The history of our Earthing moccasin shoes began with our customers. In the year 2010 we were receiving numerous inquiring with customers asking for moccasins with leather soles. These particular customers were using the term "Earthing" or "Grounding" and they did not want any synthetic insoles or padding. They only wanted leather to separate them from the ground they walked on.
We contacted our suppliers/manufacturers to see if they would make custom moccasins without any foam padding. Thankfully everyone agreed: Bastien Industries, Laurentian Chief and Wakonsun. As we ourselves became sold on the concept of Earthing and the health benefits that are associated with having contact with the Earth. We decided to expand our styles and offer superior quality moccasins designed specifically for Earthing.
Through trial and error we realized we needed moccasins with a more durable leather sole and the craftsmen needed to sew the moccasins with a different seam. Although Earthing moccasins are meant to be worn on soft and natural terrains, we still needed a durable leather sole that could withstand pebbles and some light use on concrete if need be. Bastien Industries in particular offered us a tough and thick leather called Aniline Chromexcel. This particular leather is offered to them by Horween Leather Company from Chicago, Illinois.
Horween Leather Company was founded in 1905. For more than 100 years and five generations their goal has been to make the world's best leather. Making the best means doing lots of little things right. It means never mistaking fastest or cheapest with the best.
It means always using formulas that do not cut corners, and choosing components strictly for their quality. Their products include traditional, old world tannages and techniques, carefully updated with modern applications. Today, their leathers are still made by hand, the same way as generations ago.
Bastien uses a heavy oil tan leather sole on their Earthing moccasins called Chromexcel. The leather is tanned without color and then hand finished with aniline dyes (surface only). Chromexcel is the original pull-up leather; using time honored techniques and formulas that were developed nearly 100 years ago. Chromexcel is still produced in the United States using a bark retannage from a proprietary recipe, and then genuine hot stuffed with our secret blend of natural oils and greases. Chromexcel is characterized by a rich pull-up in full aniline, hand rubbed finishes. Made to this day with old world craftsmanship, modern Chromexcel carries on a long history of superior comfort and durability.
The Chromexcel leather is used as the second layer of the moccasins. The interior is the suede side of the first layer of leather and then an additional layer (the chromexcel layer) is sew on the outside making them durable to walk on. To learn how to prolong the life of your earthing moccasins read our blog: How To Comfortably Wear Soft Sole Moccasins Outside. The entire "Earthing moccasins" idea came from our loyal customers and we are thankful for their suggestions. Please feel free to contact us about any product questions, information or to make a suggestion on a product you are looking for.
It means always using formulas that do not cut corners, and choosing components strictly for their quality. Their products include traditional, old world tannages and techniques, carefully updated with modern applications. Today, their leathers are still made by hand, the same way as generations ago. Bastien uses a heavy oil tan leather sole on their Earthing moccasins called Chromexcel. The leather is tanned without color and then hand finished with aniline dyes (surface only). Chromexcel is the original pull-up leather; using time honored techniques and formulas that were developed nearly 100 years ago. Chromexcel is still produced in the United States using a bark retannage from a proprietary recipe, and then genuine hot stuffed with our secret blend of natural oils and greases. Chromexcel is characterized by a rich pull-up in full aniline, hand rubbed finishes. Made to this day with old world craftsmanship, modern Chromexcel carries on a long history of superior comfort and durability.
