Nisolo Shoe Review: Isla, Ecuador Huarache, & Mariella

Hey there friends!

I’m going to keep this intro short because, well… to be honest I want to go to bed ha!

I hope you’ll forgive me for blogging while tired, but TAKE WHAT YOU CAN GET!

I’m kidding.

Not about being tired, but you don’t have to take what you can get. I won’t hold you to that.

Okay now I’m acting loopy and I need to just move on to the point of today’s post (I can hear you all breathing a sigh of relief):

In case you missed my weekend links yesterday, I shared that I was going to do a review of my Nisolo shoe collection because they currently have a sale going on with up to 40% off select styles using the code “staycation.”

Now, only one of the pairs that I own is currently on sale, but I thought it would still be helpful to house all of my Nisolo reviews in one location.

SO.

Here we go:

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Outfit Details (Affiliate Links):

Gifted items: linen bag in photo 1 (review here), shorts in photo 2 (review here)

Isla Slide Sandal in Bone, Size 9

Also comes in sand, black, and sizes 6-10

Retails for $90 (currently on sale for $76)

What the website says:

The Isla Slide Sandal will effortlessly take you wherever you want to go, be it downtown to shop or the beach for a swim. Its minimal design will look great paired with a dress and jean jacket or shorts and a tank.

Leather upper
.5 in. stacked leather heel with rubber heel cap
2.25 in. strap width
Leather sole
Leather lining
Handmade in an ethical factory in León, Mexico

Fits true to size.

What I say:

• Fit: Yes. The Isla does fit true to size although if you have wide feet you may want to consider sizing up as the foot bed is slightly narrow. These shoes are surprisingly easy to walk in considering the foot band is quite slim. When I first got them, I was worried that there wasn’t enough shoe to keep the shoe on, but that has not been the case. I have needed to do quite a bit of breaking in with these shoes (I’ve just worn them around the house a ton to get them there), but they are now very comfortable… worth the effort!
• Style: I LOVE the minimalist simplicity of these sandals. They are really just a basic slide sandal, but the slim strap, and the soft, neutral colors make these a really beautiful pair of simple sandals. I wear these all the time because they just bring a soft element to any outfit. I’m really tempted by the same pair in sand… maybe next year.
• Quality: these are made to last. The leather on the band is nice and thick (and at first rigid), and you can tell it’s attached to the sole really well. The sole itself has a nice, soft padding on it, and the heel is made of a good, solid piece of leather that includes a heel cap.
• I would 100% recommend these slides to anyone!

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Outfit Details (Affiliate Links):

Ecuador Huarache Sandal in Almond, Size 9

Also comes in Bone, Brandy, Natural Vachetta, and sizes 5-11

Retails for $120

What the website says:

The huarache dates back to pre-Columbian Mexico and has since become a warm-weather staple shoe across many countries and cultures. Our Ecuador Sandal is proudly handcrafted in an ethical factory we own and operate in Peru.

Due to the handwoven nature of the leather, your pair should fit snug at first and then mold to your feet over time.

100% Vegetable tanned leather
Soft, hand cut and woven leather
Leather insole with microporous cushioning
Lined side straps to minimize stretching
Heel is lined with soft leather for maximum comfort 
Soft leather lining on the underside of upper for added comfort and durability
Rubber sole
Handmade in an ethical factory we own and operate in Peru

Due to the handwoven nature of the leather, your pair will hug your foot at first and continue to mold to your feet over time. You should experience minimal stretching and a shorter break-in period due to lined side straps.

What I say:

• Fit: Again, I agree that these fit true to size. But I also agree that they feel VERY snug at first. Don’t let that fool you! They will stretch out a bit with wear so I would say take your true size even if they feel a bit snug. I would suggest wearing them around the house with a pair of socks for an hour or so every day until they start to feel a bit more comfortable. As with the Isla, your patience will be worth it! These are now one of the most comfortable shoes I own, and I love the way they feel custom fit to my feet.
• Style: I love the cool factor these shoes bring to any outfit. They kind of play like a neutral, but then give a little punch to your overall aesthetic. Unfortunately the almond color is sold out, but I do know they do restocks a lot, so I would keep checking back. The other colors are equally as beautiful, but I do love the warm tan color of the almond shade.
• Quality: Again, the quality on these is superb. Nisolo really does not cut any corners, and all of their pieces are made to stay with you for a very long time. One thing I always worry about with woven shoes is the straps catching on things and then either getting stretched out, or snapping but these sandals are made so well that I can’t see that ever really being a problem. Everything just feels nice and tight and like it’s where it needs to be.
• Again, I would 100% recommend these sandals.

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Outfit Details (Affiliate Links):

Mariella Mule in Sand, Size 9

Also comes in black, brandy, and sizes 6-10

Retails for $170

What the website says:

The Mariella Mule will quickly become your essential every day grab-and-go shoe. ​Handmade in a factory we own and operate in Peru, the Mariella is everything you are — beautiful, classic and strong.

Nubuck leather
1.4 in. heel with rubber heel cap
Soft leather insole
Leather lining
Leather sole
Handmade in an ethical factory we own and operate in Peru

We recommend sizing up a half size unless you have narrow feet. After a few wears, these mules should soften up so that it becomes easier for your toes to slip in all the way to the end.

What I say:

• Fit: So I know the website says to size up a 1/2 size, but I took my true size and I find that they fit perfectly. I do, however, have narrower feet but not strictly narrow feet (does that make sense?). I would say that if you’re nervous about which way to go, just do the extra 1/2 size up because the way these shoes hug your feet allows for a bit of extra wiggle room. The cut at the opening of the slide is a really nice, fitted cut so you don’t have a bunch of extra room on top of your foot (which I love), but they’re also not so tight that they wouldn’t fit someone with a wider foot. They’re super easy to slide off and on so they make for a quick, on the go, pair of shoes. The heel is a great height for everyday walking, and because they are capped they don’t slide around at all.
• Style: These really are the shoe that goes with everything. They’re just so easy to wear (both in how they fit, but in how they just go with every single thing you may have in your wardrobe). With that said, I love that these kind of give you the look of a clog, but in a more subtle and interesting way.
• Quality: I feel like a broken record, but again the quality on these is top notch. I’ve had these mules the longest of my Nisolo shoes, and they have held up so well. With proper leather care, the material looks just as nice as it did when I first got them. The seams are all tight, and they just look like they deserve the price on their tag.
• Would also 100% recommend these shoes.

Well there you have it. I hope this review was helpful! I know it can be tricky to order things online… especially shoes when the fit is essential so definitely refer back to this if you’re not able to make a purchase now, but want to in the future. Although if you were thinking of the Isla, I’d take advantage of the discount that’s currently available.

Until next time,