ANGLES ORPHEUS REVIEW: 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
Sole	flexible 3 mm 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

These boots are described as suitable for three seasons – 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 adds a feeling of stability

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

• even on long walks, you stay comfortable

• they handle temperature changes well throughout the day

• 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 supple

Main cons:

• in lower sub-zero temperatures (below roughly –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 boot

Key features and technical assessment

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

They’re handmade in Portugal from quality soft leather. They respect the natural 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 without a raised heel, arch support or a stiff, lifted toe. They suit medium to wider feet and fit a medium instep, so a wide range of barefoot fans will appreciate them.

The 3 mm 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 in a lively New Year’s Eve – I’d rather 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 strengths of ANGLES ORPHEUS: they handle temperature differences really well. You feel good not only when switching between Prague and Rome, but also between a cold morning, a hot afternoon and the cooler evening again in an Italian winter. Over the course of the day, my feet were neither too hot nor too cold – they didn’t sweat and they didn’t freeze. In short, the boots provided plenty of comfort for a full sunny winter day in Italy.

Over five days, we walked more than 100 kilometres around Rome’s streets, landmarks 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 don’t usually fuss about it (unlike the Italians), they looked good too, 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 as well. On the road and during lectures, I really appreciated having a comfortable shoe you can wear for sixteen hours or more 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 for a work meal, and in the evening at an official event. So I usually carry a few different outfits (a hoodie and T-shirt, a shirt and blazer, and so on). In moments like that, it’s brilliant that I can wear ANGLES ORPHEUS with both more outdoorsy clothes and evening wear. When you’re travelling, 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 sitting 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 ANGLES ORPHEUS ankle barefoot boots 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 every item of clothing I own – so from a minimalist point of view, they’re simply ideal. I enjoy trekking and long walks, so I want my feet to be well looked after, and these boots do that perfectly.

To finish, I’ll just say that ANGLES ORPHEUS are excellent boots for spring, autumn and milder winter months, and they’re great for travelling as well as the office. I’m glad I’ve got 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 experience adventure or discover something new. He is the author of the books Everyone Lies Here and Chernobyl on Wheels, collaborates with several magazines and travel websites, and speaks at festivals and various 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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