What Makes a Nota Bene Shoe?
Full Leather Linings: You
just think you don’t care about the linings. Although expensive, we know
you’ll discover leather linings are worth it. Colorfast, all-leather
linings help shoes — or really, your feet — breathe. As a result
your feet feel cooler and drier and you might not lose your stockings after
the first wear — at least not because of your Nota Bene shoes. But
then, the linings feel so comfortable you might just prefer your feet bare.
Shock-Absorbing, Cushioning Insoles
Shock-Absorbing, Cushioning Insoles: You’ll
feel it right away. But this is no ordinary padded insole. This space age stuff
is what goes in running shoes, and it works hard to absorb the pounding of
walking so your feet don’t have to. A second layer cushions your feet — essentially
re-distributing your weight over a greater area. And both materials have been
designed to bounce back and hold up over time. As a result, these shoes will
not disappoint you after a month or even a year of wearing. This is not just
the marketing department talking here, our design is original and based on
the best that science and sound medicine have to offer.
Modern Sizing: Many
shoes begin their life as a pretty shape conjured in the imagination of a
designer. Our shoes start out as space for a foot around which we design
and construct a shoe. Our lasts and sizes are based on modern anthropometric
(size and shape of body) data, and adjusted with the help of an orthopedic
surgeon. You will notice your feet feel they are in a comfortable position
inside the shoes. You may also notice that we have developed an array of
shapes. You achieve a better fit when the natural geometry of your foot matches
the basic shape of the shoe.
Accommodating Toe
Boxes: Regardless of their shape, our toe boxes minimize lateral
and medial compression and hence, joint deformity. Translation: they are
a little deeper and wider to give toes room to wiggle, reduce blisters,
and promote better long-term foot health and comfort.
Fit and Wear Testing: We
do not use foot models with perfect feet. Normal, active, interesting,
imperfect women wear the shoes several full days, sometimes weeks, to methodically
test and correct fit and comfort. Often we ask them to walk a mile right
after getting their shoes out of the box. To participate contact us: weartest@notabeneshoes.com.
Thoughtful Design: Nota
Bene, means ‘take note’ or ‘pay attention.’ Another
way to interpret this is thoughtfulness — both to think of others considerately
and to give meticulous attention. Meticulous attention throughout production
is a must in how we achieve beautiful, quality shoes. But what really
sets us apart is the thoughtful consideration that happens even before the
first sketch. Our thoughtful design process begins when we bring together
European and American fashion trends with the biomechanics of walking, material
science, and even a dash of magic trompe l’oeil. The
design process also includes rigorous fit and wear testing so we can ensure
the shoes we imagined and created are as comfortable as they are beautiful.
Foot-Friendly
Soles: Ah the pleasure of a leather sole. There is nothing
like it — especially the way we’ve designed these. They’re
flexible; you won’t feel like you have to break them in. Their
finish is velvety, so even during the first weeks of wear you’ll
feel sure footed. They are 33% thicker than the industry standard, but
their beveled edges keep them looking svelte. This added leather not
only protects your feet from cobblestones, heat, and cold, but it gives
you longer wear.
Heel Taps: We
opt for quality even where you might not notice it at first. We know you
will appreciate that the high-abrasion material of the heel tap wears longer,
but is not so hard that it causes you to slip.
Sleek but Stable Heels: You
don’t have to wobble. Always feminine and flattering, our heels are also
balanced, stable, and comfortable. We design them this way, and then we test
them to make certain! Heights range from flats to nearly 3 inches.