Veldskoen: Super Cool Shoes

Nothing represents American shoe culture quite like the classic sneaker. A 2017 report done by Polyvore show that Nike and Vans were the most searched-for brands in not only the fifty states but the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico too. That is hardly a surprise considering they are the ultimate shoes in comfort, versatility, and style. I mean, many of us grew up coveting a pair of Nike Air Jordans or looking cool in timeless Vans Slip-Ons. Simply put, America is sneaker obsessed, according to Smithsonian Magazine and it is certain that sneakers will be permanently embedded in our culture.

Unsurprisingly, Namibia has its own niche shoe culture that has enjoyed a recent surge in popularity. Monochrome Magazine, known for its online fashion content, puts on pop-up shop events around Windhoek, providing small business owners an opportunity to sell their items. As animal hides are found in abundance, unsurprisingly leather shoes are among the more popular items sold. Enter the chosen shoe for sale: the veldskoen.

The southern African veldskoen, aka vellies, is a type of shoe that has withstood test of time in the region. In Afrikaans, “veld” means field, and” skoen” means shoe. These field shoes are tough and seen frequently among safari guides and farmers, especially those who wear button down short sleeved shirts, short shorts, safari hat, and an absolute must: calf length socks. One of our local friends who is part farmer, part 4x4 driving expert, and part shooting range owner, has had veldskoen on his feet before he could even crawl. He says these shoes are not only comfortable, but durable.

They are also perfect for the Namibian geography, having evolved from Khoisan culture to Dutch culture in the 1600s. The Dutch adapted and adopted the Khoisan design when they arrived to southern Africa and began migrating north. It was a period of time nicknamed “The Great Trek.” Even though popularity and utility of the shoes spread through southern Africa, it was the British Company, Clark’s, which brought the design to the forefront of fashion in the United Kingdom and assorted British colonies on the African continent.

Typically, veldskoen are made of thick animal leather with rubber soling, sometimes utilizing tires for the sole. The shoes are hand sewn, eliminating the need for tacks or nails, and modern l styles use riveted shoelace holes to increase durability. Veldskoen are lightweight, with a round and flat toe bed, and rise just to the ankle where they are tall enough to hide under long pants but short enough to look decent enough with a pair of shorts.

Popular or not, the cool thing about vellies is that local shoe makers still make them by hand, using thick needles and thread. They rely on only a few tools such as an awl, hammer, and scissors to create the patterns, and iron shoe molds to give them their shape and size. Take Thomas “The Shoe Guy” Mbuaandjo. He started making shoes about 15 years ago after working with Air Namibia. Now, instead of commuting every day to the airport, Thomas gets to work from home, making and selling veldskoen. It takes him about three hours to make a shoe, five for a pair. He particularly enjoys the extra free time spent with his family. Thomas says everything he needed to know he learned from his aunt, plus You Tube. His resourcing skills are pretty impressive, as is the quality of shoe he produces. I compared his shoes with store competitors and found his to be as good as, if not better. Plus he charges about 20% less. 

I bought a pair a few months ago and it's been a pleasure to parade his shoes around work, town, and home because everywhere I go, people ask where I bought them and how they can get a pair themselves. The radiology staff at a local hospital bought vellies for themselves, as did a handful of teachers at the kids' school.

I chose a burnt orange, brown red combo, and I have managed somehow, to pull them off wearing a little black dress or in work pants. I convinced Mark to buy a pair too, so we look like shoe-twins 3 days out of 5. My next plan is to convince Thomas to make vellies with hot pink springbok fur or in zebra print for an extra kick in style. It's all part of the perks and normal progression of living in Namibia, a privilege that I am just not ready to give up yet. 

Thomas with my new pair of shoes.

Vellies by the ocean, compliments of Thomas.