Buy Vellies Online: Comfort, Style, and Durability
Buying vellies online is straightforward once you have dealt with the one thing that makes people hesitate: getting the size right without trying them on. This covers that, plus what to check before you order and what to expect after. If you are ready to buy vellies online, here is what actually matters.
We are a small workshop making vellies to order in South Africa, and most of our orders come through the website. Here is how to buy a pair online and get it right the first time.
Why buy vellies online at all
Most South African vellie makers are workshops rather than shops. They cut and assemble to order, which means their full range simply is not sitting on a shelf anywhere. Buying online is not a compromise here, it is how the market works, and it gives you the complete range of veldskoen leathers, colours and sizes rather than whatever a stockist happened to order.
Sizing, the part that actually matters
This is the whole problem, and it takes two minutes to solve.
- Stand on a sheet of paper with your heel against a wall and your weight on the foot.
- Mark the tip of your longest toe, which is not always the big toe.
- Measure from the wall edge of the paper to the mark, in centimetres.
Do both feet, size to the larger, and if you fall between sizes take the bigger one. Leather relaxes roughly half a size as it wears in and does not come back. Our full sizing guide has the detail, and if you would rather not guess, send us the measurement and we will confirm which size to order.
One thing no size chart covers is width. If you have a broad forefoot or a high instep, choose the unisex fit, which is cut roomier than the ladies last. Length can be adjusted around. Width cannot.
What to check before you order
- The leather. Full grain for longevity, nubuck for a softer look, suede for the most casual finish. All three are genuine leather; bonded leather is the one to avoid.
- The footbed. A real vellie has a leather footbed, not foam or board. It breathes and moulds to your foot.
- The construction. Stitchdown or bonded, with no tacks or nails. Our veldskoen page explains why this matters.
- Delivery time. Made to order means weeks, not days. Order early if it is a gift.
What happens after you order
Your pair is cut and assembled after the order comes in. Delivery is free on orders over R200, anywhere in South Africa, through The Courier Guy, with locker collection if that is easier than waiting at home. If the fit is wrong when it arrives, email us before wearing them outside and we will exchange the size.
Where to start
Browse the full range in the shop, or go straight to men’s vellies, ladies vellies or unisex vellies. If you are after the classic tan safari style, that is on the Safari vellies page. You can read more about how we work on our about page.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get the size right when buying vellies online?
Measure your foot heel to longest toe on a sheet of paper, size to the larger foot, and round up if you fall between sizes, because leather relaxes about half a size and never shrinks back. If you are unsure, send us the measurement in centimetres and we will confirm the size before you order.
How long does delivery take?
Our vellies are handmade to order, so allow a few weeks for production, plus courier time. Delivery is free on all orders over R200, anywhere in South Africa, through The Courier Guy, with locker collection available.
Can I return or exchange vellies bought online?
Yes. If the fit is wrong we will exchange the size, provided the shoes have not been worn outside and the box is kept. Email us before wearing them if you are unsure.
Is it safe to buy leather shoes without trying them on?
Sizing is the only real obstacle, and it is solvable with a two-minute paper measurement. Width matters more than length for comfort, so if you have a broad foot, choose the unisex fit, which is cut roomier than the ladies last.
What payment methods do you accept?
Checkout is secure and accepts card payment and instalment options. You will see the available methods at the payment step.