Antonio Meccariello Shoes

[jischwar]

Two reasons: the space between the foot and the toe cap expands as the insole molds to the foot and the friction softens the leather until it conforms to the shape of the foot. That is the whole point of a break-in period, no?

I guess so, but damn that sounds miserable! I haven't had any break-in periods with any of my AM's. Not sure I could handle that kind of pain?

 

[JohnMRobie]

Two reasons: the space between the foot and the toe cap expands as the insole molds to the foot and the friction softens the leather until it conforms to the shape of the foot. That is the whole point of a break-in period, no?

We are talking about maybe a mm or two of space from settling of the insole and the leather stretching but that isn’t my understanding with regard to break in periods, no. My understanding is the biggest thing that “breaks in” is the sole that learns how to bend with your foot and gait. The tops of your toes will very likely not be exerting enough force on the toe cap/stiffener to change that. For reference, I spoke to Antonio about needing some space in a toe box. I spoke to Antonio about needing to stretch the toe area of a pair. It was a multi-step process that included applying direct pressure to the place I needed space for multiple weeks. Your feet likely just aren’t going to be able to do that.

 

[bernoulli]

I think you are underestimating the effect of leather softening over time. You may be right that the gain of one or two-millimeter space may be negligible, but the leather softening must be a factor, as the sole learning how to bend would not be enough to explain why heels would stop bleeding and pinks would stop hurting as people get used to their shoes.

Then again, I never stopped to think hard about the subject. I get a pair of shoes, and if my foot is not that constricted, whatever pain is there will subside over time.

We are talking about maybe a mm or two of space from settling of the insole and the leather stretching but that isn’t my understanding with regard to break in periods, no. My understanding is the biggest thing that “breaks in” is the sole that learns how to bend with your foot and gait. The tops of your toes will very likely not be exerting enough force on the toe cap/stiffener to change that. For reference, I spoke to Antonio about needing some space in a toe box. I spoke to Antonio about needing to stretch the toe area of a pair. It was a multi-step process that included applying direct pressure to the place I needed space for multiple weeks. Your feet likely just aren’t going to be able to do that.

 

[Rimaarts]

I think you are underestimating the effect of leather softening over time. You may be right that the gain of one or two-millimeter space may be negligible, but the leather softening must be a factor, as the sole learning how to bend would not be enough to explain why heels would stop bleeding and pinks would stop hurting as people get used to their shoes.

Then again, I never stopped to think hard about the subject. I get a pair of shoes, and if my foot is not that constricted, whatever pain is there will subside over time.

this.+0.5 size is very much doable width wise… not the smartest thing to do, but for some people that can’t afford mtm Or bespoke, there is not much choice…

 

[JohnMRobie]

I think you are underestimating the effect of leather softening over time. You may be right that the gain of one or two-millimeter space may be negligible, but the leather softening must be a factor, as the sole learning how to bend would not be enough to explain why heels would stop bleeding and pinks would stop hurting as people get used to their shoes.

Then again, I never stopped to think hard about the subject. I get a pair of shoes, and if my foot is not that constricted, whatever pain is there will subside over time.

this.+0.5 size is very much doable width wise… not the smartest thing to do, but for some people that can’t afford mtm Or bespoke, there is not much choice…

my understanding is there are different types of stretch naturally depending on where you need it but there are people smarter than me who can chime in. Somewhere like, say the ball of your foot or your instep - Yes, leather can stretch more there than elsewhere - It isn’t reinforced much and has direct pressure over prolonged periods of time from your foot. Length? Not so much. Toe cap that’s reinforced with leather and hardened paste? Not likely. Heel? It might form a little but my understanding is its probably not going to stretch out a ton, more likely is the sole that constantly bends and breaks and learns your gate will keep your foot in the heel cup better which is why people experience heel slip subsiding as shoes “break in”. The short version is to say if your feet are bleeding it depends on why that is to figure out if that’ll ever get better.

