Look ma, no brains! What's a gal with fused foot bones, a total shoulder replacement and a missing distal ulna doing on her son's Razor scooter...without a helmet? Going .03 mph, that's what. I'm a closet risk-taker so a Harley is out of the question, but a pair of biker-inspired buckle boots to bring out the wild and crazy slow-motion scooter-riding side of me? Yeah, I'll take 'em.
Introducing Gentle Souls Buckled Up boot. Gentle Souls is Kenneth Cole's "comfort meets style" line. I've never owned a boot with softer leather; I'm surprised my non-athletic calves can hold them up. It's almost squishy-soft. The lining of the boot is deerskin leather, known for its supple texture and breathability.
The Buckled Up boot runs a tad large, so the company sent me a 9.5 (I'm usually between a 9.5 and 10). The fit couldn't be better. There's plenty of room for my toes and no annoying rubbing at the heel. The Poron® footbed is as soft as the leather provides terrific cushioning for sensitive feet. Poron® is a NASA-developed shock absorbing urethane that doesn't break down over time.
While the footbed is soft on the tootsies, I can't say there's a tremendous amount of arch support. Since the boot is roomy, I bet you could insert your own arch support like Dr. Scholl's adjustable arches. The lug sole is durable yet lightweight; you won't get bogged down on your commute.
My right foot has a high instep and I have no trouble getting these boots on and off thanks to the side zipper. I've never tried Kenneth Cole's Gentle Souls before, but I'm impressed with the quality, good fit and comfort footbed. They are spendy, no doubt, but see if you can find a pair on sale at Amazon or 6pm. I think you'll really like them.
I recommend the Buckled Up for medium width feet and calves; the boot may be too tight around athletic calves, especially with socks or tucked in jeans.
The Gentle Souls Buckled Up boot is available at:
- GentleSouls.com: $295, free shipping and returns.
- Zappos: $295, free shipping and returns.
- Endless: $215-295, free shipping and returns.
- OnlineShoes.com: $294.95, free shipping and exchanges.
- 6pm.com: $118-177, free shipping over $100.
- Shoebuy: $294.95, free shipping and returns.
- The Walking Company: $294.95, free shipping and free returns to store.
- Amazon: $194-295, free super saver shipping.
