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RANCOURT & Co. Shoes - Made in Maine

MattBernier

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@pwkd Late? You were the first reply, dude! To answer your question, I've only worn these boots in my size- everything else was a size eight or nine sample. I don't know if the seven eyelet is the same pattern with a higher shaft, or whether they're entirely different. @RancourtCo, how say you? I will say, I haven't seen dudes with 5 eyelet boots have this issue, whereas I have seen dudes with 7 eyelet boots have it. Like @TH3515, who has to bend his over, which is crazy.
 
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halfnhalfnhalf

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Quote:
How did you get sized in yours? 10 D in the Blake boot fits me superbly; I'm a 9.5 D in the Alden Barrie but a 9.5 E in the more common AE lasts. All that flummoxed Katie initially, but eventually she suggested I try a 9.5 D in the shortwing. I have a pair in calf arriving on Thursday for sizing purposes, and if I like the style and fit, I'll be returning them and custom-ordering two pairs in CXL (to help with which she threw some cuttings into the box). Of course, the shortwings do also come in wide sizes, so that might be an option for me as well.
 

coolarrow

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How did you get sized in yours? 10 D in the Blake boot fits me superbly; I'm a 9.5 D in the Alden Barrie but a 9.5 E in the more common AE lasts. All that flummoxed Katie initially, but eventually she suggested I try a 9.5 D in the shortwing. I have a pair in calf arriving on Thursday for sizing purposes, and if I like the style and fit, I'll be returning them and custom-ordering two pairs in CXL (to help with which she threw some cuttings into the box). Of course, the shortwings do also come in wide sizes, so that might be an option for me as well.
Looking forward to hear your report, half. I'm considering some 9.5d shortwings.
 

Pieman

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Slightly odd indeed, but not unwarranted. I imagine the manufacturer of each would provide you with the measurement of the beefroles. Just get the right person on the line.
 

Pieman

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As I've only owned Rancourt's handsewns, I can't speak to this post via actual experience, but I am quite fond of Allen Edmonds' leather insoles which cover the cork filler making the cork quite durable. Also, regarding the replacing of the insoles, I don't think that really moots the issue because that seems to be an impracticable option. It seems to me, from a more purist point of view, if we have leather shoes in and out, there shouldn't be this other, cardboard-like Texon material. Rancourt has been quite receptive to me when I have ordered from them requesting changes like stitching color, etc. so maybe they should offer the option of a leather insole versus Texon and let the consumer decide.
 

GooseG

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How did you get sized in yours?  10 D in the Blake boot fits me superbly; I'm a 9.5 D in the Alden Barrie but a 9.5 E in the more common AE lasts.  All that flummoxed Katie initially, but eventually she suggested I try a 9.5 D in the shortwing.  I have a pair in calf arriving on Thursday for sizing purposes, and if I like the style and fit, I'll be returning them and custom-ordering two pairs in CXL (to help with which she threw some cuttings into the box).  Of course, the shortwings do also come in wide sizes, so that might be an option for me as well. 


I'm 9D Brannock, 8.5 Barrie, and wear an 8.5 in the AE 5 and 1-511 lasts. 8.5 is definitely my Barrie size, although my only barrie shoes are bigger in the heel.

I found the 9D Blakes to be on the long side, and there is a lot of play in the heel. I use tongue pads right now but the entire heel section seems low to me.

Unfortunately they're the Danforth model, and since they're "made to order" they were non-returnable. It's a shame because I love the makeup.
 

FrankCowperwood

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I wonder if it's going to be on the same last. Honestly, I like my Blake shortwings but they fit really odd and I don't really wear them much.


I agree here. My feeling on this is that the heel cup is too shallow for my foot. I am an 11D Barrie and went with 11E in the Blake wingtip after some consultation with Rancourt. The forefoot fits well and the lacing is fairly open across the instep, but there's a lot of heel slip even with a tongue pad. My amateur measurements suggest the heel cup is slightly shallower and less shaped than some of my other shoes, and this seems to be the cause of the lack of fit.

I don't really know if a D width would work in the forefoot for me while also fixing the heel.

All told, the Blakes are nice, but I'm not really interested in sizing experiments with them right now.
 

GooseG

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I agree here. My feeling on this is that the heel cup is too shallow for my foot. I am an 11D Barrie and went with 11E in the Blake wingtip after some consultation with Rancourt. The forefoot fits well and the lacing is fairly open across the instep, but there's a lot of heel slip even with a tongue pad. My amateur measurements suggest the heel cup is slightly shallower and less shaped than some of my other shoes, and this seems to be the cause of the lack of fit.

I don't really know if a D width would work in the forefoot for me while also fixing the heel.

All told, the Blakes are nice, but I'm not really interested in sizing experiments with them right now.


Maybe a higher heel cup and/or an extra pair of eyelets?

I think mine now are going to just be boxed and placed in the closet, until someone bites on an ebay ad.
 
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MattBernier

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Most shoe makers really need to bring the heel cup IN at the top, to actually CUP the heel more. Alden is pretty good about this, White's is uncanny at it.
 

MattBernier

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Yup. You really shouldn't need pads and tight lacing to hold your heel in. The shoe, when laced gently, should be narrowest at it's opening and then expand out around your foot and heel and then curve back under. People endure a lot of pain at the tops of their feet trying to cinch laces down hard enough to hold their heel in place, when this could be corrected by simply altering the pattern for the rear of the shoe.
 

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