Product Information and Care Instructions

General Care

To ensure the longevity and quality of your shoes, it is recommended to alternate wear, ideally every third day, allowing the leather to dry naturally. Wearing the same pair continuously may lead to excessive stretching and shorten the lifespan of the shoes. Additionally, if the dye has not fully dried, it may cause staining on your feet.

Polishing: Occasionally treat your shoes with a light polish to preserve their appearance. Avoid excessive shoe cream, as it can clog the leather’s pores and hinder breathability. For everyday care of smooth leathers, we recommend Collonil Waterstop Colours, a lanolin-based polish. The Closed collection requires weekly application of suitable shoe polish along the sole edges and shafts to prevent moisture damage. Small scratches can often be concealed with matching polish.

Drying Wet Shoes: Never expose your shoes to direct sunlight or heat sources like radiators. Instead, allow them to dry naturally. Use shoetrees to maintain shape, but avoid them for very soft leathers as they may overstretch the material. Most importantly, never wear wet shoes, as this can cause irreversible stretching and deformation.

Leather Characteristics: Leather is a natural material that develops marks and scratches, adding to its character. The more visible the natural skin structure, the less the leather has undergone industrial processing.

 

Material-Specific Care

Vegetable-Tanned Leathers (wax, waw, dplx, dpw, ice)

These leathers are highly sensitive to moisture and heat. Exposure to rain, sweat, or humidity can cause discoloration and darkening over time.

Chrome-Tanned Leathers

Not suitable for individuals with chrome allergies. If you have a sensitivity to chrome, choose shoes made exclusively from vegetable-tanned leather.

Patent Leather

Patent leather is prone to cracking under strain. Ensure a proper fit when purchasing to prevent damage.

Nubuck & Suede Leathers

Clean using a suede brush or a specialized nubuck cleaning block. Before first wear, apply a neutral waterproofing spray to enhance resistance. Note that some stains, such as grass or oil, may be permanent. Never use shoe polish on nubuck leather.

Pull-Up Buffalo Leather (pub)

Treated with oil and wax, this leather can transfer onto light-colored clothing. Handle with care.

Shiny, Coated & Metallic Leathers (bug, glm, lux, pek, ven, lam, crk, waw, sft)

These leathers are highly sensitive to surface damage. Scratches or abrasions on such finishes cannot be repaired, especially in children’s shoes.

Metal-Free Leather

While modern chrome tanning has become safer, there remains a risk of environmental contamination. As an alternative, we use formaldehyde-tanned leather, which resists darkening over time.

 

Potential Issues & Solutions

Dye Transfer

All leather shoes—inside and out—can release dye. Avoid wearing light-colored socks with dark or dyed shoes and be mindful of clothing.

Squeaky Insoles

Some Closed collection shoes may produce a squeaking sound due to the cork insole rubbing against the footbed. To resolve this, remove the insole and sprinkle a small amount of talcum powder underneath. If needed, we can provide a sachet upon request.

Sole Wear & Damage

Most of our soles are crafted from rubber and are designed for urban use. Avoid surfaces with sharp edges, hot tarmac, or uneven terrain, as these can cause significant damage. If the soles of Closed or wooden shoes wear down, we recommend timely resoling to prevent irreversible damage.

Stone & Debris Pickup: Rubber soles may collect small stones, dirt, or sharp objects. Dark soles may also leave marks on light-colored flooring.

Slippery Surfaces: Rubber and crepe soles can become slick on wet, icy, or soiled surfaces. Be cautious of hazards such as leaves, oil stains, wet tiles, and sandy ground. Some soles may also build static charge.

Wooden Soles (Alder, Beech, Poplar Timber)

Each wooden sole has a unique grain and color due to its natural origin.

• Moisture Sensitivity: Wood is vulnerable to cracking if dried too quickly. Avoid placing your shoes near heat sources.

• Cleaning: Light dirt can be removed with fine sandpaper. However, wooden soles absorb sweat and odors, which may not be fully preventable.

• Fragility: Wood is shock-sensitive and can break if mishandled. Avoid dropping your shoes or excessive force on stairs and curbs.

• Loose Nails: Over time, movement can loosen the nails securing the uppers. If this occurs, return the shoes for repair immediately.

 

Health Advisory: Wooden soles do not provide shock absorption and may not be suitable for individuals with joint, knee, or hip conditions. Higher wooden soles are fashion items rather than orthopedic footwear and require extra caution while walking.

 

Collection-Specific Considerations

Cup Collection

Designed exclusively for urban settings. Avoid sharp edges, metal grids, and bike pedals, as they may cause severe damage. The Cups Crepe variant may harden in cold temperatures and soften when warm. These shoes are only suitable for individuals with healthy, normal foot structures and may not be compatible with conditions such as fallen arches or flat feet.

Penna Collection

With a smaller contact surface, these shoes increase the risk of tripping. Dirt and debris may also accumulate in the sole cavity. Uneven surfaces with sharp edges can cause irreversible damage.

x + os Collection

Due to the elevated sole height, these shoes are not designed for foot anatomy support. They are suitable for individuals with healthy, normal feet only and may exacerbate existing foot conditions. Extra caution is required on wet or uneven surfaces.

Box Collection

The unique recessed sole design demands extra attention on uneven surfaces and stairs, as it poses a higher risk of injury.

Happy Collection

Features a raised plateau sole, requiring heightened awareness on uneven ground and stairs. These shoes are not suitable for driving.

Splitt, Sport, Gritt & Wave Collections

All feature distinct sole structures that require extra caution on uneven terrain and wet surfaces. Shoes from these collections may not provide adequate support for individuals with specific foot conditions.

 

Additional Considerations

Bags

Leather bags naturally soften over time. Exposure to moisture can accelerate this process. Overloading or prolonged empty storage may cause shape distortion. Leather bags may transfer dye onto light-colored clothing.

Insoles & Orthopedic Use

trippen shoes include a standard footbed insole. Modifying or replacing insoles may alter the shoe’s structure and affect our liability. Only selected styles in the Closed collection are compatible with orthopedic insoles.

trippen shoes do not serve as orthopedic footwear and should not replace medically prescribed shoes. If you have a foot or musculoskeletal condition, consult your doctor before wearing trippen shoes.

Special Use Restrictions

• Not Waterproof: Avoid wearing in wet conditions, as moisture may seep through the seams.

• Not Safety Footwear: trippen shoes are not designed for hazardous environments such as construction sites.

• Not for Running or Climbing: These shoes are designed for urban wear and are not suitable for high-impact activities.