Shoes should always be cared for before wearing so that the leather is protected and can adapt supple to the foot. You can compare this procedure to putting sunscreen on your skin; to achieve the protective effect, the product must be applied before sunbathing. Nobody would think of putting on sunscreen after the sunbath. To stay with this comparison, it is just as important to apply the protective product beforehand each time. The same applies to high-quality natural leather shoes, even if they are of course not as sensitive as human skin. This also and especially applies to new shoes, which are best treated with the appropriate product for the respective leather.

Information on the care of the different types of leather:

For smooth leather that needs a slight sheen, we recommend Tapir Leather Balm. This is applied thinly with a soft cloth, then it should dry. After the balm has dried, it is polished with a soft brush until the desired level of shine is achieved. Finally, the smooth leather treated in this way is wiped off with a soft cloth so that the last residue of the care balm is safely absorbed into the dermis and no longer remains on the scar.

Nubuck leathers require an entirely different treatment; the new shoe can be applied to the sanded grain leather as sparingly as possible with the leather oil from the company Tapir using a cloth. This should be able to penetrate the leather well and thus for a relatively long time; for the next step it must again be completely dried only in the air, away from the sun and sources of heat. The sanded surface of the nubuck leather is then carefully rubbed off with a natural crépe cloth, giving it its original matt appearance again.

Further information on shoe care for new shoes:

Additional details on the treatment and care of our natural leather shoes can be found under the link care instructions

How can I prevent blisters on my feet with new shoes?

General precautionary rules against blisters on the feet with new shoes:

First the truism: Above all, you should buy the right shoes and never compromise. For shoes to be comfortable, try on both shoes. No one has the same feet, the right foot is not the same size as the left foot and vice versa. Apart from the foot length, the width is crucial and the volume. There is no point in getting a narrower shoe if you have a wide foot; just as one should not buy wide shoes with a slender foot. This also leads to chafing and blisters. In any case, one should say goodbye to ideas that a certain type of shoe should "stretch the leg", "make the foot look slimmer", "enable a nicer gait", or simply the prejudice that a particularly small foot is more beautiful for women , than a bigger one.

special information on preventing blisters on the feet with new shoes:

In any case, it is worth breaking in new shoes slowly at home before you want to walk in them for several hours for the first time. If you tend to form blisters, you should make sure when choosing stockings/socks that thicker materials limit the volume in the shoe. In general, natural materials are better tolerated by the skin and sweating of the feet is reduced. This too could otherwise contribute to the formation of blisters.

You can find more tips and comments on how to prevent blisters on your feet with new shoes in the item FAQ's / Question 11, to help against sweaty feet.

Which care products do we recommend?

General answers about care products that we recommend:

In order to maintain the temperature-regulating effect, i.e. heat dissipation in summer and warming in winter, the suppleness and breathability, i.e. the water vapor permeability of our natural leather shoes, they require regular and careful care. Since our natural leather does not have a plasticized top coat and has been tanned in an environmentally friendly manner without chrome, heavy metals and harmful chemicals, it makes sense to also use good natural products for care. These consist mainly of grease and/or oils, which maintain the functional properties and the attractive appearance. It is also advisable to let the footwear rest for 24 to 48 hours after wearing it. For this purpose, our natural leather shoes should be stored far away from heat sources in dry air with appropriate air circulation. The footwear should be stretched on the inside with wooden clamps, preferably made of cedar wood, or paper, in order to retain the original shape and to absorb and drain moisture in the shoe.

Soles with leather frames should be greased and polished, as should the seams.

It is best to apply nourishing grease and/or oils before wearing them in order to achieve the greatest possible protective effect.

Care products for the individual types of leather that we recommend:

Our natural leather shoes can be excellently treated and combined with the products of the company Tapir -www.tapir.de -, which offer suitable products for the different types of leather.

These are made from natural products, economical and environmentally friendly.

For our smooth natural leather we recommend the “Lederbalsam“ from the company Tapir. This should be applied thinly with a rag. Finally it ougth to be polished off with a soft brush until the shoes have the shine you like to have. In the end the shoes are wiped again with a soft cloth.

Our surface-sanded nubuck leather should be evenly and thinly rubbed with a rag using the “Lederöl“ from Tapir. After the leather is dry again, it is best to carefully roughen it again with a natural latex crépe, so that the matt, fine-pile nubuck character of the leather comes to the fore again.

For further information on the assignment to the different types of our natural leathers, please click on the menu item to the care instructions.

Which kind of shoe brushes do we recommend?

