Boot kilties tend to be something that you either know about, or you don't. If you are someone who doesn't know what boot kilties are, then you are in the right place! Boot kilties can be a great addition to your footwear for both functional use as well as aesthetic. If you are looking for another way to spice up your footwear beyond changing out your shoe laces, boot kilties are a great option. Let's start from the beginning.
What are boot kilties?
A boot kiltie (also spelled kiltee, or kiltie) is a leather fringe that sits under the lacing of your boots or shoes. They are most commonly found on golf shoes, moc toe boots and loafers, but can be added to virtually any footwear. Kilties can be clipped under the laces of any shoe and can quickly be transferred from one pair of shoes to another. Kilties were originally made to protect the lacing of a shoe from wear, since historically, leather laces were more expensive to replace. Today, boot kilties are primarily used as an aesthetic accessory.
What are boot kilties made of?
Boot kilties are typically made from strips of leather, cut with fringe on one long side. The fringe sits in front of the lace knot once attached to the shoe. Historically, kilties were made from a variety of leathers. Today at Guarded Goods, all boot kilties are made from a range of premium leathers sourced from tanneries in the USA, Italy, and Japan.
What size do I need?
Guarded Goods boot kilties come in three standard heights: 6", 8", and 10". The 6" kiltie covers the standard lacing zone of most boots. The 8" and 10" options are for taller boots with more eyelets, or for people who prefer more coverage. When in doubt, go with the 6".
How do I attach a kiltie?
Attaching a kiltie is simple. Unlace the boot enough to slide the kiltie under the bottom lace. Thread the lace back over the kiltie's attachment point, then re-lace normally. The fringe hangs in front of the knot. Most customers figure it out in under two minutes.
What Customers Say
Boot kilties are one of those things where a photo does more than a description. Here are a few recent orders where customers shared how theirs turned out.
Aaron T.Ā on the Teak Featherstone Boot Kiltie (S.B. Foot):
"Perfect match for the copper rough & tough as suggested by Jesse. Do drop him a message if you are unsure which kiltie suits your boots best."
Mark P. on the Teak Featherstone Boot Kiltie (S.B. Foot) for his Red Wing Iron Rangers:
"Awesome product. So happy I got these for my new Iron Rangers."
Kai H. on the Cognac Horsebutt Boot Kiltie (Gallun):
"Fantastic fit and finish, great contrast on my Russell Moccasins."
Johnathan K. on the Natural Chromexcel Kiltie (Horween):
"Looks amazing, matches my Grant Stone Dune CXL. I usually do contrast color but I like this match."
C. on the Tan Workshoe Butt Boot Kiltie (Horween):
"This leather isn't made anymore, so get it while you can. It's basically CXL on a budget with its own personality."
Not sure which kiltie matches your boots? Send a message through the contact page with a photo of the leather and Jesse will point you to the closest match in stock.
Leave a comment