Naot Stella

Naot Stella is a brand new style for Spring 2-13.  Check out this easy to wear flat with superb arch support and that famous Naot comfort footbed. The mesh fabric combined with beautiful Italian leathers make a lovely finish on the foot. Velcro strap across the instep offers a secure and custom fit. $137.

Naot Kimberly

I predict that  Naot Kimberly will be the most popular Naot this season!!!! It is available in a nice selection of colors to compliment your summer wardrobe. A wedge heel at just the right pitch means comfortable all day walking on vacations or many hours on your feet at summer events. Coral/Mandarine as shown, Mirror/Metal, Dusty Silver/Quartz and of course Brushed Black. $142

Naot Marvel $154

Naot Marvel - perfectly professional and also practical for Spring/Summer wear. The Naot Marvel is also a great choice for dressing up jeans! In stock at Sole Survivor in Brown Tweed with leather trim and Black Tweed with leather trim.  YOU DONT HAVE TO GIVE UP COMFORT FOR STYLE!

Universal Belt Sizing Guide

The Big Question when buying a new belt is: How do I select the right Belt Size?  

But first, a few notes to help clarify the understanding of how a belt is sized.

• The total overall length of your belt does NOT refer to the actual size of the belt. 
• Belt size is determined by the size of your waist.
• The exact size of your waist does NOT always equal the waist size of the pants you are currently wearing. This is due to fluctuations in sizing standards among the various producers of clothing and the actual style of the pants, jeans or trousers.  (i.e. loose fit, slim fit)
• Like pants, belts are generally sized in 2 inch increments - 32, 34, 35 and so on.
• Follow the instructions below to obtain the best fit for your next leather belt from Sole Survivor.

There are two methods for determining the correct size of your belt:

1.  Measure a belt that you already have from the tip of the buckle to the hole most often used.

This measurement will tell you what size to order. 

2.  Alternatively you can use a cloth tape measure to measure around your waist going through the loops of your pants and pull it just to. The measurement obtained will be your belt size.

For Example: If the measurement is 36" then order a 36".

Note: If in between sizes, order the larger size.

Naot Elegant Collection

Naot Hillary

  NAOT ELEGANT COLLECTION

Go right to Naot's Elegant Collection styles for some of the most beautiful and yes, elegant summer sandals you'll see.  Elegant Collection styles are most often selected for long vacations with lots of exploring walks and special warm weather events.  Features include a perfectly pitched wedge heel, that famous Naot cork latex insole, superb support, genuine Swarovski crystals and the finest Italian leather uppers.

THE FIT

The fit is narrow to medium and runs ever so slightly shorter than true to size.  If you wear a half size it is recommended that you go UP to the next size.  

THE STYLE

The style is casual to dress.  These are sandals that you can wear out in the evenings or during the day.  This makes the Elegant Collection styles perfect for travel.  They look great with jeans, shorts, capris, sleeveless summer dresses and more.  Many ladies have worn these styles to weddings! 

WHAT MAKES NAOT ELEGANT STYLES SPECIAL

The most unique feature of the Elegant Collection styles is their ability to go from day to night.   At the risk of repeating myself, special features include a perfectly pitched wedge heel, that famous Naot cork latex insole, superb support, genuine Swarovski crystals and the finest Italian leather uppers. If your day to day style is more polished rather than casual, you will find something here for every occasion. 

Naot Collections-Classic

Naot Tahoe

NAOT CLASSIC COLLECTION

When browsing Naot Women's Collections, a great place to begin is with Naot's Classic Collection styles.  The Classic Collection styles are where it all began.  Features include that famous Naot cork latex insole, deep heel cup and fine Italian leather uppers.

THE FIT

The fit is medium in width and true to size in length.  

THE STYLE

The style is casual.  These are sandals that you can wear every day.  They look great with jeans, shorts, capris or you can go bo-ho and wear them with a funky full skirt.  

WHAT MAKES NAOT CLASSIC STYLES SPECIAL

While the halllmark of the Classic Collection styles is uber casual, Naot designers realize that customers of all fashion tastes seek comfort.  If you like a little bling, the Naot Antigua is just right. If you like a little more bling, I suggest Naot Malibu.

Looking for a splash of color?  This is a new one introduced for Spring 2013:  Naot Atlanta  offered in sky blue, black and dusty silver.

Spring 2013 Birkenstocks are in!

Sole Survivor carries a nice selection of Birkenstock sandals.  Because Sole Survivor is an authorized Birkenstock dealer you know you are buying the real deal.  