General information on suitable shoe brushes:

Brushes made of natural materials are usually more suitable for the care of good natural leather, as they are not as hard as, for example, Perlon brushes or comparable plastic brushes. Regardless of whether you use the different forms of brushes or rags, you should always make sure that care products are applied as evenly, conformally and thinly as possible; rather more often.

Basically, it is important to use soft brushes, never hard ones, which could damage the leather. When using brushes, the shoes must always be dry, unless you remove the very coarsest dirt before drying them in the air but never near heat sources.

Heavy dirt should be carefully removed with a brush used only for this purpose. This can be a bit larger in order to be able to work faster, but it should fit comfortably in the hand. Naturally, men will therefore prefer a larger brush than women. Gallantly, however, shoe cleaning is more of a job for the gentlemen, who is happy to do this job for his lady.

If the dirt has to be removed with the help of water, the leather must under no circumstances be wet and treated mechanically. It is best to use a rag, which is only dampened. This removes impurities; possibly you can carefully apply as little as possible of a special leather soap to the damp rag. Then wipe the leather again with another soft, dry cloth. When the leather is clean and completely dry, the care products can be applied thinly. This can be done with a rag or a small, soft brush, but only with grease or wax, not with leather oil, for which only the rag is suitable.

The suitability of different brushes according to purpose and colour:

It is best to first use a medium-soft, larger brush for polishing and a particularly soft one for polishing. The shoes are then wiped again with a dry, soft cloth to give them the final shine.

The leather frames and edges of the soles should also be cared for, as should the seams, for which the same brushes can be used as for the upper leather, provided the color is the same.

It is advisable to use different brushes for light and dark colours for the respective work steps. If you were to treat light-coloured leather with the brushes for the dark, especially the black colour, the lighter-coloured leather would easily take on the colour of the pigments still in the brush and discolour. Conversely, the brushes used for the lighter colours would take on that colour when using darker leathers and would henceforth become useless for use with the lighter ones.

For additional information and further details on cleaning and shoe care, please click to our care instructions.

How many shoe brushes do I need for cleaning?

General answers to the number of shoe brushes needed for cleaning:

This is basically a question of taste, how far you want to deal with the care and enjoy a larger selection depending on the application, or want to make do with the bare essentials.

The minimum consists of a dirt brush to clean the heavy dirt. This can certainly have medium-soft Perlon or comparable plastic brushes and is usually hand-sized. In addition, depending on which shoes you own, you need a soft brush for polishing light-coloured leather and one for dark, especially black. These should also have a large, elongated shape and lie well in the hand for easy handling.

If you enjoy good shoes and want to keep them for as long as possible, you can add a particularly soft brush for polishing light and dark leather, which might then be made with the very soft genuine goat hair. You can also choose a small brush for applying cream or wax and, if necessary, another brush for cleaning the leather welt and outsoles.

Extended number of shoe brushes required for cleaning for special requirements:

Cowhide and split suede are best cleaned and roughened with a special small brush with a hard plastic brush or with a fine metal wire brush, as the high pile is strong enough. The fine pile of real goat suede, on the other hand, is better cleaned and roughened with a small natural latex crépe brush, which can also be used for nobuck leather. For those however, we prefer a thin crépe piece made of natural rubber, which allows you to work on larger areas and does not attack the fine finish in specific areas.

Additional cleaning suggestions:

For further information and details on cleaning and shoe care, please click on our care instructions.

How can I remove scratches in leather shoes?

Basic notes on removing scratches in leather shoes:

Scratches are damage to leather that cannot be undone. Therefore, with high-quality shoes, you should make sure from the outset that they cannot be scratched. Should it happen, however, we will provide some hints below on how to reduce the damage. Under no circumstances should you approach the natural leather in any way with sharp and/or metal objects. As an example, let's take a look at the fact that wearing natural leather shoes in winter has come into contact with road salt through water. To prevent this, the leather should be well greased; nevertheless, the unloved salt marks can appear on the leather surface. It would be completely wrong to want to "scratch" them off with a metal object, such as a knife or a blade. This will only permanently damage the leather. Salt stains and deposits of salt on leather are treated and removed by putting some milk on a rag and rubbing the leather shoes carefully in the affected areas.

Tips for treating scratches in leather shoes:

If you have decided to buy high-quality shoes, such as our natural leather shoes, the leather is at least dyed through and does not shine very brightly under the surface of the grain if it is scratched.

