REVIEW: ANGLES ORPHEUS – City boots for autumn drizzle

We tested the Angles Orpheus city boots. Comfortable, well-made ankle boots from a Czech brand.

Tested model	ANGLES ORPHEUS
Intended use	unisex smart and city walking footwear
Upper material	high-quality smooth leather
Lining	microfibre
Outsole	flexible 3mm rubber sole
Fit	medium to wide, medium instep
Colour options	brown, black
Available sizes	37–46
Price	4 390 Kč
Testing conditions	three months of everyday wear in the city and at school
Manufacturer	Czech brand ANGLES, handmade in Portugal

The boots are described as three-season, meaning autumn, winter and spring. They landed in my hands at the end of 2022, and I couldn’t wait to take them out for a proper walk – not only around Prague, but also in Rome, Brno, Bratislava, Pardubice, Plzeň and other places where I’ve been giving talks recently. After three months of wear, I’m genuinely very happy with them.

Main pros:

• high lace-up design gives a feeling of stability

• thanks to their weight, you can barely feel them on your feet

• even on long walks, you feel comfortable in them

• they handle temperature changes throughout the day really well

• they look stylish and go with almost anything

• they’re comfortable, roomy and fit well on the foot

• they follow the ground well and protect the foot

• they’re soft and flexible

Main cons:

• in lower sub-zero temperatures (below about –5 °C) and during longer periods outdoors, my feet did start to feel cold in them, mainly from the ground

• after three months of use, they already show signs of minor wear, especially on the toe and at the flex point in the front of the shoe

Key features and technical assessment

The higher-cut ankle barefoot boots ANGLES ORPHEUS are designed for both men and women, can be worn with pretty much any outfit, and serve you well for most of the year. They’re brilliant for city wear, and they’ll also cope with a short stroll along a riverbank or through a park.

They’re handmade in Portugal from high-quality soft leather, respect the anatomical shape of the foot, fit well and give your feet plenty of space. They don’t pinch even on the first wear, and your feet feel comfortable in them. The cut is zero drop, with no arch support and no stiff, raised toe. They suit medium to wider feet and fit a medium instep. So they’ll work for a wide range of barefoot enthusiasts.

The 3mm rubber sole provides a great balance of walking quality and comfort. It feels lovely underfoot, and walking is exceptionally comfortable. The quality leather upper adds elegance and style.

They held up in Prague and in Rome

End of the year in the city on the Tiber

I traditionally spend the end of the year somewhere outside the country. I do like Christmas, but for the period afterwards – often ending with a lively New Year’s Eve – I prefer to disappear off travelling. Last year it was Istanbul, and this year my destination was the stunning Eternal City: Rome. My girlfriend and I (she took most of the photos you see here) had a few beautiful warm days ahead of us.

That’s exactly where I see one of the big strengths of ANGLES ORPHEUS: how well they handle temperature differences. You feel good not only when switching climates between Prague and Rome, but also between a chilly morning, a warm afternoon and the cooler evening of an Italian winter. My feet were neither too hot nor overly cold during the day – they didn’t sweat or freeze. In short, the boots delivered plenty of comfort for a full sunny winter day in Italy.

Over five days we walked more than 100 kilometres around Rome’s streets, sights and parks, and I didn’t get a single blister – even though I’d only had the boots for a short time. Walking around Rome felt great, and although I’m not particularly fussed about it (unlike the Italians), they looked good even alongside other Italian shoes.

Winter in Prague and elsewhere in the Czech Republic

This winter was packed with talks and travel all over the Czech Republic, with a quick hop over to Slovakia too. While travelling and presenting, I really appreciated having a comfortable shoe you can spend sixteen hours – or more – in without feeling like your feet are about to fall off.

With frequent moving around, you sometimes need to look presentable in the morning with students, at lunchtime at a work meal, and in the evening at an official event. So I usually carry a few different outfit options (a hoodie and T-shirt, a shirt and blazer, and so on). In moments like that, it’s brilliant that ANGLES ORPHEUS work with both more outdoorsy clothes and smarter evening wear. When you’re on the road, that’s priceless.

Because ANGLES ORPHEUS are primarily city boots, you might think it’s enough that they look good on the streets of Prague or when you’re sat in the office… That might be enough for some people, but not for me – I need a bit more. And that “bit more” is exactly what these barefoot boots give me.

Final verdict

The ankle barefoot boots ANGLES ORPHEUS delivered exactly what I expected. I spend a lot of time travelling, often with shoes on all day, so I really appreciate their comfort and build quality. I like the craftsmanship, and they go with practically everything I own – so from a minimalist point of view, they’re simply ideal. I love trekking and long walks, so I want my feet to be well looked after, and these boots do that perfectly.

To wrap up, I’ll just say that ANGLES ORPHEUS are excellent boots for spring, autumn and milder winter months, and they’re great for travel as well as the office. I’m glad to have them at home.

The city boots ANGLES ORPHEUS were tested by Jiří Kalát. A travelling scribbler who gives talks for people who enjoy listening. He loves the Middle East and North Africa, but he’s happy to roam anywhere you can find adventure or discover something new. He’s the author of the books Everyone Lies Here and Chernobyl on Wheels, collaborates with several magazines and travel websites, and speaks at festivals and venues across the Czech Republic. He also tries to help, supporting projects such as 1000 statečných, Nadace Leontinka or Domov sv. Josefa v Žirči.

 

Where will your next steps take you?

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