Through years of research, practice, and dedication, three brothers have attained the skills necessary to create fine works of footwear, and create a new company named after their father, Ray Friedman, a shoe repairer who purchased his first manufacturing machines from closing down shoe factories in 1998. Since then, the number of machines has grown, and in 2006, production began with the company’s first style, the leather clog.

Now producing a variety of styles for Men and Women, the range of styles is continually growing, with quality and comfort being the unbeatable formula for first class shoes. Whichever style you choose, a pair of Rays Veldts shoes will give satisfying comfort and durability for years to come.

Our shoes are made using the Veldtschoen construction, unique in the fact that instead of the upper leather turning underneath the insole like more common constructions, the Veldtschoen turns outwards and is stitched directly to the mid-sole. The advantages of this are a durable construction which is easy to repair, and also flexible, increasing the comfort of the shoes.

The name Veldtschoen translates from Dutch to mean field shoe. It was created with the theory that if the leather of the upper turns outwards rather than inwards, it would direct unwanted debris and water, dependent on materials used, away from the foot instead of inside the shoe. Water resistance requires more engineering of the shoe and is not common practice today, with rubber Wellington boots catering for this market area. Instead, the Veldtschoen is regarded more for its excellent durability, comfort, and attractive appearance, and these are the three qualities we exploit in our footwear.

We use top quality leather in our shoes, inside and out. We design our shoes to be durable and comfortable, and will not use synthetic lining, for it will never contend with the combined breathabilty and wear resistance of good quality leather.

All of our shoes are made in our own workshop in Suffolk. Our shoes are predominantly handmade, using only necessary machine assistance to help in the forming of a Veldtschoen.

Our sole units are chosen for their good wear resistance, and are repairable by any reputable shoe repairer. 

Each pair of our shoes is often crafted from beginning to end by one craftsperson. The lasts we use are chosen for their comfortable fit, and we can modify a set of existing lasts to an individual’s requirements for problem feet, giving a semi-bespoke fit.