Quality features
Every shoe or boot is made in pure craftsmanship with lots of experience, patience and skill. Not only our many years of experience make every footwear a high-quality product, but also the materials we use in the production process.
The inner sole (insole)
The insole is the soul of the shoe, and is made by us not out of cardboard or pressed leather but of durable traditional pit tanned leather. This leather is only used very rarely because of its very high price, but there is no comparative alternative, which will guarantee that the foot can breathe and that sweat can be perfectly absorbed.
The middle sole (midsole)
The midsole is, likewise, made of this traditional pit tanned leather and is not, as it so often is, made of cardboard or pressed leather.
The lining leather
The lining leather, which must absorb the main amount of foot moisture, is made of vegetable-tanned calf leather.
The bottom filling
The bottom filling, which fills the space between the inner and middle sole or outer sole and which is usually made of cardboard or foam rubber, is, of course, made by us out of cork. Within a short time the foot can shape its own bed in this bottom filling. If this is not enough for you, we offer you individual orthopaedic inserts for any foot ailment.
The shank piece
The purpose of the shank piece is to stabilise the shoe in the flexing phase and it has a dampening effect. In our footwear it is made, not as it so often is, of plastic, but in the traditional shoemaker's style of a beech wedge or of steel.
The outer sole
The outer sole consists, likewise, of traditional pit tanned sole leather, which has the qualities of being very abrasion-resistant, hard and slightly flexible. In addition, it has a very firm fibre structure. We guarantee that our sole leather is not made, as it usually is, of pressed leather.
The Ago method
In the Ago method, the inner sole is attached to the last, the upper or leg is pulled over the last and is temporarily secured (lasted). The lining and the upper leather are subsequently bonded, with high-quality glue, to the insole. After that, the leather outer sole is, likewise, bonded using high-quality glue.
The machine welt process
Beim Rahmennähverfahren wird die Brandsohle auf dem Leisten befestigt, über den Leisten wird das Oberleder gezogen und vorläufig befestigt (gezwickt). Der Rahmen (ein Lederband) wird danach an der Sohlenkante fixiert und durch eine Naht mit Brandsohle, Futter und Oberleder vernäht. Die Laufsohle wird schließlich an diesen Rahmen angenäht.
The inverted seam process
In shoes with inverted seams, as with machine welted shoes, the lining leather, upper leather and insole are sewn together with a pitched thread. This process takes place twice, which is why it is subsequently called an inverted seam. This type of sole is much stronger and the seams are more visible.
Take measure
All shoes and boots are custom made. In order to guarantee an optimal fit, the right measure is very important. Of course, we can also take the measure for you. Just make an appointment for this and visit us in Krefeld or come to a tour in your area.
Do you want to measure yourself? Then simply print out the measuring sheet and enter your values. The measuring sheet is available as a pdf file and can be read and printed with Adobe Acrobat Reader. Please also note the following instructions "Correct measure".
Correct measuring
A few introductory words
Do take your time when measuring, because the measurements you give us form the basis for a perfectly fitted boot.
The measurements should be taken with the tape measure slightly tensed over stockings, for riding boots over the breeches.
Ideally, find a person to assist you in taking your precise measurements. It saves you unnecessary twisting and minimises possible mistakes.
If, despite our detailed measuring instructions, you still have questions or are unclear about anything, let us know.
The following information is intended to help you take measurements. At the end of these instructions, we offer you various formats to download or print out these measuring instructions.
This allows you to take your measurements in comfort and without time pressure, and to enter them into our database later. You can also send them at any time by Fax, E-Mail (you need a scanner for the foot outline) or by post.
To make boots with a perfect fit, we need the following details:
Shoe size
Give your exact shoe size. If your shoe size is different for the left or right foot, please indicate them both.
Foot outline drawing
To make an outline of your foot, please place your foot on a sheet of paper and draw with a VERTICALLY held pencil around the whole foot. Please repeat this with your other foot, and send us both these outlines with your personal details. We ask you to send us the foot ouline by post and not by fax, since some types of fax distort the image, which then makes it impossible to get an exact size!
Ankle measurement
The ankle measurement is measured over the widest point of your ankle.
Ball
Place your foot on the tape measure and now guide the tape measure around your foot and measure the circumference of your ball.
Instep
You measure the instep in the middle of your foot, that is precisely between the ball and heel measurement.
Heel
The heel measurement is taken exactly from the heel around the whole foot. Put your heel on the tape measure to hold it in place!
Calf
Please take the calf measurement exactly on the widest point of your calf.
Leg length
Measure the leg length on the rear of the leg while standing. Do not measure the leg length too short, because the boot tends to compress slightly.
Boot top
Measure the boot top exactly in the hollow of the knee.
Repair service
If one of our products needs to be repaired after a certain time, simply return it to us.
Whether it requires new soles and heels, a replacement zip, a new inside of the leg, a complete new sole bottom or even a complete reworking, we will carry out all the work, as quickly and inexpensively as possible in our master craftsmen's workshop.
We will be very pleased to provide a rough estimate by telephone, but cannot give you the exact price until we have seen your boots or shoes.
Condition of boots after approximately 13 years of hard use
Large hole in the upper leather on the inside of the boot
Patch, poorly produced by a third party, which caused the rider pressure pains.
Enlargement of the inside of the boot. The leather, which has worn through, can be clearly seen here.
The complete inner leg has been removed from the boot here.
The removed upper leather can once again be clearly seen here.
Insertion of a new inside leg and boot top, which has been carefully, and at the same time, inconspicuously, sewn into the boot.
Afterwards this boot was resoled and reconditioned with a special gloss polish.
Following the repair, the boots were immediately put into use and, with Jeroen Dubbeldam, not only won the Grand Prix of Aachen, but also ensured the Olympic gold medal in Sydney.
Satisfaction guarantee
The manufacture of riding boots marks the beginning of our history, which began over 100 years ago and is rich in tradition.
Since this time, the methods for the manufacture of bespoke footwear have changed, but what is required is still skilled craftsmanship, expertise and patience. Even today, we use the same tools as our forefathers for handling and working the leather, an entirely natural material.
If, despite all our efforts, something is not as you had imagined it would be, or if the fit of the product doesn't completely satisfy you, contact us straight away, we have some tips which may help, and we will be glad to advise you.
If, after that, the problem is still not resolved, simply return the product to us, and after consultation with you, we will, of course, in accordance with your wishes, alter it free of charge.
