FAQ
Insoles
Why leather insoles?
My insoles are cut from natural vegetable-tanned leather. They give firm, dense support, wick moisture far better than synthetic insoles, and hold up for years. Over time they take on the shape of your boot’s footbed and your foot.
How thick are they, and which one do I need?
- Thin (5 oz), about 2mm: takes up about a half size.
- Medium (10 oz), about 4mm: the standard thickness. This is the most popular choice and what most people need. It’s my favorite and the most supportive.
- Thick (15 oz), about 6mm: only recommended if your boots are oversized by a full size to a size and a half.
If you’re replacing a removable insole that came with your boots, the medium is usually the right replacement. If you’re adding an insole on top of a thin foam liner, the thin is often enough.
What size should I order?
Order your boot size. My insoles fit most US boot brands true to size. For example, for 8.5 Truman, Parkhurst, or Red Wing boots, order the 8.5. Every size has its exact length and width in inches in the product photos, next to a ruler, so you can compare against your boot’s footbed.
My boot is a half size, like 11.5. What should I order?
Size down to the nearest whole size (for example, the 11 for an 11.5 boot), then compare against the inch measurements on the size chart to be sure.
My boots are wide (E, EE, EEE). Will they fit?
The insoles are a standard D width. They’ll match the length of a wide boot, but won’t fill the full width. In most cases they still sit well in the boot. Order your boot size and check the inch measurements. For an exact fit in a very wide or unusual boot, I can make custom insoles (see below).
What about EU or UK sizes?
My sizing used to be in EU sizes, which ran small, so I’ve switched to US boot sizes. Here’s how the old sizes line up: 40 = US 7, 42 = US 8, 43 = US 8.5, 44 = US 9, 45 = US 9.5, 46 = US 10, 47 = US 10.5, 48 = US 11, 49 = US 12, 50 = US 13. For UK-sized boots, like Viberg or Tricker’s, size up a half. For example, order the US 9.5 for a UK 9 boot.
Are they sold as a pair?
Yes. Every insole order is a pair, a left and a right.
Which side goes up?
The smooth side faces up.
Should I remove my boot’s original insole?
Usually, yes. Take out the original and replace it with the leather insole. If your boot has a removable insole you like, you can also put a thin leather insole on top of it.
Do I need to trim them?
In most cases, no. If the fit is slightly off, a little sanding or trimming will shape them to your boot.
Do I need to condition or oil them?
No. Leather insoles don’t need oiling or conditioning.
Can you make custom insoles?
Yes. I can make custom-fit insoles for wide, square-toe, or unusually shaped boots. To get the fit exactly right, you may need to send me your boot’s original insoles. I can also do things like a different thickness for each foot, or a thick heel skived down thin toward the toe. Custom insoles are $50 and can’t be returned.
Half Insoles (Heel Seat)
What is a half insole?
A heel-seat insole made from 15 oz Hermann Oak veg tan, hand-skived so it tapers off toward the front. It’s for anyone who needs a heel raise or has extra room in the heel or instep, without losing toe room.
Will a half insole help with heel slip?
Yes. That’s exactly why I designed them. They work great in engineer boots and other pull-on boots.
Standard or long length?
The standard length starts the skiving at the arch, so it mainly lifts the heel. The long length starts the skiving one inch past the arch, so it also fills some of the instep.
Single or double?
A single is one layer of thick 15 oz leather. A double is two thick layers stacked, for twice the heel lift. Either way, you get a pair (left and right).
What size do I need?
Order your boot size. The best fit can vary by brand and last, so message me if you’re unsure.
Kilties
What are kilties?
Kilties, also called false tongues, are leather pieces that sit over your laces. They add character, protect your laces and tongue, and add a little volume over the instep to snug up the fit.
Are they sold as a pair?
Yes. Kilties are sold in pairs.
What cuts do you offer?
- Standard (7”): the classic kiltie, with a tongue that hangs just below the laces.
- Blind (7”): a low-profile, “no-show” kiltie with no visible fringe or decorative detailing. It stays above the bottom eyelet and blends into the tongue area while still protecting your tongue and improving fit.
- Jagged (7”): the fringed, logger-style cut.
- Long (9”) and Extra Long (11”): for taller boots. These come in Standard and Blind.
Prices run from $25 to $50, depending on the leather and length.
What length should I get?
The Standard 7” is right for most lace-up boots, including 6” boots like Iron Rangers, Grant Stone, and Parkhurst, and most 7” and 8” boots. It sits under the top lace. Choose Long or Extra Long for taller boots.
Can I get a custom kiltie?
Yes. Choose the “Customized” option on any kiltie listing, then email me the details after you order. I can do long jagged cuts, no holes (a plain oval), contrast stitching, wider lace holes, and extra-long lengths for tall boots. You can even send me your own leather.
Will my thick laces fit through the holes?
Usually yes. The holes are wide enough for thick leather laces, and I can punch them wider if needed.
Are all kilties the same thickness?
No. It depends on the leather. If you want to fill more volume, ask me which leathers are thickest.
Which leather will match my boots?
Send me a photo or link of your boots and I’ll recommend a match. Some favorite pairings:
- Red Wing Amber Harness or Copper Rough & Tough: Oro Harness
- Grant Stone Crimson Chromexcel: Horween Brown Chromexcel (it’s the same leather)
- Alden Indy: Horween Brown Chromexcel
- Truman Ink: Horween INK Cavalier
- Wickett & Craig burgundy: Seidel Oxblood Double Shot
- Thursday Waxed Cacao: Horween Dark Brown Waxed Flesh
- Maryam horsebutt: Macchiato horsebutt
- Snuff or tan roughout boots: C.F. Stead Acorn Rambler
Are kilties made to order?
Yes, they’re made to order in my shop.
Belts & Cuffs
How do belts fit?
Order your usual pants waist size. I place the center hole 2” past that mark and add 7 holes spaced 1” apart, so your usual size fits. If you’d like a custom fit, tell me the measurement you want from the end of the belt to the center hole.
Can you shorten a belt I bought?
Yes. Send it back and I’ll cut it down and add new holes.
Can I change the buckle?
I can use Chicago screws so the buckle can be swapped.
How do cuffs fit?
Cuffs come in wrist sizes, and I can custom size one to your wrist. Waxed flesh leather stretches a little over time.
Orders & Shipping
How long until my order ships?
Everything is handmade by me, a one-person shop. Orders take 2–5 days to make, depending on the product, before they ship. Backpacks are made to order and take about 4–8 weeks.
How does shipping work?
Orders ship USPS. Domestic delivery usually takes 3–5 business days. Rates vary by location, and you’ll see the exact cost at checkout. Orders under $25 ship without tracking.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, I ship worldwide. International shipping is expensive, and your country may charge import duties. Kilties ship in padded mailers to protect them.
Do you offer discounts?
As a small shop, I don’t offer discount codes, except occasionally for major holidays.
Returns & Exchanges
Can I exchange insoles for a different size?
Yes, as long as they’re unworn.
How do I return or exchange something?
Send the item to Dale’s Leatherworks, 5616 Harbor Valley Dr., Brooklyn, MD 21225. Include a note with your order number and whether you’d like a refund or an exchange (and which size). I’ll refund you or send the replacement once it arrives. Return shipping is paid by the customer. Custom items can’t be returned.
Something’s wrong with my order.
Message me with your order number and a photo, and I’ll make it right.
Still have a question?
Message me through the chat or the Contact page. You can also find me on Instagram and YouTube.