• Hi, I am the owner and main administrator of Styleforum. If you find the forum useful and fun, please help support it by buying through the posted links on the forum. Our main, very popular sales thread, where the latest and best sales are listed, are posted HERE

    Purchases made through some of our links earns a commission for the forum and allows us to do the work of maintaining and improving it. Finally, thanks for being a part of this community. We realize that there are many choices today on the internet, and we have all of you to thank for making Styleforum the foremost destination for discussions of menswear.
  • This site contains affiliate links for which Styleforum may be compensated.
  • We would like to welcome House of Huntington as an official Affiliate Vendor. Shop past season Drake's, Nigel Cabourn, Private White V.C. and other menswear luxury brands at exceptional prices below retail. Please visit the Houise of Huntington thread and welcome them to the forum.

  • STYLE. COMMUNITY. GREAT CLOTHING.

    Bored of counting likes on social networks? At Styleforum, you’ll find rousing discussions that go beyond strings of emojis.

    Click Here to join Styleforum's thousands of style enthusiasts today!

    Styleforum is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Dacks and other Canadian shoe brands

suitforcourt

Distinguished Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2012
Messages
8,198
Reaction score
19,442
Haven't worn shoes in a while but an office day calls for it.

Vintage Dacks that I thrifted for pennies. The last is quite generous but I can wear thicker wool socks.

Pablo Hadarits rebuilt with a new brown welt and Londra soles. It's a nice casual look.
20230203_100339.jpg
 

VintageZealot

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2021
Messages
116
Reaction score
592
These are black Florsheim #20311 cap toes I found in a thrift store awhile ago. They turned out to be Canadian Florsheims, likely made at/by McHale so I figured they belonged here as well.

A very similar shoe with the same model number appeared in the 1969 Florsheim catalog, I assume the differences in design are a result of these being the Canadian version. These seem to be from around the same era as well.

There are a few rough creases in them but those aren't very noticeable when wearing them and the shoes fit me excellently. Overall I'm pleased with them, especially at the bargain thrift store price they were.
20230125_151432 - Copy.jpg

20230125_151627 - Copy.jpg

20230125_152114 - Copy.jpg

20230125_151531 - Copy.jpg

20230125_152154 - Copy.jpg

20230125_152511 - Copy.jpg

20230125_153941 - Copy.jpg

20230125_154055 - Copy.jpg

Here's their American sibling in the middle of this page from the fall 1969 catalog.
florsheim1969_pg-72.jpg
 

suitforcourt

Distinguished Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2012
Messages
8,198
Reaction score
19,442
These are black Florsheim #20311 cap toes I found in a thrift store awhile ago. They turned out to be Canadian Florsheims, likely made at/by McHale so I figured they belonged here as well.

A very similar shoe with the same model number appeared in the 1969 Florsheim catalog, I assume the differences in design are a result of these being the Canadian version. These seem to be from around the same era as well.

There are a few rough creases in them but those aren't very noticeable when wearing them and the shoes fit me excellently. Overall I'm pleased with them, especially at the bargain thrift store price they were.
View attachment 1888355
View attachment 1888359
View attachment 1888361
View attachment 1888357
View attachment 1888363
View attachment 1888365
View attachment 1888367
View attachment 1888369
Here's their American sibling in the middle of this page from the fall 1969 catalog.
View attachment 1888371

These are black Florsheim #20311 cap toes I found in a thrift store awhile ago. They turned out to be Canadian Florsheims, likely made at/by McHale so I figured they belonged here as well.

A very similar shoe with the same model number appeared in the 1969 Florsheim catalog, I assume the differences in design are a result of these being the Canadian version. These seem to be from around the same era as well.

There are a few rough creases in them but those aren't very noticeable when wearing them and the shoes fit me excellently. Overall I'm pleased with them, especially at the bargain thrift store price they were.
View attachment 1888355
View attachment 1888359
View attachment 1888361
View attachment 1888357
View attachment 1888363
View attachment 1888365
View attachment 1888367
View attachment 1888369
Here's their American sibling in the middle of this page from the fall 1969 catalog.
View attachment 1888371

Great shoes.

