COSMETIC BLEM South African Bata 'Takkie' Hockey Sneakers

These are Cosmetic Blemish Takkies, which we set aside as "factory seconds" but are now offering them at a reduced price if you just want some beater shoes. They retain all their functionality and are brand new in box, but all sales are final. See more information below the "Specs" section.

Nothing goes better together than South Africa and hockey shoes? No, not ice hockey, field hockey.

Typically played on grass or hard packed dirt, field hockey is substantially different from ice hockey (obviously.) As you can imagine, countries around the equator can't find ice to save their lives, but field hockey remains a popular pastime especially in the warmer commonwealth (or ex-commonwealth countries.)

With the commercialization of synthetic rubber and the advent of new shoe manufacturing methods post WWII, all varieties of 'field hockey' shoes exploded in popularity. Brands like Converse, Palladium, and Chuck Taylor were nothing short of a worldwide phenomenon.

So, hockey shoes were light weight, cool, athletic, and ideal for moving quickly. That sounds like it could come in handy.

The formative years of recent Central & Sub-Saharan African Culture occurred during the Bush War & Border wars — Conflicts which dominated South Africa and Zimbabwe (Formerly Rhodesia) during the Cold War. Outside of Africa and certain military circles both of these wars have faded into obscurity...

At the height of the Border and Bush wars, both South Africa and Rhodesia found themselves geographically, economically, and diplomatically isolated and facing the best efforts of the USSR, North Korea, Cuba, Egypt, and several members of the Soviet Bloc. With their adversaries providing training, arms, logistics and advisory support to a rainbow of communist terrorists, militant groups, and Sub-Saharan nation states it was anything but a fair fight. The resulting violence was characterized by its fast pace and indiscriminate brutality — with frequent terrorist attacks on public infrastructure and civilian populations. 

This period of counter-insurgency combat in the African savanna and wildlands forced tactical and material improvisation. Scrambling to stay competitive, Sub-Saharan African operations would develop doctrines and equipment that would stay relevant for decades to come.

South Africa’s elite Recce units (short for “Reconnaissance”) were some of the cream of the crop in counterinsurgency. Both were experts in tracking & long-range patrols far behind enemy lines, often in small groups vastly outnumbered by the enemy. In truth though, they did far more. They became the “go-to” fighting force for nearly everything, from airborne raids to underwater demolitions.

Specs

• Cosmetic Blem - see notes below
• Made in Zimbabwe (Formerly Rhodesia)
• Genuine New Production Bata Product
• Canvas Upper, choose black or green
• Rubber zig-zag outsole for extra grip OR NEW low-durometer 'anti track' sole for maximum LARP
• Iconic styling cues of 1960s era hockey sneakers
• Metal eyelets & rubber toe cap for lasting durability

Condition

Cosmetic Blem Item - All Sales Final

These Takkies have been hand sorted out from the rest of our inventory due to cosmetic blems that do not impact the overall function of the shoes.

Common issues MAY but do not always include:

• Misshapen outsole where it meets the upper of the shoe
• Light staining
• Eyelets that aren't fully sunk into the body fabric
• unclean but still entirely functional stitching
• scuffing from the manufacturing process
• markings from the manufacturing process

Sizing

We've translated the native UK shoe size to the US size. These sneakers fit true to size from what we've seen, so we'd recommend going with your usual sneaker size, or a size up if you're between sizes.

If the shoe feels a bit tight, try unravelling the laces fully, and re-lacing the shoes. You may need your own set of laces depending on your foot shape.