When looking to purchase a pair of shoes, the endless questions you have to ask yourself can be stressful and time-consuming.

You may have seen reference to Goodyear Welted shoes and wondered why they cost more than shoes you may see on the high street. This is due to the cost and labour involved when producing them. The benefits are numerous and if you’re looking for a sturdy, stylish and sophisticated pair of shoes, look no further.

The History of the Goodyear Welt

The Goodyear Welt takes its name from Charles Goodyear Jr. Son of Charles Goodyear – the inventor of vulcanised rubber (or the stretchy material found in Chelsea Boots).

During the early-to-mid 19^th century, most shoes were produced using the same tools as in ancient Egypt almost 3000 years prior. The invention of the Rolling machine in 1845 sped this up however as the soles of shoes could be made more durable, and the sewing machine came a year later which revolutionised the industry.

A decade later in 1858, Lyman R. Blake created a machine that could sew the soles of shoes to the upper which in turn was known as the Blake Stitch.

Another decade later in 1869, Goodyear Jr. was able to purchase a modified sewing machine that improved upon the Blake stich. The design of the machine took different shape over the six year period between its purchase and final patent but now forms what we know as the famous Goodyear Welt.

Why You Should Buy

The Goodyear Welt construction method provides a whole host of benefits that your average pair don’t possess. Their longevity is unmatched as the sole can be re-stitched later in the products lifecycle to bring new life into them at a fairly easy expense.

The layers between your feet and the ground offer support and comfort whilst the unique stitching provides water resistance as there are no small holes leading to the inside of the shoe. This also differs from the Blake construction as the stitching can often be felt underfoot. Another bonus is that the cork filling will mould to your feet over time and provide a better and more comfortable fit.

The upper will need to be made of quality leather so that the stitching can be as close to the edge of the material as possible. This means that when you purchase Goodyear Welted shoes, you can almost guarantee that you’ll be buying into a well-constructed and superior product.