
Kleman
Frodan Derby Shoes Men
The Frodan Derby Shoes are men's lace-up derby shoes from the French Kleman collection, made in France. They feature a calfskin leather upper and lining, padded footbed with a leather top cover, and an embossed non-skid rubber outer sole with a lugged tread. These shoes are suitable for everyday casual wear and provide a classic, durable footwear option.
- Material
- Calfskin leather upper and lining, embossed non-skid rubber outer sole
- Gender
- male
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Shoes
Color
Size
Specifications
Classic men's derby shoes crafted from calfskin leather
Calfskin leather upper and lining, padded footbed, embossed non-skid rubber sole
- Material
- Calfskin leather upper and lining, embossed non-skid rubber outer sole
- Secondary
- rubber
- Gender
- male
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Shoes
Additional Attributes
- Calfskin leather upper
- Calfskin leather lining
- Padded footbed with leather top cover
- Embossed non-skid rubber outer sole
- Made in France
- Derby style lace-up closure
Product Insights
The Kleman Frodan Derby Shoes preserve a 1980s institutional design originally engineered for French railway and customs workers, now offered at $275 CAD with a Goodyear welt and EN-20347 slip/abrasion-resistant outsole for occupational-grade durability. Made in Anjou, France, from full-grain calfskin with a pigmented finish, they present a sleek, timeless silhouette suitable for both office and weekend wear. The Poron insole delivers immediate shock absorption and remains supportive after years, though a 1–2 week break-in is expected. Sizing runs slightly large—order down half a size—and only standard D width is available. Routine care with cedar shoe trees, daily brushing, and Saphir polishes preserves the leather, while the Goodyear welt allows full resoling by any cobbler, extending the shoe's lifespan well beyond fashion trends.
Verified claims
- Brand heritage
- Kleman's shoemaking heritage traces to 1945; the Frodan is made in Anjou, France.
- Institutional design
- Unchanged 1980s institutional design with Goodyear welt and Padror sole unit.
- Safety compliance
- Outsole meets EN-20347 occupational slip/abrasion standard with Poron insole.
- Design origin
- Over 40-year-old design built for railway and customs workers
- Durability
- Goodyear welt and EN-20347 sole ensure long-term durability
- Value
- $275 CAD buys unchanged design and French craftsmanship, not trend features
- Fit consistency
- Sizing unchanged for decades; runs slightly large
- Goodyear welt
- Goodyear welt construction allows full resolability by any competent cobbler.
- Cushioning
- Poron insole maintains shock absorption after years of wear and feels supportive from the first day.
- Safety pairing
- Poron insole works with an EN-20347 certified rubber outsole for slip and abrasion resistance.
- Outsole certification
- Rubber outsole is EN-20347 certified for occupational-grade slip and abrasion resistance.
- Resoleability
- Goodyear welt enables sole replacement without damaging the upper.
- Sizing
- Runs slightly large; go down half a size from usual US/UK size.
- Width
- Only standard D (medium) width available; no narrow or wide options.
- Comfort
- Buyers report comfort after a 1-2 week break-in, with shock-absorbing Poron insole.
- Break-in
- Break-in takes 1–2 weeks but padded footbed provides immediate comfort.
- Care
- Use cedar shoe trees daily, brush daily, and expect 1-2 week break-in.
- Waterproofing
- Apply a waterproofing spray before first wear to prevent water stains.
- Conditioning
- Condition and protect calfskin with Saphir all-natural polishes.
- Style
- Described as sleek and timeless compared to Dr. Martens.
- Leather quality
- Full-grain calfskin with pigmented finish offers durability and patina.
- Manufacturing origin
- Made in Kleman's own Anjou factory since 1945.
- Design heritage
- Originally engineered for French railway and army; silhouette and sole unit unchanged since the 1980s.
- Construction
- Fully resoleable thanks to Goodyear welt construction.
- Timeless design
- Sleek, timeless silhouette unchanged since the 1980s, versatile from office to weekend.
- Color versatility
- Black for polished formal wear, hazelnut for casual patina development.
