While many of our readers may be focused on finding the most attractive or appropriate shoe for the situation, there’s something to be said for comfort. That’s why Bluprint has developed a whole line of dress shoes, boots, and sneakers that instead put comfort first, without sacrificing aesthetic appeal in the process. We spent some time with their Encinitas Plimsolls to find out whether Bluprint has the right stuff.
While the Bluprint Encinitas might be a new take on the look, it’s far from the first Plimsoll shoes. While you may or may not recognize the term, it comes from the line on a ship’s hull that indicates the high water mark, which the shoe reflects with a thick, rubber outsole. You’ll recognize the look from basically any classic sneaker, although Converse All-Stars stand out as a very recognizable example of the style.
“We love our Encinitas for many reasons, but our true goal was to adapt the must-have plimsoll into a casual comfort shoe.”
Its used to great effect here, with a striking brown rubber bottom that offsets the neutral tones above, but it isn’t just for looks. The Encinita’s outsole also plays host to a variety of proprietary comfort technology, most notably Cloud Imprint, a blend of Bluprint’s own polyurethane foam and “slow recovery” memory foam for a fit that’s best described as slightly squishy. That soft comfort provides a nice balance to the flat-soled shoe, which is generally intended to feel like walking without any shoes on at all.
If camouflage shoes aren’t really your bag, that’s okay. Bluprint offers the Encinitas Plimsoll in black or off-white with a dark brown outsole. All three colorways cost just $99, with a number of other offers boasting the same proprietary comfort tech in various styles, from boots to more formal attire.
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