THE GOODYEAR WELTED METHOD

All footwear manufactured at NPS Shoes utilises the Goodyear welted method, which is one of the oldest but finest shoe construction methods used today.

Charles Goodyear Jr. patented the Goodyear Welt sewing machine in 1871 as a means to reduce the traditional and laborious hand-sewn technique used for shoemaking at the time. The machine's speed, accuracy and process revolutionised footwear production.

Goodyear welting consists of a long strip of leather, rubber or synthetic material (called a ‘welt’) which is sewn to the upper and insole of the shoe or boot using a chain stitch. The outsole is then attached separately to the welt by a lock stitch before the sole is attached.

Nothing we wear sustains as much handling as footwear which is why it's advantageous to invest in well-constructed shoes. Goodyear welting serves to provide the following key advantages:

EXCEPTIONAL COMFORT & STRENGTH 
The cavity created by the inseam between the inner and outer sole is filled with a flexible compound that moulds to the shape of the wearer’s feet. The Goodyear welt provides comfort, strength, outstanding performance and excellent shape retention.

INSULATION 
The flexible compound that is sandwiched between the inner and outer soles provides excellent thermal insulation and protection from uneven surfaces.

EASY TO REPAIR 
As long as the uppers are taken care of, it is easy to re-sole worn footwear. By heat sealing or bonding new soles to the existing welts, our footwear can last many years. We now offer an in-house re-sole service at our factory in Wollaston! To find out more and to see the terms and conditions please click here.

For customer's wishing to use an alternative company, replacement soles can be purchased from our Accessories Collection here.

Please note, replacement soles need to be purchased x1 size larger than your standard shoe size to accommodate for sole trimming.

Please contact us if you require further assistance with sole repairs or refurbishments.

Watch our video below to see the construction method in action: