November 03, 2026

The politics of Travel | Holiday Gift guide | Strutstuf turns One

The Politics of Travel

I spent the greater part of October in Europe- Portugal, Spain & France; revisiting old towns and exploring new ones. Lisbon was the first European city I visited alone in March 2022. The aftershock of the pandemic could still be felt and the experience was much more different than it is today.

In the span of 2 weeks, I witnessed a free-Palestine protest in Lisbon (Lisboa), the Portuguese military transporting artillery in Porto, and a vibrant protest in Paris. These events we witness through our phone screens were right in front of me. And it got me thinking about lucky I was.

I’ve never shied away from conversations around politics and how it affects society (myself included) on a micro and macro level. These events re-ignited/reminded me of the privilege I have earned, as a Canadian that has travelled to 35 countries, operating in Portugal, whilst dealing with the consequences of having Nigerian heritage. The more you see, the more you know. There’s a reason citizens of certain countries have access to up to 145 countries visa-free, while others are humiliated and exploited at visa offices.

In essence, I highlight all of this to say that we are global citizens interacting with the world daily, and that whatever your circumstance may be, spend time outside your comfort zone. If you can’t travel, then travel through books, films and literature.

Until next time,
Savanna

Factory Visit

After the pre-order launch of our Fete collection, it was time to head to our ateliê. We arrived Porto relishing the summer-like weather and beaches.

Our trip to the factory didn’t go exactly as planned and as such, the production of the Ivory & Bon bon pair is set for SS27. Updates have been sent to all affected customers.

Holiday Gift Guide

It’s our favourite time of the year- Party season! From US Thanksgiving & friendsgiving to the office EOY parties, Christmas dinners, and everything in between. And we’re going to make you look amazing for all of them. Stay tuned on instagram for all the styling tips we are bringing your way.

And for the shoe lovers in your lives, we’re going to help you make gift shopping easier! Here’s our gift guide for the Aesthe- a curated list of heels and shoe jewels- perfect for the season.

Strutstuf turns ONE

We’re turning One on November 15th and I really couldn’t be any prouder! Proud of how far we’ve grown & the community we’ve built. I’m especially thankful to our community- 500+ of you, our suppliers and manufacturers in Portugal and to the wide-footed divas that make this possible. As a birthday treat to all members of the Strut Society, check your email on Nov 15th, we have something special for you

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Comfort Report

The comfort report serves as a guide to support our customers in making data-driven decisions regarding their purchases. For every shoe we create, we will have a comfort report that will provide ratings across the various parameters.

The higher the comfort score, the more comfortable it is.

Parameter	Definition	Influence On Comfort	Indicators	Strutstuf Frame Of Reference	Scoring Scale (1–5)
Heel Height	A measure of the vertical distance from heel to ground	Affects pressure distribution and calf strain	Heel fatigue, forefoot pressure	1: High heel >4inches; 3: Mid heel between 3 to 4inches; 5: Low heel >3 inches	1 = Painful, too high; 3 = Manageable; 5 = Balanced, supportive
Heel Incline	The angle of steepness of the midsole relative to the heel height. It accounts for the slope with/out forefoot pressure	Influences posture and arch tension	Arch strain, foot sliding	1: >90 degrees; 3: 75-90 degrees; 5:<75 degrees.Typical heels are between 50-75 degrees	1 = Feels unnatural; 3 = Slight strain; 5 = Feels seamless
Heel Shape	Geometric design of the heel	Affects stability,weight distribution, and balance	Ankle wobble, instability	1: slim style heels; 3: block style heels; 5: Flat wide heels	1 = Wobbly; 3 = Stable on flat surfaces; 5 = Stable across all terrain
Toe Box Width	Horizontal width across toes	Constriction can cause pinching or nerve pain (e.g.,bunions)	Numbness, pressure points	1: Narrow fit; 3: Standard fit; 5: Wide spacious fit	1 = Cramped; 3 = Tight but tolerable; 5 = Spacious iwth no pressure
Toe Box Girth	A measure of the vertical and volumetric toe area	Impacts volumetric fit	Pinching, circulation issues	1: Tight compression fit; 3: Standard snug fit; 5: Relaxed volumetric fit	1 = Squeezing; 3 = Snug; 5 = Comfortable with room for swelling
Midcup Sole	The inner lining that supports the arch and midfoot	Affects arch support and energy return	Arch fatigue, foot collapse	1: Flat unsupported base; 3: Moderate contour support; 5: Full ergonomic contour	1 = No support; 3 = Moderate; 5 = Full contoured support
Midsole Cushion	The cushioning layer between insole and outsole	Absorbs impact and reduces walking fatigue	Foot pain after prolonged wear	1: Hard dense sole; 3: Moderate cushioning; 5: Premium soft cushioning	1 = Hard no cushion; 3 = Moderate; 5 = Premium cushioning
Arch Support	Structural support for the arch of the foot	Distributes weight and reduces strain	Plantar pain, arch collapse	1: No arch structure; 3: Partial support; 5: Full ergonomic arch support	1 = None; 3 = Moderate; 5 = Full ergonomic support
Flexibility	The bend capacity of the shoe sole	Affects natural gait and toe movement	Stiff gait, toe restriction	1: Rigid sole structure; 3: Moderate flex movement; 5: Highly flexible natural movement	1 = Rigid; 3 = Some flex; 5 = Naturally flexible
Breathability	The ability of the shoe material to allow airflow	Regulates temperature and moisture	Sweating, odour, discomfort	1: No airflow materials; 3: Moderate ventilation; 5: Highly breathable construction	1 = No airflow; 3 = Moderate; 5 = Highly breathable