Viscata Portbou Espadrilles

If there were an official shoe of Barcelona, it would be the espadrille, and it would be made by Viscata. Designed and made by hand in Spain, each pair of Viscata espadrilles is based on tried-and-true designs that hark back hundreds of years. The materials—such as jute—are traditional, too. And in a modern twist, Viscata has partnered with Treecycle to plant a tree for every pair of shoes purchased. The company name is a combination of the Catalan word visca, meaning “life,” and Catalonia, the Mediterranean birthplace of espadrilles. Indeed, if there’s one thing these shoes promise, it’s a taste of the Mediterranean life.

Made by hand in Spain, the Portbou is a slip-on version of the classic espadrille. The upper is made of a single piece of sturdy canvas, while the midsole is made from 100-percent natural jute—a strong vegetable fiber grown in India. For traction and durability, the outsole is fitted with rubber, and an elastic inseam ensures the shoes fit just right.

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.