1. Buttery soft leather upper
I love leather. I still remember seeing the leather store in De Montfort University's footwear department on an open day visit, and falling in love with the feel, the smell and the huge range of possible options. In a world of synthetic options there's a reason leather continues to be the go to for shoes, and that's it's incredible properties for keeping you comfy.
Leather gives and stretches with movement, so your shoes actually get more comfy as you wear them, not less. It's breathable, cleanable and wonderfully durable too, that's why it's the perfect choice for shoes you want to wear on repeat and keep for years.
2. 100% natural leather lining
The leather doesn't stop at the upper. Many brands will cut costs by having a leather upper but then using a synthetic material for the lining, but this kind of undoes all the benefits. Some will do a bit of a half and half, using a synthetic lining but a leather sock or insole, to give the impression of a full leather lining. We don't use any synthetic linings or socks, so your foot is enveloped in buttery soft leather throughout.
Why does this matter? Not only is natural leather lining super soft to walk on and moulds to your foot shape, it's also breathable so you avoid hot sweaty feet when the weather's on the warm side or you're in them all day.
3. Cushioned underfoot padding
It's an interesting one this, as I see some brands advertising their internal cushioning but when I look at it it's really thick. You might think the more padding the better, but you can actually overdo it so that it makes the shoe a bit shallow inside, taking out some of the depth and even width and unintentionallly creating a bit of a tight fit.
We use just the right amount- a slim layer of padding underneath the leather insole, all the way from the ball of your foot to underneath your heels- perfect.
4. Perfectly proportioned patterns
This one isn't as obviously visible but trust me is vital to how your shoes feel and a few millimetres can make a huge difference. For example, if the topline of a shoe is in the wrong place, it can dig into a bunion or the widest part of your foot which will be really uncomfy after a short while. And it's not just practical- a well cut pattern should flatter your foot and make all the difference to how your shoes look. I keep the fronts of my shoes purposefully on the lower cut side for example, which is way more flattering with the larger sizes.