Product record
- Title
- Frodan Derby Shoes Men
- Brand
- Kleman
- Price
- 275 CAD
- Availability
- In stock
Image Analysis
3 images- 01

Product
Single black leather derby shoe shown in right-side profile with visible open-lace quarters, smooth vamp with raised apron seam, and thick lugged sole with stitched welt.
- View and orientationRight-side profile of a single shoe lying on its sole, showing outer lateral side from heel to toe.
1 region
x 0.05 · y 0.35 · w 0.90 · h 0.45 (high) - Upper materialSmooth, slightly glossy black leather upper covering vamp, quarters, and heel counter with visible soft reflection.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.38 · w 0.64 · h 0.28 (high) - Lacing systemOpen-derby lacing with a three-eyelet facing per side, thin round black laces tied in a loose knot with ends hanging.
1 region
x 0.46 · y 0.24 · w 0.18 · h 0.18 (high) - Vamp apron seamU-shaped raised apron seam on the vamp running from the throat toward the toe, stitched and slightly elevated above the vamp surface.
1 region
x 0.56 · y 0.38 · w 0.28 · h 0.25 (high) - Heel and counterLow rounded heel with smooth heel counter integrated into the upper and a subtle topline collar seam.
1 region
x 0.06 · y 0.39 · w 0.18 · h 0.24 (high) - Sole constructionThick black rubber sole with pronounced lug tread, flat platform profile and a shallow cutout at the midfoot visible in the profile.
1 region
x 0.08 · y 0.62 · w 0.84 · h 0.17 (high) - Welt stitchingVisible line of stitching along the top edge of the sole where it meets the upper, running around the shoe perimeter.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.57 · w 0.76 · h 0.08 (high)
Other
Studio-style product photo with neutral light grey background and soft shadow beneath the shoe; even front lighting and slight reflection under sole.
- BackgroundUniform light grey backdrop filling the frame with no visible props or packaging.
- ShadowSoft shadow directly beneath the shoe extending slightly to the right, grounding the shoe on the surface.
1 region
x 0.30 · y 0.72 · w 0.40 · h 0.08 (high) - Image qualityHigh-resolution, well lit and sharply focused on the shoe; no visible noise or motion blur.
Colors
gloss black· upper leather#131514matte black· sole#0E1213black· laces- View and orientationRight-side profile of a single shoe lying on its sole, showing outer lateral side from heel to toe.
- 02

Product
Rear three-quarter view of a pair of black leather derby shoes showing the heel area, outsole, upper panels, and laces from behind on a neutral background.
- View and compositionPair of shoes shown from the rear three-quarter angle with heels closest to camera; both left and right shoes are visible and slightly staggered, right shoe positioned slightly forward of left.
2 regions
x 0.05 · y 0.52 · w 0.42 · h 0.36 (high); x 0.53 · y 0.52 · w 0.42 · h 0.36 (high) - Upper material and finishSmooth black leather upper with a low sheen, visible subtle reflections indicating a polished finish.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.46 · w 0.72 · h 0.28 (high) - Heel counter and stitchingVertical reinforced stitch running up the center of each heel counter and curved panel seam lines joining heel to quarter panels.
2 regions
x 0.08 · y 0.54 · w 0.20 · h 0.28 (high); x 0.62 · y 0.54 · w 0.18 · h 0.28 (high) - Sole and heel constructionThick black rubber outsoles with a blocky heel profile and shallow tread cutouts visible on the outer edge.
2 regions
x 0.04 · y 0.72 · w 0.44 · h 0.18 (high); x 0.52 · y 0.72 · w 0.44 · h 0.18 (high) - Laces and eyeletsRound black laces tied loosely, visible looping over the throat of each shoe and exiting near the top of the quarter panels.
2 regions
x 0.28 · y 0.34 · w 0.18 · h 0.14 (medium); x 0.66 · y 0.34 · w 0.18 · h 0.14 (medium) - Edge weltNarrow visible welt between upper and sole with a slightly textured edge running around the heel perimeter.
