Harlock

• Chelsea boot with elasticated side insert
• Hand stitched single piece of Yearling leather
• Front and back cotton pull-on tab
• Leather sole with hand painted detail
• Internal lining for comfort and longevity
• Van Velze & Smith crest on sock and sole
• Goodyear Welted
  

The Story

The Harlock is a refined Chelsea boot carrying the proud name of the Smith family – originally Harlock-Smith in earlier generations. Handcrafted from a single piece of Yearling leather, it is an endlessly charming Chlesea boot with minimal, yet exquisite, detailing. Its round cap toe and narrow, elongated shape enhances its sleek and elegant silhouette, providing a timeless aesthetic that can be paired with your favourite jeans just as well as your sharpest suit.

The boot’s versatility and comfort is perfectly matched by its uncompromising durability and Goodyear Welted construction. This affords you the option to rebuild a brand new boot with the original leather after years of reliable service. The sole, with its dual layer of leather and rubber, is meticulously hand painted to augment its suave finish. 

The Chelsea Boot

The traditional Chelsea boot has been a firm fashion favourite across Britain for many decades and is a recognised wardrobe staple for everyone from country folk to city high-flyers. Its heritage dates to the Victorian era and even after nearly two hundred years, very little alteration has been made to its original design. Characterised by its tapered fit, elastic side panels, ankle height, and pull tabs, contemporary models rarely veer away from the ‘classic look’. Whilst the round toe styles give a more relaxed aesthetic, a pair with a sharp chiselled toe adds a smart allure: perfect for wearing with formalwear.

Goodyear Welted

Invented by Charles Goodyear Jr. in 1869, the Goodyear welt technique is still considered one of the finest methods of shoe construction. The ‘welt’ is a strip of leather which is sewn around the perimeter of the boot’s outsole. Crucially, the stitching attaches the welt to both the insole and the upper of the shoe without piercing the part under the foot. This maximises the shoe’s water resistance and allows you to easily replace the sole, whilst keeping the original upper, after years of reliable service. The Goodyear welting construction also uses cork – a material that is lightweight, insulating, moulds to the shape of the foot, and breathes – to fill the cavity between the insole and the outer sole.

Care & Repair

Whilst every mark on your VVS boots tells a story, caring for your boots is still important, so that when they’re perfectly moulded to your feet, they are still in great condition.

Boot Care

Use a soft brush to give the leather a light buffing and to remove any loose dirt or salt particles which can cause damage over time.

Whilst visible dirt and salt can harm leather, dry conditions are leather’s ‘silent killer’. When the natural moisture escapes under dry conditions, the fibrous interweave will start to weaken and visible cracks form. By conditioning your boots before use with a good leather conditioner or balm and then always keeping the leather supple, you can avoid this sad tragedy. With the addition of waterproofing spray, this will allow your boots to retain their water resistance.

Delivery & Returns

Delivery

We offer next day delivery on all purchases to mainland UK. Buy before 1pm and we will send your boots on the same day, so you get to wear them the following day. 

Returns

If the boots arrive and aren't quite your size, someone else already bought them for her, or they just aren't quite what you were expecting, we have a 30-day returns policy. Login to your customer account to make your return here. Find out more at vanvelzeandsmith.com/returns.

Questions

If you have any questions on the product, delivery, or our returns policy, please send us an email and we will be sure to help you out. You can email us at hello@vanvelzeandsmith.com.