On the golf course, welted leather soled shoes are worn by elite players.

Leather is a wonderful material. It is easy to work, comfortable (an excellent insulator, and it moulds to the individual foot), and has an upscale image.

But traditional sole leather has a major shortcoming - the vegetable tanning process is inefficient, and breaks down quickly in wet conditions.

The chemical bonding between the vegetable tanning agents and the leather fibre structure is very weak. To compensate for this, the tanner stuffs the spaces between the fibres with vegetable tannins.

This is fine while the leather is new and dry. But in wear, as soon as the leather gets wet, the tannins begin to wash out, leaving the fibres unprotected. And, the fibres themselves are easily attacked by water, quickly losing their natural suppleness and resiliency.

CLAYTON, the No.1 English heavy leather tanner, has now developed a special sole tannage which eliminates the shortcomings of vegetable Leathers whilst maintaining the richness and elegance of genuine leather. With TANFLEXâ , leather soles can now be used in performance golf shoes.