CLOG CARE & INFORMATION

The KIT family tree starts with a traditional work shoe. Clogs have been worn for centuries in rural and industrial settings around the world as protective and practical footwear that’s well loved for being hard-wearing and comfortable. We pride ourselves on retaining this level of quality and durability in our clogs today. Read more about our journey in our ABOUT US page.

All our clogs are made using natural materials that are durable but need to be looked after properly to ensure a long and happy life. Look after your clogs and they'll look after you. Here's how: 

VARIATION /

Your Kitty clogs carry the story of where they've come from and how they've been made, it's what makes them unique. Natural materials are not uniform, both the leather and wood will appear slightly different on every single pair. Variations in colour and appearance are to be expected and respected as a part of your clog’s individuality and hand-made nature. 

WEARING IN /

Please be aware that, like most shoes, our clogs need to be broken in. A brand new pair may start out feeling snug or stiff but, with time and wear, both the leather and wood will soften and mould to your unique fit. The best way of softening the leather on any pair of shoes is simply to wear them, we recommend little and often to begin with. If you want to speed up this process you can try wearing thicker socks with your clogs around the house, being very careful not to over stretch the leather. The leather may start off more rigid but it is actually quite malleable and it’s important not to stress it too much and to instead wear them in gently. After a few wears the leather will be beautifully supple and softened to your unique fit and gait.

Unlike most shoes, clog bases do not bend so your heel will lift as you walk. This can take a little getting used to if you're a clog novice :-) Take your time and, once you're happy with the fit and feel, wear your clogs on short trips while you become accustomed to the gentle rock of the wooden base. Our flex base clogs have a flexible wooden sole and so allow your foot to bend with each step. They can be a good option if you're unsure if you're ready for a solid wooden base.

BEFORE YOU WEAR YOUR CLOGS OUTSIDE /

If you're gripping the clogs with your toes and they feel like they may slip off then you probably have the wrong size. Refer to our SIZE GUIDE or drop us an email for advice before ordering/wearing your clogs outside.

Bear in mind that we cannot accept any returns if the sole or leather is marked in any way or you've worn your clogs outside (your statutory rights are not affected) so we recommend trying on any new clogs while standing on a carpeted surface so the sole doesn’t mark, just in case! For more information about RETURNS see here.

THE WOODEN BASE /

Our wooden bases are made from Alder wood which grows naturally in controlled FSC certified forests. Just as each tree is unique, so is each pair of clogs. Variations in colour and appearance are to be expected and respected as a part of your clog’s individuality and hand-made nature. With time and wear the wood will begin to soften and mould to your foot.

Our flex base styles have a wedge of rubber pinned into the wood in order for the base to bend at the ball of your foot. The leather is not stapled to this little area on each side of the clog. This is part of the flex clogs' design and will not affect its durability.

Although the wood is strong, it needs to be treated with care:

WET WEATHER /

Alder trees grow best near the water, in wet woodlands or on river banks. Because of this the wood is naturally tolerant to moisture, making it an ideal material for making clogs because the wood doesn’t crack, rot or shrink easily when exposed to the elements. This, combined with Alder wood’s magic insulating properties and lightweight nature, ensure that your Kitty Clogs keep your feet warm, dry and comfortable. 

However, we recommend avoiding wearing your clogs on very wet days as this may weaken the structure of the base over time. If your clogs do get wet, air dry them slowly and without heat to allow the wood to dry naturally. Drying quickly with heat make cause cracks. Feeding the wood with olive oil is a wonderful, natural trick that helps to nourish the wood and add extra protection. Simply rub evenly over the surface of the wooden base with a cloth. Be aware that this method will darken the appearance of the wood.

KNOCKS & CHIPS /

Be careful not to drop or knock your clogs on hard surfaces as they can chip. Beware of wooden staircases! ;-) If your wooden sole does get marked or chipped, you can gently sand the wood with a fine sandpaper and even out the tone by rubbing a little olive oil over the surface. Bigger chips can be simply glued back into place with a wood glue. Our Flex Base or Platform styles are coated with a wood stain and lacquer so sandpaper may take the colour off but it can be re-stained. If these become chipped you can always contact us for advice.

THE RUBBER SOLE /

You may find that you eventually need to repair the rubber grip on the sole of your clogs after extended wear. Support your local craftspeople by taking your clogs to a local cobbler when you need to resole your clogs. Don't let your clogs wear down to the wood as it may not then be possible to have them resoled.

THE LEATHER UPPERS /

Our leather is sustainably sourced by a small, family-run Italian tannery and dyed using environmentally friendly methods and organic vegetable dyes. All our leather is a bi-product of the food industry. We use time-honoured patterns and methods to ensure the least amount of wastage during production. As with our wooden bases, variations in colour and appearance are to be expected and respected as a part of your clog’s individuality and hand-made nature.

Leather is a natural material whose appearance will evolve with time and wear:

COLOUR TRANSFER /

Most of our styles are dyed using organic vegetable dyes. While being the most sustainable and environmentally friendly method of dyeing, colour transfer can occur during the first few wears. We recommend avoiding contact with light-coloured fabrics to begin with (steer clear of wearing your favourite cream socks for example!) just in case.

LEATHER PATINA /

As a natural material, the appearance of leather changes with time, wear and exposure to the elements.

Sunlight and moisture affect the patina of the leather the most. Sunlight can deepen the colour of certain leathers. Some leathers will react to sunlight more than others. Lighter-coloured leather styles will darken most noticeably over time to a sun-kissed complexion.

Scratches and scuff will appear as normal wear and tear. These often blend in and become less noticeable with time and exposure to the elements.

Rubbing a little olive oil evenly into the leather, as with the wood, will instantly change the colour to a darker shade, even the tone and add further protection against dirt and water. This method is not appropriate for metallic leathers, nubuck or suede. 

WET WEATHER /

Exposure to very wet weather can stretch the leather over time, so avoid showers when possible! If you get caught out don't worry. You can gently stuff your clogs with newspaper when you get home and dry to help them maintain their shape. Leather is more malleable when wet. Do not over stretch leather when it is wet.

Our leather tannery doesn’t generally recommend the need for leather protectors as the organic vegetable-tanned leather they produce has such a naturally high oil content that it tends to protect itself fairly well. Most marks and spots can be removed with a damp cloth. 

For our other leathers, including metallic and suede styles, there are many products such as leather balsams and sprays that will add further protection against the elements. We encourage you to be gentle when cleaning your clogs, to get advice before you buy and remember that your clogs are dyed with natural vegetable dyes. Make sure to always do a test patch first as some products can alter the appearance of the leather.