Bespoke Vass - Is it worth the trip to Budapest

I'm considering a trip to Budapest in order to get measured for a pair of bespoke shoes. Actually, it will require 2 trips; one for the measurement and a second for a fitting once the shoes are ready. I'm not worried about the cost of the trips so please no "that's a waste of money" responses.

My question really goes out to anyone on this forum that might own a pair (or pairs) of both bestoke and off the shelf Vass. Is there a noticeable difference in the fit/comfort between the two?

vass is not bespoke. dont waste your money on vass if you want bespoke.

It is not worth going to Budapest for Vass shoes. The shoes are not bespoke. As a result, you will get a very superficial measurement, and no alterations to the footbed will be made. Further, you are constrained by the choice of pre-existing lasts. The service there sucks too. I own a pair of Vass MTM shoes (which I'm selling!!!) and while the construction quality is high, fit is mediocre, largely because they do nothing with the footbed. If you're in the States, save your money and wait for a traveling shoemaker, or take yourself to another part of Europe and visit some of the other shoemakers who will do actual bespoke work (I use Balint in Vienna and can recommend them without reservation---plus Vienna is amazing). Also keep in mind that true bespoke shoes take time to make, and several iterations to get perfect. If you're looking for MTM shoes that are a step up from OTR, Vass is not a bad option, and if you are willing to buy 4 or 5 pairs, it would be worth the trip. But keep in mind that the shoes will be MTM, and you will need to speak Magyar in order to get excellent service. If you want bespoke, bespoke you will not get from Vass. I'm attaching some pictures of/from Balint to whet your appetite:

Only a few on teh foraz have ventured to beyond the Iron Curtain for such an adventure

It was reported they do offer bespoke...yet they do not make an individualized last just for you. They take a pre-existing last...and work further on it.

It would appear to be a much better fit and the quality of construction to be better than their RTW/MTO line

If you desire Easter European...Budapest lasted shoes...perhaps you can double dip while in Budapest and also try our own Marcel at Koronya Bespoke. I believe he makes an individual last just for you from scratch. I'm considering the Koronya option...but prefer to be measured by him in person. He communicates well by e-mail via English and contributes well to this forum

ok - speaking from someone who has traveled to buda and has gone to vass and spoken with marcel face to face in nyc

1) do not travel to budapesht for vass. go if you want a vacation and that is a destination choice of yours. vass is not bespoke. they can claim to do something that approximates that, but it still is not bespoke. why do that?

2) marcel from koronya comes to nyc twice or so a year. he does pure bespoke. meet with him when he is in nyc and get it done. he is cool, speaks near perfect english and does what you want, and makes sure you are happy (last part is his word).

Originally Posted by Cornellian

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It is not worth going to Budapest for Vass shoes. The shoes are not bespoke. As a result, you will get a very superficial measurement, and no alterations to the footbed will be made. Further, you are constrained by the choice of pre-existing lasts. The service there sucks too. I own a pair of Vass MTM shoes (which I'm selling!!!) and while the construction quality is high, fit is mediocre, largely because they do nothing with the footbed.

If you're in the States, save your money and wait for a traveling shoemaker, or take yourself to another part of Europe and visit some of the other shoemakers who will do actual bespoke work (I use Balint in Vienna and can recommend them without reservation---plus Vienna is amazing).

Also keep in mind that true bespoke shoes take time to make, and several iterations to get perfect. If you're looking for MTM shoes that are a step up from OTR, Vass is not a bad option, and if you are willing to buy 4 or 5 pairs, it would be worth the trip. But keep in mind that the shoes will be MTM, and you will need to speak Magyar in order to get excellent service.

If you want bespoke, bespoke you will not get from Vass.

I'm attaching some pictures of/from Balint to whet your appetite:

that red captoe balint is amazing bro.

Go to Budapest to see Budapest. The city is worth the visit.

While you're there have Marcell from Koronya measure you up for your first bespoke pair. Here's the first post of three I did describing my experience.

Arrange to meet him again next time he's in New York for any followup. Once your last is perfect you can then just order all the subsequent shoes you could want over email. Marcell is very easy to work with.

Amazing cool spectator near that doggie in the window ..the one with the shaggy tail!

Originally Posted by Fabro

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Go to Budapest to see Budapest. The city is worth the visit.

While you're there have Marcell from Koronya measure you up for your first bespoke pair. Here's the first post of three I did describing my experience.

Arrange to meet him again next time he's in New York for any followup. Once your last is perfect you can then just order all the subsequent shoes you could want over email. Marcell is very easy to work with.


Absolutely concur. My experience with Marcell is also top notch.

Originally Posted by Michael Ay329

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Only a few on teh foraz have ventured to beyond the Iron Curtain for such an adventure

It was reported they do offer bespoke...yet they do not make an individualized last just for you. They take a pre-existing last...and work further on it.

It would appear to be a much better fit and the quality of construction to be better than their RTW/MTO line

If you desire Easter European...Budapest lasted shoes...perhaps you can double dip while in Budapest and also try our own Marcel at Koronya Bespoke. I believe he makes an individual last just for you from scratch. I'm considering the Koronya option...but prefer to be measured by him in person. He communicates well by e-mail via English and contributes well to this forum


Michael - Don't be afraid to use Rosenbaum's services in Brooklyn if that is an option. Itamar is a trained professional and he measured my feet when I made my order with Koronya. He is very easy to work with and his process is just as detailed as anyone (I also have experience with Ercolino) and his measurements for me were precise and spot on.

Nothing to add. But I like your Avatar. Can't decide which ones (Avatar vs. shoes) to focus on.

Everything has been already said about VASS and whether it is bespoke or not. However if their MTM lasts fit you well go for it.
1. Traveling to Budapest is worth it since VASS is cheaper through their shop. No taxes , no shipping fees, no custom duties (for N.A. buyers) plus discount on cash payment.
2. Budapest is beautiful , Santandre is quaint and great for local artists/artisans fair.
3. Balaton Lake is worth a day trip, wines and food are fantastic.
4. Women are beautiful.

Win-win-win.

Definitely go to Budapest.

Originally Posted by Pezzaturra

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Everything has been already said about VASS and whether it is bespoke or not. However if their MTM lasts fit you well go for it.
1. Traveling to Budapest is worth it since VASS is cheaper through their shop. No taxes , no shipping fees, no custom duties (for N.A. buyers) plus discount on cash payment.
2. Budapest is beautiful , Santandre is quaint and great for local artists/artisans fair.
3. Balaton Lake is worth a day trip, wines and food are fantastic.
4. Women are beautiful.

Win-win-win.

Definitely go to Budapest.

I posted this earlier re: Hotel in Budapest,


Budapest is worth a visit.
If you need a hotel suggestion and are flush,
look into the Gresham Palace (Four Seasons)
If you love Art Nouveau architecture and
superb service in a completly updated hotel,
it will be an experience you will not forget.

http://www.fourseasons.com/budapest/

Re: Vass. A small shop that's a bit hard to find
off the main shopping street. The shoes are
extraordinary " in person". Sadly, they couldn't
fit me OTR

I've not grown to appreciate thick soled Vass. If you like 'em, go for it; you only live once ...

Originally Posted by Cornellian

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those are some amazing balint shoes. i remember the highly polished black leathers on balint were just wickedly amazing. love that black wingtip toebox above. that is just the epitome of budapester. love those soles.