The ARES Derby Boot are dress boots from Carets new AURELIUS collection – ARES are the first models. AURELIUS is the culmination of what Carets have learned since 2012 about creating barefoot dress shoes with exceptional styling, craftsmanship, and the barefoot fit and features you expect so your feet can move naturally.
- Flexible
- Hollow Heel
- Intricate Detailing
- Lightweight
- Non-Slip
- Zero-Drop Design
Key Differences : Classic versus AURELIUS
- Sleeker at the tip but still wide for your toes
- Tailored Italian styling instead of boxy American design
- Reduced toe spring for a better feel & look
- Improved treads that exceeds standards for slip-resistant PPE footwear
- Removable insole to customize your fit, cushioning & ground feel
Available NOW in two standard colors (Oxblood Pull-Up and Black) and three in the rare colors (Natural Pull-Up, Black Nubuck, and Cacao).
Carets Pull-Up Leather
Think of this type of leather as the equivalent of memory foam. As you wear the boots, and they conform to your feet over time, all the stretching and folding create a rich patina of highs and lows, unique to you and the way you move. However, it will not maintain its original appearance and look more aged than dress leather.
Carets Nubuck Leather
Nubuck is a full-grain leather, with the grain lightly sanded. This gives it the density and durability of full-grain leather – it’s essentially “pre-scuffed” all over. Not scuff-proof as it can still get scuffed but they will show a lot less than with smooth dress leather. This is why Nubuck is popular for work and hiking boots.
ARES Derby Boot Heel Pull Tab
I wanted you to appreciate the thoughtfully designed heel pull tab that Carets (especially Mountain) have spent so much time on.
- It is flush against the boot thus giving you a neater appearance
- It has a generous opening large enough to stick a finger through
- The pull tab is sandwiched between the upper & liner leather and stitched together for an ultra strong attachment
We wear tested the ARES Derby Boot in Black Nubuck Leather recently. The sleeker tip may appear to limit our toes from spreading out but it has ample space to accommodate that. The Nubuck leather is softer than dress leather and looks more worn (in a good way).
The outsole has a much better grip that the original (classic) version and greatly appreciated. The heel pull tab with a strong attachment is needed because of it snug fit as I’m not used to wearing dress boots (more accustomed to looser utility and hiking boots).
There is no need to remove the insole as I like the default light cushioning it gives. And it is also a great fit with the insole intact.
Overall, an excellent zero-drop minimalist dress shoe as expected from Mountain and the team at Carets. They always deliver!
The ARES Derby Boot in Oxblood Pull-Up is the best seller in the new AURELIUS collection – grab yours now!