Sandal Structure
Our handmade sandals are crafted using real stitching and a special shoemaker’s contact glue to assemble the various leather and rubber components. For added durability, certain parts are reinforced with shoe nails as needed.
Top & Bottom Parts of the Soles
The part of the sole that touches your skin is made of leather, providing comfort and a natural feel. Conversely, the bottom part that contacts the ground is made of rubber, offering better grip compared to hardened leather. However, it’s important to note that rubber soles are not completely slip-proof, so caution is still advised.
Custom-Fit Comfort
All our sandals are meticulously custom-fit to your measurements. We often bevel the leather strap edges for added comfort.
Aging Gracefully
With proper care following our instructions, your sandals will age gracefully. The top part of the leather sandal sole will darken beautifully over time, molding to your feet, while the leather straps will develop a natural patina from wear and exposure to sunlight.
SANDAL CARE
Baby Oil & Vaseline
Applying baby oil or Vaseline not only speeds up the natural darkening process of our leather sandals but also serves as an affordable and easily accessible moisturizer that can help prolong the life of our all-natural leather sandals. While some opt for olive oil, it’s worth noting that it can turn rancid over time, especially if you sweat a lot.
Sweat & Water
To maintain their longevity, avoid getting our sandals wet. They aren’t chemically treated to mimic the properties of synthetic footwear designed for harsh conditions. Water and excessive sweat can harm the leather. Handle them with care and show them some love by occasionally treating them with Vaseline, baby oil, or saddle soap.
Sea water and acidic sweat are particularly damaging. Sweat marks on the leather sole result from chemical compounds like ammonia and urea, which are byproducts of protein breakdown.
Impact of Diet
Your diet affects the amount and acidity of your sweat, impacting not only your personal health but also the longevity of your sandals. Foods and beverages containing MSG, caffeine, hot spices, dairy, eggs, meat, snacks, alcohol, and smoking can increase sweat acidity, which can cause damage to leather.
Acidic Sweat
Highly acidic sweat can damage leather. Combat this by consuming alkaline foods like fruits and vegetables, which help maintain your sandals and your health.
Daily Hygiene
Wash your feet daily, or even twice daily, to manage hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).
Sweaty Feet
If your feet sweat profusely, avoid wearing the same sandals two days in a row and give them some rest. Allow them to dry completely to prevent excessive sweat absorption, which can lead to bad smells and drying out of the leather. Excessive sweat or water can also cause hardening of the straps and result in cracking marks on both the straps and soles, especially if they are untreated with leather cream.
Metal Shoe Nail Care
Sweat can oxidize shoe nails used in certain parts, causing black stains. Apply clear nail polish regularly to prevent this.
The Rubber Part of The Sole
The rubber part of the sole can last a long time if you avoid scraping or shuffling your feet while walking—some rare individuals have kept their rubber soles in good condition for over twenty years. However, if your feet do scrape against the ground for any reason, you might need to re-sole them much sooner. The timing depends on the severity of the scraping your feet do and the types of surfaces (or places) you should not walk on, such as rough terrains, rocky mountain trails, wetlands, pebbly river beds, grass sprayed with pesticides, or other challenging environments.
When you notice the rubber part wearing down, don’t wait until it wears all the way through to the leather. Instead, promptly visit a skilled cobbler to have them resoled.
Special Leather Creams
Use leather creams, Vaseline, baby oil or saddle soap to keep the leather of your sandals healthy. Apply whenever the leather looks dull and dry. Neglecting this can lead to cracking and deterioration.
Avoid Water Damage
Do not get them wet when visiting the seaside, rivers, waterfalls, etc. When encountering sudden rain, take cover if possible, or at least avoid walking long distances in the rain. If your sandals do get wet, let them air dry at room temperature. Avoid direct sunlight, blow dryers, or placing them near heat sources, as this may cause them to harden excessively during drying and potentially ruin them. Once they have naturally dried, apply a leather cream or baby oil to nourish the leather. While doing so, reshape the sandals to their original form by massaging the leather cream or baby oil into the leather straps.
Keep them away from pets
Keep them away from pets. To your adorable puppies and dogs, your sandals look like gourmet chew toys. Protect your footwear from becoming their next snack!
Conclusion
With either tender-loving or simply proper care, your handcrafted leather sandals will age gracefully, providing you with years of comfort, style, and loyal sandal companionship.
OUR HIGH-QUALITY LEATHERS
Natural Leathers from Crete – Colored Leathers from Italy
We handcraft our natural leather sandals using premium calf leathers tanned in the renowned tanneries of Crete. For our colored sandals, we source high-quality calf leathers from Italy, ensuring every pair is made from the finest materials.
Natural Leather Grain, Marks and Texture
The natural grain, marks and textures found on leathers from the renowned tanneries of Crete are not defects; they are your guarantee of genuine, natural leather. Unlike their dyed counterparts, our natural leathers darken over time as you use them, making every pair uniquely yours.
Our High-Quality Vegetable-Tanned Leathers
Discover the enduring beauty and authenticity of vegetable-tanned leathers, celebrated for their preserved grain and natural characteristics that non-connoisseurs might perceive as imperfections.
What’s the deal with vegetable-tanned, full-grain leathers?
Vegetable-tanned, full-grain leathers are the epitome of authenticity and quality. Their distinctive, varied tones and natural markings are testament to their genuine nature. Unlike other leathers, these do not receive a finish coat for uniform color or added beautification, showcasing their natural beauty instead.
Because of the use of natural tannins extracted from plants, vegetable-tanned leathers retain unique characteristics that might be perceived as imperfections by those unfamiliar with these high-quality leathers. The time-consuming tanning process and the resulting superior quality make these leathers the most expensive. Their surfaces remain unsanded, preserving their durability and breathability, allowing their natural beauty to shine through.
The Art of Vegetable Tanning
Vegetable tanning is a time-honored, eco-friendly method of transforming animal hides into leather without harmful chemicals. This ancient technique, dating back to around 6000 BCE, utilizes tannins naturally derived from the bark and leaves of various plants, such as chestnut, oak, and wattle.
In a meticulous and gradual process, raw hides are placed in wooden drums where they undergo tanning to become leathers of exceptional quality, strength, and durability.
Full-Grain Leathers Overtime
Over time, vegetable-tanned, full-grain leathers develop a rich, dark patina, enhancing their appearance and character. These sturdy, long-lasting leathers contain the strongest fibers in the hide, ensuring breathability and reduced sweating in footwear. They are also ideal for belts, luggage, furniture, and accessories requiring a robust yet less pliable leather.
Renowned fashion designers and brands choose vegetable-tanned, full-grain leathers for high-quality shoes, accessories, and other luxury leather goods. These leathers grow with you, recording personal histories through every mark and stain, and only get better with love and care.
