Maftei Shoes - Vienna - Bespoke, MTO , RTW

[Gus]

In researching a trip to Vienna, I came across a number of shoe enthusiast articles and posts where Maftei is regarded as one of the great classic shoe makers. Here is a link to the Maftei website. http://www.maftei.at/#!about/c1enr

From what I've read, the family has historically been offering a bespoke shoe but is now branching into MTO and RTW. I was wondering of any members of Styleforum have had any recent experience with Maftei? If so, was it in Vienna or at a trunk show?

Here are some photos from the web. I especially like the look of the split toes derby.

 

[dresstokill]

Laddage & Oelke / Crossfords Number One in Hamburg offers Maftei fittings - the next one is sometime in February if I'm not mistaken. I recently had a chance to take a look at one of their MTOs for the store - a really nice oxford captoe. I especially liked the last - lots of arch support, bevelled waist, nice chisel toe - altogether a really solid impression.

 

[Gus]

I just stumbled across a post from Styleforum member @j ingevaldsson from 2014 where he posts a link to his blog story and very nice photos about Maftei. It is in Swedish but the bottom right column has a translator button for English.

Here is the link to his blog: http://www.shoegazing.se/2014/08/08/kopguide-maftei/


Here are just a few of his many beautiful photos from his blog.

 

[dresstokill]

Found a picture on my phone of the captoe:

 

[dan'l]



Laddage & Oelke / Crossfords Number One in Hamburg offers Maftei fittings - the next one is sometime in February if I'm not mistaken. I recently had a chance to take a look at one of their MTOs for the store - a really nice oxford captoe. I especially liked the last - lots of arch support, bevelled waist, nice chisel toe - altogether a really solid impression.

I thought that at the trunk shows they were offering full bespoke, no? Or are they also offering MTO now?

 

[dresstokill]

I thought that at the trunk shows they were offering full bespoke, no? Or are they also offering MTO now?

You are right about the trunk shows being bespoke but their manager told that he was involved in the last design of the black captoe and it would be possible to get other models like a wholecut or chelsea on the same last - hence my assumption that it would be MTO. Maybe he meant the store can do MTO but not individual customers. I will try to find out during my next visit.

 

[tchoy]

I got to know Maftei through chatting with our own shoe guru @fritzl he was instrumental for me ordering my first pair of Maftei.

As I live in Australia going to a trunk shop or visiting Austria wasn't possible at the time. I posted them one of my best fitting shoes together with my orthotics to start the process.
Although Lucian Maftei speak perfect a lot of my special request was interpreted by fritzl, he also foreseen the progress and kept me up to date on the progress, The first pair of shoes I received it was a little tight Lucian asked me to sent it back for adjustments, to my surprised they made me a brand new pair of shoes. The shoes turn out to be one of the best fitting shoes for me with the orthotic builtin to the arch.

If you have a chance to attend a trunk show or visit a store please do these are amazing and very underrated on this fora. I know fritzl doesn't post here much anymore but I know he still lurks around here from time to time. His knowledge of shoes is second to none imho and his willingness to help I am forever grateful.

 

[comrade]

I can vouch for Fritzl., a simpatico guy who knows shoes.
Spent a day in Vienna with him Oct. 2014. He's also a great
tour guide.

 

[Mike147]

Fritzl has helped me tremendously - met with him 2x in Vienna in the past 3-4 years as I have ordered shoes from Maftei. I saw him last month in Vienna when i ordered my 3rd pair of shoes. I will post photos when available - hope to get them some time next month. I also had my first pair resoled while in town - they will be shipped with my new shoes - will send pics of those as well.

 

[stephenaf2003]

I visited Maftei in Vienna this past XMas holiday and was measured for a pair of bespoke button boots and split toe. I have Vass, EG, Zonkey, Carmina, Meermin, St. Crisp. The Maftei are by far the most comfortable shoes I own. Maftei and Zonkey are my shoe maker of choice.

 

[stephenaf2003]

Also

 

[stephenaf2003]

 

[dan'l]

@stephenaf2003, thanks for sharing your pics.

Did you have a custom last made followed by a test shoe, or did they just measure your feet and send you your shoes a few weeks later?

 

[stephenaf2003]

I did have custom lasts made, but they are so good they nailed it in one visit. I was in Europe visiting family, but had to return to the States, so was not able to get a second fitting. 2 months later they delivered 2 perfectly fitted pairs of shoes.

 

[minimalko]

I am fortunate enough to live very close to Vienna. Past years, I have been a loyal Carmina and Vass costumer. Then I found Maftei and there is no way of going back to the RTW shoes market.

Lucien Maftei, the last maker is a very nice and humble person, who really knows feet and shoes. The very first pair he made needed no adjustments at all.

While having closet full of handwelted RTW shoes, Mafteis are basicaly the only shoes I wear now. The shoes fit like leather socks. At price of 900 EUR for a pair, I think there is no competition.

Now I only wish I would have realized earlier that it is much better to have one pair of more expensive perfectly fitting quality shoes instead of 2 pairs of less expensive quality shoes that fit just ok.

Matej