LOPER footwear combines traditional leathercraft and streetwear origins in effortlessly contemporary unisex designs. Sleek lines and refined shapes echo the form-meets-function aesthetic typified by the innovative LOPER rope construction.
A high-grade leather upper, cushioned EVA+leather footbed and durable rubber sole ensure the understated laced styles deliver comfort and versatility.
Pre-fab footwear
LOPER shoes are assembled by hand using the LOPER construction system: instead of glue, we simply use rope to connect the upper to the sole.
The system includes a strong nylon rope with an integrated ‘needle’ and a purpose-engineered moulded rubber sole prepped with 44 holes, 2 start-points and an integrated end point.
NO GLUE, YES ROPE
Shoe factories are generally unhealthy workplaces; a main reason being that shoe production often involves large quantities of toxic glue. It is nearly impossible to avoid inhaling glue vapors when making shoes, even in factories with good extraction systems.
We want to make production safer and reduce the impact on workers and the environment. Our LOPER glueless rope construction system eliminates the need for glue during assembly. A minimal amount of glue is involved at pre-production, significantly reducing worker exposure to toxic vapors.
PRODUCTION ON DEMAND
We want to stimulate a more sustainable, more flexible production system. Selling before making, producing on demand.
Our solution is based on a simplified production line. LOPER shoes can be assembled by one or two people. Lower machine costs and minimal manpower make it more attractive to produce to order rather than producing in bulk.
EASY ASSEMBLY, EASY SET-UP
Mass-produced footwear is made in the cheapest factories and shipped all over the world, bringing unnecessary environmental and economic costs. We want to increase localised production and stimulate a flexible trade model. The benefit: reducing the industry’s carbon footprint and supporting local economies.
The simplicity of the LOPER shoe system makes it easy for us to set up manufacture and deliver consistent quality at several factories worldwide. Simplified production and reduced resource demands ensure that the end costs remain acceptable, even at more expensive factories.
