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Shoe Gurus: Help Me Out - Page 2

post #16 of 38
2/6/13 at 12:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Liquidus View Post

There's no substitute for actually trying a pair of higher-end shoes for yourself. I've tried AE and Alden and will never buy them again after trying C&J Handgrade.

meh, all about fit really.

an ill fitting pair of exquisitely finished shoes is worth nothing.
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post #17 of 38
2/6/13 at 12:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Quadcammer View Post

meh, all about fit really.

an ill fitting pair of exquisitely finished shoes is worth nothing.

I agree. That is obvious to me, which is why I didn't even mention it in my post. I'm not sure if better construction improves fit but C&J 337 fits me better than any shoe I've tried on. I have a high instep and the lacing closes up completely.
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post #18 of 38
2/6/13 at 12:50pm
lurker[1].gif
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post #19 of 38
2/6/13 at 4:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by allysan1027 View Post

Think about why you want to buy those shoes, and then decide if the increased price makes it worth it.

I went from wearing <100 dollar department store brands to AE because AE looks and feels like a much better shoe, and many people can vouch for the durability.

Shoes are about style, comfort, quality, and durability to me, and I can see notable improvements in all of those when I upgraded to AE.

If you pick up one of those shoes you mentioned, put it on and compare it to an AE and you can't see/feel the difference yourself, than it may not be worth it to you to pay a premium. To me if I need someone online to tell me why something is "better", than it doesn't really feel worth it.

In many cases the buyer will need to learn what better quality is. If you are not in the company of guys wearing $1k shoes? You may need to turn to the internet for knowledge? Once you discover high-end good quality shoes, you WILL stop wearing lesser quality footwear. So you before you loadup on AEs that you will only wear in foul weather. Save that money and buy much better shoes. Don't rush to buy high-end shoes at full retail. If you have time and do some research, most of the high end shoes can be purchased new for $300 to $600.
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post #20 of 38
2/6/13 at 5:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caustic Man View Post

I know a little bit about shoes in terms of construction, leathers, lasts, etc. I am far from an expert though, and there has been something that has crossed my mind as a result of several discussions in this community. I own several pairs of Allen Edmonds and I always thought of them as entry level or mid price range shoes based on what I had heard and what I was told by others. I like the models I own just fine. The quality seems to be decent and not too expensive.

So now I am entertaining thoughts of moving to the next level in terms of shoes. I'm talking about John Lobb, G&G, etc. But what does that mean? Who can give me straight up, no bull, assessments of why some of these other manufacturers out there are considerably better than AE? I'm not concerned with issues of style and silhouette, I'm talking about real facts concerning construction, leather, and anything else relevant that puts some shoes on a higher level than what is offered by AE. 

I'm just not sure if it would be worth it for me to move on from something that I like just fine already, and take the plunge and spring for some high end shoes. Is it like escargot? Do I just not know what I am missing?

Someone get some comparison photos! Wait until you see the difference before upgrading...
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post #21 of 38
2/6/13 at 6:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mr monty View Post

If you have time and do some research, most of the high end shoes can be purchased new for $300 to $600.

in decent styles, normal colors, and average sizes? doubtful
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post #22 of 38
2/6/13 at 6:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mr monty View Post


In many cases the buyer will need to learn what better quality is. If you are not in the company of guys wearing $1k shoes? You may need to turn to the internet for knowledge? Once you discover high-end good quality shoes, you WILL stop wearing lesser quality footwear. So you before you loadup on AEs that you will only wear in foul weather. Save that money and buy much better shoes. Don't rush to buy high-end shoes at full retail. If you have time and do some research, most of the high end shoes can be purchased new for $300 to $600.

 

Doubtful.  Used and in good condition, perhaps.  New, rare and in non classic designs.

 

Bespoke shoes can start as low as $800 and Vass is in the $600s range via forum proxies.

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post #23 of 38
2/6/13 at 6:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Quadcammer View Post

in decent styles, normal colors, and average sizes? doubtful

+1

The discount world of high end shoes is cruel to wide footed sartorialists... plain.gif
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post #24 of 38
2/6/13 at 6:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Quadcammer View Post

in decent styles, normal colors, and average sizes? doubtful

Quote:
Originally Posted by chogall View Post

Doubtful.  Used and in good condition, perhaps.  New, rare and in non classic designs.

Bespoke shoes can start as low as $800 and Vass is in the $600s range via forum proxies.


I have done it many times.
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post #25 of 38
2/6/13 at 7:11pm
Thread Starter 

Thank you for all the information and suggestions, everyone. This is exactly the kind of information I was hoping to get. It does help give me an idea of what more I will get more my money by going a level up from AEs. I definitely think a side by side comparison will also be illuminating so I will attempt to find a store that carries both AEs and higher end manufacturers. Meanwhile, does anyone want to take any picks of the detailing in their (higher end than AE) shoes, and post here? 

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post #26 of 38
2/6/13 at 7:17pm
If you're trying to look at it logically in terms of value for longetivity/durability, you shouldn't look at the very high end shoes. I don't think most people can say they will last 5 times longer than a pair of Allen Edmonds since it is 5 times more expensive.
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post #27 of 38
2/6/13 at 7:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mr monty View Post


I have done it many times.

I hate to do this cause i think its lame, but three examples of first quality EG, G&G, and JL shoes you got for $300-$600 in sizes between 8 and 12 would be great.
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post #28 of 38
2/6/13 at 7:22pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Superfluous View Post

If you're trying to look at it logically in terms of value for longetivity/durability, you shouldn't look at the very high end shoes. I don't think most people can say they will last 5 times longer than a pair of Allen Edmonds since it is 5 times more expensive.

 

I hear you on that one. I have known that with proper care my AEs will last me a good long while. But I am getting the impression, which I will have to confirm for myself of course, that higher end shoes do seem to have greater detailing according to many people. This is one of those things that is often lost on me until I really get in and look at it. For instance, I never knew I was missing suits made from superior fabrics until I started buying a few. 

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post #29 of 38
2/6/13 at 9:25pm

Currently, I have shoes in the low (Loakes), mid (C&J & Church's) and higher (EG) strata in my collection but have yet to decide which are the best value to me (meaning which brand I would buy again should I need to replace some existing shoes).

 

For me, I would assess my shoes for (1) comfort, (2) longevity and (3) asthetics.

 

Comfort will mostly depend on the last and sizing but certain construction factors (e.g. the smoothness of the seams inside the shoe) also matter.

 

Apart from the fact that higher-end shoes having oak bark tanned soles will probably have better longevity per soling, low-end shoes will most probably last as long as higher-end. However, as I Topy all my shoes the sole leather durability will not be important to me.

 

For asthetics, I do not value the minor detailing that cannot be seen more than a few feet away. However, I would expect the more expensive shoe to look better throughout its life as the higher quality leather upper will crease less and probably polish better.

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post #30 of 38
2/7/13 at 1:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Quadcammer View Post

With the possible exception of the oak-bark tanned soles on the higher end models, the additional quality of the more expensive shoes has no real impact on the longevity, wearability, or comfort of the shoe.

I would agree with this for the most part, except for the comfort aspect. The narrower waist, the more curved heel counter, and so on, are not just style aspects of a given last, they add to the comfort of the shoe. I find that more attention is given to these aspects on the higher end shoes, and I can feel the difference when I wear them.

Actually the difference is more noticeable when you wear higher end shoes (EG, Lobb, Berluti, and such) and then go back to wearing AE shoes. I like my AE shoes, but I love my Lobbs.
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