Bad Hat Brothers

Bad Hat Brothers was established approximately five years ago by two brothers who independently learned the craft of cordwaining in Seongsu before launching their own brand. Despite the company's relatively recent founding, both brothers brought substantial experience to the venture, having worked as cordwainers for roughly ten years prior to opening their workshop. The brothers drew inspiration from Amecaji style and hand-welted construction methods, which became the foundation for their brand's aesthetic direction and production philosophy.

The brand's location in Seongsu-dong is significant to Korea's shoemaking heritage. The district emerged as a center for handmade shoes when craftsmen relocated from Myeong-dong in central Seoul during the late 1960s as land prices increased. Shoemakers also moved from the Yeoncheon Bridge area near Seoul Station, attracted by Seongsu's affordable rent. The neighborhood developed into Korea's largest handmade shoe manufacturing hub, at one point housing up to 1,200 shoemakers who supplied approximately 80 percent of the country's handmade footwear. Today, Seongsu-dong maintains over 350 handmade shoe manufacturers and remains home to 70 percent of Korea's handmade shoe production.

Bad Hat Brothers produces all footwear using hand-welted construction exclusively. The brothers chose this traditional method for its aesthetic qualities and connection to historical shoemaking practices. Both founders personally manufacture every pair of boots and shoes, maintaining direct involvement in all aspects of production without relying on external manufacturing partners.

The construction process emphasizes leather throughout the build. With the exception of outsoles and stitching, all components utilize leather materials, including linings, insoles, and midsoles. This approach reflects the brand's commitment to traditional construction methods and material quality.

Production follows a made-to-order model with a turnaround time of six to eight weeks. This timeline represents a notably faster delivery compared to typical custom boot manufacturers, which often require 20 to 30 weeks or longer for bespoke orders.

Bad Hat Brothers sources materials from both international and domestic suppliers. The brand uses outsoles from Vibram and Dr. Soles, two established manufacturers of high-performance footwear soles. Leather materials come from a combination of imported and locally sourced options. The brand works with premium tanneries including Horween Leather Company, supplemented by leather from Korean tanneries.

The brand's product line focuses on boots and shoes constructed in the hand-welted tradition. The Monkey Boots model has gained recognition among customers and represents one of the brand's signature offerings. Customer reviews have noted the combination of a sleek last design with substantial Vibram soles, creating a distinctive aesthetic profile.

Bad Hat Brothers offers customization through bespoke last creation tailored to individual customer specifications. The brand conducts pre-purchase consultations to ensure proper fit and meet specific requirements for each order.

Standard boots are priced between 650 and 750 US dollars, varying based on leather selection and design specifications. Engineering boots fall in the range of 800 to 850 dollars. The company provides free shipping to the United States and Singapore, with European shipping costs determined on a case-by-case basis through customer inquiry.