Black Smooth Full Grain Leather Boot Kilties - False Tongues — Abbotson

$25.00 USD
SizeSize is a starting point. Fit is adjusted.
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
1-Year Craftsmanship Warranty
Free U.S. Shipping
HOW IT WORKS

On in seconds

No tools, no adhesive. A leather false tongue that slips over your laces and comes off just as fast.

Step 1

Pick your color

Choose the leather color to match your boots or contrast them.

Step 2

Lay it over the tongue

Loosen the laces and set the kiltie over the tongue, decorative edge facing out.

Step 3

Lace back up

Lace through as usual. Pull it off anytime to clean it or change the look.

Swap it anytime to restyle or clean.

Boot tongue taking a beating?

Laces warping the tongue
Scuffs across the instep
Grit working into the boot
Tongue leather cracking
Scratches from brush and trail
Creases where the laces sit

The tongue is the thinnest leather on the boot, and it wears first.

A kiltie takes the hit for it. It lays over the tongue as a shield, absorbing scuffs and lace wear and keeping debris out of the boot.

Guards the tongue
Brush guard
On & off in seconds
Why a kiltie

Protection with a classic look

It started as a working feature on golf and logging boots. It still does the job.

Guards the tongue

Takes the scuffs and lace wear so the tongue underneath stays clean.

Keeps debris out

A brush guard against dust, dirt, and grit working in through the laces.

Classic detail

The classic look from golf and work boots, in full-grain leather.

Black Leather Boot Kiltie Accessory - False Tongues — Abbotson

About this kiltie


Black full grain leather kilties — also called false tongues, boot tongue covers or shoe shawls — lay over the tongue of a lace-up boot or shoe and sit beneath the laces. They take the scuffs and lace wear the tongue would otherwise absorb, and keep dust and grit from working in through the lacing.

Each one is cut from a single piece of 4–5 oz black full grain hide, hand-punched and burnished at the edges, with no lining, stitching or hardware to fail. Two vertical lace slits and two punched holes hold it in place, and it comes on and off in seconds — no tools, no adhesive. The leather softens and darkens with wear instead of cracking like a synthetic.

Fits standard lace-up work boots, moc-toes, derbys, service boots and dress shoes. Wear the decorative edge out over the vamp, or tuck it inside the throat for a cleaner look.

  • Full grain leather, 4–5 oz
  • Sold as a mirrored pair
  • Size is the finished height
  • Two lace slits, two punched holes, no metal eyelets
  • Handmade to order

Not sure it'll suit your boots? Reach out, we'll help.

Not right when it arrives? Send it back within 30 days.

4.98

average rating

250,000+

items crafted

14+ Years

of craftsmanship

Frequently Asked Questions


  • A removable leather flap that lays over your laces, above the boot's tongue. It guards the tongue from scuffs and lace wear and keeps dust and grit out. The bottom edge can be fringed, notched, scalloped or plain.

  • It protects the tongue, the thin leather that wears first, acts as a brush guard against dirt working into the boot through the laces, and spreads lacing pressure for a little more comfort.

  • Loosen your laces, lay the kiltie over the tongue with the decorative edge facing out, then lace back up through the eyelets. It comes off in seconds when you want to clean or swap it.

  • Kilties are made to sit over a standard lace-up boot or shoe. Check the description for the fit and eyelet range on this one.

  • Full-grain leather, the same hides we use for our boots, so it softens and takes on character with wear instead of cracking like a plastic add-on.

  • No. It rests on top of the tongue and comes off cleanly. No adhesive, and nothing punched into the leather.

  • No, the look is the bonus. Kilties started as a working feature on golf and logging footwear to keep debris out and protect the shoe.

  • Yes. Every order is backed by our 30-day money-back guarantee.