Is Vass really worth the money?

[vmss]

There are other handwelted options out there that beat Vass at similar price points pre-Covid. Sad to see they are using fiberboard for the heel stack, but I guess its inevitable.That said, I agree with the OP that I would still rate Vass shoes at their website prices over many other GYW shoemakers.

Enzo Bonafe is at similar price point and use leather heel stack and handwelted features at similar price point.

 

[rhb57]

I truly think I should simply change to the title to Vass uses fiberboard heel blocks so it could draw more attention.
Maybe that'll eventually force them switch to leather stacked heel blocks, lol.

 

[dauster]

I had a U last bought at Isetan in Tokyo years ago - I found it quite a tight fit (the half size up was clearly too loose) - but these are fit issues, so very specific - but whilst the leather was very nice looking, it was quite thin and did not crease very well. I found the experience quite uncomfortable compared to UK shoes. The insole was quite unconforming, and the heel puffs are very stiff and unconforming too. A good looking shoe, but not one that could be worn for a long time. Just my own opinions and experience....

sorry but this doesnt sound like a quality but a fit issue. I could say the same about G&G shoes but that doesn't mean their shoes are not great. Maybe it's just not for you in terms of fit. And usually leather doesn't creases well if the shoes don't fit either.

 

[dauster]

I truly think I should simply change to the title to Vass uses fiberboard heel blocks so it could draw more attention.
Maybe that'll eventually force them switch to leather stacked heel blocks, lol.

sorry for my ignorance but what is so bad about fiberboard ? given their retail price of 500-600 euros I am not sure what people expect in terms of quality but the ones I saw looked great just did not fit that well.

 

[Proleet]

sorry for my ignorance but what is so bad about fiberboard ? given their retail price of 500-600 euros I am not sure what people expect in terms of quality but the ones I saw looked great just did not fit that well.

apparently it’s a big deal despite no one finding out about for six years....

i also can’t imagine Vass to change their mind because some people are whining about on SF...at a time when Vass is selling handmade shoes at about 300 euro ex tax. I’m sure adding costs is really top of mind for them right now..

 

[rhb57]

apparently it’s a big deal despite no one finding out about for six years....

i also can’t imagine Vass to change their mind because some people are whining about on SF...at a time when Vass is selling handmade shoes at about 300 euro ex tax. I’m sure adding costs is really top of mind for them right now..

There is a first time for everything, and just because they offer a good sale price doesn't mean they are justified to cut corners, their regular price is not cheap at all.

Carmina is even cheaper and they use leather stacked heel blocks.

 

[Travelling_Gentleman]

Honestly I just want to know other people's opinions, I actually still prefer Vass to EG or Lobb because it's handwelted and imho offers the coolest style, haha.

I own only one pair of Vass shoes but many other hand-welted and machine welted shoes. They are around the same price point or more expensive than Vass. What I can say about my pair is that the sole was not finished that well. To be more specific, there was a little gap in front of the heel , that became bigger and more apparent after only two short wears. Luckily the shoe has a double leather sole and I purchased it from a shop with a great repair shop attached, so the cobbler fixed it perfectly. If I want to have a heel entirely rebuilt, the cobbler told me that they can built it up layer by layer for not much money. The pros: Nice stitching, great leather quality for the upper, nice lining leather, great last and after a longer break in time than usual due to the double JR soles, very comfortable. So overall, if you like the style and you take a closer look to the finishing before purchasing, I would say Vass is a good choice. Where I live Vass retails just 50 bucks above a CJ Handgrade pair. If you compare the two and like the style I would definitely buy a Vass shoe, eventhough the sole on a CJ handgrade has a nicer look. If Vass would do the blind stitching on the edges and not the middle of the sole, it would look much nicer and a bit of colour would not hurt either. Would I pay 1000 bucks for a Vass shoe, probably not, there are better options in the market.

 

[Pax Britannica]

I prefer English shoes so there are better options for me.

 

[vmss]

For those that have experience with Bonafe and Vass how do they compare? quality of materials and construction?

 

[tbaja27]

Yes - Vass is more than worth the money.

 

[JFWR]

Doesn't make sense to just look at the material used for the heel. To understand whether a garment or a pair of shoes is worth the money, you have to plug the item's fundamentals into the Algorithm of Fashion Value:

((raw material cost + accounts receivable - assets) x (joy you get from wearing said clothing x number of hand stitches))/ (depreciation of sustainable value + country of origin)^ net margin of classicness

The Bayle's Theorem of fashion.

 

[JFWR]

Is there any place in America to try on Vass shoes?

 

[dieworkwear]

Is there any place in America to try on Vass shoes?

Vass

The Brand of the Man That Wrote the Book on Handmade Shoes Laszlo Vass is an endless source of knowledge on shoemaking. He literally “wrote the book” on handmade shoes, a seminal part of the library of anyone interested in how men’s shoes are made.For 35 years, Laszlo Vass has maintained an...

nomanwalksalone.com

 

[JFWR]

Vass

The Brand of the Man That Wrote the Book on Handmade Shoes Laszlo Vass is an endless source of knowledge on shoemaking. He literally “wrote the book” on handmade shoes, a seminal part of the library of anyone interested in how men’s shoes are made.For 35 years, Laszlo Vass has maintained an...

nomanwalksalone.com

Aren't they online only? I'd like to try them on to feel the fit.

 

[dieworkwear]

Aren't they online only? I'd like to try them on to feel the fit.

They have a showroom in NYC. Shipping within the US is also free.