Comparision of the fit of EG 808 vs 888

[hangten]

I've searched the forum for this but 888 or 808 are too vague to search for and do not bring up any results. Anyway, I picked up a pair of EG Wellands on the 808 last in size 11E during the last sale and they fit perfectly. I have heard that this last was narrow but they fit my feet perfectly. Now I am thinking about picking up either the Fulham or the Newbury as a MTO shoe but I would like to know how the 888 fit compares to the 808? Should I stay with 11E? or do I have to adjust at all? Does the fact that one is a balmoral or monk make a difference in fit? Does the 888 look that much different from the 808? I searched for any pics comparing the two but couldn't find any.

Thanks in advance!

 

[bengal-stripe]

The 888 last was designed by Tony Gaziano, maybe five years ago to rectify the perceived shortcomings of the 808 last. I believe one of the problems with the 808 is that the point where the last turns inwards towards the tip, lays rather low; hitting many people's pinkie toe. 888 also caters for a higher instep. Design brief for the 888 was to create a last with more volume, while keeping an elegant, slim look.

If the 808 fits you perfectly, I wouldn't change and jump into the unknown. 808 is still available for special orders and I would stick with it (at least until such time that you can try on both lasts, side by side).

 

[hangten]

Thanks Bengal!

Aside from the fit of the shoe, how do the two lasts compare visually? I know that they are both square chisel shapes but if the same shoe in the two different lasts were placed side by side can a difference be easily seen? If so, in what way?

Thanks again!