If the leather has been damaged with a scratch, you can smooth the scratch with a rounded object made of wood or plastic, traditionally a bone, whereby counter-pressure should be generated on the opposite side, i.e. the inside on the lining leather, to relieve the pressure during smoothing on the scratch to be treated. You can now move along the scratch with the round object. Too much pressure should not be applied so that the grain of the leather closes to the same extent as the scratch itself and so that this area does not become shinier than the surrounding leather areas. The leather should then be carefully greased and polished again, the application should be carried out in such a way that any shiny areas caused by pressure are evened out with the surrounding leather areas in the gloss level.

More information:

Additional notes on greasing and caring for the different types of leather in the event of scratches can be found under the care instructions.

Should we widen and stretch shoes?

Basic considerations for widening and stretching shoes:

Widening and stretching leather shoes is always a compromise as it usually means the shoes were not purchased to fit. It therefore makes more sense to buy well fitting shoes from the beginning without making compromises. We cannot recommend to widen or stretch shoes, which are worn or not new anymore, as it might damage the leather.

A good shoemaker can widen and stretch leather shoes to a certain extent. However, this measurement is only in a range of less than 2-3 millimeters, which is why you shouldn't make too many demands on it. During this process, the elasticity of the leather is used by “overstretching“ the leather fibers. Therefore they lose their elasticity, so they cannot retract again. The leather also becomes thinner as the fibers are stretched. This makes it clear that this approach can only represent a bad compromise if there is no other way.

Notes on widening and stretching shoes:

The widening and stretching of shoes should only be carried out by a specialist, i.e. an experienced shoemaker, so that the leather of the shoes is not damaged. The well-equipped shoemaker has the opportunity to perform selective stretching as well as to stretch and widen the shoe as a whole. However, not only the leather is stretched, but inevitably also the composite seams of the leather leg as a whole, as well as the construction of the shoe as such. It becomes obviously that such actions can only represent a compromise and are actually not intended or suitable for subjecting the shoe to such a stress test, which should be reserved for wearing the shoes.

Additional information:

In addition, you might have a look at our size charts, please.

In our product descriptions added in our range of natural leather shoes you might also find additional information on the fit of each individual style.

Is impregnation spray suitable for protecting my shoes?

General answers to the waterproofing sprays:

Commercial impregnation sprays consist largely of propellants, carriers, odorants and additional products such as chemical additives. A water-repellent function is to be achieved by silicones. Applying a product with a spray can gives the consumer the illusion that shoe care can be applied in the shortest amount of time and without getting your hands dirty. Apart from the fact that spray cans are anything but sustainable and environmentally friendly, impregnation sprays have clear disadvantages.

Special features, effect and application of impregnation sprays:

The silicone already mentioned closes the leather pores, which severely limits the breathability of natural leather. The substances contained in the impregnation spray oppose the gentle, environmentally friendly tanning of our natural leather, as they contain chemical substances that we avoid through careful tanning. In addition, the protective effect of the impregnation spray is very limited in time. Only a relatively small proportion of the actual agent in the waterproofing spray actually ends up on the shoe; a large part is distributed in the air with the spray and does not hit the leather, but simply passes by. Further parts of the content evaporate. The spray touches just the surface of the leather and does not enter to the leather fibers, so there won´t be any long lasting effect anyway. In fact it is a very short term effect; the efficiency is poor both in the application and in the use in the casting time. Another limitation arises during the application itself. The agent in the impregnation spray is often not atomized finely enough, and dripping spots on the leather. These can be seen even more clearly on the sanded nobuck leather and suede than on smooth leather and often do not disappear at all.

You might find information on suitable long-term care and maintenance products for our natural leather shoes under the item “care instructions“.

Which kind of shoes are suitable for wide feet?

Basic notes on shoe selection for wider feet:

The foot is described in three dimensions like any other object. Therefore, in addition to the width and length, the volume and height of the instep must also be taken into account individually. In addition, Central European foot shapes are more sickle-shaped, North American more straight and Asian significantly smaller and slimmer. Since the last used in shoe production reflects the foot and thus determines the fit and comfort of the shoe, Central Europeans, for example, should not buy shoes with an Asian or North American last or/and being made there, if they value a comfortable fit. The first requirement, therefore, should be to select a shoe whose last shape accommodates the Central European foot, which means that it should be crescent-shaped, not straight, and have both the necessary width and volume.

