Viscata Portalo Espadrilles

Barcelona-based Viscata does one thing, and one thing only: espadrilles. The company name is a combination of the Catalan word visca, meaning “life,” and Catalonia, where espadrilles were born. The Portalo espadrilles are traditional slip-ons with updated external elastic inseams. They’re made with a perforated suede upper, a closed toe, and a sole made from natural jute and rubber sneaker tread. The result is a stable base and a supportive fit for extended comfort.

Espadrilles: They’re everywhere these days. But their history long precedes Brooklyn hipsterdom. The earliest iteration, a primitive sandal-like version of the shoe, dates back as far as 4,000 years, when it was worn by humans living near modern-day Cordoba. The espadrilles we know and love now—canvas upper, rope sole—trace their roots to the 13th century, when they were the shoes of choice for the King of Aragon’s infantrymen. Today, they’re still most commonly worn in Spain, but they’re increasingly popular across the globe, from Southeast Asia to Southern California.