UK MANUFACTURE
Located on the doorstep of the famous Rendlesham Forest, Jadd Shoes is a complete English shoe manufacturing outfit, designing and making every product in house. There are no grey areas, if it's on this website then we've made it right here from start to finish - cut, closed, lasted, soled.
We are renowned UK specialists in stitchdown construction footwear, a seemingly simple construction requiring highly skilled labour intensive processes. Some of the key production techniques we have developed ourselves, which add to the refined finish and increased durability of our shoes. These closely guarded secrets of our manufacture ensure you get the highest quality footwear of its kind in the world; the Jadd standard.
OUR HERITAGE
Since 1998 when we invested in our first manufacturing machines, we went from making individual pairs of shoes in a small back room of the family business shoe repair shop, to the start of what would become the full shoe manufacturing facility in place today.
Our specialist machinery was built in Leicester by BUSM (British United Shoe Machinery) in the 1960's and is specific to the stitchdown construction. Five individual machines shape a shoe upper into a lasted stitched shoe ready for soling. Modern methods use adapted machinery and the results are not as defined as the results we achieve. On top of this, our own modifications and methods further enhance the result to improve the quality of finish as speed is not a priority in our production. We are as skillful at maintaining this machinery as we are making shoes which is the only way it can survive, as there are no servicemen or parts left for this equipment. There are no other factories using this machinery in the UK today.
Frequently asked questions
Are your shoes repairable?
Yes. You can send your Jadd shoes back to us for a factory finish resole on the original lasts. The price is £75 and includes return postage back to you in the UK. You could also try your local shoe repairer, but most will unlikely do crepe soles.
Do your shoes need breaking in?
Yes! We use firmer and thicker materials in our shoes which means there will be an initial break in period of a few weeks whilst the shoes conform to your feet in flexing areas, and at the heel. Your new shoes should feel good when standing, but we wouldn't recommend going for a 5 mile walk on the first day. Instead, rotate your new shoes often with your old ones until they are broken in.
The advantages of building a shoe like this are lasting comfort and durability. It's a trade off between a shoe that feels comfortable out of the box but then begins to collapse and lose all structure, vs building a shoe which requires an initial break in, then will stay in that shape and offer good service for years to come; short lived comfort vs. lasting comfort.
Do your shoes have a shank?
As of August 2020, all of our footwear is fitted with a tapered beechwood shank to help with arch support. The shank itself cannot be seen or felt inside the shoe, but you will see a raised area on the sole in the waist area where the shank is sandwiched between the insole and the sole. Wedge type soles do not require a shank.
How long will my order take to arrive?
Orders are typically dispatched within 14 working days of ordering to allow for manufacturing time. We try to keep a small stock of the most popular sizes in each style, so your order could be processed the same day if this is the case.
Do you ever have a sale?
No. Most of our products are made to order, otherwise we'll make a small stock of our most popular lines to reduce dispatch times. Because there is never surplus stock, we never need to have a sale. Also, our prices are extremely competitive given the quality of materials and craftsmanship, so the retail price is already the best possible price; one of the many benefits of buying direct from us, the manufacturer.
Will orders outside of UK be subject to tax?
We are not VAT registered so there is no added tax to our retail price displayed online, therefore nothing to deduct for international sales. You may be required to pay import tax/duty depending on your country outside of the UK. More...
We will not reduce the declared value for customs so please don't ask!