Special notes on footwear suitable for wide feet:

Usually, the demand for shoes for wide feet implies that the customer also has a larger foot volume. The case rarely occurs that a customer has a wide but flat foot. Therefore we limit ourselves here to the wide, more voluminous shoe. This should have at least the width G+; we offer our comfortable shoes in width H, which makes them very suitable for wide feet. The shoe model with lacing parts is more suitable, since the shoes can be individually and very precisely adapted to the foot. This would also be possible with a Velcro fastener, which, however, is not as durable as the lacing part. Shoe models with straps and buckles can also be adjusted to the foot, but only to the specified extent of the holes provided and not exactly and individually, as with the lacing.

Additional information :

Under the product descriptions of our articles/shoe models you will find further information where the respective width is also indicated.

How can I choose the fitting shoe size myself?

General information on selcting the right shoe size:

Every foot is individual and different; even a person's right foot and left foot are different. In addition to the length, the width, the volume and the height of the instep are important. This makes the assessment complex even for those who professionally narrow down the correct fitting shoe size. Of course the easiest way to handle it, would be to rely on the experience with a well known manufacturer to which the kind customer purchased shoes already.

In the meantime, there are numerous service points where you can have your feet measured. This is a demanding procedure, which requires expensive measuring equipment. If the provider offers the measurement free of charge, he is dependent on the customer ultimately purchasing the shoes from him so that he is compensated for his effort.

Special notes on determining shoe size:

Theoretically, anyone interested can try to understand the length measurement with the help of our size charts, for example. However, it is important to add a surcharge, which is referred to as feed. This in turn depends on the type of use and the personal feeling of the buyer. We can illustrate this with a concrete example:

For a street shoe, you calculate between 0.7-1.5 centimeters of advance, that is the additional space in length in the inner shoe to the actual foot length. If you don't add this extra, you would always bump into the toe of the shoe in the inner shoe, which most people would find rather uncomfortable. If you now want to buy a mountain or hiking shoe, you need more space in front of the boot, since the foot slips forward a little when going downhill. So you will calculate the addition to the foot length at 1.5 - 2 centimeters.

In addition to the foot length, however, as already mentioned, the foot width, the foot volume, the height of the instep, the foot shape, the type of use and ultimately personal well-being are decisive for a comfortable fit. Overall, this cannot be judged theoretically and based on paper, which is why good shoes should always be tried on. The easiest way to solve it, if you might feel insecure about your personal size number, would be to consult the manufacturer and, after weighing up all the criteria, as described by us, to find the right shoe for you. Of course, if the customer has already purchased products from a specific manufacturer and knows their size in terms of length, width and volume, there shouldn´t be any doubt about the right fit. But the customer depends on the manufacturer using the same last again. To ensure this, the customer should, if necessary, ask the manufacturer of the footwear whether the desired model was made with the same last that was already used for the purchased shoe in the past.

Additional information:

To select the correct shoe size, you will find additional information in our product descriptions and our size charts.

What helps me against sweaty feet?

General comments on avoiding or reducing sweaty feet:

As banal as it may sound, a basic requirement is regular washing and then foot care with a special cream prescribed by a doctor or a foot powder that can absorb sweat. Choosing the right socks and stockings is another important point; only pure natural materials should be used here, which should not be mixed with synthetic fibers.

Special instructions to avoid sweaty feet:

As important as choosing the right leather for the right shoes is to choose the right socks and stockings. Here, too, the customer should avoid any kind of plastic materials and only wear leather shoes. The lining material is even more important as the upper material and should be executed in natural calf leather. The most suitable are our natural leather shoes, which we can use to illustrate what is important:

Upper and lining leather should be of European origin and also tanned in Europe. The gentle tanning without chrome and heavy metals preserves the leather fiber and encases it. This preserves the natural temperature-regulating effect. The moisture in the inner shoe is absorbed by the leather and released back into the air. It helps to dry the shoes with air circulation. If you tend to sweat on your feet, it is an advantage to take off your shoes as often as possible and to let them dry in between.

The finishing of our natural leather also helps to prevent perspiration in the shoe. No covering color layer is applied, so that the water vapor permeability of the natural leather is promoted.

The shoes should have a little more time to dry out after use than the usual 24-48 hours. They should rest stuffed with paper in good air circulation for at least 3-4 days before being worn again. The stuffing paper has to be replaced with a new one each time so that it can absorb as much moisture as possible. You can easily use old newspaper for this. Of course, shoe trees made of cedar wood would be the best choice, as they can both absorb moisture and release it back into the air, and also maintain the shape of the shoe by unclamping it. A prerequisite for avoiding or reducing sweaty feet are high-quality materials in the shoe, such as a complete leather lining, leather mounting insoles and replaceable inner soles, which must be covered with leather. The leather should not be finished with a covering layer so that it can absorb and release moisture, as is the case with our natural leathers. In this regard, the calfskin we use is the best choice. Unsuitable, however, are pig leathers, which are of lower quality, since they are neither tear-resistant nor releasing the moisture. On the contrary, pigskin stop the flow of the moisture and is therefore counterproductive for sweaty feet.

