Leather with character

Full-grain leather is leather where the natural outer surface is left intact, rather than sanded or corrected for a more uniform look. Because the surface is preserved, the leather keeps more of its natural strength, breathability and character – and develops rich patina over time.

Terracare® is the primary leather used in most Duckfeet styles. It is developed and produced in Germany by the Heinen tannery – a family-owned tannery with decades of experience and LWG Gold certification from the Leather Working Group.

The leather is produced with a focus on reducing environmental impact, including lower water and energy use compared to conventional leather production, as well as responsible chemical management.

Terracare® leather is PFC-free and OEKO-TEX® certified. It is made without fluorinated chemicals often used for water and stain resistance and tested for harmful substances.

Different tanning methods and treatments are chosen to balance durability, breathability, comfort and the way the leather ages over time.

Learn more about terracare®

The Leather Working Group (LWG) is an independent organisation that works to improve environmental and chemical practices in leather production – setting standards for how leather is made across the industry.

They assess tanneries on factors such as water and energy use, chemical management and traceability.

Gold is the highest rating awarded, and our terracare® leather is sourced from an LWG Gold-certified tannery.

Learn more about the Leather Working Group

Duckfeet leathers combine different tanning methods to balance durability, flexibility, breathability and the way the leather ages over time.

Most terracare® upper leathers are first tanned for strength, flexibility and durability, then re-tanned with vegetable extracts to add firmness, character and a more natural ageing process.

Different tanning methods each bring different qualities, and we choose them carefully depending on how the leather is intended to feel, wear and age over time.

Some of our styles and leathers differ depending on the qualities needed. Our Bio leather, for example, is chrome free and uses zeolite first tanning and vegetable re-tanning, making the leather compostable. Bornholm and Skærbæk sandal styles are fully vegetable tanned. Other leathers are first chrome tanned and vegetable re-tanned.

When chrome tanning is used, the chrome salts involved is chromium III – a stable form commonly used in high-quality leather production.

Duckfeet leather adapts more than it “stretches out.”

With wear, the leather softens and gives slightly – primarily in width and around pressure points – as it moulds to your foot. Length will not meaningfully increase.

This natural adaptation is part of how the shoes become more comfortable over time.

Leather is a natural material, where subtle variations in colour, tone and grain are part of its character.

By keeping the natural surface intact, these nuances remain visible – making each pair unique. No two pairs are exactly the same.

With wear and exposure to light, the colour continues to develop – giving each pair its own depth and expression over time.

Natural leather responds to movement and use. Creases, tonal shifts and small marks are part of how full-grain leather develops patina over time.

Because the surface is left intact, these changes become visible as the leather softens and moves with the foot.

We see this not as wear and tear, but as character – each pair becoming uniquely yours.

Duckfeet leather handles everyday rain and moisture well. The dense full-grain leather offers natural resistance and is made for regular use outdoors.

Like all natural leather, it is not fully waterproof and benefits from occasional care. Conditioning the leather helps maintain its suppleness and improves its resistance over time.

If the shoes become wet, let them dry naturally away from direct heat, as this can dry out the leather and make it more rigid over time.

A little care goes a long way. Clean off dirt with a damp cloth, let the shoes dry naturally if they become wet, and occasionally nourish the leather with a care product to keep it soft and flexible.

Avoid drying the shoes near direct heat, as this can dry out and stiffen the leather.

Over time, the leather develops character – becoming more beautiful with wear.