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Buying local
NZ Made Shoes: Footwear, Slippers and Fit
When comparing NZ made shoes, start with the type of footwear you need and where you will wear it. Slippers, soft booties and outdoor shoes have different construction, sole and fitting requirements.
In this guide
New Zealand made shoes and footwear stories
Match the footwear to the job
Measure both feet
Upper, lining and sole
Ordering, exchanges and care
Check the making claim
Your questions
Explore NZ made products.
New Zealand made shoes and footwear stories
Classic Sheepskins
Classic Sheepskins, profiled in August 2023, works with sheepskins and makes products including slippers. Its story introduces the making process behind a familiar home-footwear choice.Four Peaks Leather
Our July 2024 Four Peaks Leather profile features leather products including booties, gloves and hats, with work in Geraldine and Timaru. For footwear, ask about the particular design, size and intended use.
These examples are starting points for exploring local making. Use our NZ made products guide for other categories and check the exact product's manufacture rather than assuming every item under a brand is made in the same place.
Match the footwear to the job
Decide whether you need an indoor slipper, something suitable for brief outdoor use or a shoe for regular outdoor walking. Ask the maker what the sole and upper are designed for. A warm lining does not tell you whether the outsole suits a wet path.
Where will it be worn: indoors, outdoors or both?
What surface will it meet most often?
Does the design need to accommodate socks?
Is the fastening easy for the wearer to use?
What does the maker say about moisture and cleaning?
Soft booties and structured shoes serve different purposes. Choose for the wearer's needs and the maker's intended use. If you need footwear for a medical or specialist fitting requirement, seek advice from the appropriate professional.
Measure both feet
Follow the maker's measuring instructions and use the socks you expect to wear. Measure both feet, since the larger measurement may affect sizing. Check whether the chart gives foot length, internal length or an outside sole measurement.
Length is only part of fit. Ask about width, instep space, toe shape and how the opening or fastening works. A size you use in another brand may not translate directly. If you are ordering online, send the maker the measurements and explain any fitting concern before purchasing.
Upper, lining and sole
Read the materials for each component. The outer material, lining and outsole can have different care requirements and functions. Ask whether the lining changes the fit and whether a particular sole is intended for the surfaces you will use.
Look at how the footwear is put together and what aftercare is available. Ask about replacement components or repairs where relevant rather than assuming they are offered. Keep the product name and maker's instructions so you can obtain consistent advice later.
Ordering, exchanges and care
Confirm size, colour and the exact product before payment.
Check whether the item is stocked or made to order.
Understand the exchange conditions and how to try the footwear without affecting them.
Include delivery and any return shipping in your comparison.
Follow the care instructions for the whole product, including its sole and lining.
For a gift, measurements are more useful than a guessed size. If that is not practical, ask the recipient or supplier about a suitable way to choose the footwear after the occasion. Let damp footwear dry according to its instructions and ask before applying a treatment not recommended by the maker.
Check the making claim
Use our product check or find the business in the licence-holder register. Match the details to the model you want.
For a complete wardrobe purchase, our clothing guide covers garment measurements, while our gift guide offers options when size is difficult to judge.
Your questions
Does a NZ footwear brand mean its shoes are made here?
Check the manufacturing claim for the particular model. Brand location and product origin are different facts.
Can slippers be worn outdoors?
That depends on the product and sole. Follow the maker's stated use rather than assuming every slipper is suitable outdoors.
Your next step
Start with intended use, measure carefully and ask about the actual model. Check the maker's product details before choosing your next pair.