Additional information on the subject:

You can also find relevant information in our care instructions for storing and drying the shoes, as well as in the item 13. "What makes a good shoe?"

Why don't the same shoe size fit women and men?

Basic answers to foot shape, size, width and circumference of the shoes:

The foot is measured by the length, width, volume and height of the instep. Since every foot is individual and different, women's and men's feet are also different in all measurements; even a person's right foot and left foot are not the same. In addition to the length, we also have to refer to the above mentioned measurements. If you now use the same length measurement for women for a man's foot or vice versa, all other measurements do not fit.

Special notes on the different fit of women's and men's shoes:

From the circumstances described above, it follows that a unisex shoe model should have different lasts for men and women so that the fit is given. That's why we offer our natural leather shoes, which we manufacture for both women and men, in different lasts. This ensures that the dimensions for width, volume and instep height also fit accordingly. You should always pay attention to this distinction when purchasing and, if in doubt, ask the manufacturer or supplier whether the shape of the last actually fits your feet.

Extended information:

Corresponding notes and comments can be found in the product descriptions of our individual models.

What makes a shoe particularly high quality?

General answers to particularly high-quality shoes:

The particularly high-quality shoe is characterized by the best materials and high-class workmanship. When it comes to materials, this primarily means selected upper and lining leather, which remain durable and dimensionally stable thanks to the tanning procedure; genuine leather insoles that absorb moisture in the shoe and release it again, as well as flexible and durable outsoles of high quality, such as natural rubber and leather. Of course, the demand for quality extends to the smallest materials such as shoelaces, eyelets and threads in the case of particularly high-quality shoes.

Implementation of the quality requirements of particularly high-quality shoes for our natural leather shoes:

The natural leather we use to manufacture our natural leather shoes comes exclusively from European origin that were bred for meat production. These are tanned in Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal in a gentle, chrome-free manner so that the structure of the leather fibers is encased and not broken. This special type of tanning preserves the natural advantages of the leather skin, such as the temperature-regulating function, which does not allow the foot to heat up too much in summer and keeps the foot warm in winter. The sophisticated tanning method also preserves the elasticity of the leather fibers, so that the dimensional stability of our natural leather shoes can be maintained very well when shoe trees are used. Basically, our natural leather shoes are completely lined with soft calfskin up to the toe. We supplement this with real leather insoles and a replaceable soft latex foam bedding, which is also covered with our supple calfskin lining. As a result, the feet in our natural leather shoes are always completely covered with the chrome-free tanned natural leather. This construction enables the unique foot climate in our natural leather shoes.

The particularly high-quality processing in the traditional craftmanship makes our natural leather shoes more durable, more dimensionally stable and more comfortable. The meticulous production means a greater expenditure of time, which, just like the best materials, is of course reflected in the quality and consequently in the price.

The same applies to the elaborate finish that our natural leather shoes receive, which are carefully polished by hand. This gives the shoes additional protection and at the same time the depth of color in the leather.

For high-quality shoes, it is essential to subject the materials supplied, the individual production steps and, above all, the finished product to strict quality controls. Of course, this is another feature of the high quality, which requires a significantly higher expenditure of time, too.

Additional information on the quality:

Additional details on the used materials and the manufacturing process itself can be found at the product information of the individual articles.

What makes a good shoe?

General answers to good shoes:

The good shoe is first and foremost fitting, comfortable, pleasing and durable and is offered at a reasonable price-performance ratio.

Basically, a good shoe is characterized by the best raw materials, high-quality materials and components, sophisticated manufacturing style and particularly good workmanship. In addition, there is a high demand for convenience and comfort, a particularly pleasant feel, high wearing comfort and long durability. So much for the objective criteria. We don't want to deal with the subjective ones, such as the shape and the design, as it is a matter of personal taste. However, we also understand a timeless aesthetic design as a criterion for a good shoe.

Implementation of these criteria for our natural leather shoes:

We only use the best raw hides from Central European cattle which is a waste product of the meat production. The skins are carefully tanned and prepared in Europe without the addition of chromium and heavy metals. This applies to both the upper and the lining leathers. Our shoes are fully leather lined and not with the compromise of using cheaper lining materials in the invisible front part of the shoe.

