Made in Spain Footwear, including TLB Mallorca, Cobbler Union, Yanko, Norman Vilalta, etc

[LThomsen]

How does tlb artista compare to enzo bonafe and vass?

 

[j ingevaldsson]

How does tlb artista compare to enzo bonafe and vass?

Oh, difficult to compare, since they are all very different. But construction-wise and the internal material, soles etc Vass is superior, with Enzo Bonafé being not far behind, since they are hand welted and made by hand to a much larger extent than TLB (although EB has sole stitched by machine). Then upper material is quite similar, all have real leather heel stiffeners but Vass and perhaps EB as well (don't know for sure) cuts them themselves and also use toe stiffeners in real leather. Upper leather quite similar I would say.

Then finishing, Vass is very rough compared to both EB and TLB Artista, sparse sole stitching, not that refined finishing overall, etc. EB is more refined in the finishing, though they are more Italian and not as elegant and neat as TLB Artista (not their Blake stitched or cemented waists versions either). So It's all different types, and it all depends on what you are after, what you think is important, and what you like for look. And what you can pay, since Vass is about €100-150 more than Artista and EB about 50% more expensive. All are excellent shoes for their price, although in a bit different ways.

 

[LThomsen]

Oh, difficult to compare, since they are all very different. But construction-wise and the internal material, soles etc Vass is superior, with Enzo Bonafé being not far behind, since they are hand welted and made by hand to a much larger extent than TLB (although EB has sole stitched by machine). Then upper material is quite similar, all have real leather heel stiffeners but Vass and perhaps EB as well (don't know for sure) cuts them themselves and also use toe stiffeners in real leather. Upper leather quite similar I would say.

Then finishing, Vass is very rough compared to both EB and TLB Artista, sparse sole stitching, not that refined finishing overall, etc. EB is more refined in the finishing, though they are more Italian and not as elegant and neat as TLB Artista (not their Blake stitched or cemented waists versions either). So It's all different types, and it all depends on what you are after, what you think is important, and what you like for look. And what you can pay, since Vass is about €100-150 more than Artista and EB about 50% more expensive. All are excellent shoes for their price, although in a bit different ways.

Thank you very much for all this info. How would you compare tlb artista to G &G classic range and Antonio Meccariello gyw shoes?

 

[j ingevaldsson]

Thank you very much for all this info. How would you compare tlb artista to G &G classic range and Antonio Meccariello gyw shoes?

Again, always difficult to to these types of comparisons. But to summarise, G&G Classic has better uppers and goes slower to the factory, so more carefully made, while they are less sleek and elegant than Artista (Artista is somewhere between G&G main range and Deco when it comes to the narrowness of the waist etc).

Meccariello has so many different ranges with different specs and prices, I can’t keep track on which is which, where some of the ones I’ve seen IRL are less carefully made and with for example only cemented waists (sole stitch don’t go back to the heel), while some are excellent in most areas.

 

[arturobelano]

Oh, difficult to compare, since they are all very different. But construction-wise and the internal material, soles etc Vass is superior, with Enzo Bonafé being not far behind, since they are hand welted and made by hand to a much larger extent than TLB (although EB has sole stitched by machine). Then upper material is quite similar, all have real leather heel stiffeners but Vass and perhaps EB as well (don't know for sure) cuts them themselves and also use toe stiffeners in real leather. Upper leather quite similar I would say.

Then finishing, Vass is very rough compared to both EB and TLB Artista, sparse sole stitching, not that refined finishing overall, etc. EB is more refined in the finishing, though they are more Italian and not as elegant and neat as TLB Artista (not their Blake stitched or cemented waists versions either). So It's all different types, and it all depends on what you are after, what you think is important, and what you like for look. And what you can pay, since Vass is about €100-150 more than Artista and EB about 50% more expensive. All are excellent shoes for their price, although in a bit different ways.

Thanks for the valuable info.
One question: TLB's Artista line uses heel stiffeners made of real leather, but what about their toe stiffeners? Is it plastic or leather board? (and are these durable?)
Thanks!

 

[j ingevaldsson]

Thanks for the valuable info.
One question: TLB's Artista line uses heel stiffeners made of real leather, but what about their toe stiffeners? Is it plastic or leather board? (and are these durable?)
Thanks!

They are celastic/plastic. It’s the same in all factory-made shoes, all the way up to G&G Deco or Edward Green Top Drawer. The benefits of real leather there (you don’t do leather board toe stiffeners, too fragile if one step on your toes) is too small compared to the high extra cost they incur. Since you don’t touch the toes, they are just there to hold the shape, it doesn’t affect the experience of the shoes at all, the benefit of leather here is mainly that in the event that you would destroy the toe stiffener, you can wet the leather andput in original last and shape it back, while celastic toe is destroyed.

 

[arturobelano]

They are celastic/plastic. It’s the same in all factory-made shoes, all the way up to G&G Deco or Edward Green Top Drawer. The benefits of real leather there (you don’t do leather board toe stiffeners, too fragile if one step on your toes) is too small compared to the high extra cost they incur. Since you don’t touch the toes, they are just there to hold the shape, it doesn’t affect the experience of the shoes at all, the benefit of leather here is mainly that in the event that you would destroy the toe stiffener, you can wet the leather andput in original last and shape it back, while celastic toe is destroyed.

Very informative, thank you so much.

 

[craigemeboy]

I wear 10EEE in Allen Edmonds 65 last (Park Avenue, Strand). What size would I wear in TLB Mallorca shoes?

 

[unprocessed]

I’ve really enjoyed my TLB Chelseas in the Alan last and just placed a custom order for a pair of Artisa Chelsea boots in the Picasso last. Will post some pics of the final product when I get them. Also have to say that it’s a pleasure working with Toni, he’s incredibly helpful and responsive.

Pictured: Goya (left), Picasso (right)

 

[John8867]

Lovely boots! Yes, I've had a good experience with Toni too. It's nice to find a company that makes great products but is still able to give excellent service. You can't go wrong with TLB.

 

[LThomsen]

I wear 10EEE in Allen Edmonds 65 last (Park Avenue, Strand). What size would I wear in TLB Mallorca shoes?

Email Toni. He is great at answering questions.

 

[clee1982]

I’ve really enjoyed my TLB Chelseas in the Alan last and just placed a custom order for a pair of Artisa Chelsea boots in the Picasso last. Will post some pics of the final product when I get them. Also have to say that it’s a pleasure working with Toni, he’s incredibly helpful and responsive.

Pictured: Goya (left), Picasso (right)

Are the toes narrow?

 

[DrewMill]

How do the main collection shoes compare to Cheaney and Scarosso (aside from Scarosso being Blake stitched)?

 

[unprocessed]

Are the toes narrow?

Haven’t gotten them yet. The Alan boot is very spacious for me so I actually hope it’s just a little tighter.

 

[nchia]

Does anyone know anything about the Dali and Velazquez lasts? TLB seems to have a South Korean retailer here (https://tlbkorea.com/index.html) with these 2 lasts under the Artista range, in addition to Goya and Picasso.