1000000% they were made by John McHale.
 

suitforcourt

Distinguished Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2012
Messages
8,198
Reaction score
19,442
Taking the Gorilla boots for their maiden spin.

20230204_093419.jpg
20230204_093422.jpg
 

suitforcourt

Distinguished Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2012
Messages
8,198
Reaction score
19,442
8.5C. Wouldn't fit you.

I really like those boots. Great colour and contrast.

Thank goodness they're not my size. Otherwise I'd have to buy both.

Yeah, the Gorilla boots are awesome. I think they execute better than the current Canadian made cousins from Boulet and WM Moorby. They have an Alden feel to them.

But damn these cork soles are useless for the winter. I'm sending them to Dimar in Guelph to be rebuilt so I can use for all conditions. I've attached pics of a pair from another shop, of what I have in mind: new 360 tan welts, speed hooks for top 3 holes, EVA wedge, and then an outsole that can grip in the cold.

FB_IMG_1675535778236.jpg
FB_IMG_1675535782707.jpg
FB_IMG_1675535788065.jpg
 

zeromus

Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2023
Messages
9
Reaction score
3
Hi everyone!

Google brought me here and I have a question. I've got a chance to buy some vintage Hartt Shoes in roughly my size. They're 9E and I have a pair of 9D from Hartt after they reopened. Seller tells me they're actually a bit narrower than their AE 9E and don't fit him, and the 9D are snug but comfortable so I figured worth a chance for $200CAD.

They're labelled directors quality and in great condition with next to no stretching on the leather even - but I'm curious about the construction. There's no visible stitching on the outsole, so not sure if they're welted with a cemented outsole, or not. For the price and the colour (red forward brown) I'm extremely interested, but they do need to be shipped to me and I would like to wear them often. So if they're cemented with a bonded construction that can't be resoled, I'd be less inclined given they are probably a smidge wider than I would have ordered for a new pair too. I have gone through enough wholly cement made shoes in my life that I'd be sad to have these go on me in a couple years for the price paid.

Still worth it? I have pictures of the inside of the shoe with model/make too if that helps, seller sent many photos. Told him I'd get back to him in the next couple days with a yes/no, waiting to hear back what he might charge for shipping too. I can definitely see 2 layers to the sole, with an upper sole and a seperate outsole. So I'm thinking it can probably be resoled in the future for longevity. Am I right?

Thanks!
 

Jiqea

Distinguished Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2018
Messages
1,571
Reaction score
7,897
Hi everyone!

Google brought me here and I have a question. I've got a chance to buy some vintage Hartt Shoes in roughly my size. They're 9E and I have a pair of 9D from Hartt after they reopened. Seller tells me they're actually a bit narrower than their AE 9E and don't fit him, and the 9D are snug but comfortable so I figured worth a chance for $200CAD.

They're labelled directors quality and in great condition with next to no stretching on the leather even - but I'm curious about the construction. There's no visible stitching on the outsole, so not sure if they're welted with a cemented outsole, or not. For the price and the colour (red forward brown) I'm extremely interested, but they do need to be shipped to me and I would like to wear them often. So if they're cemented with a bonded construction that can't be resoled, I'd be less inclined given they are probably a smidge wider than I would have ordered for a new pair too. I have gone through enough wholly cement made shoes in my life that I'd be sad to have these go on me in a couple years for the price paid.

Still worth it? I have pictures of the inside of the shoe with model/make too if that helps, seller sent many photos. Told him I'd get back to him in the next couple days with a yes/no, waiting to hear back what he might charge for shipping too. I can definitely see 2 layers to the sole, with an upper sole and a seperate outsole. So I'm thinking it can probably be resoled in the future for longevity. Am I right?

