Handmade Leather Sneakers using SneakerKit Black Shoemaking Kit (Custom Design)

For beginners it is difficult to start making shoes in traditional ways, using either the Goodyear construction or Blake stitch method. That’s where SneakerKit comes in play. SneakerKit was on Kickstarter some time ago. The shoe making process that they developed enables everyone to make their own sneakers by simply following the steps. If I can do it, so can you. All materials to make and design beautiful leather shoes is provided in the kits they offer on www.sneakerkit.eu/. The templates and patterns to help you in designing these shoes are available for free download on www.sneakerkit.eu/c-3526931/p...
The template for the heel support and back loop can be downloaded for free on
www.tonyneedshobbies.com/plan...
A few months ago I made my first pair of shoes and had a really good time. I reached out to SneakerKit and they provided me with a free black sole kit to review on this channel. I did my utmost best to make this the most beautiful pair of shoes that I have ever created. Have fun watching this video
About me:
My name is Tony. I am a guy from the Netherlands who speaks bad English with an even worse Dutch accent. I like to try out new hobbies and create stuff. The things I like to do are very random so I try to try out as many hobbies and crafts as possible and take you with me on that journey by making these video's.
Visit my personal website at www.tonyneedshobbies.com/
Follow me on Instagram: / tonyneedshobbies
All music from Epidemic Sound:
Melanie Bell - Don’t Give Up
Thyra - Closed Eyes
Melana Stark - A Little Bit of Faith
#ShoeMaking #Leatherworking #SneakerKit

[@monikafabrika4537]

Wow this pair came out even more awesome than the first one! I like the contrast the black laces give the shoes personally.

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thanks, I'll update the current vote. I agree with you that these look even better than the previous pair. It took more time to make them, but worth it! Cheers!

[@w.j.terrell9831]

Very nice pair of sneakers - and the techniques and tweaks shown are helpful. :) Thanks for this!

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thanks a lot! It's a good amount of fun to make them and not too difficult at all. Cheers!

[@johnathanramlakhan1989]

Brown laces look 🔥💯

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thanks for letting me know. With your vote it's a tie between black and brown now. Greetings!

[@matthewshaman5814]

Keep the laces different. I like the different colors together

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

That's an option too! I didn't think about that. Great suggestion! Cheers!

[@user-ek4jc2jw5l]

Wow, very nice. I enjoy your teachings. Keep up the good work. Its appreciated

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

And I enjoy your nice comment, it keeps me going! Cheers!

[@rickcapps6916]

Very nice. I like the black lacing...

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

The contrast looks great, doesn't it 🙂

[@frog_dna4344]

Thank you so much! love your videos!!

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thanks! I appreciate you watching them! Greetings!

[@nagaramrajesh9581]

It's very nice and perfect looks custom make 👌

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thank you Nagaram! In fact, it is custom made as you can see in the video 🙂 Cheers!

[@antoniskavarntis]

Its very beautiful you did a great job 👍

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

I appreciate you letting me know you like it Antonis 👍 keeps me energized! Thanks, Tony

[@DaveIngelson]

Great video - I'll hopefully give one of these kits a try in the future!

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Hi Dave, Thanks a lot! I've enjoyed making these kits a lot - enjoy yours. Greetings, Tony

[@irajoseph7972]

Wow....this pair looks amazing.....I feel the black laces look better

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thanks Ira! Black is taking over the lead with your vote... Greetings!

[@pm9601]

A bit too 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' colours for me, but otherwise awesome job! Loving these shoe kit videos Tony!

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Haha, I love TMNT - it's my childhood. Didn't use it as inspiration but I can see what you're talking about. Appreciate you watching the video and dropping the comment! Cheers, Tony

[@oakridgereview1359]

I really like this!!

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thanks for the positive review 🙂

[@rajudash9769]

You are a good shoemaker and the shoes are very good

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed the video 😀

[@indotheartist168]

fantastic, well done. The black laces look better, matches the sole colour.

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Hi INDO! I fully agree with you. It's a nice contrast to the leather and matches the color of the soles. Thanks for letting me know. Cheers!

[@JSGilbert]

I think I prefer the black laces. Nice job!

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thank you very much. That's my preference as well 👌

[@carmenponcedeleon2693]

He’s e awe awesome! Great video!

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thank you so much Carmen! Cheers!