In our natural leather shoes we use genuine leather insoles, which are the basic requirement for a good shoe. Insoles made of poor carton are now used even for branded shoes and luxury products that are described as "high quality". These have a significantly shorter lifespan and dramatically worsen the foot climate in the shoe, as they accumulate heat and moisture in the shoe.

Good footwear is additionally reinforced at the critical points of the seams. The same applies to the lace openings, which are reinforced with eyelets. All components are designed for long-lastingness. The outsoles have the best possible compromise between shock absorption, flexibility and abrasion resistance. The soles of the classic models are built up by hand with the outsole, the midsole and the leahter welt instead of the common plastic one. Heels and outsoles are conctructed and built with a layer to cushion the impact on the feet in addition to our special orthopedic soft bedding.

The design is very important for a particularly good shoe. We manufacture our shoes in a combination of traditional craftmanship and up to date machinery processing. So we mainly produce the stitched lastings, where the leather upper is not only glued to the outsole, but also sewn. This sophisticated manufacturing makes our natural leather shoes more durable and supports the rolling movement of the foot by the construction itself.

Additional Notes:

You might get more information on the topic of good shoes in our product information of the individual articles and how to care for good shoes in our care instructions.

What makes the shoe sustainable?

Basic answers to the sustainability of shoes:

If you want to seriously implement the topic of sustainability and not simply follow a contemporary trend, you are forced to take a comprehensive look at the complexity and, as a manufacturer, to find individual solutions for your production and products. These include resource conservation, environmental compatibility, a reduction in the avoidance of all harmful substances, longevity and a certain timelessness. In order to implement a sustainable concept, it makes sense to focus on the materials used and the manufacturing method. Regardless of the production materials and manufacturing, the long-lasting shoe is the most sustainable of all, as you can spare resources and protect the environment at the same time. The concept should therefore be designed from the outset for longevity, suitable care for maintenance and ease of repair.

Implementation of sustainability in our natural leather shoes:

The components that are particularly relevant in terms of quantity are primarily the upper and lining leather, as well as mounting insoles, foodbeds and outsoles.

The raw hides of our natural leathers are exclusively of European origin and are a by-product of meat production in Central Europe. The upper and lining leather are tanned in an environmentally friendly manner in Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal without the addition of chrome or other heavy metals.

The foodbeds are covered with our natural leather and the genuine leather mounting insoles of our natural leather shoes are tanned without the addition of chrome, the same applies to the leather outsoles. The rubber outsoles are manufactured in Portugal, Italy and Spain in an environmentally friendly manner by our suppliers using a maximum of natural latex; this includes well-known sole manufacturers such as B. Vibram in Italy.

The shoe lasts are also relevant in production; these consist of recycled polystyrene, which is itself recycled again when the lasts are no longer used in the manufacturing cycle.

In production, we naturally meet all legal requirements and requirements for environmentally and socially responsible production that apply in the European Union. In connection with the short transport routes and the best possible quality, these are the reasons why we manufacture exclusively in the European Union and also purchase our materials and components from suppliers in the European Union.

The methods of traditional shoemaking that we use, in which the leather leg is sewn to the outsole, not only make our natural leather shoes more comfortable, but above all more durable, provided, of course, that they are cared for accordingly.

The traditional craftmenship of our natural leather shoes also means that they can be resoled by a good shoemaker without damaging the shoe construction; this is also an important aspect for the longevity and associated sustainability of our product.

Additional information on the sustainability of our natural leather shoes:

Additional notes on sustainability can be found in the product description and the menu items

company and product philosophy, as well as in the product info shoes sustainable.

What requirements does a manufacturer of orthopedic shoes meet?

General answers to the requirements of an orthopedic shoe manufacturer:

The shoe last with which the shoe is made replicates the shape of the wearer's foot. Ideally, this should be comfortable, i.e. leave enough space for the foot and provide support where it is necessary. In addition, the foot position should have a relieving effect on bones and joints. If there are special requirements, the custom-made shoe is required here; for precautionary and lighter requirements, the manufacturer of orthopedic shoes can also observe and implement the requirements in the serial production. These include a comfortable width, if necessary a generous instep, a pronounced heel shape, an appropriate volume and the right drop. In addition, the different foot shapes must be taken into account; the Central European foot is rather broad, voluminous and curved inwards. In comparison, the North American foot is rather straight and somewhat slimmer in its basic shape, but still voluminous with a strong instep. The Asian foot, on the other hand, is significantly smaller and narrower with a relatively flat instep.

