When it comes to rubber soles, this is the brand to go for.
1906 | Northampton, UK | George James Cox

GEORGE COX is a shoemaker founded in 1906 by George James Cox in Northampton.

Initially, George Cox produced shoes using its own unique welt construction and Goodyear welt construction methods. However, a turning point came in 1949 when they developed the Brothel Creeper, a platform shoe characterized by its thick crepe sole, affectionately known as the rubber sole. The name, meaning "one who wanders the brothels," comes from the fact that the sole makes no sound when you step on it.

These unusual-looking and named shoes are said to have been originally a custom order for JOHNSONS, a shop run by Lloyd Johnson that catered to musicians, or a custom order for ROBOT, a shop located on King's Road. The thick soles are also known as "beetle crushers," and there's a story that they were modeled after work boots worn to crush insects.

Featuring a thick sole, D-rings, and an interlaced (woven leather) design, these shoes became a cutting-edge fashion item in the 1950s, popular among young people known as Teddy Boys. Furthermore, in the 1970s, they became popular at Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren's shop, LET IT ROCK, solidifying George Cox's image as a symbol of 1950s and punk fashion.

Even today, they stubbornly adhere to traditional manufacturing methods, continuing to produce MADE IN ENGLAND rubber soles, while also manufacturing leather-soled dress shoes, air-cushioned boots, and interlaced sneakers.