Every cloud – the luxury of a shearling lining

It’s that time of year when my wardrobe undergoes a shift in tone. Packed away are the linens, shorts and polo shirts, futile attempts to stay cool in an obnoxiously hot summer. 

In their place, lovely big coats and cosy jumpers sit alongside a scarf collection that, as far as I can tell, multiplies on its own. Our society’s worrying addiction to smartphones has rendered most of my gloves redundant, but I get them out anyway just in case I need to challenge someone to a duel.

Best of all, the oversized boot boxes that house my shearling-lined Cheaneys are brought forward. They’ve had a few months of disuse to prepare for what will surely be a severe amount of wear over the coming season – I love this time of year for many reasons, and the plush comfort of shearling-lined boots is one of them.

Cheaney Ellis & Mohawk

What is shearling?

Shearling is lambswool that is tanned along with the hide to create a soft and luxurious material most often found in footwear and coats. It is prized for its warmth, comfort and strength.

It is worth noting that authentic shearling, just like every other leather product we use, is a by-product of the meat industry and therefore minimises waste. 

Won’t my feet get too hot?

Only if you wear them in the height of summer, or in the bath.

Like leather, shearling is a natural material, therefore still has breathable properties. Of course shearling boots are going to be warmer than their leather-lined counterparts, but should never feel stifling. Think of shearling as a regulator of temperature: the brilliance of this material comes from its uncanny ability to keep your feet at a constant comfortable cosiness.

Alongside its uses in footwear and clothing, you can also find shearling used extensively in babies’ prams for exactly that reason. If it can keep a baby happy, it can do the same for you.

How should they fit?

Shearling boots are made to tackle the worst that cold weather can throw at you, so don’t expect sleek dress shoes or loafers with this lining… though after experiencing how it feels, you’ll soon wish all of your shoes were shearling lined. It’s like walking on a cloud.

You can expect to find shearling in our boots and shoes made on generous last shapes due to the extra space that the lining takes up. Never wanting to do anything by halves, you’ll find that we use the lining all the way down to the toe, including the insole, so initially it should feel like your foot is getting a nice, warm hug.

The lining will pack down slightly as the shoes are worn in, but this is by no means an excuse to buy them tight – the same rules apply for these than any other kind of boot or shoe, so you should always make sure you do have a touch of breathing space for the leather to adapt to your foot.

It isn’t uncommon to go for a half size up in certain shearling lined styles to compensate. However, you’ll find some examples in our latest collection of kudu styles where we have added a touch more width to allow for a comfortable fit. 

I will add that kudu leather combined with a shearling lining is one of the most pleasant experiences you could hope to have from a pair of shoes, and I urge everyone to try them.

Cheaney Ellis in Whiskey Kudu

Fight the chill

Now that our Great British Summer (i.e. approximately one month of sweating while standing still) is over, it’s time to embrace the supreme enjoyment that a pair of shearling lined Cheaneys can provide. It’s time to layer, lace up your boots and embrace the new season.