Vass on US ebay

[A Harris]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....me=WDVW I think this is maybe a first?? Dunno whether to

or

Anyways, somebody buy them.

 

[marc37]

Abit expensive for a starting bid. Anyway, they are not my size. Are some Vass shoes made with a topy??? Or would have it been added [by the seller]?

 

[A Harris]

They were made that way at the request of Louis Boston.

 

[marc37]

They were made that way at the request of Louis Boston.

What does that mean? Louis Boston???

 

[AlanC]

Louis Boston

 

[kabert]

There was a pair of Vass on EBay about 2 weeks ago I think, but in a small size (7 perhaps) and it may have been a seller in Europe. I can't quite recall.

Considering that these are cordovan, I think $599 is a fair opening price. (That's, what, about $120 more than you'd pay for Alden cordovans? -- a bargain all things considered) I think the seller probably should have sprinkled in the words Lobb, Edward Green, etc. into the auction description though in order for this auction to get picked up when someone does a search for those brands. Vass are so rare on Ebay, I don't even bother with searches. This seller though, marcey2, is one of my favorite sellers. Lots of Oxxford, RLPL, etc. I bought a pair of brand new RLPL (EG) shoes from this seller too. His name is Anthony Marcinowski, if I recall correctly. A very reliable seller IMO.

 

[johnapril]

What would be the advantage of this pair over the ones Alden makes for $445?

 

[zjpj83]

amazing price IMO

 

[tattersall]

I have these exact shoes in a 42 and can't sing their praises enough. When I bought them last year at Louis, I was (at the time) less than thrilled by the topy. In fact they've been perfect for the mild yet damp Fall and Winter on the west coast. They're a substantial shoe but much more attractive in person than in photographs. Hands down, the most comfortable leather shoes in my collection.

The clear advantage over Aldens is that you're getting a completely handmade shoe. Sadly, the auction doesn't include trees and, more sadly still, is not in my size otherwise I would have picked up a second pair at that price...

 

[johnapril]

I have these exact shoes in a 42 and can't sing their praises enough. When I bought them last year at Louis, I was (at the time) less than thrilled by the topy. In fact they've been perfect for the mild yet damp Fall and Winter on the west coast. They're a substantial shoe but much more attractive in person than in photographs. Hands down, the most comfortable leather shoes in my collection.

The clear advantage over Aldens is that you're getting a completely handmade shoe. Sadly, the auction doesn't include trees and, more sadly still, is not in my size otherwise I would have picked up a second pair at that price...

tattersall, others,

That was my next question: what is the advantage of the shoe being handmade? Does it last longer or wear better?

Thanks.

 

[darkoak]

They were made that way at the request of Louis Boston.

Is it possible to order Vass w/ dainite or commando soles? That would look better than Topy, no?

 

[kabert]

Well, I know some Vass shoes come from the factory with Vibram-type soles, so I assume it is possible to order non-leather soles. A pair of "London" model black cordovan boots I saw recently had Vibram-type soles.

 

[A Harris]

I second the recommendation for marcey2, I've bought lots of shoes from him and have been very satisified.

Advantage over Alden - the level of quality of the Vass shoe is the best on the market, comparing it to Alden would be like comparing Oxxford to Southwick. Completely different category... I think you will find they fit better, and last much longer too.

You can order Vass with vibram soles, we're hoping to get them to do a 'commando' (rubber over leather) sole one of these days.

 

[kabert]

OK, I just today received my first pair of Vass in the mail -- the chukka boots with a double leather sole. I must say, to compare them to Alden is almost an insult. I have several (4 or 5) pairs of Alden too. But these Vass have an interior and exterior finish that is a work of art -- I think it compares most closely to Lattanzi or perhaps EG or Lobb St. James. I could not bring myself to walk outside on pavement in them today, as they are so pristine. Perhaps tomorrow....

 

[Horace]

Quote:

(tattersall @ Mar. 01 2005,12:07) I have these exact shoes in a 42 and can't sing their praises enough. When I bought them last year at Louis, I was (at the time) less than thrilled by the topy. In fact they've been perfect for the mild yet damp Fall and Winter on the west coast. They're a substantial shoe but much more attractive in person than in photographs. Hands down, the most comfortable leather shoes in my collection. The clear advantage over Aldens is that you're getting a completely handmade shoe. Sadly, the auction doesn't include trees and, more sadly still, is not in my size otherwise I would have picked up a second pair at that price...
tattersall, others, That was my next question: what is the advantage of the shoe being handmade? Â Does it last longer or wear better? Thanks.
I think the shoes look great. And judging purely on aesthetics, it would appear to be a very apt analogy, Vass to Alden as Oxford to Southwick. However that being said, I never quite come to any sort of conclusion on whether there are indisputable advantages to having a shoe handmade, in most cases. On another thread, which I can no longer find, A Harris answered some quesitons I had concerning this.