The implementation of the product requirements of a manufacturer of orthopedic shoes at our factory:

We develop the lasts that shape the fit of our natural leather shoes especially for Central European feet. As a result, they offer the wearer the special comfort that characterizes our product.

To adjust to the different varieties of individual feet, we offer most of our styles in a narrower normal width and a particularly comfortable width. The width, volume, instep height and length are designed for maximum comfort; In addition, we have provided the volume for the exchangeable soft footbeds that are typical for our product. Therefore the customer who might need custom-made insoles from an orthopedist, could opt to exchange our Latex foobed to his indivicually moulded orthopedic one.

The genuine leather insoles and the reinforcements as components of the leather leg support and relieve the foot. The soles and heel materials cushion the step and protect the joints: The construction of the shoe supports the rolling movement of the feet and makes it easier to walk and stand, especially on the hard floors that are common today, so that they tire less quickly. The relationship between the forefoot and the heel is in a comfortable ratio and does not put additional strain on the ankles and bones.

Further comments on the orthopedic requirements as a manufacturer:

You might find more in our product descriptions of the individual items, as well as under the menu item product info - lorthopedic shoes manufacturers.

How can I support foot-healthy walking?

General answers to support foot-friendly walking:

Nowadays, we usually walk and stand on hard floors, such as pavement, tarmac, etc., which places considerable additional strain on our feet and, as a result, our knees, hips and entire bone structure.

We can reduce the effects of this extreme stress with specific means and, in the best case, compensate them.

Exercising is also helpful for the feet, although it is important to limit the permanent one-sided strain. Movement on hard floors may still have positive effects on the muscles and physique; for the ankles and the bone structure, it adds additional stress that should actually be avoided. The training run should therefore be done on soft ground in nature and with suitable, both cushioning and supportive footwear. In general, cycling is the better alternative for bones and joints, and of course swimming in particular is a balancing and fitness sport.

Special notes on foot-friendly running:

It would be best for our feet today if we could walk barefoot in the sand three months a year to compensate the usual walking on hard ground. As it is not realistic for most of us in our daily lifes, you might find below some ideas to improve for healthier feet:

- Walk barefoot on a soft surface, preferably on the sand

- give your feet air, which means wearing sandals or mules as often as possible in addition to walking barefoot

- Strengthen the foot muscles through targeted training

- regular foot care including cream and massage

- change shoes see above

- if you absolutely want to wear higher heels, you should definitely change heel heights and wear the high drop as short as possible

- When walking, consciously perform the rolling movement of the foot, i.e. put your heel down and complete the sole of the foot with a pronounced rolling movement up to the tip of the foot

- relieve the feet as often as possible, that means putting them up so that the blood can drain better

- foot baths for relaxation

- use suitable footwear which, like our natural leather shoes, ensures a pleasant foot climate and relieves and supports the feet, cushions the step and supports the rolling movement.

You can find more information about supporting foot-healthy walking at the item product descriptions of our shoes, as well as under the menu item product info.

How do I do something good for my feet?

General explanations of how I can do something good for my feet:

Our feet have the important function of keeping us mobile; the entire body weight rests on them. In relation to the rest of the body, this means a considerable weight per area on a relatively small part of the body. In order to keep us flexible and pain-free for as long as possible, it makes sense to do something good for our feet. In addition, this not only benefits the feet themselves, but also the joints above them, such as the knees, hips and even the spine, which may also be relieved.

Details on how to do something good for your feet:

Like ourselves, our feet need rest and recovery after efforts. For this they should be in the fresh air a lot, which means being barefoot as often as possible. Foot baths and Kneipp water treading are not only relaxing for your feet, but also your overall well-being. An additional increase in well-being can be achieved with a pleasant foot massage. The pedicure and the creaming of the feet also contributes significantly to the well-being. After exerting your feet, it is important to put your legs up so that the blood can drain better from your feet and legs; the relief can usually be felt after a short time.

As soon as you feel permanent discomfort in your feet, it is essential to see a doctor and a good orthopedist; It is too easy for health problems that start with foot pain to spread to the joints and organs above in the body. The expert orthopaedist can usually perfectly compensate for foot malpositions by customizing and customizing insoles. However, it takes a little patience until the bones of the foot and the personal feeling adapt and get used to the new foot position; after that, however, there is a clearly noticeable improvement.

