The company i work for, Skolyx, has just introduced a new range of casual stitchdown boots and shoes from the Spanish brand Yanko. A type of footwear that’s soft and flexible, low-priced yet easily resoelable, a good entry-point in to better shoes for many who are used to just cemented stuff, as well as for those who love welted shoes but needs more casual stuff as well.

Welted footwear are superb in many ways, but they are of course not the “sole construction to rule them all” in every situation. Blake stitched shoes or Bologna constructions are much more flexible and easier to make sleek, which obviously is something to strive for in certain situations, not least for lighter summer footwear. The fact that it’s a simpler and therefore cheaper construction obviously also can be seen as a pro. Another alternative which can be made in a simpler made in the same way, which keeps the price down, yet still can be resoled easily is the stitchdown construction.

Desert chukka boot in sand suede.

Here the upper leather is folded outwards and stitched to a full leather midsole. In the most basic versions of stitchdown, one then just cement an outsole and heel to it, often a wedge sole or as is in the case of these Yanko shoes in crepe natural rubber. One can also do a second row of stitching to an outsole in rubber and leather for further strength, often found on workwear boots and similar. Cause one clear pro of this is the fact that it’s highly water resistant, unlike Blake stitched shoes, even more waterproof than regular welted shoes.

The crepe rubber soles makes them soft and flexible, although they do have a shank for stability, unlike many other similar styles.

The new Yanko range for Skolyx consists of four lower ankle high boots, two chukkas, one split toe boot and one chelsea, plus an apron derby shoe, in various shades of Charles F. Stead Repello gum oil suede. The last is a relaxed round toe one, highly suitable for this type of styles. Price is €175 ($155 excl. VAT for those outside EU).

Apron derby with natural crepe rubber sole, made with stitchdown construction.