Kork-Ease: Iconic Style, Updated Comfort for Free Spirits

Original Kork-Ease Buffalo Sandal

You may or may not recognize the Kork-Ease brand name, but chances are you’re familiar with the look of the iconic wedge Kork-Ease sandals that took 1970s fashion by storm. Well, 70s style is back, and works perfectly with the Kork-Ease aesthetic. Over the years the brand branched out and is now producing a wide range of styles, and has also become synonymous with high quality and comfort. So even if you’re not into 70s style, we think Kork-Ease is a brand you should know about.

Kork-Ease was born in Brooklyn in 1953. About twenty years later, the brand solidified its spot in footwear history with the release of the famed buffalo sandal, a high platform wedge with crisscrossing thick leather straps.

Kork-Ease Shirome

The sky-high wedge sandal flourished in 1970’s New York. Picture any dance floor beneath the disco ball and you’ll think of fashionistas in the crowd wearing Kork-Ease wedges. The style soon spread across the U.S., and spurred numerous imitations.

Kork-Ease style still follows a free-spirited vibe, and the company crafts their shoes with a slightly offbeat, artsy woman in mind. We think many readers will appreciate the retro-inspired silhouettes, lightweight construction, and bold leathers – think classics updated with a modern twist.

Ryder Boots

Sandals are still a standout of the brand, but other cute, comfortable, business-worthy styles like the Beryl oxford are also making a splash.

There’s also been a lot of buzz recently about Kork-Ease boots, and the Shirome bootie (pictured above) and the Ryder ankle boot (left) have both been getting good reviews.

Kork-Ease Cloetta

Ava 2.0 Sandal

We admit, great looks are what caught our attention. But if you’ve followed us for any time, you know style alone doesn’t make a brand Barking Dog Shoes-worthy. Once we started looking closer, we noticed – again and again – online reviewers raving about the quality and comfort of various Kork-Ease shoes. Good cushioning, arch support, all-day comfort right out of the box, and versatility get frequent mention. Some, like the Cloetta monk-strap loafer (pictured above) even get kudos from wearers who suffer from back pain, hallux rigidus, and bone spurs.

The original Kork-Ease wedge sandal is still produced, and has been renamed the Ava. The newer Ava 2.0 has been updated with additional comfort features, like a cushioned cork footbed and lightweight sole.

If you like the Ava sandal but prefer a lower heel, the Myrna sandal might be your perfect style.

Myrna sandal

Based on reviews, many Kork-Ease shoes work well for narrower feet. However, some styles get high marks from wearers with wider or higher-volume (“thick”) feet. Our advice? If you see a particular style you like, click on the image or one of the retailer links below and read reviews to see if the shoe sounds like a good fit for you. Keep in mind that many online shoe sellers offer free shipping and returns, so at-home try ons are easy and risk-free.

Tutsi sandal

One more selling point of the brand we need to mention (especially if color is your thing): a number of Kork-Ease sandals (and other shoes), like the Tutsi, come in a variety of colors, from conservative to adventurous.

If you like what you see and are intrigued by Kork-Ease, check out the full line available at Zappos, Amazon, and Nordstrom.

If you enjoy our brand reviews, which feature a number of shoes from a specific brand and give you an overall feel for that company’s philosophy, check out some of our other recent brand reviews of OTBT shoes, SAS and Dansko.

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