Maybe it's me but I never heard anyone more passionate about shoes. Thanks for the detailed info. I was looking for a good-decent brand for a father's day gift for my husband. You saved me from spending $500+ on some Ferragamos!
luke donohoe "And I thought $100 dollar shoes were expensive and he just ripped them apart" They are, I bought some leather shoes (uppers) for £15 ($20) , now that's cheap !!
Look on eBay for quality shoes or visit your your local thrift store it may seem expensive but in the long run you will be glad you spend a little more
If that’s all you can afford then what could you do but if you can treat your feet better then buy a pair. Sometimes folks spend hard earned money on things that maybe is not a good investment but good shoes are always a good investment as the development of bunions and other foot disorders are more expensive in the long run.
@@Acemans absolutely, there’s a market for vintage Allen Edmonds and the Florsheims. And if you check out the Kirby Allison project for about $115, which is their presidential premier service, they resole using the renamed JR sole, recork and replace the gamming if necessary.
@@kennethflores93 yes Ive gotten plenty of Allen Edmonds from ebay although I've resolved mine with the local cobbler here. I like to support the local cobbler here.
Can I just say what a aid to seek out someone who really is aware of what theyre speaking about on the internet. You positively know methods to carry a difficulty to gentle and make it important. More people have to learn this and perceive this aspect of the story. I cant imagine youre no more widespread because you definitely have the gift.
When I was in hospital having physio on my broken leg, the physio commented how classy the shoes were on the guy in the next bed. He explained he had always had hand made shoes and went into detail about the difference, the quality, the longevity and the comfort of hand made shoes. How much better they were and how he had always looked after his feet. I asked why he was attended physio and he replied, "my knees are knackered". Oh well!
@@pianofry1138 I think the point of the story is that no matter how much expensive wear you have, it'll never make you indestructible, no matter how much you spend.
I've owned 4 different pairs of Allen Edmonds and can attest that out of all of my shoes in the price range, they are the most comfortable, durable, Goodyear welt with oaked leather soles, and easiest to break in. They also take on color and patina amazingly well. Nordstroms Rack often has them on sale far below MSRP. The classic styles like Oxford cap toes and wingtips are timeless and I always receive compliments on them. My current favorite is the AE Strands.
My grand-uncle was a shoemaker and I loved the visits to his shop. And he did woodpecked shoes although we lived at the western edge of germany, far from austria. But maybe he had roots in the austro-hungarian region I wasnt told about. There were many craftsmen in this branch of my family an in germany it is common they spend some time wandering from one town to another working and learning their craft at different places. In the end they often find their final home at a distant place from their home-town. Even today german carpenters still follow this tradition and travell the country in their traditional outfit, yet another kind of gentleman's etiquette.
Many other men's fashion content creators I've seen are also pretentious and their videos go off topic often. Some are even openly misogynistic. I appreciate that your videos are always down to earth and focused, and that they never border on offensive. Thanks and keep up the great work.
I've stolen cars worth more than the total of all the shoes he presented... Seriously, I took the advice of the local "traditional" shoe repair person, as to the brand he now buys for himself now he has seen a lifetime of shoes being brought in for repair. Now I only buy shoes by "do your own flippin' research, mate!", for about $60 for a pair, and they have all the features of the $400 shoes praised here. So my enjoyment in my shoes, disappointingly for some, is entirely the result of accessing real knowledge and has nothing to do with the internet-web-thing. I'm not sure if shoes worth buying can be found for an ordinary price of less than $65, so selecting shoes on an ongoing basis but only buying during "special offers time" really serves me well. Have I ever seriously considered paying $400, or the local equivalent, for one pair of shoes? No, I am not nearly that mad... Having examined shoes that expensive in the wardrobe of good friends I have no idea what my friends get out of their $400 and more that I don't get for my $60 or thereabouts. Shoes that will last longer than it will take me to become bored with them are all I need to buy. Why on Earth would I spend more?
@@towmlvb3423 You are supposed to wear the shoes to see how good they are, not "examined them." That's about as good as buying based on what you read off the Internet. If you are in USA or Western Europe $60 just doesn't go really far. Now if you are going on goodwill hunting or getting a good deal somehow, props to you, but that's not $60.
This is excellent information. Please consider doing a series for women. Most of our clothes are junk. Many of the quality brands went out of business. I’d love to see this kind of information on TH-cam.
@@Ferien7 it's a tad too sharp for my ears, especially when he says shoe, it sounds way too sharp compared to other words even in low volume but at the same time the way he pronounce his words require the volume to be above average which leads to the word shoe being so sharp that I eventually just mute it and read the captions
Great video. You lay out the reasons to invest in higher quality shoes without pushing the fact. It is informative on a topic for which every gentleman should have a basic understanding of!
