US
us
One of our sole factories is located in "the shoe valley", just a 45 minute drive from Porto (Portugal). Three of our VICO sole units are made in this factory which has been family-run since 1992 and is currently managed by Armenio Cruz and his son Marcelo.
Assisted by cutting-edge technology, the Cruz family employ seven administrative staff and thirty full-time workers who produce some of the world's finest soles.
Founder Ermenio Cruz and his son Marcelo
Part of the team
A familiar sense of pride and belonging can be felt at the factory which specialises in producing rubber soles. Some employees have worked here for many years including a number who joined when the business was founded.
Merging heritage with modern technology, the factory also has its very own R&D department which focuses on using recycled materials and reducing the factory's environmental footprint.
Have a look at the labour intensive process required to make our rubber VICO soles.
This machine is used to roll the rubber and enable to mix and add colour to the rubber
Coloured rubber sheets
The rubber sheets are then cut in straps
After having rolled, coloured and cut the rubber in smaller straps, it is ready to be put in our VICO sole moulds. We produce three different soles here the cupsole, dressed sole and dressed heel sole. Each sole type has different characteristics and qualities. Made from high quality rubber, the same production process is used to produce all three soles.
Cupsole mould
Dressed heel sole mould
Dressed mould
Heel details
Extra deep mould, in order to have different height of this dressed sole
Inserting natural rubber straps in the cupsole mould
The mould is closed and heating starts
Removing the hot sole from the mould
Another pair made by Joao
Soles with excess material
Removing excess material from the sole
Andreia, removing excess material. One of the most detailed operations of the process
The soles are finished and ready to be shipped to our footwear factory
Leftover excess materials ready to be be recycled
Colour archive
Photography: Michel Wongsomenawi (www.grndpa.com)
If you wish see how the fitting is of each sole, please see our Fit Guide: https://vico-movement.com/size-guide/
MEN
EU | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 |
US | 7.5 | 8.5 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 |
UK | 6.5 | 7.5 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 |
JAP | 25.5 | 26.5 | 27 | 28 | 28.5 | 29.5 | 30 |
WOMEN
EU | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 |
US | 6 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 |
UK | 3.5 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 |
JAP | 22 | 22.5 | 23.5 | 24.5 | 25 | 25.5 |
427 ms | 20 q