[@eddavanleemputten9232]

Very cool! Personally I think the black laces look best.

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thanks! I'll write it down, almost 50/50 now...

[@OrionsAnvil]

+ 1 brown Nicely done 👍

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thanks! Brown is ahead of black (my choice...) Cheers!

[@ayaehab2304]

Very nice 👍 perfect 🙏😊💐

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thank you, Aya! I'm really happy with the design too. This pair turned out great! Cheers!

[@markoliver9108]

I've always wanted to do something like that! My mind is blown, I thought you needed some type of special equipment to attach the soles. Definitely something I want to do. Would have been a good wintertime project

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Hi Mark, I think professionals do use special tools and glue to get a better bond. However, this was a kit for complete newbies like myself. The result is strong though and the shoes fit fine! Thanks for watching the video 😀

[@rizwansyed1976]

😁😄😃 Thats very cool bro again very nice idea to make sneakers 👟 👍 👌 👌

[@rizwansyed1976]

Black sole black straps nd black lace😊😉

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thanks again! I like your choice of colors! Cheers!

[@standforfreedom9587]

good job👍

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thank you very much! Glad you liked it. Cheers!

[@Khamatnurov]

Awesome!!!

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thank you Samovar!

[@orangeorchid9067]

very COOL!!! I vote... Brown laces!

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thank you so much! Your vote has been noted. I think brown will win... Cheers!

[@Darkeklaw]

Just got back here. Um wow, thanks for using my comment, but you really did improve those shoes look fantastic and the color is beautiful.

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Hi Darkeklaw, thank you for mentioning it in a comment to the other video. It saved me a lot of hassle and a possible mess back then. These days, since Tandy and Maker's sell these kits to the US market, there are a lot of videos with even more beautiful designs. Even hand tooled ones, gorgeous: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXKmdWiFetaoZ9E. I appreciate you watching this video as well. Cheers!

[@Dubya1886]

I know I’m late but I vote brown!

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

No worries, better late then never 👍 I definitely appreciate your comment! Greetings, Tony!

[@ikechukwuigboeke1660]

Very interesting

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thank you!

[@gaslitworldf.melissab2897]

Both colors work, but black gives it a sporty, playful look. Brown gives it more of a casual, sober look, nice for the office. They have the vibe of loafers. b/c of the muted colors.

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Fully agree with you. It really changes the look and feel quite a bit. Thanks for the elaborate respons, it is very much appreciated! Greetings 😀

[@CWkrul]

Brown!

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Are you sure? Thanks!

[@luxury_handwork]

🙂Super wow👍🔥

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Great comment, I love it when people like my work. I know for sure you can make beautiful shoes with these kits as well. Hope you will try it. Greetings, Tony

[@SakarHayreddin]

Bravo.

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thank you!

[@stevierivers8365]

This was an awesome video! Very instructive. I bought one of the kits (my first) from Tandy Leather, the instructions were nothing to compare with the one on your video, even though it was from SneakerKit. I considered it very poor and missing substance in the instruction, like parts were pulled out of it and left void, pretty frustrating. You were really left with your own mind figuring things out. But thank God my shoes came out great, after about 3 times of cutting leather. Thanks again for your indepth video.

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thanks Stevie! Glad you think the video I made was useful. The instructions that I got with the kit our basically also just a brief one page list of items you need to do. When I made my first pair there were no English instruction videos around - it brough a lot of traffic to my channel. According SneakerKit.eu, they sell their unbranded kits in the US via Maker's and Tandy. When Maker's and Tandy started to stock kits, the amount of videos is taking off. People make wonderful things with these kits, even hand tooled veg tan leather sneakers. With many videos to choose from, I really appreciate you watched mine and left me the awesome comment. Thanks again, Tony

[@dennishillman6205]

Tony, your English is better than the average American teenager.

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Haha, that is funny. I do my best, so thank you, it made my day 😀

[@firstnamelastname5487]

These are really cool! What is the sizing like on these kits?

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Hi Firstname, Thanks for the compliment! This was my second pair and I ordered one size larger than "normal", whatever that means. So I estimate the sizing to be a bit smaller than usual - hope this helps... Greetings!

[@tavrikgannon]

I love the color scheme for these new shoes. But im slightly biased, as that particular shade of green is my favorite color.

