The Ultimate Vass (Footwear) Thread (Pictures, reviews, sizing, etc...)

[Bonggoy]

See here:

http://madetoorderparis.com/eng/new-arrivals/saint-crispins/

You will see that the SC calf prices start from EUR995 (non EU) and that is not too far from the price on those Vass shell chukkas. As I said I have been quoted 1130EUR for the SC chukkas with shipping, which is lower than the EUR1362 you mentioned.

So I really wanted shell chukkas, I would rather pay a 100-150 eur extra for SC quality in calf.

Much as I like Vass shoes, SCs are better built at least to my eyes and touch.

I am not sure the point of comparing SC's CALF prices to VASS Shell prices. Vass calf prices are roughly half to a third of SC's calf prices. Pretty significant to me.

 

[RogerP]

See here:

http://madetoorderparis.com/eng/new-arrivals/saint-crispins/

You will see that the SC calf prices start from EUR995 (non EU) and that is not too far from the price on those Vass shell chukkas. As I said I have been quoted 1130EUR for the SC chukkas with shipping, which is lower than the EUR1362 you mentioned.

So I really wanted shell chukkas, I would rather pay a 100-150 eur extra for SC quality in calf.

Much as I like Vass shoes, SCs are better built at least to my eyes and touch.

Still not a valid comparison. You are comparing the price for Vass in a boot (+$$) and in shell (+$$) against the price of a basic St. Crispin's SHOE in CALF.

I suppose I could just as easily compare a SHELL Carmina BOOT with a CALF Vass SHOE and say "meh. Carmina's are nice, but Vass are better made."

Comparing apples to apples (I would not have thought this would require explanation, but I mean shoe versus shoe, shell versus shell, boot versus boot) St. C's are going to net out anywhere from 40-50% more than an equivalent Vass. Your continued implication that they are somehow equivalent - or even close - in price is pure fiction. Are the St.C's worth the significant premium? Well an individual buyer might conclude that they are. And another might conclude differently. But the fact remains that the premium is significant.

Oh - and when I looked at ordering one of three different pairs of St.C's calfskin shoes direct from the manufacturer through Mr. Car, none were offered at a price anywhere near as low as Euro 995.

 

[RogerP]

Some more examples of St. Crispin's calfskin shoes priced at around the $1600 mark:

http://leffot.com/shop/saint-crispins-model-108/

http://leffot.com/shop/saint-crispins-model-546/

http://leffot.com/shop/st-crispins-526/

 

[Fiddler]

I dont think you understand my point...I am saying that I would rather have a SC calf chukka at EU1130 than a Vass shell chukka at 970EU simply because I don't give a **** about the leather. And I think I would rather pay a wee bit more for SC's exquisite construction. I am not comparing calf to shell as that would be daft. That is all. No trying to put down Vass or your canadian SC dealer. Okay?

 

[joiji]

I dont think you understand my point...I am saying that I would rather have a SC calf chukka at EU1130 than a Vass shell chukka at 970EU simply because I don't give a **** about the leather. And I think I would rather pay a wee bit more for SC's exquisite construction. I am not comparing calf to shell as that would be daft. That is all. No trying to put down Vass or your canadian SC dealer. Okay?

Would you rather have a SC calf chukka at EU 1130 than a Vass calf chukka at EU ~500?

 

[RogerP]

I dont think you understand my point...I am saying that I would rather have a SC calf chukka at EU1130 than a Vass shell chukka at 970EU simply because I don't give a **** about the leather. And I think I would rather pay a wee bit more for SC's exquisite construction. I am not comparing calf to shell as that would be daft. That is all. No trying to put down Vass or your canadian SC dealer. Okay?

I understand your point just fine. That is, I understand that it makes no sense at all. Because it's not "a wee bit more". If someone said they were considering TWO pairs of Vass calfskin shoes, I'm sure you'd point out - with the same presumptively deep insight - that a single pair of St. Crispin's actually costs LESS and would be 'better made'. Then when it was pointed out that it is indeed daft to compare the cost of two pairs of Vass to a single pair of St. C's, you'd dig your heels in and say "I'd rather save a bit of money and get St. C's exquisite construction!". Too funny.

What you do or don't give a **** about is of little interest to me, though it does hold some small entertainment value, I suppose.

Leatherfoot is a Canadian SC dealer. Leffot is not. Their St. C's pricing is indeed comparable and demonstrates an even greater disparity as compared with Vass than the example you put forward.

 

[RogerP]

Would you rather have a SC calf chukka at EU 1130 than a Vass calf chukka at EU ~500?

Please stop making sense.

 

[mimo]

Let's not be unfriendly, gentlemen. We are all admirers of the art, and I think both points are sufficiently clear. No need to mock each other.

In the interest of leather-scented harmony, I would like to invite us all to take a couple of minutes of silence, and remember why we're here: some wonders from Vass, courtesy of Mr Ascot Shoes, and for the sake of inclusiveness, love and peace, some St Cs courtesy of Leffot.









Incidentally, does anyone else share my aversion to toe caps on monks? It seems rare to find a double with a plain toe. So credit to St C for doing this as it is; and similar restraint on the adelaide above it I feel shows off the texture of the leather so much more nicely.

Not that St C are renowned for design restraint! Vass have some oddities too of course. But what these two have in commin, I think, apart from the hand-welted quality, is that when they nail it, they really nail it!

I hope we're all feeling better now.

 

[joiji]

I, uh, I can't say I like anything more than a single monk tbh. That said, I agree with you. There does seem to be a trend of everything having a captoe, which is a bit strange. I suppose it helps offset the elongated lasts we're seeing trend.

 

[mimo]

I like a single monk more too. But that's my thing, about the cap toe: on a double monk I think it makes it look even longer, and if I see another SF-er wearing a G&G or similar that looks two sizes too narrow and about three inches longer than his feet....

 

[RogerP]

I'm sure some share your aversion Mimo, but I think my Vass double-monk cap toes look - and fit - just fine thanks:



By the way - these are the St. Crispin's boots that have been haunting my dreams:



But the value equation is tricky, because for roughly the same money, I could get this pair of G&G's:




AND this lovely pair of Carminas:




First world problems, to be sure.

 

[mimo]

Roger, they certainly do.

But had they been on the same last as those G&G boots, I fear they might not.

Follow your heart; we are all individuals after all. If you weren't, you wouldn't have bought those spectacular three-tone brogues from Vass. They still make me smile!

 

[RogerP]

Roger, they certainly do.

But had they been on the same last as those G&G boots, I fear they might not.

Follow your heart; we are all individuals after all. If you weren't, you wouldn't have bought those spectacular three-tone brogues from Vass. They still make me smile!

Fair point, that. Glad you ike the tricolours!

 

[chogall]

I really dislike SC's Riva last.

 

[stmaier]

I am seriously considering getting this boot:




I have emailed Vass directly. How long does it typically take to get a response? I want to follow up but do not want to seem pushy.

Thanks