** Quintessential Crockett & Jones Thread ** (reviews, quality, etc...)

[YellowHandUp]

Hi all,
I think I need some help from the community with a strange phenomenon.

My wife got a pair of Lorna boots in Walnut Hatch Grain in November and has worn them five times so far. After the fourth time, the laces were so worn through that they broke. I replaced them, and after wearing them once, the new laces look very bad again. This is rather strange, as we have both been wearing several C&J boots with Speedhooks for many years without such a phenomenon ever happening. Normally the laces (always original C&J laces) last a very long time (mostly man years). So an incorrect lacing procedure can be ruled out as the cause. I have no explanation for this strange ‘behaviour’ of the shoes. On closer inspection, I realised that the worn-through seams are in the area of the Speedhooks. These have a very fine ridge at the edges at best, but I think I have found similar ones on other shoes where there are no problems with the laces.

Has anyone experienced something similar? What can be done?

View attachment 2318897 View attachment 2318899

Try waxed laces. The wax helps the laces glide rather than snag and fray.

 

[Watchman1]

Brooks Brothers Peal and Co. in Burgundy Crup

Happy 2025

 

[othertravel]

View attachment 2319087

Brooks Brothers Peal and Co. in Burgundy Crup

Happy 2025

Nice boots, but doesn't look like a good fit.

The boot seems to be collapsing at the instep. Have you tried adding an additional insole?

I have a low instep as well, and not all C&J lasts work for me.

 

[Watchman1]

Nice boots, but doesn't look like a good fit.

The boot seems to be collapsing at the instep. Have you tried adding an additional insole?

I have a low instep as well, and not all C&J lasts work for me.

Good observation, Sir. Yes, I have short wide feet. Normally, most people have .5 size difference in one foot from the other.

For example, if you are an 11D in one foot you would be 10.5D on the the other.

Well, my feet are exactly the same length. However, the .5 size difference for me is in my instep girth.

I know this to be true as I was once fitted for a pair of bespoke shoes/boots that never materialized.

Furthermore, even though these boots are not the most ideal fitting, I find them to be very comfy after all these years of regular wear.

These boots are my "bad weather" boots and see moderate wear 3 seasons.

Cheers!

 

[othertravel]

Good observation, Sir. Yes, I have short wide feet. Normally, most people have .5 size difference in one foot from the other.

For example, if you are an 11D in one foot you would be 10.5D on the the other.

Well, my feet are exactly the same length. However, the .5 size difference for me is in my instep girth.

I know this to be true as I was once fitted for a pair of bespoke shoes/boots that never materialized.

Furthermore, even though these boots are not the most ideal fitting, I find them to be very comfy after all these years of regular wear.

These boots are my "bad weather" boots and see moderate wear 3 seasons.

Cheers!

Well, you could do worse than C&J for bad-weather boots!

 

[vmss]

Nice boots, but doesn't look like a good fit.

The boot seems to be collapsing at the instep. Have you tried adding an additional insole?

I have a low instep as well, and not all C&J lasts work for me.

What do you mean its collapsing at the instep? What does that indicate?

 

[Watchman1]

Well, you could do worse than C&J for bad-weather boots

Again, you are correct. These boots are made from Horween Shell Cordovan and have a Dainite Sole.

I probably could/should have picked a different boot/leather/maker combo. But, I am actually glad I chose these due to the impervious nature of shell cordovan.

Many blokes treat their shells as if rain/snow/ice are the death knell for cordovan leather.

These shoes are a living testament to the profundity of shell cordovan. Literally, I wear these in the worst possible weather conditions and they easily bounce back after just damp clothe wipe down, horse hair brushing and thin coat of Venetian or Saphir cordovan cream application.

@othertravel it has been a long time since we have interacted here and I trust you are enjoying your rotations around the sun. I now remember you fondly from "the good ole days" here on the Fora and wish you nothing but the best.

 

[Watchman1]

What do you mean its collapsing at the instep? What does that indicate?

He is actually correct in his observation. He means my instep is causing the girth of my foot/instep to protrude out over the welt of the boot.

Now, the phenomenon is much more forgiving in a boot. If it were a shoe, I would probably be much worse off in terms of fitment.

It is worth noting this phenomenon occurs across my shoe/boot collection regardless of leather/last/maker combo.

Some of us just have easier feet to fit than others...

 

[Craithorn]

Indiana Rough Out

 

[vmss]

He is actually correct in his observation. He means my instep is causing the girth of my foot/instep to protrude out over the welt of the boot.

Now, the phenomenon is much more forgiving in a boot. If it were a shoe, I would probably be much worse off in terms of fitment.

It is worth noting this phenomenon occurs across my shoe/boot collection regardless of leather/last/maker combo.

Some of us just have easier feet to fit than others...

Does that mean that the shoe instep is too high for your feet?

 

[Watchman1]

Does that mean that the shoe instep is too high for your feet?

I "think" English shoes overall have lower insteps if I am not mistaken...I could be wrong...

 

[davejones22]

Quick sizing question in case anyone can help... anyone know how the 365 last compares to the 378 in terms of toebox room at the toes? Wondering how a size 10 in 365 would compare to 10.5 in 378, for example.

My Chepstow 2 could do with a little more width specifically at the big toes. 365 in the same size will obviously be wider there, but suspect they will also be far too large at the heel & ankle (I already have to use tongue pads etc as I have very low volume feet and narrow ankles - my hindfoot is more suited to a 9.5!).

 

[lurker33]

Quick sizing question in case anyone can help... anyone know how the 365 last compares to the 378 in terms of toebox room at the toes? Wondering how a size 10 in 365 would compare to 10.5 in 378, for example.

My Chepstow 2 could do with a little more width specifically at the big toes. 365 in the same size will obviously be wider there, but suspect they will also be far too large at the heel & ankle (I already have to use tongue pads etc as I have very low volume feet and narrow ankles - my hindfoot is more suited to a 9.5!).

365 is wider at the ball, and the toe doesn't taper as much. But 378 has more height in the toe box. I take both in the same size.

 

[Marmite89]

Try waxed laces. The wax helps the laces glide rather than snag and fray.

This… if you are in the UK, I recommend A Fine Pair of Shoes as a source.

 

[Marmite89]

View attachment 2319087

Brooks Brothers Peal and Co. in Burgundy Crup

Happy 2025

I missed a pair of these on eBay the other day. I’ve got some US 10D NOS that I need to move on as too big, I need to find me a pair of US 9.5D’s to fit my UK 8.5 to 9 feet.