Care Instructions

Caring for your Estribos Goods

At Estribos, all of our products are meticulously handmade using the finest Argentine leathers. Each item is thoroughly inspected in Buenos Aires before being shipped, and again by our dedicated sales team before dispatch.

We use natural, vegetable tanned leathers which are free from harmful substances. Due to the natural vegetable tanning process and the organic nature of our materials, you may notice slight markings or imperfections—these are part of the character and uniqueness of each piece.

We are committed to creating sustainable products designed to last. Crafted from durable materials, our items are built to stand the test of time and can be easily maintained when needed. Here are some simple tips to help you get the most out of your Estribos products.

Embroidered Items

The waxed coating applied to the cotton threads used to stitch the distinctive Argentine Guarda-Pampa design will help preserve the colours and bind the stitching together. Should you need to clean the thread we advise you to use soapy water and a damp cloth. Working on individual areas at a time, wipe only in the direction of the threads and always dry off with a towel. During this process avoid water coming into contact with the leather.

It is important to keep this process to a minimum as the wax coating on the embroidery is an essential ingredient to your item’s longevity.

In the unlikely event that you snag the stitching, simply tuck the loose end back round and under the threads, using a drop of superglue to secure. If your belt needs more attention than this do get in touch to enquire about our repair & refurbishment service.

Maintaining Waxed Stirrup Leather

Any of our belts, pet accessories and keyrings made on vegetable tanned stirrup leather can be cared for and maintained by following the tips below.

As with all leather goods, your leather may require conditioning. This can be done with any clear bees wax polish or saddle soap by applying to a soft, dry cloth and then buffing the leather. Please avoid contact with stitching, conditioning can be done on buckle and hole ends of belts/collars.

Please note – we all know some dogs enjoy a swim and although our collars are made to last, as with all leather, regular soaking will age your collar.

Maintaining Carpincho and suede leather

Our unique and naturally textured Carpincho leather used on our belts does not require conditioning. You will find that with time the markings become more prominent and distinctive. A suede brush can be used to lift water marks, however if your carpincho is likely to get wet please we suggest protecting with Scotch-guard first.

Buckles

Our dog collar metalwork and any belt buckle upgrades are always made with solid brass (even the nickel plated items) so will never rust or wear. Over time these can be revived with the appropriate polish to bring back the shine.

Caring for my Hat

Estribos hats are built to last – with all felt and leather hats being more than just shower-proof, your new purchase can take you through years of sunshine and rain as long as you look after it properly. They key is to let them dry naturally! Keep it away from the radiator, airing cupboard or stove and re-mould when wet to help preserve its shape. How you leave your hat is how it will dry – so for the best result re-shape when wet and always store your hat upside down (brim up) or on a hook on the wall.

All of our leather and felt hats are rain ready and require no treatment before to use. The waxed leathers can be treated with conditioners or clear bees wax polish – always apply to a dry cloth first and then wipe across brim and crown. This will keep your leather waterproof and extend its life considerably.

Our nubuck suede should not be conditioned but can be Scotch-guarded instead, any standard suede spray should work nicely. We suggest maintaining the suede once/twice a year or as necessary. A quick brush down every now and then will remove light dirt and water marks.

Our fur felt fedoras and trilbies require no conditioning or spraying at all. As a handmade product made from 100% natural fibres they can endure rain without feeling wet. Using a brush to remove dust or dirk marks you will be delighted with how easily maintained your hat is!

It goes without saying, but summer hats are not waterproof so please avoid wearing in any rain! A light sponge on any marks will easily lift any dirt. And again as with all our hats, for best results please store upside down to keep the lovely shape of your brim.

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About Estribos

¡Somos Únicos – We are Unique!
Specialist Artisan Beltmakers for over 30 years and Hatters since 1897. Our aim is to proudly and authentically showcase Argentine culture across the world.

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Estribos Belts

We value the importance of tradition & quality above all. Hand-crafting on our own premises ensures we can maintain control, using only the highest quality materials, rather than relying on third party suppliers who may not meet our quality standards.

Browse our belts

Hats for Town, Country & Safari!

Shop our collection of leather, suede, felt and summer hats. Individually handmade in the same Buenos Aires workshop for over a century, from start to finish – unusual amongst hatters in today’s world.

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Custom Design

Our focus has always been on small scale production, embracing the attention to detail that comes with it. With our custom design service, you can create your own polo belt, dog collar and lead, horse browband, or keyring.

Create your custom design