Is Goodyear welting a good thing?

[Matt]

ok stupid question, but i never really follow the shoe threads (the last thing i need is a shoe fetish that i cant sate here). I came across a manufacturer here that exports to Italy and bought some shoes the other day. They were 1.2 million dong - about $80. They have a lot of other stuff there at 3 million (a bit under $200) but honestly, if I was going to spend $200 on shoes, Id coincide the purchase with a trip to Malaysia and buy them at PLAL. The leather looks ok, but again, I have low standards. Ill post pics when my camera comes back from repair - leant it to a friend, it came back dead. Has leather soles and apparently this is the only factory in Vietnam that Some-VNese-Word Good Year their soles. Ive seen enough on these boards to read this as 'Goodyear Welting', but have no idea if thats a good thing. I remember discussion of it when Shooman was around, but that just kinda confused me and gave me no answers. Can one of you shoe guys explain this to me and tell me if its basically a good thing or not.

 

[AlanC]

It is good. Many details to follow from shoe experts.

 

[whoopee]

I can't get into the technicals, but in short it is a good thing. Welting is the method preferred by the highest grade shoemakers for dress shoes (Norwegian construction being more suited to casual shoes). It makes for solid shoes that can be re-soled over and over.

 

[Aus_MD]

Originally Posted by Holly

Eventhough l wear high heals for work, l do like to wear welted shoes around the house and on quiet weekends. l've always liked mens shoes better than womens because they are more comfortable and alot stronger. My boyfriend is a shoe salesman and he tells me welted footwear is some of the strongest footwear out there, he says they never come apart.

Holly.

Welcome to the forum "Holly". You share the same tastes (and idiosyncratic spelling) as a shooman of our acquaintance.

Aus

 

[Etienne]

Goodyear welting is indeed one of the most solid and versatile construction available anywhere. My own cobbler only uses that.

I would not say, however, that it is "the best". The various shades of Blake construction (Blake-rapid, and so on) are indeed cheaper and less durable, but they also make for a sleeker look. And a lot of people like the Norwegian construction for the intricate lacework on the side (I am no fan myself, I find it too busy for formal-wear).

The only constructin that is unambiguously inferior is a glued sole.

 

[Lino]

Can someone please explain the differences between Goodyear, the various Blake constructions (Blake-rapid, and so on) , Norwegian construction, and glued sole or point to a place that explains the difference.

 

[Etienne]

The subject has been discussed many times here.

http://styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=10587

might give some pointers, I actually don't find a more detailed presentation right now, but others might have some links.

 

[Luc-Emmanuel]

Originally Posted by m@T

ok stupid question, but i never really follow the shoe threads (the last thing i need is a shoe fetish that i cant sate here).
Thanks Mat, sometime I feel like I'm alone in that boat. We should make a separate forum for shoes, it's been getting out of hands lately.

!luc

 

[Full Canvas]

Originally Posted by m@T

ok stupid question,

Has leather soles and apparently this is the only factory in Vietnam that Some-VNese-Word Good Year their soles.

Ive seen enough on these boards to read this as 'Goodyear Welting', but have no idea if thats a good thing.

See "Goodyear Welt"
http://podiatry.curtin.edu.au/shoo.html#style

http://couture.zappos.com/glossary.zhtml

See "Welt"
http://www.allenedmonds.com/webapp/w...Id=40000000001

http://www.footwearhistory.com/resourcesglossary.shtml

Concise Shoemaking Dictionary (sample pages, order form, links)
http://www.ltconsulting.co.uk/shoe-patter/
_________________________________________

 

[Hanseat]

Hey, who ever thought that... a chinese company selling faked goods

It looks a bit too much like Nike to me for being your company's design: