Made in Spain Footwear, including TLB Mallorca, Cobbler Union, Yanko, Norman Vilalta, etc

[apd90700]

I wore my first pair of TLB Mallorca shoes today - for the first time. My initial impressions are jolly positive! I have barely recovered from ungodly blisters on my heels and it left me baffled that there was no rubbing on the heels on my first wear. Honestly, there was almost no break-in and the shoes fit me right of the box. The leather was also very nice and soft, but durable to the touch. I did leave them unpolished and will continue to wear them unpolished for 2-3 more times to have the leather open up more - only brushing until then.

All in all, my first impressions are stellar, very comfortable and good looking shoes. Though, I must say, shoes with such a long toe need a little time to get used to.

Also, I must comment on the customer service. I wrote to them to make sure that the sizing was on point and Toni replied and was super helpful in advice, measurements, similar brand sizes etc. He also made sure that I would select the correct size shoe trees. Pretty sublime, in my opinion.

Brown hatch grain TLB Artista in the Goya last.

Pics or it didn't' happen .

 

[thehkshoeshiner]

Two questions.

1. Loafers - Jones vs Goya.
2. Soles - City vs Leather.

Are the price of Goya and a Leather sole, worth it over lower priced shoes with Jones last [Loafer] or City sole [Monk strap].

Currently contemplating a loafer purchase, and the price difference is ~$60 USD. Not sure I feel very strongly about the Goya over the Jones, but if someone else has experience with them, let me know. As for the Monk strap, the price is around $100 USD difference to get a Monk Strap with the City sole vs Leather -- I'd have to customize a MS from TLB to get the Leather sole and without upcharge for a JR outsole it's around $100 more.

I think it really comes down to budget and what you are using the shoes for. I always use leather sole for formal/ semi-formal, and only rubber sole for more outdoor, higher exposure to rain weather. For Artista line, you will get bevelled waist so that would be one of the main reasons why you are paying a bit more.

 

[Patrick1053]

My very first pair of TLBs, and one of my favorite pairs of shoes. There about a year and a half old now.

They are light brown old England leather, made on the Alan last, but upgraded to artists construction, hence the beveled waist. JR soles

Almost time for a resole.

 

[j ingevaldsson]

Bought this pair this week, some pics below, even more here on the blog. Artista Reverse stitch toe derby in dark brown Horween hatch grain, Velazquez last, single city rubber sole.

 

[zag73]

Bought this pair this week, some pics below, even more here on the blog. Artista Reverse stitch toe derby in dark brown Horween hatch grain, Velazquez last, single city rubber sole.

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Lovely shoes. Any idea how the last compares to Carmina’s sineu?

 

[MacGuffen]

Bought this pair this week, some pics below, even more here on the blog. Artista Reverse stitch toe derby in dark brown Horween hatch grain, Velazquez last, single city rubber sole.

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Ordered the same just a few days ago! Beautiful shoes.

 

[Patrick1053]

Bought this pair this week, some pics below, even more here on the blog. Artista Reverse stitch toe derby in dark brown Horween hatch grain, Velazquez last, single city rubber sole.

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What are your thoughts on using the Valazquez last on a wholecut?

 

[j ingevaldsson]

Lovely shoes. Any idea how the last compares to Carmina’s sineu?

Cheers! Sorry, no experience with that last. But Velazquez fit like all Artista lasts, only toe shape that differs.

Ordered the same just a few days ago! Beautiful shoes.

Nice, you're in for a treat!

What are your thoughts on using the Valazquez last on a wholecut?

Personally I prefer Picasso or Van Gogh for a wholecut, with more enhanced shapes.

 

[apd90700]

Do we all feel that City Rubber is more durable than single Leather [non-JR] outsole?

 

[j ingevaldsson]

Do we all feel that City Rubber is more durable than single Leather [non-JR] outsole?

Yes of course, a good rubber sole will always be more durable than a leather sole, also compared to soles from JR, Baker, Garat etc. But that said, good leather soles, as the super prime Italian soles TLB use, are also really durable and will last well.

 

[apd90700]

Bought this pair this week, some pics below, even more here on the blog. Artista Reverse stitch toe derby in dark brown Horween hatch grain, Velazquez last, single city rubber sole.

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Would you compare the VELAZQUEZ to the GOYA over the PICASSO? Which of the Mainline lasts is it closest to -- OLIVER?

 

[j ingevaldsson]

Would you compare the VELAZQUEZ to the GOYA over the PICASSO? Which of the Mainline lasts is it closest to -- OLIVER?

As mentioned before, fit wise it's just the same, only the toe shape that differs. As for appearance, it's not really resembling any of those, it's a slightly soft square toe with a bit more volume. I'd say there's enough photos around of all these lasts for anyone to get a good view.

 

[apd90700]

As mentioned before, fit wise it's just the same, only the toe shape that differs. As for appearance, it's not really resembling any of those, it's a slightly soft square toe with a bit more volume. I'd say there's enough photos around of all these lasts for anyone to get a good view.

Was more going for how it fits compared to Oliver. I only own an Oliver Adelaide, so not much to go on from fit perspective.

 

[j ingevaldsson]

Was more going for how it fits compared to Oliver. I only own an Oliver Adelaide, so not much to go on from fit perspective.

Artista lasts was developed from the main lasts, since fit was so praised for those, so they are very similar.

 

[EUtroll]

I've been trying to compare the pictures but I find it difficult to really tell the difference between the P and V lasts. Which one is more square?