Astorflex

The company operates as Calzaturificio ASTORFLEX SRL and is currently led by Fabio Travenzoli, representing either the sixth or seventh generation of family ownership. Notable product lines include the Bitflex Chelsea boots, Greenflex desert boots, and Patnoflex slip-on loafers, all featuring the brand's signature natural rubber crepe soles and eco-friendly construction methods.

The Travenzoli family established Astorflex in 1820 in Castel D'ario, located in the Lombardy region of Northern Italy. The area was historically known for its small, family-operated workshops producing handmade footwear with leather uppers and wooden soles. The early factory consisted of several such family-run workshops using traditional shoemaking methods.

Following World War I, as industrialization transformed Italian manufacturing, the enterprise Fratelli Travenzoli began producing various types of footwear using the "Ideal" method, now recognized as stitchdown construction. This technique features outer stitching along the edge of the sole and became central to the company's production approach.

The brand name "Astorflex" was created by Alfredo Travenzoli, continuing the legacy started by ancestors Daniele and Ferdinando Travenzoli. The company has maintained continuous family ownership through multiple generations, with Fabio Travenzoli currently leading operations.

Astorflex operates its factory at via dell'Industria 9 in Castel d'Ario. All shoes are handmade entirely in this location by artisans with lifelong experience in the shoemaking trade. The company employs traditional Italian shoemaking techniques passed down through the Travenzoli family over seven generations.

The manufacturing process emphasizes handcrafted production methods while maintaining modern quality standards. Each pair undergoes individual construction by skilled craftspeople who have worked in the trade for most of their careers, ensuring meticulous attention to detail throughout production.

Astorflex uses the "Ideal" method, a rare form of stitchdown construction featuring outer stitching along the edge of the sole. This traditional approach creates a distinct visual appearance with visible stitching along the shoe's perimeter while maintaining structural integrity.

The company sources Italian leather from master tanneries in Tuscany for its uppers. Linings and insoles use vegetable-tanned calf leather created through a process that involves soaking the leather in a mixture of water, powdered oak bark, and mimosa. This tanning method avoids dyes, color finishes, and chromium-containing chemical agents, instead relying on natural tannins obtained purely from plants.

Astorflex uses natural rubber derived from coagulated latex of the Hevea brasiliensis rubber tree for its soles. The material provides cushioning and flexibility while aging naturally over time. All shoe components are assembled using water-based adhesives and colors rather than synthetic chemicals, and non-solvent glues throughout the construction process.

The company maintains a focus on sustainable, transparent, and responsible production methods. This includes careful evaluation of manufacturing processes and material sourcing with an emphasis on environmental impact reduction. The brand promotes product longevity through its "Created for Life" philosophy and provides shoe care guidance to extend the lifespan of its footwear.

The Bitflex Chelsea boot represents one of Astorflex's primary models, available in both suede and full grain leather options. The boot features natural crepe rubber soles with soft uppers.

The Greenflex serves as the company's desert boot offering, featuring premium European leather uppers aged for 30 days in an all-natural vegetable tanning mixture. The model includes an ergonomic footbed and 100% natural rubber sole designed for comfort and flexibility.

The Patnoflex line consists of slip-on loafers with supple leather uppers and leather soles without a midsole. Additional models in the product range include the Bootflex lace-up boots, Deukeflex, and Beenflex derby shoes. All models feature undyed leather linings that adapt to the wearer's foot shape over time.

The company maintains separate collections for men's and women's footwear, with emphasis on casual styles including chukkas, loafers, and crepe-soled footwear. Products focus on comfort and durability while maintaining traditional Italian craftsmanship aesthetics.