ART sustainable Chelsea boot with thick sole AMBERES
One of those shoes 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 thanks to Softlight, it is surprisingly light. 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 feel incredibly comfortable.
AMBERES is a high leather Chelsea boot, with elastic on both sides and a handy loop at the back. No laces, no zippers, and no complicated morning ritual. Just pull them on and you’re ready to go.
We have this model in two colors: the subtle NOBUCK GREY and the warm BURDEOS. The same fine fit and rugged black sole, but both with a completely different look.
- High leather Chelsea boot from The ART Company
- Available in NOBUCK GREY and BURDEOS
- Made of calf leather
- Fits true to size: generally choose your usual size
- Elastic inserts on both sides
- Handy pull tab 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 Spanish for Antwerp. The ART Company was inspired by the Belgian city for this model: creative, quirky, a little rebellious, and never boring. And frankly, we understand the comparison.
The boot has a sturdy, distinct sole and a fairly quiet upper. This makes it look rugged without becoming a shoe that enters the room three minutes before you do.
Worn with trousers, AMBERES adds just a bit more character than an ordinary Chelsea boot. Worn with a dress or skirt, the chunky sole creates a nice contrast. A little neat, a little rebellious – just right.
A thick sole without dragging two bricks along
The black sole is about 5 cm high at the back and continues under the forefoot. So you are not standing on a traditional heel where only your heel is raised. The height difference under your foot remains limited, making AMBERES feel more stable and flatter than a boot with a separate 5 cm heel.
For the sole, ART uses the lightweight Softlight material. This makes the boot look a lot heavier than it actually is. Very nice, because while we love a sturdy shoe, we don't necessarily want to do a full workout with every step.
The deep notches 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 more flexible walking feel.
How does ART AMBERES fit?
AMBERES is made on a standard last and fits true to size. Therefore, start by choosing the size you normally wear.
The toe is rounded, giving your toes more room than a narrow or pointed bootie. Your foot should sit firmly in the shoe, but not pinch painfully anywhere. The leather usually becomes more supple as you wear it and molds 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 slip out excessively while walking;
- the elastic sides close comfortably 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 soon as the leather becomes more supple and the sole moves better with your foot, this can decrease. Are you really slipping 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 zippers or laces
AMBERES has wide elastic inserts on both sides. This allows the shaft to give way when pulling them on and then close nicely around your ankle.
There is a sturdy loop at the back to help you pull the boot over your heel. Hold the boot by the shaft when putting it on and use the loop as an aid. Do not hang your entire body weight on it – it is a pull tab, not a piece of gym equipment.
New Chelsea boots can be a bit stiffer the first few times you put them on. The leather and elastic usually become more supple with 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 grey with a taupe undertone. Depending on the light, the leather can look more grey, beige, or greyish-brown. The black sole and dark elastic insert provide a cool contrast.
This color is ideal if you are looking for a quiet alternative to black. It combines easily with denim, black, ecru, beige, camel, olive green, and other natural tones.
BURDEOS
BURDEOS is a deep burgundy 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, grey, brown, and rust colors.
Do you like grey but find it perhaps a bit too safe? 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 – that is honestly the best solution.
Removable insole
The insole of AMBERES can be removed from the shoe. This is handy if you want to air it out, clean it, or replace it over time.
Do you want to use your own orthotic insoles? Then 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 makes ART AMBERES sustainable?
No new leather shoe is completely 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, which is permitted under European legislation. The brand researched fully vegetable tanning, but it turned out that significantly more water was needed for that. That is why ART chose an intermediate form.
AMBERES is 360° stitched all around and has a removable insole. The sturdy construction, replaceable sole, and good material choices 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 the most important sustainability story: buy a pair that fits well, care for 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 carefully 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 become wet? Then fill them loosely with uncolored paper and let them dry at room temperature. Never place them against a heater and do not use a hairdryer. That makes leather dry, hard, and quite grumpy.
Let AMBERES air out well after a long day of wear and preferably alternate 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 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 happiness-makers are happy to help you – and yes, we completely understand if you suddenly want both colors after trying them on.
