How avarcas should fit, which size to order, and how to care for Menorcan leather in UAE heat. From the official Castell Menorca retailer.
Avarca Sizing & Care: The Complete Owner's Guide
Avarcas are one of those shoes that become more comfortable the more you wear them. Handmade in Menorca and traditionally crafted from leather, these iconic Spanish sandals are designed to adapt naturally to the shape of your foot over time.
But that also means that a new pair of avarcas can fit differently from a regular sandal.
Should they feel tight when you first try them on? What happens if you are between two sizes? Will the leather stretch? And how should you look after leather avarcas in the UAE's heat and humidity?
This guide covers everything you need to know about choosing, wearing and caring for your avarcas.
If you're looking for your first pair, explore the complete women's avarcas collection at Uris including traditional Menorcan styles by Castell Menorca.
How Should Avarcas Fit?
Avarcas have a distinctive construction: an open toe, a wide leather upper across the front of the foot and a slingback strap around the heel. Unlike many conventional sandals, the design is deliberately simple and structured.
When you first try on a pair, the leather should feel comfortably snug rather than loose.
This is important because genuine leather naturally softens and moulds to your foot as you wear it. A pair that feels slightly structured when new will gradually become more flexible and personalised to your foot shape. URIS notes that the leather upper of Castell Menorca avarcas moulds to the foot over time.
Your heel should sit comfortably on the sole, while the back strap should stay securely around your heel without digging into the skin.
The front should hold your foot securely, but your toes should not feel compressed or pushed beyond the edge of the sole.
The key is snug, not uncomfortable.
Castell Menorca - Avarca's Collection
What Size Avarcas Should I Order?
If you already wear European shoe sizes, your usual EU size is generally the best place to start.
However, avarcas can feel different from sneakers, espadrilles or conventional sandals because of their leather construction and relatively simple shape.
The most important thing is not to choose an excessively large size simply because the leather feels structured when you first put them on. Leather naturally gives and softens with wear.
If you are deciding between two sizes, pay particular attention to where your heel and toes sit on the sole. You want your foot to be properly supported without excessive space at either end.
Foot shape matters too. Someone with a wider foot or higher instep may experience the same size differently from someone with a narrow foot.
If you're unsure, choosing a style that fits your foot shape can be just as important as choosing the number printed on the shoe.
Browse the women's avarcas collection to compare the different Castell Menorca styles available at Uris.
Breaking In Menorcan Leather
One of the best characteristics of traditional leather avarcas is how they change with wear.
When new, the leather can feel firmer and more structured. After several wears, it begins to soften and adapt to your foot, creating a more personalised fit.
For your first few wears, start with shorter periods rather than immediately wearing a new pair for an entire day.
This gives both your feet and the leather time to adjust.
Avoid trying to speed up the process by soaking the leather or deliberately stretching the shoes with water. Natural leather responds better to gradual wear.
Once broken in, avarcas are designed to be lightweight and comfortable for everyday use, while their flat rubber sole provides grip and durability.
How to Care for Leather Avarcas in UAE Heat & Humidity
The UAE climate makes caring for natural leather particularly important.
High temperatures, humidity, air conditioning and exposure to sand or dust can all affect leather footwear over time.
After wearing your avarcas, allow them to air naturally before putting them away, particularly if you have worn them outdoors for several hours.
For everyday cleaning, use a soft, slightly damp cloth to gently remove dust and surface dirt. Avoid soaking the leather or placing your avarcas under running water. URIS recommends avoiding prolonged water exposure when caring for Castell Menorca leather sandals.
If they become wet, allow them to dry naturally at room temperature.
Avoid placing leather avarcas directly beside a heater or using a hairdryer to speed up drying. Strong direct heat can affect natural leather.
Storage matters too. Keep your avarcas somewhere dry and ventilated rather than leaving them for long periods in direct sunlight or in a hot car.
With proper care, quality leather develops character over time rather than simply wearing out.
Avarcas vs Espadrilles: Which Should You Choose?
Both avarcas and espadrilles have Mediterranean origins and work particularly well in warm climates, but they offer quite different experiences.
Avarcas
Avarcas are a great choice when you want an open, lightweight everyday sandal. Their leather construction and rubber sole make them particularly practical for city wear, shopping, casual lunches and everyday outfits.
Espadrilles
Espadrilles, meanwhile, are characterised by their traditional jute sole and come in a much wider variety of silhouettes, including flats, closed-toe styles, sandals and wedges.
For the UAE, both are useful wardrobe staples.
Choose avarcas when you want something minimal, open and easy to wear. Choose espadrilles when you want a softer Mediterranean look or prefer options with a closed toe or added height.
You can also explore the women's espadrilles collection at Uris to compare both styles.
Why Choose Authentic Castell Menorca Avarcas?
Avarcas are more than simply a sandal style. They form part of the traditional footwear heritage of Menorca, Spain, where they were originally worn as practical footwear by farmers and fieldworkers.
Today, Castell Menorca continues that tradition with avarcas handcrafted in Menorca using quality leather and natural materials.
Their simplicity is part of what makes them so versatile.
Classic leather shades work effortlessly with linen trousers, denim and summer dresses, while metallic, suede, raffia and colourful finishes offer a more contemporary interpretation of the traditional Menorcan sandal. The current Uris collection includes avarcas in leather, suede, metallic and raffia finishes.
Explore the complete Castell Menorca collection to discover more handcrafted Spanish footwear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should avarcas feel tight when they are new?
They should feel comfortably snug rather than loose, but they should never be painful. Natural leather softens and moulds to the shape of your foot with wear.
Do leather avarcas stretch?
Natural leather will soften and give slightly as you wear it. This is part of the normal breaking-in process and helps the sandal adapt to your foot.
Should I size up in avarcas?
Not automatically. Start with your normal European size and assess how your heel, toes and width of your foot sit within the sandal. Remember that the leather will soften with wear.
Can I get my leather avarcas wet?
Occasional light contact with water is different from soaking them, but prolonged water exposure should be avoided. If they become wet, allow them to dry naturally. Uris recommends cleaning Castell leather avarcas with a soft damp cloth.
Are avarcas suitable for the UAE climate?
Yes. Their open construction, lightweight design and breathable leather make them particularly practical for warm weather.
Can I wear avarcas for walking?
Avarcas are designed as practical everyday footwear. Castell Menorca styles combine a leather upper that adapts to the foot with a flat rubber sole that provides grip for everyday walking.
Find Your Perfect Pair of Avarcas
The secret to a great pair of avarcas is choosing the right fit and allowing the natural leather time to adapt to your feet.
They may feel more structured when you first put them on, but with wear, the leather gradually softens and creates the comfortable, easy fit that has made Menorcan sandals a Mediterranean staple for generations.
With a little care, particularly in the UAE's heat and humidity, your avarcas can become one of the most versatile pairs in your wardrobe.
Discover the complete women's avarcas collection at Uris and find your pair of authentic Castell Menorca sandals.