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thank you Bill, The green colour is great, isn't it? I got half a shoulder veg tanned leather in a very similar color, but I don't know what to make from it yet. Any suggestions? Cheers, Tony!

[@tavrikgannon]

@@TonyNeedsHobbies well, sir, I'm a big fan of fantasy leather armor. :-)

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Wow, like Lord of the Rings stuff? I've made a chainmail vest once after seeing the first movie a long long time ago. Haven't really done any leather armour yet. Do you make armour yourself? 😀

[@tavrikgannon]

@@TonyNeedsHobbies I made a cuirass for my (now ex) stepson for Halloween one year. Gave me an excuse to branch out into doing fantasy style armor. I need to do more of it.

[@mimihello4410]

good~100~DIY

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thank you!

[@paulomorais2153]

Hey Tony, how would you rate the durability of the soles? I am afraid of using some really nice leather only to have the soles die on me. Great work

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Hi Paulo, Thank you so much again. There is a double row of holes/stitches where the upper get's the most movement, that improves durability. The rubber didn't dry out on me yet (after > 1 year of irregular use), but I don't expose the shoes to the elements all the time. They're not water tight so if it's raining I don't them for example. Good luck!

[@romaromanov4977]

Super👍

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thanks, Roma!

[@romaromanov4977]

Not at all

[@Glorfindel_117]

Do you treat the leather with any sort of wax or Resolene or anything? These look great, and although I've never worn sneakers but I may get a kit sometime just for the experience!

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Hi Glorfindel, I mainly treat my natural veg tan leather projects with neatsfoot oil and many other leather projects - like these shoes - with a beeswax based conditioner. These sneakers are not coated to protect them from water. I hope you liked watching the video! Greetings, Tony

[@Glorfindel_117]

@@TonyNeedsHobbies Oh ok thanks. I'm Canadian so waterproofing is an absolute must. I'm even having issues with my belt and bracelets bleeding dye from the rain XD

[@fathonielias707]

Can't vote.. both of them are nice ... How much time we need to make one pair actually ¿?

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thank you! It took me around 4 hours taking away the time for camera placement. So roughly a day will probably be enough to make one of these kits. Cheers!

[@privateassman8839]

I would buy those

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thanks!

[@TheDwightlight]

Black laces look better because they match the sole and the loop. How comfortabele are they around the heel?

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Hi Dwight, Thank you, I totally agree. They are much more comfortable around the heel using the custom insert that I designed for these shoes. The first pair I made had the loop sewn on the inside but it didn't wrap around the heel so it gave a lot of blisters. I ended up cutting the loop out for better comfort. But this green/brown pair is very comfortable with the heel insert. Greetings, Tony

[@waynemasters8673]

I would start with a bottom custom made for my foot arch and posture correction. Thanks for details.

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thanks for your comment, Wayne! Unfortunately I am not that much of a shoemaker that I am able to make my own soles. These are bought pre-made from SneakerKit. Cheers!

[@rubeniscool]

Awl is pronounced the same as All lol I only mention this because I thought it was funny that you didn't actually use any Owls in this project :P Nicely done though and great vid. Inspired me to get my own pair! :)

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Hi Ruben, Thanks for pointing that out 😋 I have been mispronouncing it quite a few times now, and it has been pointed out to me before. Anyway, I hope you still enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching it and have fun making your own pair! Cheers, Tony

[@sarapeace7570]

brown

[@overlyskinned]

They are beautiful I have just ordered 2 pairs - one for me and one for my wife. Can you please share your 2 tone design template if possible? Thanks!

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thank you very much Kevin! Sorry I don't have the design in a template, but you might be able to use a still image from around 03:15 in the video and trace it or something. Also don't have the brown/green paper anymore, so there's not much else I can do. Enjoy making your own pair of sneakers! Cheers, Tony

[@overlyskinned]

@@TonyNeedsHobbies no worries Tony - thanks for the inspiration and the kind reply. I made the Mary Jane sandals for my wife in pale grey leather and she is so happy with them!

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Wow, you already finished them! Good job 👍

[@jonathanengwall2777]

Brown

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Hi Jonathan, finally the comment that pushed brown, my favorite, to the first position. Thank you for watching and voting 😊 Greetings, Tony

[@paulomorais2153]

Great video my friend. Where do you recommend buying leather here in the netherlands?