 

[clee1982]

I always have a width problem.. (either have to choose one feet half size too small or another feet half size too big..).. never had a problem like this.

not the poster but...if it's the toe stiffener, i don't think it will.. if it's creasing... well it's leather. leather stretches... I hope. my yeossals have gotten better. hope meccariello will too..

and by the way I don't think it's a width issue.. I've had plenty even more narrower shoes, and I'm used to too narrow shoes. it's the pinky that suffers from narrow shoes. not top of the toe joint..

I would think the easier route would just always to buy the one that fit the bigger feet and for the smaller foot, insole/tongue pad. Are you left/right off by half size or full size?

 

[Rimaarts]

I would think the easier route would just always to buy the one that fit the bigger feet and for the smaller foot, insole/tongue pad. Are you left/right off by half size or full size?

I think it's half size...

I have couple pairs like that, but they just feel... off? I guess I'm too used to supertight shoes.. as tight as possible without bleeding or blistering...

 

[spencert]

My experience with AM since starting my journey 3 years back, from painful break in to zero break in. I love Antonio's workmanship but wearing them have always come with pain.

I am a UK 9.5 TTS on EB and Vass, they both fit perfectly with zero break in. I size up to UK 10 in both AM soft square and hawkbill. They were always painful to wear at heel area, even after break in. At times I ask myself, why go through all that pain but my love for AM shoes prevailed.

On my 6th pair of AM, the Valerius Hatch grain Siena loafer in soft square UK9.5, Antonio modified the instep and heel area for an up charge of 50 euro. Even though it was a RTW, he treated this order like a MTO.


When they arrived, I still find the instep too tight. Antonio advised me to get a shoe stretcher similar to this:

Amazon.com: Shoe Stretcher Women, Pair of 4-way Adjustable Shoe Widener Expander to Stretch Length Width Height for Wide Feet, Tough Plastic Shoe Tree Shaper with Bonus 12 Bunion Plugs, Medium : Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry

Buy Shoe Stretcher Women, Pair of 4-way Adjustable Shoe Widener Expander to Stretch Length Width Height for Wide Feet, Tough Plastic Shoe Tree Shaper with Bonus 12 Bunion Plugs, Medium and other Shoe & Boot Trees at Amazon.com. Our wide selection is eligible for free shipping and free returns.

www.amazon.com

Then stretch gradually until the fit is perfect. He believe that this is the best way get the ideal fitting.

This pair of loafer have zero break in and I no longer have to face pain wearing an AM. Such a relieve that I finally got it right. It's really all about the fit and a shoemaker that will go all out to satisfy a loyal customer.

 

[acapaca]

My experience with AM since starting my journey 3 years back, from painful break in to zero break in. I love Antonio's workmanship but wearing them have always come with pain.

I am a UK 9.5 TTS on EB and Vass, they both fit perfectly with zero break in. I size up to UK 10 in both AM soft square and hawkbill. They were always painful to wear at heel area, even after break in. At times I ask myself, why go through all that pain but my love for AM shoes prevailed.

On my 6th pair of AM, the Valerius Hatch grain Siena loafer in soft square UK9.5, Antonio modified the instep and heel area for an up charge of 50 euro. Even though it was a RTW, he treated this order like a MTO.


When they arrived, I still find the instep too tight. Antonio advised me to get a shoe stretcher similar to this:

Amazon.com: Shoe Stretcher Women, Pair of 4-way Adjustable Shoe Widener Expander to Stretch Length Width Height for Wide Feet, Tough Plastic Shoe Tree Shaper with Bonus 12 Bunion Plugs, Medium : Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry

Buy Shoe Stretcher Women, Pair of 4-way Adjustable Shoe Widener Expander to Stretch Length Width Height for Wide Feet, Tough Plastic Shoe Tree Shaper with Bonus 12 Bunion Plugs, Medium and other Shoe & Boot Trees at Amazon.com. Our wide selection is eligible for free shipping and free returns.

www.amazon.com

Then stretch gradually until the fit is perfect. He believe that this is the best way get the ideal fitting.

This pair of loafer have zero break in and I no longer have to face pain wearing an AM. Such a relieve that I finally got it right. It's really all about the fit and a shoemaker that will go all out to satisfy a loyal customer.

