Anothersole’s Paloma Shoe Review: Breathable, Comfortable Flat That’s Perfect for Travel
Product Review Summary
If you’re on the hunt for a timeless leather flat, then look no further than Anothersole’s Paloma flat. No-show socks and leather protector are required for these shoes, but the additional investment will pay off. The lightweight and breathable leather fabric is comfortable, and the footbed is soft enough that these shoes will undoubtedly become your go-to travel shoe.
Ratings
-
★★★★★
Made using 100% full grain Spanish Bovine Leather, I could instantly feel how soft, yet durable the leather is. The sole is made from a flexible rubber that’s water-resistant and sturdy. When walking, I could definitely sense that the shoes had a good grip and I never felt like I was sliding, which I’ve experienced in the past with other flats. One of their care tips mentions spraying a coat of clear leather protector to safeguard against water marks and liquid stains. Just be aware that because this is a higher-quality item, it requires more care in order for it to last. Be prepared to order leather protector if you or a friend doesn’t have this already.
-
★★★★☆
I ordered my Paloma shoes in a US size 9. I’m typically an 8.5, but since they didn’t have half sizes (except for 9.5), I decided to gamble and round up. And I’m so happy I did because they fit perfectly. That being the case, if your foot size is somewhere in the middle like mine, I recommend sizing up.
You’ll also want to wear these shoes with no-show socks, otherwise, you’re likely to get blisters.
-
★★★★★
What I love most about this design is just how light it is. Weighing a total of 280 grams, this shoe is perfect for travel. I also appreciate the ergonomic sports-engineered footbed that’s made from plant-based materials. It’s super comfortable and provides more support than I was expecting. You can even remove the footbed for a quick wipe-down so the inside stays fresh and clean.
-
★★★★★
The Paloma shoes are priced at $145 which seems pretty reasonable when you factor in the high-quality materials and their giving back program. Keep in mind you might have to spend a little more on a leather protector if you don’t have that already.
We’re reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you). These are 100% honest & unbiased reviews that we stand behind. You can read through our full affiliate disclosure here.
Anothersole is an up-and-coming sustainable brand with a wide range of leather flats. If you’ve been on the lookout for a leather shoe that is comfortable and consciously made, then the Paloma Shoe is right up your alley. Read on for our full review and final thoughts about these flats.
Anothersole: What To Know About the Brand
In 2016, lifelong friends Benny Chee and Phoebe Charn launched Anothersole. Their mission was simple: create the best leather flats in the market by combining the technology of a running shoe with the look and feel of leather craftsmanship. Since its launch, the Singapore-based company has quickly grown in popularity due to its high-quality products and focus on giving back. Now dubbed the “TOMS of Singapore”, their #Buy1Feed1 program gives 10% of their overall profits to feeding children and building sustainable communities in which they can thrive.
After learning about the company's commitment to sustainability and philanthropy, we were super excited to try out one of their staple products, the Paloma soft leather shoe.
Anothersole’s Paloma Leather Shoe Review
I’ve been on the hunt for a timeless shoe that I can also travel with. And when I came across Anothersole, I was super excited to see for myself if they lived up to the hype. The following is a review of Anothersole’s Paloma Shoe in US Size 9 and the color Clay.
Unpacking and First Impressions
Similar to their ANEW Mini Bag, the Paloma shoes came packaged in a box made of recycled materials and wrapped in a single piece of tissue paper. On the inside, there was more information printed directly on the box about their Buy One Feed One program. I also received a small canvas bag with “Anothersole” printed on the bottom. I’m working on leveling up my wardrobe with fewer, higher-quality items which means I’m trying to be better about properly storing items so they can last. Even though this was a small detail, I appreciated the canvas bag and their ability to think ahead. Moving forward, I plan on using the canvas bag to safely store these shoes in my closet when I’m not wearing them.
Sizing and Fit
I ordered my Paloma shoes in a US size 9. I’m typically an 8.5, but since they didn’t have half sizes (except for 9.5), I decided to gamble and round up. And I’m so happy I did because they fit perfectly. That being the case, if your foot size is somewhere in the middle like mine, I recommend sizing up.
I took my Palomas on a walk around the neighborhood, and for some reason, thought it would be a good idea to do so without socks since they are so light and agile. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the best idea. After only about 15 minutes, I could feel my heels rubbing and started to develop a few blisters. I went back on their website and then saw their recommendation for wearing no-show socks. So after returning back home to grab my socks and a small bandaid, I was in the clear and no longer felt the rubbing I felt earlier.
Lesson learned: wear these shoes with socks. Otherwise, you might end up with a few blisters like I did.
Quality of Materials
My Palomas came in a beautiful clay color and were made using 100% full grain Spanish Bovine Leather. As soon as I took these out of the box, I could feel how soft, yet durable the leather is. The sole is made from a flexible rubber that’s water-resistant and sturdy. When walking, I could definitely sense that the shoes had a good grip and I never felt like I was sliding, which I’ve experienced in the past with other flats.
One of their care tips mentions spraying a coat of clear leather protector to safeguard against water marks and liquid stains. I ended up reaching out to some friends to see if they had spray I could borrow, which thankfully they did. Just be aware that because this is a higher-quality item, it requires more care in order for it to last. Be prepared to order leather protector if you or a friend doesn’t have this already.
Overall Design
What I love most about this design is just how light it is. Weighing a total of 280 grams, this shoe is perfect for travel. Since I try to fly with only carry-on luggage, I love knowing I can swap out my bulky shoes and opt for this pair instead to save on space. Plus, they go with just about every outfit I tend to travel with.
I also appreciate the ergonomic sports-engineered footbed that’s made from plant-based materials. It’s super comfortable and provides more support than I was expecting. You can even remove the footbed for a quick wipe-down so the inside stays fresh and clean.
The Paloma comes in over a dozen colors: core colors, neutrals, and limited edition colors. I can definitely see myself ordering 1-2 more pairs in something a bit brighter. It seems like popular colors tend to go fast: so if you’re eyeing a certain style, I’d recommend moving on it quickly before they’re out of stock.
Sustainability
Anothersole’s sustainability efforts are just as commendable as their giving-back program. The brand is committed to adopting sustainable materials and continually improving its eco-friendly initiatives. In fact, Anothersole is aiming to completely remove single-use plastics in their product roadmap by the end of 2022. Later this year, they’re also planning on launching new and improved ergonomic footbeds that use a bio-based EVA that's made using 20% castor bean oil.
Value for Money
The Paloma shoes are priced at $145 which seems pretty reasonable when you factor in the high-quality materials and their giving back program. Keep in mind you might have to spend a little more on a leather protector if you don’t have that already. But even if you do have to invest in the protector and put a little more care into these shoes than others you own, the price still seems like a steal for a product you will (hopefully) keep in the years to come.
The Bottom Line
If you’re on the hunt for a timeless leather flat, then look no further than Anothersole’s Paloma flat. You may have to invest a bit more in the care of these shoes (like getting no-show socks and leather protector) but the investment will absolutely pay off. And between the lightweight and breathable leather fabric and comfortable footbed, this flat will absolutely become your go-to travel shoe.