RANCOURT & Co. Shoes - Made in Maine - Page 57

Originally Posted by Kashiwa 

Thanks Frank. I know that different lasts had been mentioned on here, but couldn't remember which models. Still wondering though about the lasts used for the loafers and camp mocs? Perhaps the camp moc uses the same last as the ranger? Maybe you can investigate further if you make it to PDG?
Bakes11771, thanks for the link. They look quite nice. I saw a Tod's loafer posted a while back on SF (sorry, I can' find the original post), and it looked to have a shorter plug (i.e. the vamp didn't extend all the way to the toe of the shoe. Have you seen anything like that? That is one of the features I like of the Carmina loafer posted above, and something I am hoping Rancourt can do as well.
Wondering if anyone has thoughts on the "English Rolled Moc" style of handsewing vs. the standard toe stitch on Rancourts. Epaulet has recently received some Carmina handsewn loafers with the English Rolled Moc and they are advertising them as the state of the art, especially for suede.
From the EP site:
"we used a "Rolled English Moc" for the toe. A thin strip of suede covers the "butt" seam that you typically see on the top of a penny loafer, giving it a clean and polished look."
http://www.epauletshop.com/servlet/the-1674/Hawthorne-Handsewn-Moc-Snuff/Detail
Thoughts on this feature?

Originally Posted by RobSay24 


Those are beautiful. Any idea if the sole is replacable? If the Venetian/Camp Moc hbrid can come close to that I better start saving for all the colors I have in mind.

Originally Posted by FrankCowperwood 

I noted that sizing advice too, tv2177. Funny, it's almost as if telling people to size down 1/2 is meant to indicate that these are real shoes.
Two thoughts: First, I honestly don't think Rancourts are sized for this kind of fitting advice. It should go without saying that this is a personal opinion, albeit one based on five pairs of the company's shoes. Second, I think that you are much more likely to end up with a pair of unwearable shoes by going down in size. You can, and I do, work with shoes that are slightly too big. Too small is too small.
Of course, the more these shoes are stocked, the more chances people will have to find their size without the risk of an MTO.

Originally Posted by tv2177 

I am with you on that the too small is too small. the fact that more retailers are stocking rancourt certainly gives us a lot of good chances to get first hand knowledge on the sizing before ordering the MTO. Another thing that we will never know w/o asking Kyle is that last that's being used on these other brands or other retailers compare to the MTO lasts. However I do have a feeling that they are on the same last, but I could be very wrong.

Originally Posted by Kashiwa 

I think the advice to size down a half size should at least be followed by the caveat: if you plan to predominantly go sockless. And this advice should perhaps also be limited to the more stretch prone materials (e.g. CXL, suede). Not sure if sizing down a half size is good advice or not, but those two caveats would make it somewhat more reasonable, IMO.
By the way, I don't think Taylor Stitch is actually stocking Rancourt, unfortunately. Looks like you still have to wait 4-6 weeks for your order. Might as well go MTO through Rancourt........
And, you're right, tv2177, sure would like some more detailed last info!

Originally Posted by P Hudson 

I recently received a pair of Rancourt camp mocs, after a bit of input from Kyle Rancourt on size (via email). I usually wear a 9, and I ordered a 9. They are snug. If I had gone with 8.5 I wouldn't be able to wear them. If you're thinking about Rancourt, an email to them with some data about your current shoes might be useful.

Originally Posted by P Hudson 

I think that is addressed to me, so I'll respond by saying that they are snug even without socks. The first day I went for a 15 minute walk, sockless. The initial reaction is that they fit like a slipper--soft leather, perfectly placed, etc. After 10 minutes the top of my foot was in real pain. The last 5 minutes were mainly on grass so hurt a bit less. The next day the pain was severe (but without blisters) so I put on a pair of thin socks. That helped a bit. Today, I put on a pair of thicker socks and forced my feet in. The pain is diminished, and hopefully they'll stretch just the right amount. Note that I am not talking about the length or width, which I find to be just about perfect (but again, if I had downsized, it would have been a disaster length-wise). I am talking about the area just higher up than the four eyelets that run across the top of the shoe. I even undid the laces to see if that would make it better, but of course they are largely non-functional, the actual fit there being determined by the size and shape of the leather.
Hope that helps. Different people will have different experience. This was mine. My next pair of Rancourts will probably be Ranger Mocs, which, because it has a lacing system, will eliminate this issue.