Skip to content

Made to order in PretoriaReady in 2–4 weeksDelivery included in South Africa

The maker at the bench in the workshop, working the welt of a green boot

The Making

One bench. Every pair sewn by hand.

Every pair is made to order at one bench in Menlo Park, Pretoria: worked to your foot, lasted by hand and sewn entirely by hand. Nothing that leaves the bench is machine-sewn.

The three builds
A maker at the bench in an apron, finishing the edge of a green boot

From commission to delivery

In five steps, at one bench

  1. 01

    Commission

    Choose the leather, the build and the sole edge, and pay in full. Ready in 2–4 weeks.

  2. 02

    Your fit, confirmed

    The bench reads your size or measurements and confirms them with you on WhatsApp. Nothing is cut until your fit is confirmed.

  3. 03

    Lasted by hand

    Every last is worked to your foot. There are no width fittings and no stock sizes.

  4. 04

    Sewn by hand

    Blake-stitched, hand-welted or storm welt: whichever you choose, nothing that leaves the bench is machine-sewn.

  5. 05

    With you

    Delivered anywhere in South Africa, or collected in Menlo Park. When the sole wears through, it comes back to the same bench.

From commission to delivery
Hands beside a finished pair of laced boots on a velvet sofa

The guides

What the bench would tell you in person

Fit How a shoe should fit Held at the heel, closed at the instep, free at the toes: what the bench checks, and what you can. Read the guide Fit Measuring your feet at home Nine measurements, both feet, with a helper and a tape. Ten minutes. Read the guide The builds Three builds, one price Blake-stitched, hand-welted and storm welt, each drawn in section, and which to choose. Read the guide Commission From commission to delivery Your fit confirmed, made by hand in 2–4 weeks, delivered in South Africa. Read the guide Recraft Resole or repair When a pair needs a new sole, when a repair will do. Resole R750 · repair R450. Read the guide

The leathers

Nine full-grain cow leathers

Full-grain is the top layer of the hide, with nothing sanded off. Nubuck is that same layer, buffed. Patent is a high-gloss finish over the grain. Roughout is full-grain worn flesh side out.

  • Sandstone Nubuck
  • Toffee Brown
  • Kings Patina
  • Barm Brown
  • Matte Black
  • Patent Black
  • Patent Brown
  • Forest Green
  • Roughout
A pair of burgundy slip-ons from above on a dark ground
A pair of black wingtip boots from above on a round black tray
See the shoes Message the bench