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Hi again Paulo 🙂 All my vegatable tanned leather I get from Boomsma Leder in Breda (www.boomsma.nl). They don't have a physical shop but you can ask them to send images of the sheet you want to buy and if you like it, they send you that exact sheet. They offer different qualities at matching price levels and in my opinion offer good value for money. I always go for the 2nd choice since I don't really make large projects and can often work around imperfections - and actually enjoy seeing scars and such in the final product: it's still strong and shows that you used top grain leather 😉 For colored leather, I get them from a Romanian Etsy seller: RealLeatherStore. The green leather in this video and the black suede in the other come from SneakerKit. Thanks for watching and enjoying the video! Cheers, Tony

[@paulomorais2153]

@@TonyNeedsHobbies Thanks for taking the time to respond Tony. Broomsma seems like the perfect place to get some leather, really good prices on those 2nd choice and since I am an hobbyist they will do just fine. Keep up the good work I am eager to see your next projects.

[@paulomorais2153]

Just got a 2nd choice piece from boomsma and its absolutely perfect for the price. No imperfection that i can see just slight variation in the color. Thank you so much once again for the recommendation.

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

That's good to hear! Hope you have a lot of fun working with it. Discolorations don't matter that much to me either. Often I dye the leather or oil it with neatsfoot oil. This will change the color either way.

[@comediandoando]

What leather use you ? Crazy horse leather ?

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Yes, you guessed right! I got the leather from a vendor on Etsy. Thanks for watching the video!

[@frankcastle3827]

Not bad

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thanks, Frank!

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Here's the current vote: Brown: 10 Black: 9 Thanks for watching this video!

[@rikirex2162]

every click you hear when cutting the holes is what makes the tool blunt ...my grand father used an extra bit of leather so that the cutter and stopper wouldent reach to each other.

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Wow, I never thought of it like that. Thanks for the advice on how to protect the tool's cutting bit. I will glue a piece of veg tan leather to the "anvil" of the punching tool in order to try to keep the tool sharp for longer. Thanks again! I love it when viewers provide me with useful tips and advice!

[@bradh1776]

How comfortable are they?

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Hi Brad, I got the sole one (European) size bigger than I normally wear, which makes them quite comfortable. Depending on what you do with the edges and back loop it can improve the wearability. On my first pair the loop caused some blisters resulting in the back piece design that I put in this pair. A huge improvement. I can wear them for a day of office work with a 20 min walk around lunch time. Didn't yet do long hikes... Thanks for watching!

[@MayorInCheif]

The black lace makes it look more like a bowling shoe, while the brown lace makes it look more like a commonly marketed product. No preference here. They both look fancy.

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thank you!

[@paulbest6679]

Brown laces

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thanks Paul, noted!

[@albertohernandezcampos2852]

Cómo puedo adquirir tus productos amigo

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Desafortunadamente, en este momento sólo hago cosas para mí. Todavía no tengo tiempo para crear productos para vender, pero esta solicitud es el mayor cumplido que un fabricante puede recibir, ¡así que me hace muy feliz! Saludos, Tony

[@user-hh1gh6yo8d]

Вот это ШЕДЕВР ! 🔥🍺💪🇺🇦

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Дякую тобі! Glad you like it. Cheers!

[@seharrubab9441]

Teach it's upper pattern making

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Hello Sehar, the only thing I can teach is what I showed in the video. Sorry I can't teach more at this moment. Greetings, Tony

[@jeaninenarings3982]

Brown.

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thanks for the vote! Brown seems to be winning...

[@ilonaquaijtaal2695]

Zwart :)

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Finally! That's my own choice as well. Thanks!

[@AdriaanDippenaar]

The basic sneaker kit will cost me over R2000 thats crazy hahaha

[@waliurrahman511]

Brother your smill is better then your works

[@liyumarketshopping]

This is for childrens ... but at least you could conceptually tell the in sole work is what makez sneaker !!! Anyway ..

[@evelynfarfellwooosh1219]

It lacks shape.

[@frednarings7751]

Brown

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thanks for the vote, it's noted!

[@mohammedsaaied300]

brown

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thanks! Added your vote to the total list. Cheers!

[@michaelpain]

Black laces

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thanks for the vote!

[@SixCatsStudio]

Brown

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thanks, I added it to the count 👍

[@hollyhoddinott7778]

Black laces

[@TonyNeedsHobbies]

Thanks for your vote! Cheers, Tony