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

[striker]

I am also not going to get into the GY/ HW debate. Every men wants a virgin who is also a whore. They want handwelted shoes at Vass prices with G&G leather, finishing and attention to detail. So hard to reconcile these attributes.

I think beyond those factors, my strategy going forward is just to acquire iconic shoes unique to that maker.

 

[laufer]



Not taking any sides on the HW or GYW argument as I own and enjoy both.

But none of this matters if the shoes don't fit )

I was going to say that. I find GYW versus HW discussion ridiculous. F last fits me fine and I happy with it.
U last does not fit me (I tried 3 different sizes) so what good is HW U last to me when some other GYW shoes fit me better.

It all about the fit.

 

[Zapasman]

I think beyond those factors, my strategy going forward is just to acquire iconic shoes unique to that maker.

As far as you like them and fit you, that is another good policy.

 

[mimo]

Indeed. For that chisel toe, Carmina's Rain last fits me better in standard width than Vass's U. And as we all seem to have dozens of pairs of shoes, the likelihood of ever needing to resole them is distant enough, let alone gemming failure.

That said, we have our romantic notions and they're also valid: we could live quite happily with three pairs of GY shoes, at $99 from the AE Shoe Bank, re-soling them every couple of years and keeping them until we no longer walk. More or less. But hand-made means something. Sure, maybe something different to everyone. But for sure, something special to us.

 

[RogerP]

But for me, the more pressing point is about the Vass (or even St C) versus G&G/JL/EG: the latter are all machine-welted shoes, gemmed with glue to the insole, and therefore essentially no different to any other GY shoe in their structure, or labour cost. The lasts are lovely in many cases, the leather might be top notch, and the QC standards high. But for me the value proposition has never quite been good enough, and I can say honestly that I've never paid more for a GY shoe than I would for Vass - the most expensive being some AE shell and some C&J, on special offer.

It could also be said that a hand-welted Meermin is no different than any other hand-welted RTW shoe like St. C. in its structure or labour cost. I'm not sure that one can draw any meaningful inference about the quality or value of St. C. from that observation, however.

 

[agedashidofu]



Incoming...

Plum Museum Slipper / Loafer in U last
Decided to finally take the gamble on the loafer. While the size/fit on the oxford is excellent, I was (and still am) a bit apprehensive on the loafer sizing since it has to be bang on.

However, I need a pair of business formal shoe which I can slip in/out easily because my work requires me to travel a lot (multiple shoes on/off at airports)

Would have preferred a lazy man but Vass does not make one.

I guess we'll know when they arrive next week...

A bit disappointed with the belt however (which came early) as it looks flimsy and doesn't look like it will last.

Satisfied with the way the shoes look so far - I just hope they fit well.

A little bit off-topic

Just an update in case the learning could benefit anyone considering to order the loafers - they ended up too big / loose (

Oh well I guess you win some and then you lose some. Should have sized down by 0.5

Trading this for a 0.5 size smaller - hope that works

 

[mimo]

Rightly or wrongly, I do draw an inference from their making their shoes in China. Their norvegesse stitching looks great, though.

Edit: Agedashidofu, I know that a lot of makers use different lasts for loafers, as the fit is so different. Someone at Vass commented to me that they don't really like to make them, so I guess it's just a matter of the customer always being right! But just out of curiosity, what size did you take?

 

[Nik Telford]

So it seems Vass does not offer red dainite unfortunately. Oh well, I will stick with the double leather sole then. My final concern then is sizing, I am a 9.5B/C (L/R) US and I am tts in AE's 5 Last and 9.0B/C in the 333 last. Any sizing advice for the P2 last?

 

[RogerP]

Wow, if you are as narrow as a B width, I don't see P2 working for you.

 

[Nik Telford]



Wow, if you are as narrow as a B width, I don't see P2 working for you.

I have some no show socks I can wear to fill up some of the volume if need be. It really sucks having narrow feet. I've emailed Vass as well for sizing advice.

 

[RogerP]

I have some no show socks I can wear to fill up some of the volume if need be. It really sucks having narrow feet. I've emailed Vass as well for sizing advice.

I hope some of our narrow-footed forum members will chime in to help you out as well. I'm pretty far removed from that description.

 

[jokb]



I hope some of our narrow-footed forum members will chime in to help you out as well.  I'm pretty far removed from that description.

S last might work for you. It's a tad narrower than the U last.

 

[Nik Telford]



S last might work for you. It's a tad narrower than the U last.

Yeah but for this shoe I'm really looking for something fairly chunky. I'll keep the S last in mind for future orders though, thanks!

 

[striker]

The S last is wider than the U last, both at the ball of the foot and the toes.

 

[jokb]

The S last is wider than the U last, both at the ball of the foot and the toes.

Not sure why I have a different experience with it. The S last that I have feels a little tighter than my U last. My right foot is a bit wider and it's tight on the S last but fits better in the U last. This was confirmed by Rezső as well. When I get S last in different sizes, I'll ask some of my clients and maybe we can get a verdict.