Navy calf is unusual on a sneaker, and it solves a specific problem. Black leather trainers can look heavy and severe with casual clothes; white ones are a standing commitment to keeping them white. Navy sits between the two. It reads as a dark shoe from any distance but carries a blue cast in daylight that keeps it from looking like office footwear that has wandered off. Against denim it is quietly tonal. Against stone, cream and grey it becomes the strongest thing in the outfit without raising its voice.
Because navy is not a colour anyone expects on a leather sneaker, it also does the job of making an otherwise plain shoe worth a second look. There are no contrast panels here and no logo to carry the design, so the colour has to do that work on its own.
Barker built the Ethan as the leather counterpart to their Axel sneaker, on the 484 last, F fitting, UK 6 to 12, designed in Northampton. Brogue punching picks out the heel counter and the toe seam and there is nothing else on the upper. A full leather insole and lining sit inside, a full rubber sole underneath.
If you want the darker and warmer option, the Ethan in ebony is a burnished dark brown.
Care: Feed navy calf with a neutral cream rather than a coloured one, because navy polishes are hard to match and a poor match shows. Wipe off dust after wearing, condition every few weeks, and use shoe trees. Sponge salt marks from winter pavements off with clean water while they are still fresh.
You can ask any question about this product.
Our specialists will answer you shortly!
Navy calf is unusual on a sneaker, and it solves a specific problem. Black leather trainers can look heavy and severe with casual clothes; white ones are a standing commitment to keeping them white. Navy sits between the two. It reads as a dark shoe from any distance but carries a blue cast in daylight that keeps it from looking like office footwear that has wandered off. Against denim it is quietly tonal. Against stone, cream and grey it becomes the strongest thing in the outfit without raising its voice.
Because navy is not a colour anyone expects on a leather sneaker, it also does the job of making an otherwise plain shoe worth a second look. There are no contrast panels here and no logo to carry the design, so the colour has to do that work on its own.
Barker built the Ethan as the leather counterpart to their Axel sneaker, on the 484 last, F fitting, UK 6 to 12, designed in Northampton. Brogue punching picks out the heel counter and the toe seam and there is nothing else on the upper. A full leather insole and lining sit inside, a full rubber sole underneath.
If you want the darker and warmer option, the Ethan in ebony is a burnished dark brown.
Care: Feed navy calf with a neutral cream rather than a coloured one, because navy polishes are hard to match and a poor match shows. Wipe off dust after wearing, condition every few weeks, and use shoe trees. Sponge salt marks from winter pavements off with clean water while they are still fresh.
You can ask any question about this product.
Our specialists will answer you shortly!
