Blog
Meet the Muizenberg makers behind our new range
This season we added three new styles to the Takkies range, all made in Muizenberg. Each pair uses hemp canvas, natural rubber soles and a cork footbed. We spent months testing the fit with local walkers, surfers and office workers. The result is a softer heel, a roomier toe box and a sneaker that looks neat with jeans or a work skirt. Sizes run from 3 to 12.
Hemp uppers
Our new Fynbos Footwear range takes its colours from the mountain behind Muizenberg. Think sage green, sandstone and soft clay. The dyes are plant based, so each pair varies slightly, and that is part of the charm. Wear them in, rinse off the sand and they will keep looking better with time.
Every pair ships in a hemp shoe bag that you can reuse for the gym, the beach or your next holiday. We also include a small card with simple care steps, so your sneakers stay fresh for many seasons.
We start each new style with a simple question: would we wear this every day? If the answer is no, we go back to the drawing board. That is why our Kalk Bay Knits and Seapoint Soles ranges took almost a year to finish. The knit is soft but holds its shape, and the soles stay flexible on cold mornings.
You can find the full range online or at our Beach Road store. Ask the team for help with sizing if you are unsure between two fits.
Natural rubber is tapped from trees without cutting them down, which makes it a gentler choice than most synthetic soles. It is flexible, grippy and quiet to walk on. We pair it with cork from managed forests, which is light and warm underfoot. Together they make a sole that moulds slowly to your foot.
A sole should feel like it belongs to you after a few weeks of wear, not like something you have to put up with.
That idea guides every pair we make, from the Tan Cork Footbed Slide to the Black Plant Leather Court Sneaker. Simple materials, honest construction and a fit that lasts.
Wet Cape winters are tough on shoes, so we test every style in real rain. Hemp canvas dries faster than cotton, and natural rubber keeps its grip on slippery tar. Our Stone Grey Recycled Knit Runner handles drizzle well, though heavy downpours call for a quick wipe and an airy spot to dry.
Spray the upper with our plant-based protector before the first cold front arrives. It adds a light layer against water and stains without clogging the fibres. Re-apply every month or two, and your sneakers will see you through to spring.
Natural rubber
Our new range comes from a small workshop a few streets from Muizenberg beach. We wanted a sneaker that handles sand, rain and long walks, without leaving a heavy footprint behind.
The uppers use hemp and recycled knit. The soles use natural rubber and cork. Each pair is cut, stitched and checked by hand, then packed in a paper box that you can reuse or recycle. We keep batches small so we waste very little.
Come and try a pair at our shop on Beach Road.
Looking after hemp sneakers is easy once you know the basics. Brush off dry mud first, then use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a drop of mild soap. Never put them in a washing machine, because heat and tumbling can warp the sole.
Stuff them with newspaper and leave them in the shade to dry. A light coat of our beeswax balm before winter helps the canvas shrug off the rain.
