Gaucho Ninja

Gaucho Ninja: What is it?

Drawing on the Japanese footwear philosophy of the ‘tabi’, which reflects a deep connection with nature, simplicity, and mindfulness, Gaucho Ninja integrates concepts of balance, natural motion, and foot health into every shoe crafted.

Gaucho Ninja’s mission is to offer a healthier alternative to conventional, restrictive footwear. They are dedicated to keeping alive the craft of creating barefoot shoes using heritage shoe making techniques that have been passed down through generations. They combined this with modern technology, using an app to accurately measure your feet. As a result, Gaucho Ninja shoes are flat and toe-shaped, designed to perfectly fit your feet. They are also designed to be repaired and resoled, so they will last you a lifetime. 

Gaucho Ninja was established by Lisandro Serra Delmar in Spain in 2015, continuing his family’s legacy of leather craftsmanship. In 2017, Gaucho Ninja established its base in Herefordshire, UK, where they design, create, and produce luxurious, made-to-order barefoot shoes that also honour and preserve bespoke shoemaking in the UK.

Lisandro’s interest in the barefoot shoes was sparked by his involvement in Bujinkan Busi Taijutsu, also known as Ninjutsu, a Japanese martial art focusing on self-defence.

He says: “My experience as a martial artist made me realise the importance of feeling with my feet. Standard shoes are made for exactly the opposite purpose: for you not to feel anything. Instead of having the feet trapped in rigid, unforgiving structures, the shoes are made with the understanding that feet need to be treated with the same care with which we treat our hands. My aim is to make gloves for feet.”

As such, Gaucho Ninja was borne from two passions, that of leather craftsmanship and martial arts. 

Gaucho Ninja’s best-sellers:

Goodyear Welted Barefoot Chukka Boots

£449

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Blue barefoot shoes | Barefoot Pals

£99

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Barefoot Carpenter’s Safety Boots

£999

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Gaucho Ninja: How sustainable is it? 

Gaucho Ninja’s goal is to design minimalist footwear that is ethical and sustainable. Their shoes are made by hand in England by skilful makers who are paid a fair wage. 

With ethically sourced, sustainable leather forming the cornerstone of Gaucho Ninja’s ethos, 100% of their leathers are sourced from animals that are killed for meat. The skins are a by-product, and most of the tanneries that they work with are very small-scale, using skins from local farmers in Spain. The leathers used are:

Vegetable-tanned leather:

This natural material has been used by craftspeople and artisans for over a thousand years. It’s made using natural, plant-based tannins instead of harsh chemicals, making it better for the environment and for the health of the people who work with it. 

Cow leather:

Known for its high resistance to abrasion, cow leather can withstand a considerable amount of wear and tear, making it ideal for items subjected to intense use, such as work boots or heavy-duty bags. It’s easy to maintain and clean with a damp cloth or a mild leather cleaner. Gaucho Ninja mainly uses this leather for the midsoles and outsoles of their boots and also to make belts. 

Calf leather:

Taken from young animals, calf leather is a lighter and softer version of cow leather. It has a smoother surface and is more supple, making it good for fine clothing and accessories.

Horse leather:

Tough and durable with a very tight grain, horse leather has a smoother and more refined appearance. It’s highly resistant to water and can withstand exposure to harsh conditions without deteriorating. 

Shell cordovan leather:

A highly-prized type of leather made from the hindquarters of a horse. It’s one of the most expensive and rare types of leather on the market, typically used in high-end shoes and accessories. It’s extremely tough, can withstand significant wear and tear, and has a unique sheen that gives it a distinctive and luxurious appearance. 

Goat leather:

Softer and more flexible, goat leather is more delicate than cow leather and is often used for lighter, more breathable items, making it popular for summer clothing and accessories.

Kangaroo leather:

Known for its high tensile strength, durability and softness, kangaroo leather is lightweight and flexible with a tight fibre structure, making it less prone to stretching or tearing. It has a natural water resistance and is considered more sustainable due to the heavily regulated kangaroo industry in Australia.

Deer leather:

Soft and supple with a distinctive grain pattern that is smooth and uniform, deer leather has a refined appearance. It’s strong, durable, and breathable, ideal for heavy-duty applications. As a wild animal, deer leather often presents scratches, marks and scars, adding to its characteristic appearance.

To learn more about the leather used, Gaucho Ninja offer an informative guide on their website written by Lisandro.

The artisan factories used specialise in traditional methods of shoe construction, making it easy to translate Lisandro’s designs into high-quality and low-volume products. He visits these factories quarterly and collaborates with local schools such as Steiner Academy Hereford and Firelight Forest School, supplying them with free off-cuts of natural leather for their educational projects.

When it comes to long-lasting, high-quality footwear, construction is key. The durability, comfort and repairability of shoes heavily depend on how they’re put together. Among the various shoe construction techniques, Gaucho Ninja uses Goodyear welting, Blake stitching, and Stitchdown. You can find more about these processes here. 

Gaucho Ninja: Where to buy?

You can shop their online store: https://gaucho.ninja/