English Shoe Durability in Practice

imatlas · Jan 24, 2010

Originally Posted by upnorth

they won't last any longer than other gemmed shoes, in fact your blake stitched italian shoes may outlast them.

I thought that blake stitching limited the number of times that a shoe could be resoled, while goodyear can be resoled an unlmited number of times. Is that incorrect?

BTW what is gemming, I hear that a lot from Fritzl but he never defines it.

mr monty · Jan 24, 2010

Originally Posted by archetypal_yuppie

One of the main reasons people give for buying english shoes like C&J or EG is that they're supposed to last longer due to goodyear welt, good leather soles, etc.

Has anyone actually noticed this in practice? Although I know the construction is better, I'm not sure if I expect my English shoes to last appreciably longer than my Ferragamos.

Everyone feel free to comment or post pictures of your well-worn shoes. (I have a feeling that a lot of people on here buy them and then hardly wear them).

Why do you think the construction is better? Are your Ferragamos from the Tramezza line?
If so, they will last as long as most English made shoes.

Are you sure Goodyear welt construction is better than rapid blake?

AlSailor · Jan 24, 2010

He is just referencing a famous thread by DWFII, but the master cobbler actually favorably mentioned Blake-Rapid constructed shoes, not Blake-stiched.

This is in reference to imatlas' s question.

imatlas · Jan 24, 2010

Originally Posted by AlSailor

He is just referencing a famous thread by DWFII, but the master cobbler actually favorably mentioned Blake-Rapid constructed shoes, not Blake-stiched.

This is in reference to imatlas' s question.

Thanks, I'm scanning it now. Thing is, it seems like all factory made goodyear welted shoes are gemmed, so short of handsewn welts you're stuck with it. Personally I don't find blake/rapid shoes as comfortable as GY.

globetrotter · Jan 24, 2010

I have 2 pair of pre-prada churches and a pair of trickers. The newest is 8 years old, the oldest 12. All in all I have 5 pair of shoes (2 pair vass). Before that I used to wear italian shoes, and they didn't last anywhere near as long.

clee1982 · Jan 24, 2010

Originally Posted by globetrotter

I have 2 pair of pre-prada churches and a pair of trickers. The newest is 8 years old, the oldest 12. All in all I have 5 pair of shoes (2 pair vass). Before that I used to wear italian shoes, and they didn't last anywhere near as long.

You only have 5 pairs of shoe!!! are you sure you're a member of styleforum?

fritzl · Jan 24, 2010

Originally Posted by imatlas

Thanks, I'm scanning it now. Thing is, it seems like all factory made goodyear welted shoes are gemmed, so short of handsewn welts you're stuck with it.

correct.

i have gemmed shoes, too. mainly, cause i started some restore projects out of fun. no long term experience yet.

chroMe · Jan 24, 2010

I have a few pairs of English made and although I have replaced the sole a few times; the leather upper has remained fab; love the character.

The black ones are 3+yrs old.

globetrotter · Jan 24, 2010

Originally Posted by clee1982

You only have 5 pairs of shoe!!! are you sure you're a member of styleforum?

it gets better - haven't bought a pair of shoes in 5 years, or a suit in 8

aj_del · Jan 24, 2010

Originally Posted by globetrotter

it gets better - haven't bought a pair of shoes in 5 years, or a suit in 8

I wish I was so comfortable and content with my wardrobe. I have the restraint of a 2 year old kid ...

academe · Jan 24, 2010

Originally Posted by sw20

Suspect it's much like new, $200K+ performance cars: most who buy them don't commute daily in them and only drive them occasionally on sunny, warm wkends...so have no real idea how they would hold up in daily use vs dry/wet weather/bumpy urban rds, etc Most of the famed UK/EU brands are some 2x cost of Alden shells; doubt UK/EU stuff lasts any longer in similar daily use (even with rotation for use every 2-3 days) in NYC weather and in extensive business travel (where rotation is often less possible)
Hhhmmm. There are at least a few of us that don't fit in to this category. I almost only own C&Js, EGs, Chruchs & Alfred Sargents. I also have a pair of RM Williams and Marteganis. My EGs and C&Js see the most use. I wear them every day in a rotation of perhaps 8-12 pairs of shoes - rain, snow, or shine (sometimes all 3 in the UK!) - and find that they definitely have held up much better than any of my previous Italian made shoes (Ferragamos, etc.), the only exception being my pair of Marteganis. I don't have any Aldens or AEs to compare against, but I've found that the uppers on my English-made shoes to be much more water-proof and salt-resistant than any of my other shoes, RM Williams included.

pinchi22 · Jan 24, 2010

I can only speak to 5 years, but my English shoes (C&J, Sargent) are holding up well through rain, sleet, snow and salt. Of course, IÂ´ve had to replace soles, but the uppers are holding up very well despite being used an average of 1-3 times per week rain or shine. My made-with-UK-equipment CarminaÂ´s are also holding up well.

The integrity of the uppers on my AEÂ´s has held up equally well, though the Chili colored ones got ruined (spotted) after a good rainstorm.

On the other hand, the (glued?) Italian shoes I had before I discovered SF disintegrated after a winter or two.

meister · Jan 24, 2010

Originally Posted by srivats

ZON_JR, you are a nasty troll. I don't see how you remotely consider this funny or ironic.

Weren't you warned before not to post this image?

He irritates over on The Fedora Lounge with inane posts of himself as well.

archetypal_yuppie · Jan 24, 2010

So thus far it sounds like there is a discernable difference.

mr monty · Jan 24, 2010

Originally Posted by globetrotter

I have 2 pair of pre-prada churches and a pair of trickers. The newest is 8 years old, the oldest 12. All in all I have 5 pair of shoes (2 pair vass). Before that I used to wear italian shoes, and they didn't last anywhere near as long.

Italian shoes? You can't lump all Italian made shoes together as if they had only one standard for quality or construction? Italian shoes are not limited to Blake construction.

English Shoe Durability in Practice

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