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When a company bursts onto the scene with new footwear technology and promises of a more comfortable experience wearing dress shoes and boots, it’s certainly worth taking a look. After all, plenty of dress shoes can be, well, downright uncomfortable to wear – there’s something to be said for old-school craftsmanship, but oftentimes, the traditional dress shoe requires break-in time.
That’s not the case with Amberjack. The Brooklyn company, which launched in 2022, promises to revamp your footwear rotation with extreme comfort and modern technology top-of-mind. It’s a science-meets-style approach that had us curious here at The Guy’s List, and this writer has had plenty of time to test Amberjack shoes for our Amberjack review.
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What Is Amberjack?
The Brooklyn shoe company launched in 2019 with a focus on making more comfortable dress shoes and loafers, and they’ve since introduced lace-up boots, as well as a pair of Chelsea boots.
The brand focuses on what it calls “proprietary comfort technology,” which they developed working alongside the same supplier of the Adidas Boost. So, sports technology in a dress shoe? But the shoe itself still looks much more like a dress shoe than a sneaker?
That’s the focus, and they offer flagship styles in straightforward silhouettes, like classic dress shoes that include a lace-up dress shoe, a cap-toe dress shoe and a sleek tuxedo shoe in black patent leather. The lineup also includes Chelsea boots, a newer pair of lace-up boots and its classic loafer.
Other styles are on the horizon soon, but we chose to focus on its dress shoes and boots (which are made in Portugal) for this review.
Are Amberjack Shoes Comfortable? Are Amberjack Shoes Worth The Hype?
Amberjack’s proprietary comfort technology lives up to the hype, at least in my experience, and then some. Its shoes and boots feel both light underfoot and yet durable and supportive enough for hours of wear.
The outsole is springy and delivers rebound that you can feel, and that goes for wearing both my Amberjack dress shoes and its boots.
And while some lace-up boots and even dress shoes can sometimes feel heavy or clunky, Amberjack shoes are surprisingly light – yet, they never feel cheaply made or flimsy.
I’ve personally found that Amberjack shoes also offer cushioning at key stress points, especially the heel and the upper part of the boot itself.
The brand’s use of leather lining is a game-changer, and makes the shoes feel much more expensive than their price tag (all of its shoes are priced between $179 and $209).
Right out of the box, I found Amberjack shoes needed no break-in time – simply lace ‘em up (or slide into your loafers or Chelsea boots), get out there and go, go, go.
There was no pain or discomfort wearing Amberjack shoes, and that’s been the case with many months of wear for my dress shoes (and a shorter amount of time trotting around in Amerjack boots).
There’s a sense of rebound and support one can actively feel, from toe to heel and especially around the archway.
So, are Amberjack boots comfortable? Yes, and then some. They’ve successfully blended the comfort of sneakers with the style of dress shoes (more on that in a moment).
Are Amberjack Shoes Stylish?
In my experience testing Amberjack shoes in colors like Chestnut Brown, these shoes are stylish and versatile enough to wear with jeans, chinos or linen trousers, as I’ve done.
In dress shoe or boot form, they’re relatively low-profile and dressy without going over the top – I especially appreciate the captoe detailing on the boots, which gives them a crisp feel.
These shoes are reliable enough for the office, sleek enough for cocktails or a date night, and even comfortable enough to wear while on your feet for hours traveling or even at a rock concert.
The sports-focused footwear technology really does blend with the brand’s stylish design cues, in this case.
Its boots, especially in Chestnut Brown, work very well with everything from grey denim to blue jeans to black selvedge jeans and olive chinos.
Other colors include options like Honey, as well as more eye-catching styles like Slate and Grizzly. Its leathers are full-grain, and its use of suede comes from Italy.
Amberjack shoes are dressier than “dress sneakers” and certainly dressier than traditional, classic leather sneakers, in my experience. Yet, they can also be worn easily with jeans.
Are Amberjack Shoes Durable?
In short, yes, our Amberjack review found that Amberjack shoes are definitely durable. My Amberjack dress shoes have shown normal wear over the years, but the brand sells shoe care kits and leather shoe polish to keep your footwear in fine form.
My boots, meanwhile, will develop a nice patina and required no break-in time out of the box. The leather on all of my Amberjack shoes has proven sturdy yet supple, with a nice handfeel – these shoes don’t feel flimsy or poorly made.
Amberjack shoes also run true to size – I wear either a size 10 or size 10.5, and my size 10 pair fits very nicely.
Another note in terms of durability: I’ve found that Amberjack shoes, especially for frequent wear of my dress shoes, hold up more than adequately – the heel and outsole have retained their form and strength.
Where Can I Buy Amberjack Shoes?
The company is sold online via its stylish and eye-catching Web site – always a plus in my experience – and you can find Amberjack shoes at a select few stores across the United States.
The company also offers quick and easy access via a texting service, and you can reach the brand via a dedicated Help E-mail.
Free returns on US-based orders within 30 days of purchase are also available, and the brand is highly active on Instagram – it’s quick and easy to reach Amberjack, and the brand certainly has fun selling its shoes online and engaging with customers.
Are Amberjack Shoes Worth It?
For your next summer wedding, for a day at the office, for a day on your feet at a conference or trade show, and for plenty of pursuits in between, Amberjack shoes are comfortable, durable, stylish and reliable. They’re also fairly priced – between $179 and $209 – and they’ll stand up to repeat wear.
This Amberjack review found that Amberjack shoes deliver comfort and quality in a sleek, made-in-Portugal package using premium materials, and it’s all worth the price.
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