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Some brands sell shoes. Others sell a piece of where they come from. Veldskoen and Plakkie — two brands, one family of owners — do the latter with an authenticity that's hard to fake and impossible to ignore. From the dusty fields of Southern Africa to the surf breaks of the Garden Route, these are shoes and flip flops with a genuine story behind every sole.
The Veldskoen: A Shoe Older Than the Brand
Let's be clear about something important: Veldskoen did not invent the vellie. Nobody did — or rather, everybody did. The veldskoen is arguably one of the oldest shoe styles in the world, with roots that run deep into Southern African history.
The word "veldskoen" — meaning "field shoe" — was first documented by Dutch settlers who arrived in Southern Africa nearly 400 years ago. But according to Khoisan tribal folklore, leather shoes cut from a single hide were being made and worn by the tribe as far back as 1,000 years before that. And then there's the famous GQ magazine account of Nathan Clark of Clarks Shoes, who was serving in the Second World War when he noticed South African officers wearing what he described as "strange leather shoes" — an encounter that reportedly inspired the iconic Clarks Desert Boot.
As Veldskoen themselves put it: "We like to believe they all had a hand, and a foot, in the Veldskoen story." The brand joined the journey of this ancient shoe a little more recently — but what they brought to it was something fresh.
What the Veldskoen Brand Did
Founded in 2016 as a small internet shoe shop, the Veldskoen brand took South Africa's most iconic shoe and reimagined it for the modern world. The formula was simple but brilliant: take classic leather craftsmanship and add bold, colourful soles and laces. The result was instantly recognisable — a shoe that honours tradition while standing out in a crowd.
Since then, Veldskoen has grown from a local startup into a global brand with distribution partners on every continent. Every pair is still handcrafted in South Africa, hand-stitched with care and attention to detail at Hopewell Footwear in Durban — a third-generation, locally owned family business where the longest-serving employee has been on the floor for 48 years. The fourth generation is currently studying footwear design in London and training in Italy, preparing to carry the craft forward.
No two pairs are ever identical. Veldskoen uses locally sourced hides with a natural look and finish, meaning slight variations in texture and colour are not flaws — they're features. Each pair is 100% unique.
The Veldskoen Range: Something for Everyone
The collection has grown well beyond the original vellie silhouette, spanning shoes, boots, sandals, and even golf shoes — all carrying that signature South African character.
Sheepskin Slipper Shoe — The Bestseller
The most popular Veldskoen on the shelves, and it's easy to see why. The Sheepskin Slipper Shoe combines silky nubuck leather with a 100% sheepskin-lined inner and the hard-wearing Veldskoen TR sole. It's the vellie silhouette at its most comfortable — a shoe you'll reach for every single day. Available in UK sizes 2–14.
Traditional Heritage Leather Shoe — A Close Second
The classic vellie, refreshed with Veldskoen's vibrant signature soles. The Traditional Heritage Leather Shoe is the one that put the brand on the map — timeless in shape, unmistakable in character. Available in UK sizes 3–14.
Traditional Heritage Springbok Leather Shoe
A tribute to South Africa's beloved Springbok rugby team, this edition brings national pride to your feet. Available in both a standard unisex version and a ladies' pink sole edition, in UK sizes 2–14.
Chukka Leather Boot
An all-weather, all-purpose boot available in Charcoal (full-grain mottled leather) and Brown (full-grain oily waxy leather). The Chukka is the go-to for those who want the vellie spirit in a more substantial silhouette. Available in UK sizes 2–14.
Kariega Leather Shoe
A luxury nubuck chukka boot, fully leather lined with TR soles — and with purpose built in. A portion of profits from every Kariega supports rhino conservation. Available in UK sizes 2–14.
Classic Leather Boot
A timeless lace-up boot in butter-soft cow Nappa leather with a TPR sole. Available in Fynbos (Tan) and Rooibos (Chocolate) — both named after South African icons.
Drakensberg Leather Boot
Named after South Africa's highest peaks at 3,482 metres above sea level, the Drakensberg is built for serious wear — full-grain leather upper, ample ankle support, and a crepe sole. Available in UK sizes 2–14.
Namaqualand Leather Sandal
Sustainably sourced, hydrophobic leather in two colourways: Daisy Tan and Aloe Olive, both named after the flora of the Namaqualand region. Available in UK sizes 3–9.
Loft Golf Shoe
The vellie goes to the fairway. The Loft is a spikeless golf shoe in hydrophobic oil-tanned leather, available in four SA-inspired colours. UK sizes 5–14.
Kids, Accessories & More
The range also includes the Traditional Heritage Kids Leather Shoe with fun animal-themed soles (sizes 9–1), the Sneaker Leather Shoe for a more streamlined look, Chelsea and Woodstock boots, leather plakkies for men and ladies, and a growing accessories range including branded socks and laces in 12 colours.
Plakkie: South Africa's Flip Flop, Elevated
From the same stable as Veldskoen comes Plakkie — a brand that takes the humble South African flip flop and turns it into something worth talking about. Every Plakkie colourway is named after a South African beach or landmark, making each pair a small tribute to the coastline and culture that shaped them.
They're unisex, they're comfortable, and they're unapologetically South African.
Springbok Unisex Flip Flops — The #1 Plakkie
Green and gold, SARU approved, and the best-selling Plakkie by a wide margin. The Springbok is the one to get if you want to wear your national pride on your feet. A perennial favourite for rugby fans and patriots alike.
Ushaka Unisex Flip Flops
Charcoal and yellow, named after the iconic Ushaka Beach in KwaZulu-Natal. The second most popular Plakkie — bold, clean, and versatile.
Gonubie Unisex Flip Flops
Blue and orange, a tribute to Gonubie Beach in East London. A bright, summery combination that's hard to resist.
Kelly Unisex Flip Flops
Black and white, named after Kelly's Beach in Port Alfred. A classic colourway that goes with everything.
Clifton Unisex Flip Flops
Grey and red, honouring Clifton 4th Beach in Cape Town — one of South Africa's most iconic stretches of sand.
Victoria Bay Ladies Flip Flops
A blue-green ocean colourway named after Victoria Bay on the Garden Route — home of the Plakkie Classic surf contest. A beautiful choice for the ocean lover.
NSRI 'Pink is for Buoys' Flip Flops
A collaboration with the National Sea Rescue Institute, with proceeds supporting the Pink Buoy Rescue System. Buy a pair and contribute to saving lives at sea.
Maties Flip Flops
Available in ladies and mens styles, the Maties range celebrates the spirit of Stellenbosch University, with 5% of every sale supporting the Bridge the Gap initiative.
Kids Flip Flops
Little ones aren't left out — the Dinosaur Blue and Unicorn Pink kids' flip flops bring the same Plakkie quality to smaller feet, with designs that children love.
Proudly South African, Through and Through
What unites Veldskoen and Plakkie is more than shared ownership — it's a shared philosophy. Both brands are rooted in South African identity, made with South African materials, by South African hands, for people who love this country and want to carry a piece of it with them wherever they go.
Whether you're after a pair of vellies that'll last a decade, or a set of flip flops that'll see you through every braai and beach day this summer, you'll find them right here.
