00**

DRAFT Aalto Boot

2 Colors Available

Best For: Office, Casual Wear, Lightweight*

Price: $169.00**

*Product descriptions were taken directly from the Kuru Footwear website at the time of publication. The Gentleman's Choice is not responsible for any mistake in any of the product descriptions listed on www.gents-choice.com.

**Rates and availability are based on the time of publication and are subject to change without notice from The Gentleman’s Choice. For the most update product availability and pricing, please visit Kurufootwear.com