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Ever wondered why one pair of our shoes feels rigid and structured while another moulds to your foot like a glove? The answer is almost always in the material. From leathers and suedes to plant-based alternatives and technical soles, every material we use has its own story, its own manufacturing process, and its own effect on comfort, durability, and looks.
In this guide, we break down every material we use, so you can pick the pair that fits not just your style, but the way you want your shoes to feel and age.
Nappa leather is made from the outer side of the hide, which gives it a firmer, rigid structure compared to other leathers. A nice side benefit: this outer layer sheds dirt more easily, so Nappa leather stays looking clean for longer. Because of that rigidity, Nappa leather does need some breaking in, but the more you wear it, the softer and more supple it becomes.
Nothing goes to waste. During the shoemaking process, offcuts and leftover pieces of leather are collected, pressed back together, and turned into a new material. The result is a thicker, rigid leather with real sustainability credentials; every piece has already lived a life before it became part of your shoe. As with any rigid leather, it takes a bit of wear to break in properly, after which it softens up nicely.
Nubuck starts out similarly to Nappa but goes through an extra step: the surface is sanded down slightly further, giving it that soft, velvety texture. That extra step also takes more time to produce. Because of this, Nubuck is already softer than Nappa and Recycled Leather straight away, with less break-in needed.
This is suede in its softest, most flexible form. It feels supple right out of the box, but that same softness means it breaks in (and shows wear) faster, and it's more sensitive to dirt and stains than other leathers.
Just like our recycled leather, leftover suede material from the production process is collected, pressed together, and given a second life as Recycled Suede — a more sustainable option without giving up that classic suede texture. Just like Brushed Suede, it sits soft from the start, with no break-in needed.
Premium Suede is chosen for its refined, velvety texture and soft hand-feel from the very first wear. Made from carefully selected hides, it offers a smooth, even nap that gives every pair a subtle, elevated look. Beyond its appearance, Premium Suede breathes well and moves with the foot, making it as comfortable as it is distinctive: a material that feels effortless, yet unmistakably premium.
This is Nappa leather finished with a foil layer, which creates that distinctive crackled, aged-looking surface. It's Nappa's structure with a completely different finish on top.
Pony hair is a printed hide that keeps its natural hair texture, giving it a distinctive, tactile pattern rather than a smooth or napped leather surface.
Patent leather uses the same foil-based technique as cracquelé leather, but the coating is less dried out, which makes it stronger and gives it that glossy, glassy shine we associate with patent leather.
This isn't a material: it's a certification. The Leather Working Group audits tanneries on their environmental performance, and a Gold rating is the highest standard a tannery can achieve. We only source leather and suede from LWG Gold-rated tanneries, across every leather and suede material listed above, so every leather product carries that assurance with it.
Recycled PU is made from recycled plastic and finished with a silver coating. It's a fully vegan material, and because of how it's produced, it tends to be rigid than natural leather. If you're looking for a structured look with no animal materials involved, this is it. It's also the hardest material of the range, so it often takes a bit longer to fully break in compared to the leathers and suedes above.
Our mesh is made from 100% recycled polyester. It comes in several variations depending on how the fibers are woven, which changes breathability, stretch, and structure from one style to the next. Because of its open, woven structure, mesh does pick up dirt more quickly than leather or suede.
EVA stands for ethylene vinyl acetate: that's the material itself. EVA soles are mainly used for their lightweight cushioning and flexibility, making them noticeably lighter and more flexible than rubber. The trade-off: EVA on its own has very little grip, which is why it's always paired with a rubber outsole underneath.
Vibram is an Italian brand that's been making rubber outsoles since the 1930s, and it's become one of the most recognized names in footwear soles worldwide originally famous in mountaineering and hiking boots for its grip and durability. Some Vibram compounds also blend in other materials, such as bamboo fiber, to improve sustainability without sacrificing performance. When you see a Vibram sole on one of our shoes, you're getting decades of rubber expertise underfoot.
Every material we use is chosen for a reason: whether that's comfort, durability, sustainability, or style. And no matter which leather or suede you go for, you can count on the fact that it comes from an LWG Gold-rated tannery, the highest environmental standard in the industry.
Next time you're choosing between two pairs, think about how you want the shoe to feel today versus how you want it to look in a year. That's really the difference between stiffer materials like Nappa and Recycled PU, and softer ones like Brushed Suede and now you know exactly what's behind that difference.
The Re-Run
The Re-Run Evo
The Re-Run White Silver
The Re-Run Vintage
The Re-Run Max
The Re-Run Vibram
The Re-Racer
Laces
The Re-Run Drive
The Re-Run Cracked
