Mukishoes Chelsea Oat

I received these boots as a gift.

I chose this model because I love my Chelsea Caramel that I bought last year, their versatility, and look.

I am an affiliate of Mukishoes, but my opinion is my own.

MAESTRAMUKI will give you 10% off your purchase.

Company

Mukishoes is a small business owned by Madlen and Marta in Portugal. Their handcrafted shoes are made ethically and with sustainability in mind. They don’t over produce (slow fashion), which means their models sellout fast and many of the models are not produced again (they use deadstock materials).

They release collections in the Spring and Fall.

Materials

Mukishoes are made with local, organic, and fair-trade materials.

• Uppers: The suede leather is chrome-free as they are vegetable tanned, which means there are no harmful toxins for humans nor the environment.

• Lining: This model is lined with deadstock flannel.

• Soles: 100% rubber.

Design

• They are gender neutral
• They accommodate narrow to medium width feet better.
• Elasticated side panels

Barefoot qualities:

• Zero drop (no toe lift)
• Sole is thin (3.5 mm) and extremely flexible.
• Wide and round toe box that accommodates my mountain feet.
• Provides a lot of ground feel.
• Natural materials allow for foot and ankle mobility.

Soles:

• One thing to know is that Mukishoes have a wrap around sole that can expand in order to accommodate wider feet… not much, but you can get a few extra mm. If the model is leather, they will soften up and mold to your feet.
• Because the sole is only 3.5 mm thick, you might want to add an insole to help with the transition. I know my first pair of Mukishoes felt too barefoot for me and I had to wear them with an extra insole. Even now, I sometimes feel like my feet need extra support and I will add an insole to help.

Size and Fit

This is my second pair of Mukishoes Chelsea Boots, the first one was the Caramel model, which I reviewed here. The Caramel are size 41 and I had to modify them in order to wear them (I added wool insoles and 2 felt tongue pads in each boot around my ankles).

For the Oats, I decided to get my normal size 40 because I wanted to compare the fit. I knew I was taking a risk, but I’m happy I did.

My measurements:

• Length: 24.8 – 25 cm
• Width: 9.75 cm  
• I wear size 40 for sneakers and choose size 41 for winter shoes to fit wool insoles and thick socks.

Mukishoe measurements:

• Size 40 is 26.1 cm in length. The outsole measures 9.5 cm in width.
• Size 41 is 26.8 cm in length. The outsole measures 10 cm in width.

Fit

• Size 40: They feel perfect! I did not have to modify them at all, but chose to add a felt tongue pad to get a tighter fit around my ankle. I wear them with injinji socks and correct toes. I do have to say that my big toe and pinky toe touch the sides of the shoes. It is not painful but I am used to the width of my size 41. I am wearing them with correct toes in order to mold them and stretch the leather enough for my feet to have the space I like. Because I cannot add a wool insole (I don’t have the extra space/volume) I know they will not be warm enough in the winter but they are perfect for the fall.

• Size 41: They are too big/high volume for me! I need to add a thick wool insole and 2 felt tongue pads around the ankles to help with the extra volume. I also wear them with injinji socks and correct toes. I’m ok with these modifications because they are perfect for cold fall days and winter.

I wear both sizes comfortably. They have a different feel and I had to modify my size 41, but I’m happy with the versatility they provide with the changing weather of the Midwest, USA.

Things to know:

• If you have wide or high volume feet, definitely size up.
• If you have low volume, narrow to medium width feet, you can order your traditional size and they will feel amazing!
• If you prefer 10+ mm of extra length, size up.

Care

Mukishoes recommends to scrub off dry dirt and treat spots locally.

Because of the light color, I am planning on applying waterproof spray, but I haven’t found one that is non-toxic and environmentally friendly.

I’ll add an update once I find the product I want to use to waterproof them.

How to wear them

I really like the look of the Mukishoes Chelsea boots. They look classy, formal, and expensive. The color is very versatile and goes with almost any color. They complement earthy tones and add contrast to different looks.

You can wear your Oats with:

• Slim-fit or skinny jeans
• All-black formal outfit
• Skinny chinos
• Skater dresses or mini skirts
• Maxi skirts with a cropped tops

Opinion

I love Mukishoes and their values that is why I became an affiliate and you can use my code MAESTRAMUKI to get 10% off your next purchase.

I will continue to support the brand and these Chelsea Oats go perfectly with my wardrobe.

I feel comfortable with the size I chose, but I know I could have order up, modify them, and wear them for colder weather.

I know they will become a staple in my closet and I am happy I chose this model.