As the only shoemaker to own its own vegetable-tanning sole-leather tannery, J.M. Weston lets time do its work in Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat, at the heart of the Tannerie Bastin & Fils. It is here, a few kilometres from Limoges, that raw hide becomes leather soles. Tannerie Bastin is distinguished by its ancestral vegetable-tanning methods, using quebracho and chestnut powders that give the leather unrivalled strength. Naturally breathable and supple, these leather soles require special care to preserve their resistance and durability.
1. Cleaning: remove impurities and prepare the leather
Before applying any treatment, ensure that the soles are clean and dry.
Using a cloth or brush, remove dust and residue that has accumulated over time.
2. Greasing: nourish and moisturize the leather
The leather on your soles needs to be nourished to prevent it from drying out and to maintain its suppleness. Two to three times a year, apply a thin layer of grease to the entire surface of the sole. This treatment deeply moisturizes the leather and limits the impact of humidity and friction.
Then, place the shoes on their edge and leave the grease to act for at least 48 hours to allow the leather to fully absorb the nourishing active ingredients.
3. Finishing: polish and shine
Once the soles have dried, use a J.M. Weston horsehair brush to remove excess grease and polish the soles.
Give your shoes a second life
Over time, your leather soles wear out naturally. To extend their lifespan, our Limoges factory offers a resoling service carried out according to the same requirements as the manufacture of a new sole. Each resoling follows a four-step process:
1. Expertise: A J.M. Weston advisor examines the shoes in store to validate the feasibility of resoling.
2. Disassembly: The shoes are completely disassembled in our dedicated workshop in Limoges.
3. Resoling: The soles are replaced with identical materials and according to the same original manufacturing methods.
4. Pampering: The shoes are cleaned, brushed and polished to recover all their shine and return as new.
Thanks to this unique know-how, the shoes find new soles, ready to accompany their owner throughout the years.
