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Frequently Asked Questions

Where are your products made?

Our leather goods are handmade and handcrafted in Medellin and Bogota, Colombia. All raw materials are sourced from within Colombia too.

Our Leather

All of our leather goods are exquisitely artisan crafted out of environment certified full grain and top grain leathers that have been beautifully cured and tanned over a 30-day period. Full grain means the whole and natural grain of each hide is used and still visible after the curing process. Top grain means the natural grains in the hide have been buffed out a bit to create a different surface, but the integrity and durability of the grain is still maintained.

Caring for your leather

Caring for your leather product is similar to other full and top grain products. A leather polish with a cloth to wipe over the surface. Moisturizing cream, saddle soap, leather conditioner can be used to refresh the look too. But always test a small spot first to ensure it doesn't change to a color/finish that you don't like.

Can I use mink oil to protect the shoes? If not what do you suggest?

There are several quality care and maintenance products available on the market and most leather enthusiasts tend to have their own personal preference. If you prefer Mink oil that should work just fine but just bear in mind that many mink-oil-based products also contain silicone, which serves as an effective waterproofing agent because it blocks up the pores of the leather—but this action prevents the leather from breathing, which leaves it susceptible to moisture buildup and faster decay.

We generally prefer to use leather creams and lotions containing lanolin—as we have found it be particularly effective at cleaning and conditioning leather products. Nevertheless, as is the case with any leather creamer, oil or moisturizer, we strongly suggest patch testing it first and letting it sit for 24 hours in case it alters the appearance of the leather in your shoes.

How durable are the outsole? How long will the outsole last before I need to buy a new pair?

Our TPU outsole durability definitely varies with each user and how well (or not) they care for their shoes. We’ve been testing the outsoles since 2018 and our focus group participants were instructed to wear them out as much as possible with heavier than normal usage. To date (2021) the outsoles have held up great and show regular—but expected—wear and tear. If they get dirty or scuffed, you can clean them using a mild hand or dish soap (i.e. Dawn) in a water solution. Simply mix the solution in a bowl or spray bottle, moisturize a dedicated cloth or rag (not the same one used to for the leather portion of the shoes) and brush it over the soles borders and bottoms. You can also have a separate rag and bottle of water to "rinse" if needed.

Will it be possible to insert my own orthotic insole?

Our orthotic inserts are completely removable and can easily be swapped for one of your own preference and liking.

Can John Candor insoles be used with other shoes?

Yes, they can be inserted into any other footwear. The edge won't line up perfectly, but I think they'll be close enough. You can always trim them too. I currently have an extra pair of our orthotic inserts that I've been using since Feb, 2020 for all of my non-John Candor shoes.

My country is not listed for shipping. What options do you suggest?

If you live in a country we have not listed, please contact us. So far we've shipped to over 30 countries directly from Colombia or the US and we will be glad to look into this option for you.

Can you do mismates?

Yes, please contact us and we'll let you know our available options and cost.

Who will you use for domestic shipping?

We ship mostly with UPS and this is our preferred option. Sometimes we have to use USPS and all PO Boxes will be USPS. If you'd like to make a request please contact us.

Size Guide