Thanks!
Post photos but unless they are from the 50's or earlier, then they are cemented. Hartt/Dacks issues many models of their Directors Quality/Bespoke Quality shoes from the mid 60's on that used cemented construction, especially on loafers, but on thier Oxfords as well. You will find the odd pair of 50's Dacks and Hartts that have a hidden welt stitch but they are uncommon.
 

zeromus

Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2023
Messages
9
Reaction score
3
Definitely not that old. I'll post a link to the full photoset I got via email.

Seller is offering to send them to me shipping of about $25 included for $200, with a second set of new laces.

I plan to wear them often at the office so part of me thinks $200 is better spent sitting and waiting for a pair of shoes I can maintain/resole when Hartt runs a sale for brown shoes. I love my black Oxfords bought for my wedding at $350 from them in 2020. I have a set of L'intervalle which is a Montreal based company of light brown shoes that appear to be blake stitch, but they're not that comfortable and I got them during COVID lockdown for $150 a few years back. They are fine as my wear often until a sale comes along shoes. I guess it depends on the longevity of the cement construction for regular wear. Leather upper I'm sure is high quality but if it comes undone or the sole gets worn down, idk if it's as worthwhile.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2697.JPG
    IMG_2697.JPG
    311.8 KB · Views: 18
  • IMG_2698.JPG
    IMG_2698.JPG
    300.7 KB · Views: 17
  • IMG_1452.JPG
    IMG_1452.JPG
    286 KB · Views: 14
  • IMG_1454.JPG
    IMG_1454.JPG
    251.9 KB · Views: 17
  • IMG_2695.JPG
    IMG_2695.JPG
    305.6 KB · Views: 18
  • IMG_2691.JPG
    IMG_2691.JPG
    164.2 KB · Views: 18
  • IMG_2694.JPG
    IMG_2694.JPG
    168.9 KB · Views: 16
  • IMG_2690.JPG
    IMG_2690.JPG
    317.4 KB · Views: 15
  • IMG_2692.JPG
    IMG_2692.JPG
    151.9 KB · Views: 16
  • IMG_2696.JPG
    IMG_2696.JPG
    255.4 KB · Views: 20
  • IMG_2689.JPG
    IMG_2689.JPG
    284.6 KB · Views: 18

Jiqea

Distinguished Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2018
Messages
1,571
Reaction score
7,897
Cemented and over-priced in my opinion. But fine shoes. i would have them listed at around $90 if I was selling. Maybe $110. Dacks/Hartt built a lot of shoes that way. They do have a welt which you can see, but the sole is cemented to it, and there is no down stitching. My understanding is that they can be resoled.
 

zeromus

Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2023
Messages
9
Reaction score
3
This was my thinking. I just wanted to make sure but to your point, not worth the price as second hands. New, I could see for the quality leather, but yeah the alternative for saving the 200 for a different pair is probably a better option.

Thanks for confirming!
 

suitforcourt

Distinguished Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2012
Messages
8,198
Reaction score
19,442
This was my thinking. I just wanted to make sure but to your point, not worth the price as second hands. New, I could see for the quality leather, but yeah the alternative for saving the 200 for a different pair is probably a better option.

Thanks for confirming!

They can be rebuilt. A skilled cobbler can turn them into Goodyear welted shoes.
 

zeromus

Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2023
Messages
9
Reaction score
3
At that point, I'd just wait for a good price on a new pair. If they were already my shoes then sure. But dollar for dollar idk that they're *that* special $200 + rebuild
 

Featured Sponsor

How important is full vs half canvas to you for heavier sport jackets?

  • Definitely full canvas only

    Votes: 55 35.3%
  • Half canvas is fine

    Votes: 61 39.1%
  • Really don't care

    Votes: 17 10.9%
  • Depends on fabric

    Votes: 27 17.3%
  • Depends on price

    Votes: 28 17.9%

Forum statistics

Threads
505,204
Messages
10,579,261
Members
223,891
Latest member
dfkoknee
Top