The Privo Silana

Walking Shoes - By Kerry Miller on Thursday, May 20, 2010 - 13:36

When I first saw these shoes, I laughed out loud. Why? Because my mind started making up names for them. Snandals. Sneakals. Rundals. Sanders. Sure, they sound goofy, but when you really think about it, the Privo Silana is an idea that’s long overdue. The comfort of a sneaker and the coolness and air-circulation of a sandal? Great idea. You can run and jump and skip and hop without worrying about your flimsy summer shoes flying off your feet or falling apart mid air. And they look good with whatever you’re wearing, shorts, jeans, or a skirt. They’re cute in a sporty way without being clunky or having a giant rubber toe like some others we won’t mention.

They are made of soft leather with a mesh upper so they look and feel sporty. You can adjust the fit with an elastic lace toggle closure so you aren’t slipping around in them. The interior is lined with soft fabric to help prevent sore spots and blister. The cushioned midsole acts as a shock absorber and seems to reduce foot and fatigue. And you can forget about them falling apart – they use cement construction, in which the upper is adhered to the outsole using a bonding agent, creating a lightweight, flexible shoe.

The colors are practical but limited: Brown, Navy, and Stone. They run true to size in full and half sizes 5 – 9.5 plus whole sizes 10 and 11.

The reviews positively glow:
“Great shoes!”
“Privo makes wonderful shoes that can be worn every day, rain or shine.”
“These sandals are extremely comfortable”
“These are my first pair of Privos and I'm in love.”
“They are a perfect cross between sandals and something more durable.”
“Extremely comfortable right out of the box, no rubbing points whatsoever.”
“These fit great and seem true to size to me.”
“Love these Privos!”
“I am not a big flip-flop or skimpy sandal person - these fit the bill”
“I highly recommend these shoes!”

Big thumbs up on the Privo Silana. Comfortable, practical, and versatile. The only down side – no black. Yet. Maybe if we start a letter writing campaign…

We also have a review of the Clarks Privo Shoes line.