A Cárte Crème sneaker is made of European leather, inside and out. Leather keeps changing, and it wants attention now and then. Looked after, a pair lasts for years and grows into the shape of your foot. And when the sole is finally worn through, it can be replaced rather than the shoe.
Your pair has already been treated with the natural wax that leather needs in daily wear. What follows is what it asks of you from there.
Every so often
Wipe the shoes with a slightly damp flannel cloth, without soap, to take off dust and dirt. For the most part this is all the care they need.
The suede parts
Do not treat the suede with any product at all. Not with cream, not with spray, not with soap. Suede is irreparably damaged by them.
Now and then
To keep the leather supple, apply a thin layer of colourless shoe cream, only on the smooth leather parts. Let it dry well, then buff the shoes with a flannel cloth to bring the shine back.
Thin is the word that matters. Leather takes up what it needs and the rest sits on the surface.
When the sole is worn through
A Cárte Crème sneaker is built on a Goodyear welt. The sole is stitched to a strip of leather that runs around the shoe, not to the upper, which means the sole can come off and a new one go on without the upper suffering. A pair can be resoled several times.
Send it back to us. Our aim is to take back worn pairs, repair them, and put them back into wear.
The Goodyear-welt resole and condition package
€250, including everything below.
- Goodyear-welt resole. The sole (leather, wax thread, cork, rubber and Vibram outsole) is taken off and completely replaced by a new, identical one.
- Reshaping and conditioning. Your sneakers go back on the last to regain their shape, and are brushed and waxed to restore and condition the leather.
- Insole replacement. The natural cow leather footbed with rubber foam cushioning is replaced.
- Lace change. The cotton laces are replaced by an identical pair.
- Packaging. The restored pair returns in new original Cárte Crème packaging.
The work takes one month, not counting shipping. We keep you informed of the progress.
How to request a resole
Write to concierge@cartecreme.com and include:
- the unique code of your pair, written inside the tongue;
- a short description of the condition of the shoes;
- four to six photographs: front, back, inner side, outer side, and any details worth showing.
Photograph the shoes in bright light, so that everything is clearly visible. Each photograph should be no larger than 9 MB.
We look at the pair, confirm what is needed, and send you a prepaid shipping label. Pack the shoes well to avoid damage in transit, and hand the parcel in at the drop-off point we indicate.
Repairs other than a resole
Damage outside normal wear, such as a torn seam, a scuffed panel or a lost eyelet, we look at case by case. Write to us with photographs and we will tell you what can be done and what it costs.
One note
Cárte Crème is not responsible for damage to its products caused by incorrect application or interpretation of the care instructions we recommend.
Questions
Write to concierge@cartecreme.com.