Vagabond Boots

I love a boot that wears like a sneaker. Comfy but structured. Warm but breathable. Sporty but sleek enough that I could wear it to an office if I happened to work in an office. Not at all gym-like, but possible to run in if someone were to chase me, which is the only situation in which I would be found running. The boot-sneaker hybrid is my happy place, and my newest go-to is Vagabond's Stacy. Vagabond Stacy Boots Pros and Cons If you’ve got somewhere to be, here’s a quick rundown of what I liked and didn’t like about these boots. Pros Soft soles and slip on style make them a breeze to wear Flared outsoles gives them an early 90s aesthetic Eco-friendly: chrome-free leather and recycled polyester lining Three colors to choose from and a canvas sneaker version Cons Slightly heavy and stiff A bit narrow, and they don't sell half sizes My zipped version is often unavailable, but pull ons still are About Vagabond Back in 1973, Vagabond started as a men’s footwear brand with a goal of going global. Based in Sweden and focusing on both fashion and quality, the founders expanded across Europe in the 1980s, working with shoemakers in Portugal and Italy to extend out of the menswear sphere and into a more unisex category. By the ’90s, their styles had become iconic within the Scandinavian market, and they began expanding across the world. Today, the brand prioritizes sustainability and conscious consumption by creating high-quality, timelessly designed shoes and accessories that last. A good example of this philosophy is their usage of chrome free leather, which — in badly regulated tanneries, not all of them — can cause great damage to the environment and workers. The Vagabond Stacy pull-on version, no zips on these Stacy Boots Aesthetic Flared outsoles extend beyond the uppers Extra-low shaft Slightly early 90's look Lots of styles and leathers Vagabond’s Stacy style is defined by its subtly flared outsoles, which means the outsole extends slightly beyond the upper on the sides or back. The brand makes several different shoes in the style—f rom canvas sneakers to a spin on the classic Chelsea to a mid-calf boot that zips all the way down — and comes in a range of colors, from neutral beige to dark brown and black. Unfortunately, the zipped version I'm wearing in these photos is currently unavailable on Vagabond's website; fortunately, they still have a pull-on version. Due to my boot-sneaker fetish, my pick is the ankle boot, which falls closer to the boot side of the boot-sneaker continuum but feels a bit sneaker-y (this is the official term) thanks to its extra-low shaft and flared flatform outsole, which has a mild 1.5-inch platform. Crafted in all black suede with rounded toes, mine have a faux silver zipper just for show at the back and a real functional zipper on the inner ankle; it has a slightly early ‘90s vibe that I quite like, especially when paired with a long floral skirt or bright red windbreaker parachute pants for a night of clubbing. There’s also a cozy furry inner lining that keeps your feet snuggly. Stacy Boots Construction Cemented construction but stiffer than a sneaker Chrome-free leather Recycled polyester lining The sneaker feel of these boots is due in part to the fact that they’re cemented instead of welted, with the top part glued onto the sole instead of a typical boot build — typical in men's boots, anyway — with a bunch of thick layers of leather, cork, and welts, and what not. But despite that cemented construction, the Stacys are much stiffer and heavier than the average sneaker, despite not being resoleable or waterproof (though Vagabond sells their own "Eco-Proofer" solution to protect against water and stains, it won't keep your toes dry in a puddle). Further Reading The 10 Best Resoleable Women’s Boots | Lace Up, Chelseas, Cowgirl, Knee Highs Looking for fantastic resolable women's boots?Check these out → The outsoles are made of wear-resistant thermoplastic rubber, which does well to withstand heat, oil, and chemicals for a long-lasting shoe. The suede cow leather exterior comes from Spanish tanneries certified by the Leather Working Group, a watchdog that audits tanneries to ensure safe and environmentally responsible practices. The insoles are made from chrome-free tanned leather (since research has shown that chrome-tanned leather may cause skin allergies in a small percentage of people), and the lining is made from recycled polyester. So these are certainly not hi top sneakers. There's a considerable amount of leather in both the upper and underfoot, which explains why they have more of a boot's weight and stiffness than you might expect. That said, there's a direct correlation in this instance to the weight and the durability — these will be longlasting boots. Stacy Boots Sizing Order true to size Slightly narrow for my feet These boots run true to size, though I did find them slightly narrow, especially around the ball of my foot. This may be due to the bone that sticks out slightly next to my pinky toe, which I’m told is called a “bunionette” (a word both kind of cute and very gross) but it isn’t a problem I typically have with other shoes. It became less of a problem the more I wore them as the leather broke in, but I did find the sides of my feet to be slightly sore after a long day of walking. If you've ever had a pair of boots or shoes that feels narrow despite ordering the size the brand suggested for you, then you might have slightly wider than average feet and you should consider sizing up in these boots. Alas, they don't do half sizes, so this may be a risky endeavor. Stacey Boots Price $200 For $200, these are on the higher end of sneaker boots, but the quality of the materials and their sustainable manufacturing practices make the price feel reasonable, especially considering the fact that I wore through the soles of my last pair of sneaker boots after just a few years and had to toss them. Are Vagabond Stacy Boots Worth it? If you’re looking for a cozy pair of sneaker-boots, you can’t go wrong with these. Their timeless design and high quality construction make them a worthy everyday shoe, whether you’re out on the town or just running errands.