One of the most underrated and under-priced luxuries in life is a good shoe repair guy! You can buy nice shoes and get them repaired / re-soled by a wonderful craftsman for a really good price.
I bought two identical pairs of black oxfords from Jones' in London about three years ago - goodyear welt, nice stitching and quality leather inside and out. Managed to score a discount on them, but would have happily paid the original ticket price of £200+ per pair - still incredibly comfortable despite hundreds of wears, and three re-solings!
Raphael, At 6:40 “This old brogue shoe that I got in 2003, it’s been resoled twice, it’s been on five continents and it’s still going strong.” Ha! Nuff said! That was great! Love the videos!
I have no doubt that you are right about high end quality shoes. My favorite brand however is Clark's. They have many price levels but even the lowered priced ones do an excellent job.
Great information, have learned a lot watching your videos. I finished reading your 30 Men's Style Mistakes, next to read is Gentleman of the Golden Age. Thank you for all that you do.
I really appreciate that. I have bought a pair of chelseas from Berwick two months ago. They are around 200$, Goodyear Welted and leather looks fine for now.
I've had an $80 pair of Stacy Adams for about 12 years and still going strong. Just bought another pairs of SA. Comfort is subjective and more expensive doesn't mean more comfortable. I think if you spend $500 on your shoes you aren't going to look to keep them for forever. I understand what he means about the shoes and he is correct but most people just need dress shoes that are good enough
Comfort isn't really subjective though. Nice shoes are really more comfortable. I wonder if you have actually tried on $500 shoes - if you do you wouldn't be making this statement. Go to poorer countries and you can have bespoke shoes for $500 - the fit is important IMO. Whether $500 are worth the extra comfort is another thing.
Dat Dinh Agree. Expensive doesn't mean comfort or quality. I've settled on two brands (because they have my size/14 US): Cobbler Union and Carmina. If anyone thinks there's not a difference in feel, look and style they haven't tried those shoes.
$500 shoes can(emphasis on can)be far more comfortable. Stacy Adam's are really comfortable and if you're buying new and only wearing for special occasions they aren't a terrible choice. Still Allen Edmonds are super easy to find on sites like eBay for $80 new returns and around $50 (and often under) for quality barely used pairs. They do mold to your foot more because of the leather used and the insole and that can make them more comfortable. Doesn't mean that memory foam isn't nicer for people who only use them occasionally and don't break shoes in.
I can relate and yet not totally. To compare: I've got ~€300 Floris van Bommel boots, they're Goodyear welted and after a lot of months the leather still didn't break and cause my heels to get hurt every single time I try to wear them (, yet the suffering can't be compared to the breaking of my boat shoes so I'll toughen up). The leather on the side however already shows signs of coming cracks, alas. I've got a pair of ~€150 brown brogues from A State of Art, these ones have a blue coloured thick soft rubber sole. Although it erodes quicker, these are still after 2 years, since day 1, my most comfy shoes I ever had and they still look as beautiful as then. It's all a bit relative. Great video btw!
My current $300 shoe is quite comfortable, the most comfortable I've ever owned. Is it worth me buying a $500 shoe if it will be more comfortable? What about $700? $1000? Who can put a price on comfort?!!
Not everyone can pull off your style of dressing . You have such a classic way of dressing. You remind me of how people dressed in the 20’s . I love it.
Very helpful video. I’m a $200 shoes guy - Kenneth Cole NY, Florsheim, Hush Puppies, Dr. Marten’s, etc. I spend on Louis Vuitton leather goods but not so much on shoes. After watching your video I will spend more on higher quality shoes. I won’t go beyond $500.
While I am one who always opts to save as much as I can on purchases, it does not apply to dress shoes. You really get what you pay for with dress shoes and it is a lesson my feet have learnt the hard way. The most expensive ones are also the most comfy and last the longest and in the long run end up being cheaper. I recommend shelling out a bit more to get proper, comfortable, long lasting dress shoes for sure.
I always have been buying what I thought were decent shoes for around 150-200 euros. And they had all the issues you described. Creases after a while. Discoloration. Seams or the sole might even start to wear out etc. Usually though they just became uncomfortable to wear. Never considered repairing them because they already looked so worn. That's also why I never bought more expensive shoes because I always assumed they would have the same issues and lifetime. Might try it out on my next purchase.
I just bought a pair of British made Barker branded Oxford shoes called a Nelson and made with single piece upper from calf skin, they're very nicely made... I'm very please with them.
