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Your feet have their own unique shape. As your personal shoemakers, we cut by hand the leather and soles for each of your feet.
Footwear that is the shape of your feet, feels much more comfortable. Tight shoes constrict the bones of your feet. When you walk on a sole that fits, your feet have room to spread with each step. We believe that the healthiest feet in the world walk barefoot, and the closer we get to a barefoot feel, the better for you.
From foot tracings and measurements, done by yourself, by us, or by another, we can make the shoe or sandal fit better on each foot. As explained below, we have two methods of customizing your footwear-- closer and closest. Or, if you like, we may get close enough for comfort with our Regular Sizes.
We have in-stock many lengths and widths of our ready-made sizes and styles, and we can make any length and width that we do not have in stock. The shape of our Regular Sizes is designed by Steven Fernand to fit the shape of most people’s feet. Most people find the Regular Sizes to be very comfortable.
However, many people need, or may prefer, us to make their footwear closer to the shape of their feet, either with our Combo Sizing, or with our Custom Patterns. If you are not sure which way would be a good fit for you, then trace and measure your feet, as described in this site, and we will analyze the tracings and advise you on what sizing option would work well for you. Or come to our shop and try some on.
We not only work to fit your feet well, we also make your footwear from the best materials made in America— Vibram® and Biltrite® outsole and midsole; moldable vegetable-tanned top-grain leather insoles; and water-resistant oil-tanned top-grain cowhide uppers. The outsole and midsole are light-weight and flexible, and are laminated to fit the curves of your sole. Your footprint sinks into the leather insoles, tanned to mold under your step. The oil-tan leather uppers are supple and durable, and breathes through its grain. Feet feel better in leather.
And, we use simple, yet effective, designs and constructions, with minimal seams and continuous straps, that stay together, stay on, and give you room for your toes and the ball of your foot. When perhaps you wear them so much that you wear out the soles, we can replace the soles and recondition the leather for $35. We guarantee your satisfaction with the fit and the wear. We only want satisfied customers.
We have three options to fit your feet— close, closer, closest.
You may get a close fit in our Regular Sizes, already made up in some styles and colors. You may purchase these ready-mades at our shop, or through the mail, on the internet, or over the phone. We make any size length or width that we do not have in stock. For the Regular Sizes, we use patterns that we have already made up— patterns designed to the shape of most people’s feet. The Regular Sizes cost the regular list prices.
If you would like a closer fit, we can do our Combo Sizing. We analyze your foot tracings and measurements (traced by us here at our shop, or traced by you, following our instructions herein, and sent to us by mail). We determine the size of: the length of each sole, the width under each ball and heel, and the vamp size over the front of each foot. Then we take our Regular patterns and we combine these different sizes onto the leather, and make the footwear uniquely for your combination. The Combo Sizing costs an extra $15.
If you would like our closest fit, we can make Custom Patterns for you. For an extra $40, we cut sole patterns for each foot from the tracings, and from the measurements we make vamp patterns for each foot. For feet with an unusual shape, we recommend the Custom Patterns. All feet are fit the closest with the Custom Patterns. We keep your patterns on file and if you want another pair of the same style, there is no $40 extra charge. If we have your patterns for one style and you want another style, half the work is already done, so it's $20 instead of $40.
Whichever way we fit your feet, your satisfaction with the fit is guaranteed. If the fit doesn’t work (most likely because of inaccurate tracings or measurements) return the footwear and we will refund their full price. Or, you may return the footwear with new tracings and measurements, and with a note telling us what to do different—how much more, how much less— then we shall try again to make you a pair that fits your feet.
To order Fernand Footwear in a Regular Size, just order the style and leather you want in your usual size (see the sizing chart on the Order Here page). Or you can send us foot tracings and measurements, and we will, for no extra charge, analyze your foot tracings to determine your Regular Size.
To order the Combo Sizing or the Custom Pattern, trace and measure your feet as described on the Trace Your Feet page, or come to our shop and we will do it for you. Please follow these step-by-step instructions carefully. Include your usual size on the order form. If your tracing seems a bit sketchy, try doing it again or have another person do it, and send us both tracings. The more information we can get, the closer the fit will get. We want to make comfortable and durable foot-shape footwear for you.
We also service what we make with resoling and reconditioning.
Fernand Footwear ~ 7 Milliron Lane ~ P.O.Box 364 ~ Benzonia, MI 49616
(800) 419-8621
Home Trace Your Feet Options & Answers Styles & Prices
Who We Are Where We're At Order Here