To avoid foot malpositions, you should change your footwear frequently. When choosing suitable shoes, you should pay attention to natural materials, high-quality components, the traditional manufacturing style, genuine leather insoles and exchangeable soft footbeds, which, like our natural leather shoes, enable a pleasant foot climate, offer the feet enough space and support them where necessary is, cushion the step and support the rolling movement of the feet. With these features your feet will tire less quickly and you prevent foot damage.

Of course, this applies all the more if you use orthopedic insoles. You can replace these for the standard Latex footbed that we use in our natural leather shoes, and you still have enough space in the shoes for your feet.

For more notes on how to do something good for your feet, please see our product descriptions of the individual models of our natural leather shoes and in the menu item product info.

How much should I pay for shoes?

General notes on how much to pay for a pair of shoes:

The saying "as much as necessary, as little as possible" matches perfectly here. Of course, the choice has to do with one's own personal requirements, taste and the possibilities.

When it comes to personal demands, a decisive role is played by how much individual well-being and health is worth to each individual. Shoes that are too cheap lead to foot malpositions, tire the feet quickly and severely and, in the worst case, damage the entire bone structure, after the feet the knee joints, the hips and ultimately the spine. Investing in good shoes is therefore also investing in preventative care and your own health.

In addition, it is unfortunately a fact that you have to spend more for good materials, high-quality components and high-quality manufacturing. However, if the longevity of the product is better than that of the cheap one, the higher initial outlay when buying it will quickly pay off compared to the cheaper one. If the cheap shoe is no longer attractive or even damaged earlier, possibly after just one season, and the more expensive one lasts for several years, the bottom line is that the higher initial investment is the cheaper one and you have chosen the more comfortable, healthier shoe as a "bonus". , which offers a better foot climate and represents a sustainable concept in production and consumption.

Other notes on how much to pay for shoes regarding our product:

In addition to the environmentally friendly materials of our natural leather shoes, the sustainability concept also includes production within the European Union, with short transport routes and compliance with social standards, as well as fair wages. Of course, these aspects influence the production costs and thus the pricing; the bottom line is that the price-performance ratio is much more consistent than with a cheap shoe. We place our product well below custom-made shoes, but use the same high-quality materials and components. Our natural leather shoes are made using the same elaborate techniques as used in traditional shoemaking. Due to the serial production in our manufactory and the internet sales directly from the manufacturer to the end customer, we can offer our natural leather shoes inexpensively in the truest sense of the word. This means the most expensive raw materials, the best quality components available on the market, a sustainable overall concept and the most sophisticated craftsmanship at the same price of a regular branded shoe, which was made with cheaper materials and low labor costs in India or the Far East instead of in the European Union.

Further explanations can be found under the menu item company and product philosophy.

How do I find the right shoe for me?

General answers on how to find the right shoe for me:

Of course, what counts first and foremost is the personal feeling of what I like best, whether it suits my taste, whether it corresponds to the spirit of time, whether it is within the scope of my personal possibilities and whether my requirements are met. To do this, it makes sense to think about what I expect from a shoe; whether only the appearance, the price or the functionality of the product is important to me. If the requirements are combined, the selection does not become easier and the range of shoes that can meet several or even all requirements is reduced.

It is also useful to consider the occasions, opportunities and circumstances on which I would like to wear the shoes of my choice.

Additional thoughts on how to find the right shoe for me:

In our opinion, the right shoe should first and foremost fit perfectly, because what could be worse than a shoe pinching you? For all other considerations and requirements, “footwear” serves to protect the feet and facilitate locomotion. The joy of the most beautiful shoe decreases significantly when it starts to pinch and your feet hurt. In order to avoid this, you should not make any compromises and rather do without if you like a model but it doesn't fit. To do this, you should know your feet; one is not the same as the other, meaning that the one on the left is larger or smaller than the one on the right. Most of the time you can assume that the foot you would play a ball with is the bigger one. In addition, you should not only be able to estimate your shoe length, but also the width and the volume, as well as the height of the instep. If you find it difficult to find the right shoe size for you, you should contact the manufacturer if you cannot find the relevant information about your desired model on the homepage.

In addition to the fit, you should also develop a feeling for the foot climate and evaluate whether the shoe seems comfortable to wear and whether the materials feel comfortable. If the chosen model also suits the occasions for which you want to wear the shoe, meets your expectations of the look, is functional, comfortable and walks well, you are pretty close to the perfect shoe!

Further information on fit and materials can be found under the menu items product information and in the item description of the individual models in the respective categories of natural leather women's shoes and natural leather men's shoes.