I so love your advice and tips and tricks..... I previously bought some great german made leather shoes ( Derby and Oxford ) for quite cheap on ebay and later realized that they sold for over 100 Euro new. They needed resoling but after that, I got myself some real nice comfy pairs......my winter shoes with rubber soles and for summer with leather soles, because I really enjoyed the feel in walking with them! And they are still with me and a trusted companion!
Your suit in this video is just awesome. Colours and texture are beautiful. I have a pair of Barker Shoes (McClean model) and they are a pleasure to wear.
Great video, as usual. My preferred brands of shoe are Barker and Loake, I am British and I feel we have some of the best shoe makers in the world. I aspire to a pair of bespoke Lobb shoes but these will run me somewhere in the region of £4000! I would love to see a video about playing with the patina of a lighter shoe, I have toyed with the idea but I have never been brave enough to take the plunge on a pair of my Barkers. Keep up the great work.
I have a pair of Rockport dress shoes that I’ve worn for 10 years. Not an expensive brand but they’re damn comfortable and the leather has held up very nicely. But it’s probably time to upgrade
All my dress n casual shoes are from Allan Edmonds. They're made just a few miles from home. If you catch them on sale. Especially out of season you can get a tremendous value and have them twenty or more years.
I just bought my first pair of Allen Edmonds and compared to Chaps and other cheap brands you can easily tell the difference. One caveat is you can find Goodyear welted shoes for a lot less so it isn't indicative of a quality shoe. Dr. Martens MSRP for most shoes is under $150 U.S. and they are Goodyear Welted. Also a rubber sole in and of itself is not always indicative of a cheap shoe. Many manufactures offer Vibram or Danite soles on their shoes. You need something for rain and snow, see LGA Wingtips from AE.
Since I have long narrow feet, 13B, I'm forced to buy $400+ shoes. I've become quite adept at shopping outlets. I tend to spend $200-$300 for Allen Edmonds factory seconds and discontinued shoes. I often work 12 hours/day, and I'm on my feet for extended periods of time. These work.
I'm going to take a guess and say if you wear 100.00 shoes that are shined and in good condition to a formal or semi formal event. No one in the room is going to even notice your feet and say to themselves "what a pity, those are cheap shoes". Well, with the exception of this guy.
And you have no idea how judgemental morr wealthy people often are. Especially at events. Your look is basicly your business card to yourself and your company before handing one out.
You wearing stuff for others? And he has great point. Long run...high end is cheaper then buying $100 every year or two. There are brands made from horse leather that will outlive you. So, you will pay them $800 once in lifetime. And YOU will know what great shoes you have and it will make YOU feel great wearing them.
@@godra051 wearing stuff for others, idk, if u want to call presenting yourself in a proffesional way/matter wearing stuff for others then yes. If it makes the difference between you getting a new client/increase your income i dont mind at all. If its just for leisure then its different. I mean would u go to a job interview in baggy sweats and a tanktop?
@@kippetjes4 you going to extreme there. But if you wanna be smart then tank top can work as well. If you're build well and applying for construction job. Point is, you have to feel comfortable wearing stuff and good quality products will boost your confidence. No matter if other people notice it. In my experience, if you have good stuff (jacket, shoe, watch..) sooner or later people will ask you what is it. Where did you get it etc. And it is actually cheaper to spend $800.00 for a lifetime shoe then having new pair every year and spending $70-100 every time.
@@godra051 examples are often extremes to make clear the point.. in certain ocassions the clothing you wear can be a deciding factor for your succes. Therefor in higher class socializing events theres nothing wrong with wearing expensive stuff and people do notice, which was the point of the initial comment.
Years back when I didn't know any better, I spent hundreds on Ferragamo loafers that had rubber soles, thinking they were high quality. The rubber literally crumbled a few years later. As mentioned, big brands aren't always better. Know what makes a quality shoe to make informed decisions.
When it comes to how much you're willing to shell out for a pair of shoes the most important consideration is...who are you? Are you a guy who wears a suit every day for work? Then no matter your financial situation investing $500 in a decent pair of shoes makes sense. Are you a guy who only wears dress shoes for weddings and funerals? Then you can probably rationalize spending just $100 on some Florsheims. Great video as always Sven.
And there's a whole range of prices in between. Personally I find the sweetspot the best and if you can afford it, 500€ is not too outrageous for shoes, it's about the max you'd spend unless had a lot of money. But you can just buy the sweetspot, around 200-300€~. Those are high quality but not too expensive. Sweetspot for high quality long lasting shoes at a good price. And if you wear shoes less often then they also of course last longer than in hard/daily wearing.
