The Official Artisanal "streetwear" footwear (boots, shoes, sandals) thread (Guidi, CCP, Augusta, M.

These are so good, wish I could still cop.

Originally Posted by eckblk

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I vote for the carpes

MOre CARPE Diem*images courtesy of Layers/Carpe Diem archive & Eastern Market

kind of in love with this tread

Originally Posted by wogbog

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kind of in love with this tread
I'm glad you are enjoying it.

I have nothing to contribute, but I just wanted to say thanks to eckblk for all the cool pictures and commentary - living vicariously through your boots is fun!

Why did Augusta change it's name?

Also, how does Marsell measure up to these other brands?

Also, quality-wise, how would you guys rank most of these brands?

CCP > Augusta > MA+ > Guidi > Marsell ???
Also include non-shoemaker brands like Julius, Virdi-Anne, Devoa, etc...

IMO & from my experience: Carpe Diem > CCP/Augusta > MA+ > Guidi *some one else that has more experience with CCP may want to chime in. *I'm only putting MA+ behind CCP/Augusta because of the lack of a good year welt, the pair I owned were blake stitched. I have heard this is changing on some models for A/W 2011-12. There is a 3300usd derby . I also hate putting Guidi at the bottom because they are such a good value. 2 pair of Guidi zip boots = 1 pair of Augusta The japanese brands are extremely well constructed riri zippers, some use Guidi leather nowadays, etc....- I'm guessing most come from the same factory? I've never handled Marsell but like some of their designs. Officine Creative, Buttero and F&B are all great alternatives IMO Not sure about Augusta- I've heard there was an issue with another company already using that name. Ask Curtis.

Ahh, I didn't include Carpe since it's discontinued. How much did Carpe run? Pricing-wise, seems like:

CCP - Starting at $????
Augusta - starting at $2k
MA+ - starting at $1,500
Guidi - starting at $900


I've handled F&B and the quality really isn't as impressive as I had hoped, some of their leather felt and looked plastic. I actually prefer some of JVs mainline over most F&B boots. I just thought it would be better in person.

Originally Posted by eckblk

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Not sure about Augusta- I've heard there was an issue with another company already using that name. Ask Curtis.

Maybe I will.

Yeah guidi is by far the best value of the bunch at retail and on the secondary market and they offer so many styles, customization and all sorts of types of leather and color.

<3 guidi. I think the only thing that makes me sad about them is that I've heard the soles wear down really quickly, but I vibram/rubber heel anyways so it's a pretty small concern.

Originally Posted by Abraxis

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I think the only thing that makes me sad about them is that I've heard the soles wear down really quickly, but I vibram/rubber heel anyways so it's a pretty small concern.
So would you highly recommend that? I've been thinking about it for my boots but I'm not sure if it is ideal.

With new boots I personally like to wear them as is until the heel wears down a bit before I have them rubber heeled since they take a chunk off the heel off anyways.

Yeah, I think both me and eckblk do it compulsively. Many SZers do it too hence in for sale ads they advertise "Vibram'd since day 1". eckblk likes the Firm in NY which apparently based on what Chinorlz has told me only charges 20-25 per pair and apparently they do simply outstanding work. Maybe eckblk can confirm that estimate.

That makes me really think it might be cost effective if I mail out 2-4 pairs at once to get done given that my local place Mak's which was recommend to me by Arthur from The Archive in SF (awlouie) which charges 45 + tax for the service.

Mak does great work and has great turn around time, but I was a little bit disappointed by how much he tapered the sole on my guidis. So they sand the soles to get the vibram/rubber heels to match up with the sole and my now are a bit \\ / instead of | |. That and I'm not sure about the quality of "vibram"/heels they use. I don't know if they are superior in quality to vibram branded products or lower quality.

The firm also has the volume apparently to stock colored vibram products to color match too which I don't think Mak can offer.

Anyway, besides that tangent I think vibramming/rubber heeling is a must personally. I think a more interesting question is if you'd want the heel sanded down so that with the vibram'd rubber heel you want it to be the same height as stock (I.e. perhaps where the designer intended). I'm ocd about condition so I personally wouldn't ;p but... I think this might be something you want.

Originally Posted by RFX45

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Ahh, I didn't include Carpe since it's discontinued. How much did Carpe run? Pricing-wise, seems like:

CCP - Starting at $????
Augusta - starting at $2k
MA+ - starting at $1,500
Guidi - starting at $900


I've handled F&B and the quality really isn't as impressive as I had hoped, some of their leather felt and looked plastic. I actually prefer some of JVs mainline over most F&B boots. I just thought it would be better in person.

Maybe I will.

I've seen CCP anywhere from 1700-2200 for new tornado zips. I'm not sure about Carpe Pricing; I'm guessing most iterations were 1300-1700 new. I've stories of them being marked down to as low as 375usd a Barneys back in the day....

Yeah I was waiting on eckblk to answer that since I figured he know better but I pretty much assumed that Carpe price was pretty "reasonable" despite being for the most part nowadays considered the "best" of that style of footwear. Different strength of the dollar, materials costs etc. and as far as my limited knowledge knows the market was less saturated so you have less people changing the pricing game.

It wasn't yet like pro sports where some new rookie or star player will net some insane salary which redefines what a elite salary should be.

copyright issue

as far as quality, augusta is better than ccp IME. don;t know about most of the rest

Originally Posted by RFX45

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Why did Augusta change it's name?

Also, how does Marsell measure up to these other brands?

Also, quality-wise, how would you guys rank most of these brands?

CCP > Augusta > MA+ > Guidi > Marsell ???
Also include non-shoemaker brands like Julius, Virdi-Anne, Devoa, etc...

I guess I'll wear my Guidis a few times and then get it vibramed/rubber soled if they'll sand it down anyways. My main worry about getting vibram is that I don't want the sole to get thicker, I prefer the lower stance/profile of the boots. I probably wouldn't get rubber heels though, maybe just metal heel taps.

That's some crazy pricing on Carpe but I guess if it still exist today it'll probably be starting around $2k.