Located in Melbourne, Australia, Sky Soles is part of Ron Clarke and Sons an Australian owned footwear business that has been supplying quality footwear to major and independent retailers throughout Australia and New Zealand since 1972. As a longstanding family business built on innovation, craftsmanship and quality, Ron Clarke and Sons has earned a reputation as a trusted leader and expert within the footwear industry.
Family has always been the cornerstone of Sky Soles’ foundations. The Clarke family’s association with footwear began more than five decades ago, and today they remain one of the most respected names in the Australian and New Zealand footwear industry. The success of this family business has always been driven by a simple philosophy: listening to customers, identifying gaps in the marketplace, and creating fashionable, functional products using the highest quality materials and technical expertise.
Established by Ron Clarke as a footwear agency in 1972, the business is now directed by his sons, Dale and Glenn Clarke. Over the years, Ron Clarke and Sons has evolved into a leading wholesaler and importer, continually setting benchmarks in the Australian footwear industry with its own fashion and comfort brands. Their extensive design expertise spans every stage of footwear development, from initial concept sketches and material selection through to manufacturing and the finished product.
Working alongside Australia’s leading retail groups while also providing dedicated support to independent retailers, Ron Clarke and Sons has become an industry leader in footwear design and product development. Their wealth of experience is regularly called upon to create specialised footwear, particularly within the comfort category, where technical construction and precise design are essential. Brands such as Pure Comfort and its sister brand CBD demonstrate the company’s commitment to producing footwear that combines exceptional comfort, durability and contemporary style for customers with specialised needs.
Maintaining a strong presence within the global footwear industry has also been central to the company’s success. Over the past five decades, Ron Clarke and Sons has developed an extensive international network of suppliers, manufacturers and industry partners. Their reputation has reached well beyond Australia through attendance at leading international trade fairs, including the Gallery Düsseldorf International Fashion Trade Show throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. As the business expanded, relationships continued to flourish through regular attendance at MICAM in Milan and the Riva del Garda trade fairs, which they have attended since the early 2000s. These long-standing global partnerships enable the company to source premium materials, stay ahead of international trends and deliver innovative footwear solutions to customers across a wide range of markets.
Sky Soles joined the Ron Clarke and Sons family in 2017 after Dale’s son, Zac Clarke, a Boeing 787 First Officer, recognised a significant gap in the market for specialised aviation footwear. Drawing on firsthand experience and feedback from fellow flight crew, Zac combined his aviation knowledge with the family’s decades of footwear expertise to create a brand specifically designed for airline professionals. This third-generation venture proudly continues the Clarke family legacy by developing products that are truly Designed by Crew, For Crew.
With a premium feel and first-class customer service backed by more than 54 years of footwear expertise, Sky Soles is committed to using the finest materials available while placing crew comfort, performance and safety at the forefront of every design. Every pair is thoughtfully developed to meet the unique demands of aviation professionals, ensuring lasting comfort from take off to touchdown.
