Material Glossary
Beautiful shoes start with better materials. Every pair in our collection is made from natural, high-quality materials sourced from Portugal and Spain —chosen for comfort, durability and a lighter footprint on the planet.
Whether you just want the quick version or the full story behind every leather we use, you’ll find it below.
The Basics
New to leather? Start here.
Leather
The classic. Breathable, long-lasting, and gets better with wear as it moulds to your foot. Sourced from responsible tanneries for its rich colour and enduring quality.
Pull-Up Leather
Leather with a distinctive two-tone, lived-in look, thanks to a high amount of natural oils and wax. Gives shoes and boots that vintage, well-travelled feel.
Suede Leather
with the grain removed, leaving a soft, hairy-textured surface. Cosy underfoot, needs a soft brush rather than a cloth to keep it looking its best.
Cork
Harvested from the bark of cork oak trees without harming the tree — lightweight, cushioned and naturally shock-absorbing. A Portuguese icon and a Fly London staple.
Nappa Leather
A full-grain leather prized for how soft it feels—usually from calf, sheep or goat hide. If a shoe feels buttery-soft straight out of the box, it’s probably nappa.
Natural Rubber
Used on our outsoles for grip and flexibility. A renewable resource harvested from rubber trees, and a greener alternative to synthetic soles.
Veg-Tanned Leather
Leather tanned the old way, using bark and vegetables instead of chemicals. It has a natural, unfinished look and will darken beautifully over time with wear and light.
Natural Textiles
Materials like jute, cotton and felt—lightweight, breathable, and used for trims, linings, soles and bindings across the collection.
The Nitty Gritty
For the ones who want to know everything.
Our designers work with dozens of named leathers, each with its own character and finish. Here’s the full glossary, straight from the people who choose them.
ANTIQUE SUEDE (Ante)
Cow suede leather. Care: use a very soft suede brush.
AZALEA
Textured, patent-finished leather. Care: use a soft cloth.
BRIDLE
A thick,waxy pull-up leather, often left unlined thanks to its thickness. Care: soft cloth; leather conditioner if needed.
BROOKLYN
A vegetable-tan leather with a flat finish, thick enough to go unlined. Often used with raw, unstitched edges. Care: soft cloth; leather conditioner if needed.
BURN
A smooth leather that gets its patina from buffing at the end of production. Care: soft cloth; leather conditioner if needed.