ART sustainable Chelsea boot with thick sole AMBERES
The kind of shoe that makes you think: nice, but probably heavy as lead. And then you put on AMBERES from The ART Company and the exact opposite turns out to be true. The thick black sole looks wonderfully rugged, but is surprisingly light thanks to Softlight. And thanks to the MOVE ME system, it also moves flexibly with you. We have of course tried them on ourselves and can be very brief about it: they are extremely comfortable.
AMBERES is a high leather Chelsea boot, with elastic on both sides and a handy loop at the back. No laces, no zipper, and no complicated morning ritual. Just pull them on and you’re ready to head out the door.
We have this model in two colors: the calm NOBUCK GREY and the warm BURDEOS. The same great fit and cool black sole, but both with a totally different look.
- High leather Chelsea boot from The ART Company
- Available in NOBUCK GREY and BURDEOS
- Made of calfskin
- Fits true to size: usually choose your usual size
- Elastic panels on both sides
- Handy pull loop at the back
- Removable insole
- Softlight outsole: rugged but surprisingly light
- MOVE ME system for extra flexibility
- Sole height at the back approx. 5 cm
- Shaft height approx. 17 cm
- 360° stitched all around
- Produced in Spain
Antwerp at your feet
AMBERES is the Spanish name for Antwerp. The ART Company was inspired by the Belgian city for this model: creative, quirky, a bit rebellious and never boring. And honestly, we understand the comparison.
The boot has a sturdy, distinct sole and a fairly quiet upper. This makes it look cool without turning into a shoe that enters the room three minutes before you do.
Under trousers, AMBERES adds a bit more character than a regular Chelsea boot. Under a dress or skirt, the chunky sole creates a nice contrast. A bit neat, a bit rebellious – just right.
A thick sole without having to drag two bricks around
The black sole is about 5 cm high at the back and continues under the forefoot. You are therefore not standing on a traditional heel where only your heel is raised. The height difference under your foot remains limited, which makes AMBERES feel more stable and flatter than a boot with a separate 5 cm heel.
For the sole, ART uses the lightweight Softlight material. As a result, the boot looks a lot heavier than it actually is. Very nice, because while we do like a sturdy shoe, we don't necessarily want to do a full workout with every step.
The deep indentations in the sole make it flexible and support the rolling motion of your foot. The MOVE ME system is specially designed to provide more freedom of movement. This gives you the look of a robust platform sole with a much smoother walking feel.
How does the ART AMBERES fit?
AMBERES is made on a standard last and fits true to size. Therefore, you should simply choose the size you normally wear.
The toe is rounded and gives your toes more room than a narrow or pointed boot. Your foot should be firmly in the shoe, but not pinch anywhere painfully. The leather usually becomes more supple with wear and conforms somewhat to your foot. Unfortunately, a shoe that is too short will never get longer, no matter how nicely you talk to it.
When trying them on, check whether:
- your toes do not touch the front;
- the shoe does not press painfully on your instep;
- your heel does not lift excessively while walking;
- the elastic sides fit nicely around your ankle;
- you can wear the boot with the socks you normally use.
A very small amount of movement at the heel can be normal for a new Chelsea boot. As the leather becomes more supple and the sole moves better with your foot, this can decrease. Do you really slip out of the shoe, or do you have to curl your toes to keep it on? Then the size is probably not right.
Pulling them on without a zipper or laces
AMBERES has wide elastic panels on both sides. This allows the shaft to give way when pulling them on and then close nicely around your ankle again.
At the back is a sturdy loop that makes it easier to pull the boot over your heel. Hold the shoe by the shaft when putting it on and use the loop as an aid. Do not hang your full body weight on it – it is an pull loop, not a piece of gym equipment.
New Chelsea boots can be a bit stiffer to step into for the first few times. The leather and elastic usually become more supple during use.
Which AMBERES color will you choose?
We have AMBERES in two colors. The model is the same, but the color makes a surprisingly big difference.
NOBUCK GREY
NOBUCK GREY is a soft shade of gray with a taupe undertone. Depending on the light, the leather can look more gray, beige, or grayish brown. The black sole and dark elastic panel provide a cool contrast.
This color is ideal if you are looking for a calm alternative to black. It combines easily with denim, black, ecru, beige, camel, olive green, and other natural tones.
BURDEOS
BURDEOS is a deep burgundy red color. Warm, striking, and yet easy to wear. The red is not bright but has a dark undertone, making the boot look beautiful with black, dark blue, denim, gray, brown, and rust colors.
Do you like gray but find it maybe a bit too tame? Then BURDEOS is probably your color. Do you love burgundy but already know you'll be wondering every morning what it goes with? Then choose NOBUCK GREY. Or come and try them both on – honestly, that’s the most fun solution.
Removable insole
The insole of AMBERES can be taken out of the shoe. This is useful when you want to air it out, clean it, or replace it over time.
Do you want to use your own orthotic insoles? Bring them with you when trying them on. Whether they fit well in AMBERES depends on the shape and thickness. A thicker insole can make the shoe tighter, especially at the heel and instep.
What is sustainable about ART AMBERES?
No new leather shoe is fully sustainable. But The ART Company does a number of things that we like to highlight.
The shoes are made in Spain and the leather comes from Spain and Italy. A large part of the production chain therefore remains within Europe. In production, ART uses water-based glues and a semi-vegetable tanning method.
The leather is not completely chrome-free. According to ART, it contains a low level of chromium III permitted under European legislation. The brand has researched fully vegetable tanning, but it turned out that considerably more water was needed. That is why ART opted for a middle ground.
AMBERES is 360° stitched and has a removable insole. The sturdy construction, replaceable sole, and good material choice are intended to allow the shoes to be worn for a long time. ART also offers repair options through the factory.
For us, that is where the main sustainability story lies: buy a pair that fits well, take care of the leather, and have wear and tear assessed by a cobbler in time. The longer you enjoy the same shoes, the better.
How to care for the leather
The two color variants have a matte, slightly roughened leather structure. Therefore, use a soft brush and a care product specifically suitable for nubuck or similar matte leather.
Let mud dry first and then gently brush away the dirt. Is there still a stain? Then use a special nubuck eraser or cleaner. Test every product first on a small, less visible area.
Do not use regular shoe polish or greasy wax. This can flatten the fine structure and make the color darker or patchy. A suitable waterproofing spray helps protect the leather against moisture and dirt but does not make the shoes completely waterproof.
Have the boots gotten wet? Then fill them loosely with uncolored paper and let them dry at room temperature. Never place them against the heating and do not use a hairdryer. Leather becomes dry, hard, and quite grumpy from that.
Let AMBERES air out well after a long day of wear and preferably alternate it with another pair. This gives the leather and the inside time to release moisture.
Trying on ART AMBERES in Rotterdam
Do you want to experience for yourself how light and flexible the thick sole is? Then come and try on both NOBUCK GREY and BURDEOS in our store at Zwaanshals 376 in the Oude Noorden of Rotterdam. We are open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
Are you unsure about the size, color, or fit? Call us during opening hours at 010-7954177 or email klantenservice@natur-el.nl. Our team is happy to help – and yes, we fully understand if you suddenly want both colors after trying them on.
