The Concept

When the vision for Yuketen "Made in Italy" collection was born, the goal was clear: take classic, well-loved American footwear styles and entrust them to an artisanal, historic factory nestled in the Mount Sibillini region of the Apennines. The result is a perfect harmony of American heritage, Italian craftsmanship, Japanese sensibilities, and premium materials. 

Design Details

Inspired by the prestigious Ivy League style of the 1950s, Rob's Loafer offers a bold, artisanal take on the classic American penny loafer. It beautifully balances refined collegiate elegance with the rugged soul of true hand-sewn moccasin craftsmanship.
The defining characteristic of this silhouette lies in its extraordinary attention to detail. Providing a striking contrast to the shoe's polished profile, both ends of the saddle are securely bound with six rows of Yuketen's signature baseball stitch overcast. This painstakingly executed, highly labor-intensive detail—a level of meticulous handwork rarely seen anywhere else in modern shoemaking—is a proud testament to Yuketen's uncompromising dedication to the craft. The result is a truly timeless silhouette that seamlessly bridges the gap between casual ease and sophisticated elegance.

Upper: Opera's Tuscan Full-Grain Palermo Leather

Yuketen partnered with Tuscany’s finest, Opera Leather, to feature Yeketen’s exquisite Palermo Leather. This thick, rich, full-grain hide is remarkably soft to the touch and boasts a striking scotch grain finish. Beyond its inherent toughness, Palermo leather carries a luxurious vibrance that commands attention and matures beautifully with every journey.

Construction: Genuine Moccasin & 1950s American Last

Each pair is handcrafted using Genuine Moccasin Construction, a traditional method where the leather wraps entirely beneath the foot to envelope it like a comfortable, protective sock. To achieve a superior, molded fit that mirrors the natural shape of the human foot, multiple leather components are hand-sewn and hand-lasted on Yuketen’s proprietary last—a 1950s design celebrated as the definitive last for the perfect American moccasin.

Insole & Outsole Comfort System

Engineered for all-day endurance, the interior features full vegetable-tanned leather insoles, shanks, memory foam, and arch cushion reinforcements. This architecture creates a stable bridge between the heel and the ball of the foot, distributing weight evenly to minimize fatigue.
The foundation of the shoe is elegantly grounded by a premium vegetable-tanned leather midsole paired with the Vibram Tuscany outsole. Carefully engineered with a sleek 4mm-thick rubber profile and a subtle yet highly effective 8mm tread, this outsole delivers a beautifully refined and elegant aesthetic. Perfect for navigating city streets or traveling the globe, the Tuscany sole seamlessly combines exceptional, long-lasting comfort with a reliable, confident grip—ensuring every step is as effortless as it is stylish.

Detail

• Opera’s Tuscan Full-Grain Palermo Leather (Tanned in Toscana, Italy)
  
• Full Leather Lining
  
• Hand-Lasted and Handsewn
  
• Genuine Moccasin Construction
  
• 6 Rows Baseball Stitch Overcast
  
• Veg-Tan Leather Insole with Built In Arch Support
  
• Leather Tuck + Shank
  
• Leather Midsole + Leather Stuck Heel
  
• Italy-made Vibram Tuscany Outsole
  
• 1950’s American Moccasin Last
  
• Entirely handcrafted in Italy
  

Size Recommendation

• 1.5 size down from US sneaker size
• Half size down from US boots size