Shoes
The story behind our shoes
We met up with product developer Noah Areblad to find out more about the story behind the making of our shoe collection.
Who are you?
Noah: My name is Noah Areblad and I work with product development at Oscar Jacobson.
What's new about Oscar Jacobson's shoe collection?
Noah: Everything, really. We've developed all components from scratch, from leather finishes and shoe laces to lasts and cuts, all within a Goodyear-welted construction to enable future resoling and a shoe that will last in the long run. This means that you don't have to throw the shoes out just because the sole has been worn out, but rather change soles and keep the shoes for many years to come.
Where are the shoes made?
Noah: Our shoes are made in a small Spanish mountain village called Almansa, where they have a long tradition of crafting classic men's shoes. They take great pride in their work in the region and even if the shoemaking has been streamlined these past 100 years, the shoes still go through 100 pairs of hands during 48 hours before they're finished. The shoemaking tradition in the region has made it possible for us to reach a very high level of craftsmanship and we have been able to find material for the shoes, such as leather soles and our box calf uppers, in the neighbouring regions. We have also been able to develop our own solutions such as a leather sole with an outer sole made from rubber or shoe bags that can be used as polishing cloths for your shoes.
Our shoes are made in a small Spanish mountain village called Alamansa, where they have a long tradition of crafting classic men's shoes.
Even if the shoemaking has been streamlined during the last 100 years, our shoes still go through 100 par of hands during 48 hours before they're finished.
What's the difference compared to other men's shoes?
Noah: It's really the whole concept. We want to be unique when it comes to lasts and fits, design and being user-friendly, in a segment where shoes often can feel very stiff and unmalleable. Our soft Spanish uppers have been very important when it comes to developing shoes that conform to your feet and do not feel stiff or uncomfortable. Same goes for the construction, where we have insoles in both cork and memory-foam, as well as heel stiffeners in leather instead of plastic, which is normally standard, to make the shoes soft and malleable from the start.
What designs are available in this collection?
Noah: Since our goal is to have a timeless base-range, we have started out with very classic designs. The styles we have released is a versatile Penny loafer that suits almost every occasion and outfit, a more formal Oxford for suiting, a Patent Oxford for tuxedos and black tie-events and a Chelsea boot with a rugged rubber sole for harsh weather conditions. It has been very important for us that when we build an assortment with a long-lasting construction and quality-level, that will be around for years to come, that we also achieve aesthetics and a design language that is viable in the long term.
It has been very important for us to build an assortment with a long-lasting construction and quality-level, that will be around for years to come.