Blog
Smart sneakers for the office: a guide for working South Africans
Every pair of Takkies starts with a simple idea: use fewer materials, and use better ones. Our uppers are woven from hemp and recycled yarn, and our soles are made from natural rubber and cork. The result is a sneaker that is light, breathable and kind to the planet. We make small batches in Muizenberg so we can check every stitch ourselves.
It takes a little longer, but you can feel the difference the first time you slip them on. They are soft, they hold their shape and they age well with a bit of care.
Good habits keep a pair going for years. Brush off dry dirt after a walk, let wet pairs dry in the shade and rotate your sneakers when you can. A little balm on the upper once a month goes a long way. Never put them in a hot dryer. Simple, really.
Looking after your pair
Our soles are the part people ask about most. Natural rubber grips wet rock and tar well, and cork adds a soft, light footbed that moulds to your foot over time. Both are renewable, and both feel good under the arch on a long walk along the Muizenberg beachfront.
We would rather make one pair that lasts five years than five pairs that last one. That is the whole idea behind Takkies, and it is why every pair is made with care here in the Cape.