Quality of Barney's house brand Goodyear welted shoes?

[TimelesStyle]

I know that Barney's house brand shoes receive mixed reviews, but I'm curious about any experiences with the Goodyear welted ones. I just ordered a pair that was 60% off, a black wholecut model, and want to hear about any experiences. I've never had a wholecut before and like the look. These had a bit of a chiseled toe and were sleek without being overly "fashiony".

Shape was very similar to these:

http://www.barneys.com/Five-Eye-Balm...efault,pd.html

but the finish was matte and I'm assuming these aren't Goodyear because they're not marked as such and these retail for $50 less.

 

[Viral]

I'd like to know this as well................would be nice to get an objective opinion. Everytime I as the Barney's SAs they swear they are the best things since sliced bread - too biased for me!

I will say, however, their house branded shirts and ties are quite nice.

 

[TimelesStyle]

Nobody?

Let me ask this a different way: Would $179 for a true Goodyear welted shoe ever be a horrible ripoff if you like the style of the shoe?

 

[bananananana]

I have a pair of suede chukkas with dainite soles, barneys brand, not coop. Goodyear welted and the suede is nice and supple with a soft leather lining. Overall, i would say that one is on par with what you would get in terms of quality with a similar design from AE or Alden. They do fit big (full size) so keep that in mind when ordering online.

Also seen the black calfskin wholecuts in store. Looked ok but the leather seemed a bit hard and had a lot of creases for just shop wear. But keep in midn they were on sale for like 150 so it's a pretty good deal as it'd be hard to find something at that price that's better.

 

[TimelesStyle]

Originally Posted by bananananana

I have a pair of suede chukkas with dainite soles, barneys brand, not coop. Goodyear welted and the suede is nice and supple with a soft leather lining. Overall, i would say that one is on par with what you would get in terms of quality with a similar design from AE or Alden. They do fit big (full size) so keep that in mind when ordering online.

Also seen the black calfskin wholecuts in store. Looked ok but the leather seemed a bit hard and had a lot of creases for just shop wear. But keep in midn they were on sale for like 150 so it's a pretty good deal as it'd be hard to find something at that price that's better.

I tried them on in the Chicago store, and the black wholecuts actually fit a bit small. I've always bought a 9 in Coop shoes, but these were a 9.5. The pair in Chicago was pretty shop-worn, but they ordered a pair from the Madison Ave. store that were in better shape.

 

[NoVaguy]

Originally Posted by TimelesStyle

Nobody?

Let me ask this a different way: Would $179 for a true Goodyear welted shoe ever be a horrible ripoff if you like the style of the shoe?

It would be if it is (1) cheap corrected grain uppers; (2) non-leather leather soles; and (3) cardboard/plastic interiors/heels.

Goodyear welt does not automatically equal high quality, although it usually is an indicator of such. Military corfam shoes can be goodyear welted, for example. They're not worth $179 (and don't sell for that, I think).

 

[TimelesStyle]

Originally Posted by NoVaguy

It would be if it is (1) cheap corrected grain uppers; (2) non-leather leather soles; and (3) cardboard/plastic interiors/heels.

Goodyear welt does not automatically equal high quality, although it usually is an indicator of such. Military corfam shoes can be goodyear welted, for example. They're not worth $179 (and don't sell for that, I think).

I'm going to assume that the uppers are corrected grain, but I think the soles and interiors are actual leather (unless the plastic/cardboard parts to which you refer are under the leather and unseen).