The Ultimate Vass (Footwear) Thread (Pictures, reviews, sizing, etc...)

[Concordia]

If you want a loafer, do you really want all that stuff on the sole? Or rather, if you want the heavy hardware to help you walk, shouldn't you get Derby lacing?

 

[FrankCowperwood]

Thank you. I am thinking through my options, and it is sometimes hard to opt for simplicity when you can have whatever you want. How do you feel about double versus single sole? The loafer on the Vass website shows a single sole, which looks fine on the style.

Perhaps I should go with brown scotch grain and a single sole, and leave it at that.

 

[striker]

Single is always a safe and sensible choice. No need for HAF sole or double sole.

 

[chogall]



Considering a Budapest last norweger loafer in scotch grain. Any thoughts from the gentlemen here in goyser sewing on this and double versus single sole?

I would stay with classic loafer designs with welted construction, single sole, and slimmer last. Loafers should be close fitting, light, and delicate shoes.

 

[arglist]

Guys, I have a question for the Vass cracks. I have ordered and quite promply received a pair of beautiful of Old English Oxfords on F-last in size 41.

They came together with a pair of standard trees that were clearly too small although being marked 41. I stupidly did not follow my gut feeling and used them anyway after wearing the shoes which caused quite some creasing on the foreshoe (vamp, I think it's called).

Anyway I wrote Mr. Kuti and asked about it. He promply sent me a pair of trees in 42 which filled my shoes quite nicely.

But, and here's my question: unlike all other trees I own the wood does not touch the vamp leather from inside. Instead it just stretches the leather by spring force. Is that normal and if so is it effective in preventing creasing?

Thanks for your opinions.

Florian

 

[RogerP]

Considering a Budapest last norweger loafer in scotch grain. Any thoughts from the gentlemen here in goyser sewing on this and double versus single sole?

I'd go double sole - I just have a very strong preference on that point. It's hardly going to overwhelm the shoe and make it look overly heavy - particularly if it transitions to a single sole under the arch. And I generally don't like an overly delicate-looking shoe to begin with.

Love Goyser stitching, but not sure I see it here.

 

[bertie]



Thank you. I am thinking through my options, and it is sometimes hard to opt for simplicity when you can have whatever you want. How do you feel about double versus single sole? The loafer on the Vass website shows a single sole, which looks fine on the style.

Perhaps I should go with brown scotch grain and a single sole, and leave it at that.

Yes. While the Norweger style potentially could take doubel sole (and I have a Norweger derby with a double sole), single is more classic for a loafer. No Goyser - that is for sh*tkickers not loafers.

 

[Ilovelobbs]

I'd go double sole - I just have a very strong preference on that point. It's hardly going to overwhelm the shoe and make it look overly heavy - particularly if it transitions to a single sole under the arch. And I generally don't like an overly delicate-looking shoe to begin with.

Love Goyser stitching, but not sure I see it here.

Have to agree with your comments on double sole - but....only if the shoe is a size 42 or bigger....
and only if Vass skilled craftsman at hand by tapering the double sole into a sublime single at
the waist....it just ooozes class.

Double sole on size 41 or smaller can look oddly stunted and chunky if you know what I mean....
Also bear in mind the cost of replacing your sole can cost €130 from Vass (that's excluding shipping).

Single sole has it advantages on the K & U last...it simply looks sleek

 

[Ilovelobbs]

What's your take on the P3?

Honestly,

I am not a big fan of Vass last apart from the K & U.
I couldn't see any difference to the P2 & P3 last...

 

[joiji]

Quote:

 

[Ilovelobbs]

F has a slightly higher instep than P2, don't have others.

By the way - this is a comparison of U, F and P2 from the Shoegazing blog

Can I clarify a couple of points with regard to high in-step in regard to shoe style (oxford; derby; monks; loafers)

If you have high in-step, avoid close lace up oxford chelsea like the
first 2 pairs in this picture. And try and gear towards a pair of Derby open lace
like the last pair in this picture....or go for a pair of slip-on monk strap.

There is more opening around the instep on the monks/derby....

So the in-step space on the U last Derby and a U last Oxford will vary.

 

[Ilovelobbs]

Hope I haven't offended you... Allow me to re-word, all Vass are nice, just my preference on the K & U

 

[RogerP]

Have to agree with your comments on double sole - but....only if the shoe is a size 42 or bigger....
and only if Vass skilled craftsman at hand by tapering the double sole into a sublime single at
the waist....it just ooozes class.

Double sole on size 41 or smaller can look oddly stunted and chunky if you know what I mean....
Also bear in mind the cost of replacing your sole can cost €130 from Vass (that's excluding shipping).

Single sole has it advantages on the K & U last...it simply looks sleek

Fair enough comment on size - I wear a 43, so the double sole looks good in pretty much any application to my eye.

My K lasted Vass is double-soled, tapered to a single at the waist - I wouldn't have it any other way.

And since the double soles will last a good long while, the ultimate cost of resoling is quite significantly deferred.

 

[steveyoo1983]

just place an order for austerity brogue in navy calf u last! (I really need to stop buying navy shoes...)
Cant wait for my first pair of Vass!

 

[RogerP]

^^^ Congrats - I've always found navy appealing but have never managed to pull the trigger. One day.