Birkenstock sandals are made in Germany.  The company uses only the highest quality materials and manufacturing processes.  You may know all about their, healthy mold to your feet comfort footbed but if you'd like to read more about the health benefits of Birkenstock technology visit their website

Here's a peak at what's in the store right now 

Gizeh -My personal favorite Birk - the Gizeh in a brand new color called desert sun.

Sparta Birkenstock calls this color graceful titanium. Goes with virtually everything

Arizona The ones you know and love and have been wearing forever Birks

Naot Sandal Collections

Naot Sandals come in a variety of looks and styles.  The offerings from Naot are SOOO many  that a Naot lover simply does not always know where to begin. Here is a suggestion for a starting point. Search our website beginning with Sole Survivor's Naot Collections Page.  Each collection  has its own particular features.  Once you find a collection you like, you can be assured of a similar fit, feel and comfort level of other styles within that collection.

Naot Sandy

Shimmery, soft brown Italian leather, swarovski crystals and that famous Naot comfort footbed. This Naot style with 1.5" wedge heel fits slim to medium. Whole sizes only (as with most European brands.) If you wear a half size, go UP to the next size. Made in Israel.  $145

Naot Tampa is $130

Sole Survivor has been selling the Naot Tampa online for many years.  This style is one of our biggest sellers each Spring.  The wide stretch microfiber upper insures a snug fit across the instep.  The famous Naot cork/latex footbed offers the most unbelievable comfort and support.  Yes, your arches are properly supported in the Naot Tampa.  In fact, the overall design is it's KEY to comfort.  The upper combined with the footbed work TOGETHER in offering a comfy fit.  And look at that sole.  You will walk many miles in this shoe before needing to replace them.

T

A Good Leather Belt is NOT Hard to Find

A GOOD LEATHER BELT IS NOT HARD TO FIND

The question is how will you know if your belt is real leather?
Honestly it's very hard to tell by just a label or stamp on the back.  All too often the belt is NOT genuine leather but a leather-like product that has none of the characteristics of true leather.  Generally you will not find out the truth until you have worn the belt for while.  Then, it happens.  The belt begins to crack right where you buckle it.  The holes split.  You begin to see a cardboard like layer showing through.  Oh not again!  Yes, that is probably a layer of cardboard in between a two pieces of bonded leather.


The best way to know you are getting a genuine leather belt is to buy it from Sole Survivor. SOLESU belts are made of full grain leather.  Full grain, properly tanned leather does not split crack or peel.  SOLESU belts are made using only high quality hides sourced from professional, reputable tanners.

Terms & Definitions

Terms and Definitions

Bonded Leather is a term used for partially synthetic leather. It is a synthetic material made of varying types of plastic (generally polyurethane or vinyl) that may be spread over ground-up leather and other substances, mechanically processed to give the appearance of leather, but at reduced cost and with less wastage compared to natural leather.[1] Bonded leather can be found in furniture, bookbinding, and various fashion accessories. Examples of products that are most commonly constructed with different varieties of "bonded leather" are: books, diaries, art books, desk accessories, bags, belts, chairs, and sofas.

Top Grain  The first cut taken from the grain side of a split hide from which nothing except the hair and associated epidermis has been removed.  Top grain leather is a good place to start when looking for good leather. 

Is it REAL Leather?

How do I know if an item I purchased is REAL Leather?

This is a great question and my first answer is, you will know for sure an item is genuine leather when you buy from Sole Survivor.  Sole Survivor has over 40 years experience in the leather industry.  We know the U.S. tanneries and their sources of raw materials.  We know and deal with jobbers both domestic and abroad who buy specialty leathers to re-sell to small and medium-sized leather businesses like ours.

The truth is that it is often hard to tell if an item is genuine leather just by looking at a label.  There seems to be no regulation of the labeling of most so called leather goods.  There may be regulations in place, they just don't seem to be being enforced.  The advantage Sole Survivor has is that we are purchasing the raw material and making the items ourselves.  It's always clear to us that we are buying genuine leather.  But when it comes to finished goods, even our experts can be fooled for a moment.  Sometimes we must cut into the item in an hidden place to see the proof.

Due to the popularity of leather furniture in recent years, the industry HAS lately taken note.  You now hear ads that refer to BONDED LEATHER.  Friends, this is not genuine leather.  Thank goodness they are now calling it what it is but the harsh truth is that bonded leather is not GENUINE LEATHER.

I'm out of time for now but will return with much more on this subject in the near future...

