How much more comfortable are bespoke shoes?

[Sander]

Those of you who actually own (real, not mto) bespoke shoes: how much more comfortable are they?
I read about all that's taken into account when you bespeak shoes in the Vass-book and I'd like to know if there's a significant difference to (well-fitting) RTW shoes.

 

[Taxler]

I have bespoke shoes from 3 different makers, and I wouldn't describe any of them as the most comfortable shoes I own; they're about the same as well fitting RTW.

 

[Sander]

Damn, I just saw that I forgot the "comfortable" in the title. Could a mod change it, please?

 

[rebel222]

Originally Posted by Sander

Damn, I just saw that I forgot the "comfortable" in the title. Could a mod change it, please?

hit "go advanced" below the reply text box

 

[Concordia]

My most comfortable shoes by a decent margin are bespoke, although good RTW is not necessarily uncomfortable. If a Vass last fits you, for example, then you can do quite well for about 20% of London bespoke prices.

Much of the benefit with bespoke comes from not needing excess volume to accomodate the foot. You can therefore get a shoe that feels both snug and spacious, without looking at all clunky. Also, if you have high insteps as I do, you can get oxfords that fit as well as derbies, while accomodating any other mild (or extreme) quirks in the shape of your foot.

 

[poorsod]

YMMV depending on the quirks of your feet. I have very flat and asymmetric feet (about 1 full size difference). My first bepoke fits my ankle much better than RTW. The R shoe fit from the start. The L took some breaking in and will require adjustments on the next pair. RTW usually takes me 3-6 months to break in before it starts to fit. And even then the heel doesn't fit as well as bespoke.

 

[culverwood]

I would not say they are more comfortable but they fit better. If any of my shoes were uncomfortable I would not wear them. I do have fairly normal shaped feet so most shoes fit reasonably well.

 

[Sander]

Originally Posted by rebel222

hit "go advanced" below the reply text box

Thanks.

So, to sum it up, most people who have experience with bespoke shoes say that they aren't significantly more comfortable than well-fitting RTW. This somewhat disillusions me...
Any different opinions?

 

[Tarmac]

This can't possibly be. More opinions please.

 

[culverwood]

What's the problem?
Some people buy bespoke shoes because they have difficult to fit feet and will get much more comfort.

Others who have pretty normal feet buy bespoke because of the ability to choose a design which is just what they want and as I said they fit better so the shoe looks "sleeker". Do your bespoke suits feel more comfortable? Probably not but with any luck they look better.

To me bespoke is more about style than comfort.

 

[mimile]

Originally Posted by culverwood

What's the problem?
Some people buy bespoke shoes because they have difficult to fit feet and will get much more comfort.

Others who have pretty normal feet buy bespoke because of the ability to choose a design which is just what they want and as I said they fit better so the shoe looks "sleeker". Do your bespoke suits feel more comfortable? Probably not but with any luck they look better.

To me bespoke is more about style than comfort.

+1

 

[globetrotter]

I have 2 pair of pre-prada church, 1 pair of trickers, and 2 pair of bespoke vass (although there is some argument on the board if vass is mtm or bespoke)

the vass are much more comfortable. I have pretty much stoped wearing the others.

 

[Sander]

Originally Posted by globetrotter

the vass are much more comfortable. I have pretty much stoped wearing the others.

Now that's more of what I expected. I thought when they take into account your way of walking, where your RTW shoes are worn through first etc, etc (they do that, don't they?) that would result in a significant difference.

 

[Will]

I have bespoke from four makers and they fit about as well as my made to order shoes. The shapes and coloring are distinctly better though.

 

[HORNS]

I don't own any bespoke shoes, but I've bought RTW shoes and placed thin orthotics into them that make them extremely comfortable. That being said, I've grudgingly not bought shoes before because the overall dimensions did not fit my feet, but to me that beats paying over a thousand bucks for a pair of custom-made shoes that are fit "too well" and cause pain or are difficult to break in.

For my feet, dress shoes have become significantly more comfortable since I started wearing orthotics. And, I would speculate that a good pair of graphite orthotics with no padding on top can fit into most your shoes that you already have. The exception would be loafers.