That's great information - many thanks. When you say these loafers are tight on the instep, do you mean right under the strap? I wouldn't have imagined that a stretcher could do a lot of work there.

Also, forgot to ask: When using a stretcher like the one you linked to, are you supposed to moisten/condition the leather to help it have effect?

 

[clee1982]

My experience with AM since starting my journey 3 years back, from painful break in to zero break in. I love Antonio's workmanship but wearing them have always come with pain.

I am a UK 9.5 TTS on EB and Vass, they both fit perfectly with zero break in. I size up to UK 10 in both AM soft square and hawkbill. They were always painful to wear at heel area, even after break in. At times I ask myself, why go through all that pain but my love for AM shoes prevailed.

On my 6th pair of AM, the Valerius Hatch grain Siena loafer in soft square UK9.5, Antonio modified the instep and heel area for an up charge of 50 euro. Even though it was a RTW, he treated this order like a MTO.


When they arrived, I still find the instep too tight. Antonio advised me to get a shoe stretcher similar to this:

Amazon.com: Shoe Stretcher Women, Pair of 4-way Adjustable Shoe Widener Expander to Stretch Length Width Height for Wide Feet, Tough Plastic Shoe Tree Shaper with Bonus 12 Bunion Plugs, Medium : Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry

Buy Shoe Stretcher Women, Pair of 4-way Adjustable Shoe Widener Expander to Stretch Length Width Height for Wide Feet, Tough Plastic Shoe Tree Shaper with Bonus 12 Bunion Plugs, Medium and other Shoe & Boot Trees at Amazon.com. Our wide selection is eligible for free shipping and free returns.

www.amazon.com

Then stretch gradually until the fit is perfect. He believe that this is the best way get the ideal fitting.

This pair of loafer have zero break in and I no longer have to face pain wearing an AM. Such a relieve that I finally got it right. It's really all about the fit and a shoemaker that will go all out to satisfy a loyal customer.

you went a full size up vs EB on which last?

 

[spencert]

That's great information - many thanks. When you say these loafers are tight on the instep, do you mean right under the strap? I wouldn't have imagined that a stretcher could do a lot of work there.

Also, forgot to ask: When using a stretcher like the one you linked to, are you supposed to moisten/condition the leather to help it have effect?

Yes, you are supposed to damp the shoe first and the tightness was just below the strap. The stretcher can really stretch the instep. In fact, I over-stretched and have to wet the shoes again and place under the sun to shrink back. That works too!

So the trick is to stretch gradually until you have the ideal fit.

you went a full size up vs EB on which last?

EB 602 and 74945 last. Vass U last.

 

[spencert]

BTW, my link to Amazon for the shoe stretcher is for women. This is the correct link: https://www.amazon.com/Eachway-Prof...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Make sure you get the ones that can stretch instep and not width.

 

[bernoulli]

One of the advantages of living in China is that such products cost pennies and come shipped for less than U$5 or something.

I have experience with those. They work, as long as one is not expecting huge changes. I may use them in my new Meccariello pair but I will try the old method of wearing the shoes a few times before doing anything else.

BTW, my link to Amazon for the shoe stretcher is for women. This is the correct link: https://www.amazon.com/Eachway-Professional-Premium-Stretcher-Adjustable/dp/B01NAKQEBL/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?crid=33KWPHNY993CE&dchild=1&keywords=shoe+stretcher+men+large&qid=1631368873&sprefix=shoe+strectcher+men,aps,408&sr=8-4-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyWUZPVEFLSVBCSVRCJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjc5NTk1VVMwV1BTQjBLQTJCJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5Mjg3MjIzRzQyVFU4MDlVQTZWJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Make sure you get the ones that can stretch instep and not width.

 

[DL120]

hoping to get a few meccariello soon! I think a few weeks or so left. So I made this to keep busy ?. What do you guys think?

 

[ajay199127]

hoping to get a few meccariello soon! I think a few weeks or so left. So I made this to keep busy ?. What do you guys think?

Your delivery and command on this video was much more affirmative and confident.Great video ????