Vellies | Product Education | AgBlogs

Vellies are a hot commodity at the moment, being one of the most popular shoes sold in South Africa. They are normally made of vegetable-tanned leather with a leather footbed and rubber sole. They are easy to make, and the materials needed are easily sourced, even in the past when commodities and materials were scarcer. They are hardy and comfortable and can handle even the toughest terrain.

In this article, we will discuss the history of the vellie and the best way to care for your vellies.

A Brief History of the Vellie.

The most primitive concept of a vellie was first observed from the cattle-raising African Maasai tribe as well as the nomadic Khoisan Tribe. these tribes were mostly nomadic, leading to the need to protect a walker's feet over the harsh African landscape. Most of these nomadic peoples had herds of cattle, meaning that they had access to leather and the materials needed to craft shoes to protect their feet.

Later, the Dutch settlers in South Africa observed the shoes made by these tribes and adapted the vellie for the Great Trek. The materials needed to make these shoes whilst exploring the South African interior were readily available.

Beyond their practicality, Vellies have become symbols of cultural pride and heritage. Worn by farmers, explorers, and everyday individuals alike, these shoes embody the spirit of resilience and adaptability ingrained in South African history. Today the Vellie has transcended its humble beginnings and has become a fashion statement, not only in South Africa but around the world.

Caring for your vellies

Although vellies are applauded as rough and rugged shoes, made to last, some care is needed to keep them in good shape.

When they get dusty and muddy, you can wait until they are dry and remove any dust with a soft brush and damp cloth.

 If a more effective cleaning method is needed, you can mix 1 part soap (mild-such as dishwashing liquid or facial soap) in a 1:8 ratio with water. Use a microfiber cloth or sponge to soak up some of the soapy water and gently wipe the stains.

Do not wet the entire shoe as this can cause oversaturation, leading to colour discrepancies. Remember, if you wet your vellies too much it can change the colour and the texture of the leather. Always try to keep your vellies as dry as possible.

Once the shoe has been cleaned, place it somewhere to dry naturally, away from direct sunlight.

A leather sealant can then be applied to prevent further stains and a leather cream can soften the leather when it is hard and stiff from age.

How should the vellie fit your foot?

Your vellies should have about a 1 cm gap between your toe and the tip of the shoe to leave enough room for your toes to wiggle and expand while you walk. Your heel should be held firmly in place. The shoe should not be loose enough to rub against the heel of your foot but should also not press into your skin.

The ball of your foot should fit comfortably in the widest part of the shoes, and it should be a snug fit, not squashed.

Vellies are made from natural leather which will stretch and mould to your foot contours after a while, so it is best to buy them slightly snug. They will stretch to hug your feet perfectly after about 2-4 weeks of regular wear.

See the below chart for men's and women's sizing in foot length.

Why are my vellies not the same colour as the ones advertised?

Remember, most product photos are taken under professional lighting which can be rather bright, so looking at the shoe under the same conditions you will see that the shoes are mostly the same colour, but because they are made from natural leather, vellie colour will sometimes differ a bit from other pairs, they might be a shade darker or lighter than expected and the colour will also change after you apply products like leather cream or sealant.

Can I send my vellies back if they are not the correct size?

If you bought the incorrect size, AgMarket will be more than happy to exchange your shoes for a larger size or smaller size. Send the pair of shoes back via courier (at your cost) and once they are dropped off, and we are satisfied that they have not been worn or damaged, we will send you a pair in the preferred size (at our cost). Please note that you will be responsible for the costs of sending the incorrectly sized pair back and we will send the correct size back free of charge.

Where can I get the best vellies?

The AgMarket online marketplace offers a wide selection of vellies from the Bata Safari range. The Bata Safari brand boasts great quality vellies at affordable prices. The range includes your normal vellies, as well as great leather options. Have a look at our selection under the shoe category on our website.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veldskoen

http://www.nogorbalok.com/the-history-of-vellies-shoes/

https://www.bata.co.za/brands/safari/