Bertl Kreca

Schuh-Bertl

Shoemaker

©Colin Stewart

Bavarian shoemaking with a touch of fun

Bertl makes traditional German shoes, alongside shoe repairs and shoemaking challenges
Welted and double-stitched boots and shoes are his specialty
He owns about 300 pairs of shoes, but often walks about barefoot

When Bertl Kreca met a shoemaker and observed the making of made-to-measure shoes for the first time, he grew so enthusiastic about this craft that he decided to learn it. After honing his skills as an apprentice, he took over his former master artisan’s workshop in 1988 and the rest is history. As a truly passionate shoemaker, Bertl works 360 days a year making and repairing shoes. The Haferl shoes and Bertl Classic Boots are his first and most iconic creations to date, showcasing his mastery of the double-stitched technique. This technique makes a shoe particularly robust and waterproof for rougher environments like the Bavarian mountains. A fun fact is that Bertl not only makes shoes for his clients, but also takes on special made-to-measure challenges, such as making a pair of shoes for former Pope Benedict XVI.

Interview

©Colin Stewart

What is your specialisation?: Welted and double-stitched footwear are both very specialised, high-quality shoe assembly techniques. The first allows a pair to be resoled multiple times without damaging the upper leather, while the latter is mainly used for robust shoes.
Is there an aspect of your craft that people do not usually know about?: Building a pair of shoes takes a significant amount of time. I estimate that each Haferl shoe, a traditional German Alpine shoe, requires between 25 and 40 hours of work to be completed.
What does ‘well made’ mean to you?: To me, it means creating a product that is durable, repairable, and ages beautifully. I take pride in making something that everyone needs.
Could your craft be considered endangered?: In an age of cheap shoes, people rarely have their shoes repaired anymore.

Bertl Kreca is an expert artisan: he began his career in 1988