During summertime, I try to live in sandals. Flip flops mostly, as they’re the easiest to wear and slip on and off. Sometimes though, I need a bit more dressy shoe during the summertime, especially if I’m wanting to look nice and professional while leading a tour abroad. I tested out the new Ahnu Alta sandals on a recent trip to Cuba, and here’s what I found.
The Alta by Ahnu is refreshingly casual yet classy. I didn’t completely forego my flip flops on my trip, but I did choose to wear these platform wedges on more of an everyday basis. Yes, they are technically a platform wedge, but with 1” 3/4 inch cork blended heel, I didn’t worry about twisting my ankle. I felt very stable in the shoes, just like I was wearing flats.
There is only an ankle velcro strap needed to get these shoes on and off, making it very easy to put the shoes on and off. This is important to me when I wear shoes during the summer, as I want to be as close to being barefoot as possible. The Alta’s open, strappy design allowed me to feel this but also provided good support for walking around during the day and at night. The suede, cushioned footbed felt like heaven on my soles when I walked the streets of downtown Havana.
Packing is a factor when I travel, as I only try to take flip flops, sneakers, and one everyday shoe. These were my everyday shoe, and I was happy with the choice. They packed down well in my suitcase, and were remarkably light to boot. It was easy to match them to my different dresses and outfits, as the black paired well with everything. The leather straps stretched to fit my feet, and when walking on a wet, slippery surface, the shoe gripped surprisingly well. I wouldn’t want to get caught in a rainstorm with these, especially since they are made with leather, but nevertheless they worked well in a pinch.
What I loved:
- Strappy, casual yet classy design. Small detailed dots on top were a nice touch.
- Small heel wedge but still felt like I was wearing flats.
- Easy, on/off access with only one ankle strap to worry about.
Not So Much:
- After a full night of dancing, the my toes felt slightly chafed from the toe straps. But they held up well to the dancing test nonetheless!
The Ahnu Alta retail for $130 and can be bought here on the Ahnu website.