1 region
x 0.06 · y 0.66 · w 0.88 · h 0.08 (high)
Other
Studio product photograph on a plain light gray background with soft, even lighting and minimal shadows. Image cropped to show lower portion of shoes and background above them.
- Background and lightingUniform light gray background with soft top lighting that produces gentle highlights on leather and faint shadows beneath soles.
- Shot framing and cropShoes are centered horizontally; top of shoes are near the vertical center with substantial empty background above; image is vertically oriented.
- Shadows and reflectionsSoft shadow directly under soles and faint specular reflections on leather upper consistent with studio lighting.
Colors
black· upper#0C0E0Dmatte black· sole#131314- View and compositionPair of shoes shown from the rear three-quarter angle with heels closest to camera; both left and right shoes are visible and slightly staggered, right shoe positioned slightly forward of left.
- 03

Product
Top-down view of a pair of black leather derby shoes with rounded moc toe stitching, five-eyelet lacing, tied round laces, and visible gold printed insole text.
- Overall shapePair of low-rise derby shoes shown from above with rounded toe boxes and a visible apron/moc stitching running around the toe area of each shoe.
2 regions
x 0.05 · y 0.03 · w 0.43 · h 0.94 (high); x 0.52 · y 0.03 · w 0.43 · h 0.94 (high) - Upper material and finishSmooth, matte-to-semi-gloss black leather appearance on the vamp and quarters with visible fine sheen from lighting.
2 regions
x 0.12 · y 0.08 · w 0.34 · h 0.45 (high); x 0.54 · y 0.08 · w 0.34 · h 0.45 (high) - LacingFive pairs of eyelets on each shoe with round black laces tied into simple bows; laces pass through the open derby quarters.
2 regions
x 0.16 · y 0.39 · w 0.26 · h 0.18 (high); x 0.60 · y 0.39 · w 0.26 · h 0.18 (high) - Sole edge detailRaised welt or ribbed trim around the perimeter of each sole visible as a textured ring between upper and outsole.
2 regions
x 0.04 · y 0.01 · w 0.45 · h 0.14 (high); x 0.51 · y 0.01 · w 0.45 · h 0.14 (high) - Insole print - brand“KLEMAN”
2 regions
x 0.24 · y 0.74 · w 0.17 · h 0.10 (high); x 0.64 · y 0.74 · w 0.17 · h 0.10 (high) - Insole fine printSmall circular gold text around the brand on each insole present but not legible at this resolution.Partial
2 regions
x 0.20 · y 0.69 · w 0.25 · h 0.18 (medium); x 0.60 · y 0.69 · w 0.25 · h 0.18 (medium) - Tongue and throatEach shoe shows a plain leather tongue that sits under the laces with a slight rounded throat line.
2 regions
x 0.20 · y 0.46 · w 0.18 · h 0.18 (high); x 0.62 · y 0.46 · w 0.18 · h 0.18 (high)
Other
Top-down studio shot on a light gray background with even diffuse lighting and minimal shadows; shoes are centered and symmetrically arranged with toes toward the top of the frame.
- Shot compositionTop-down view with both shoes visible in full, arranged side by side and parallel, toes pointing upward.
- BackgroundUniform light gray background with soft shadowing beneath the shoes.
- LightingEven diffuse studio lighting producing soft highlights on the leather surfaces and minimal specular hotspots.
- Image qualityHigh resolution and clear focus across the shoes; small insole circular text is too fine to read.
Colors
black· upper leather#0D0E0Cmetallic gold· insole print#7A7B75- Overall shapePair of low-rise derby shoes shown from above with rounded toe boxes and a visible apron/moc stitching running around the toe area of each shoe.
Documents & Data
Reddit Insights
1 threads · r/ThrowingFitsVery limited discussion: one user mentioned owning three pairs of Kleman Frodans and loving them.
The only comment expresses strong satisfaction ('love them'), but it is a single data point.
Themes
Source Threads
User mentions owning Kleman Frodans
I have three pairs of Kleman Frodans and love them
u/cronicmoler/ThrowingFitsView thread →