SOLE Open House

Our SOLE - School of Leather Education - Open House was yesterday.  Steve and I enjoyed meeting everyone and showing the workspace and tools.  We'll have another Open House real soon! In the meantime, you can read about the classes on our website. Online signup is coming with the week but in the meantime, call, stop by or email us about class times.

Naot Replacement Footbeds

GENUINE NAOT REPLACEMENT FOOTBEDS AVAILABLE AT SOLE SURVIVOR

Replace your old footbeds with the Genuine Naot Replacement Footbeds.

Suede leather liner helps draw moisture away from your feet to keep them healthy and dry.

Deep heel indentation helps the body balance and protects the heel bone as you walk.

Cushioned center conforms to the natural shape of your foot to provide you with all-day comfort.

Cork/latex bottom provides amazing arch support and shock absorption

Make Your Own Moccasins

MAKE YOUR OWN SUEDE MOCCASINS AT
SOLE SURVIVOR LEATHER - CLASSES STARTING SOON

Here's an example of one of the items you can make with your own two hands at Sole Survivor School of Leather.   The moccasins can be accented with your own fabrics, findings, jewelry, buttons, etc. Bring your findings to class and we'll help you incorporate them into the finished product. Sole Survivor provides guided instruction as well as the patterns, all leathers, waxed sewing thread, cushioned liner and many choices of leather accents.. You can be sure of a successful outcome with the help of our teacher STEVE RYE.   

Make Your Own Leather Goods

MAKE YOUR OWN LEATHER GOODS AT
SOLE SURVIVOR'S SCHOOL OF LEATHER EDUCATION

The classes are beginning to come together.  In fact, you can see the beginning of the course outlines on the website.  The schedule has not yet been finalized.  We'll do that after the open house on Sunday, February 17th.  But for now, several classes are listed with pricing and a brief description.  Complete descriptions, schedules and such will be ready in about 2 weeks.

If you have any questions at all, call or better yet, come see us in person at the Open House at Sole Survivor.  We are located at 25 East Main St.  Downtown Belleville.

Naot Dorith at Sole Survivor

BUY NAOT DORITH AT SOLE SURVIVOR LEATHER

The Naot Dorith is one amazing sandal offered in 5 amazing colors but don't take my word for it!  Here's a real live customer review posted on our website by a Naot Dorith lover:

This is the most comfortable sandal I've ever worn. I have them in 3 different colors. Even thoughI have bone spurs in the joint s of my big toes, these sandals don't bother them in any way. I highly reccommend them!

Gladiator inspired Dorith features intricate strappy design. Ankle strap with velcro closure gives extra support. Great style for a flatter foot.  New for 2013 is this fabulous ORANGE.  

First OPEN HOUSE at The SOLE

SOLE SURVIVOR SCHOOL OF LEATHERWORK EDUCATION OPEN HOUSE

The Sole Survivor School of Leatherwork Education (aka The SOLE) Is having an OPEN HOUSE Sunday February 17th!

If you would like to know more about the classes, the instructor, the location; if you would like to see the tools, the leather, the supplies; this is the day. This event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Call us with questions at 618-234-0214

Or, visit the event on our Facebook page to learn more!

USA Made Men's Socks at Sole Survivor

MADE IN THE USA MEN'S SOCKS NOW AT 

SOLE SURVIVOR!

Just in - Made in the USA men's socks. affordably priced! The 2 pak Steel Toe Quarter Socks or the 3 pak white or black crew are just $9. Yes, $9 for a two or three pair pack of socks made in the USA.

Spring 2013 Naot Alana $109

Naot Alana $109

We will talk about this style again and again as the season progresses!  If you were a fan of Naot's highly successful TAMPA but found it too high or too wide, you'll be THRILLED with Naot Alana.  Priced affordably at just $109.  




The Alana wedge sandal is from Naot's Elegant Collection which is designed to fit a slim to medium foot. The upper is a microfiber/lycra material and very adjustable.  It has just the right amount of give to accommodate almost everyone.

Spring 2013: Naot Toatoa

Naot Toatoa Spring 2013

Naot Toatoa from the Koru collection - so adorable and perfect for early spring. We love the adjustable strap across the instep because it allows for a custom fit.  The hook and loop strap also adds to the overall support of the shoe. Color As shown.  Also available in Black/Metallic.




Naot's Koru collection is designed to fit a medium width.  The inner footbed is removable and replaceable which means that you can renew the comfort of these shoes long before you wear them out.
Genuine Naot replacement footbeds are always available from Sole Survivor