I think it is "what you are willing to afford" and "how much do you understand?" If you understand the look and feel of a good pair of shoes you wouldn't want to wear sh*t on Sunday especially if it is the only day of the week you're wearing dress shoes. Make it count for God! And one thing that a lot of posters have forgotten is sales. You can get good sales from the shoe company websites and from Nordstrom's during their summer sale. I've picked up Allen Edmunds at up to 70% off. Just walking into a store one random day and saying "I need shoes" is a good way to get raked over the coals.
Everyone should look into Massimo Matteo shoes, they incorporate all the traits of a $300-$500 shoes. Soft easy to break in leather outer and inner lining, wood nailed in heel, leather sole, hand made in Italy. All for around $160 bucks, the only draw back is the sole is glued not stitched. Still for the price it is an AMAZING value and I love them.
wait . If you calculate the "price / wear" you have to take into account your repairs. ... .But still than, it will cost about the same per wear I think. You have said that you have re- soled the shoue 2 times.
@poida Yeah. The guy has like a gazillion pairs in his wardrobe. The upper on that tan pair is in bad condition though so we know it's been through a lot. So it's probably not 2000 wears but maybe half that. Doesn't make for a strong case of cost per wear.
You may have already, but a video about vintage shoes could be fun. Bates, Stuart maquire etc old v-cleats etc. Also, u used Florsheim as an example of lower quality shoe, but that wasn’t always so. Never top of the line but much much better than now. (I have a few old Imperials that are 30+ years old, re-soled ofc, but still going. Could be fun to talk about what some shoe makers were like back in the day. That said, I always learn something when I watch your vids and I definitely make better wardrobe and outfitting choices because of them. Thanks!
Cobbler union has winter sales, you can get their shoes between 200 and 400 depending on model. There is also Meermin, Berwick and at a higher price Carmina. All made in Spain and mostly Goodyear welted.
I got some pairs from shoe passion and Wiener Schuhmanufaktur - and it’s actually amazing what you can get for 300 Euro already. They will last a lifetime.
Always buy the best you can afford... I have many pairs of 20-25 y/o dress shoes, from Allen Edmunds, Nettleton and Johnston & Murphy brands, most purchased in the mid-90s... most have been rehabbed at least once, all have endured the 4 seasons of heat, cold, rain and snow and yet they still look brand new.... always put cedar-wood shoe trees in after wearing them and during inclement weather, I always carry a set of foldable rubber overshoes, so that I am not trashing them when out in the elements... they were classics then, still classic now....
What do you think of English shoemakers such as Herring, Cheaney, Loake, Alfred Sargent. They seem to be supplying in the 250 - 400GBP range and as far as I can tell have the hallmarks of high quality shoes.
There are good reasons to buy higher quality shoes, especially to get the nicer leather uppers. But I've not found they give better longevity. I had a pair of Allen Edmonds that I wore regularly for a few years. I took good care of them, e.g., inserted shoe trees between wearings. During this time they were resoled at least once (I don't recall exactly). But the last time I went to get them resoled the cobbler said he couldn't fix them because the heel counters had broken down. I sent them back to Allen Edmonds, and they also said they couldn't repair broken heel counters. So if your normal wear pattern can break down heel counters, you'd be best advised not to expect better longevity from expensive shoes. A high quality shoe's better leather longevity and better sole reparability isn't going to increase the durability of its heel counters. All the talk about how high quality shoes last longer seems to ignore this key point.
Thanks for sharing. Do you use shoes horn? If you can afford high quality shoes you probably aren't worrying too much about longevity anyway. If finance is all one is concerned with, cheap shoes win. They just do. Now talk about looking good or feeling good in the shoes that's a different story.
I managed to get a pair of goodyear welt English made (In Northhamptonshire, just one county over from me) oxfords, £160 which was a really good deal considering a store nearby was selling rubber sole much lower quality oxfords for £92. I feel confident with care these will last years and be able to be resoled. My previous pair of cheap dress shoes were poor quality leather and the top layer of leather started disintegrating and peeling after only a few years.
@@kenrivers9757 I have one pair of brown Derby, not as comfortable as sneakers but overall happy with them(wish they were lightweight), I'm purchasing one pair of black dress shoes for my first suit :) but Don't want to spend anything beyond $100.
I bought a pair of Black derby Cap toe style dress shoe from Nunn Bush (Leather uppers) for $75 and they have last over 7 years very soon 8. That is also used very heavily throughout the week. I bought a pair of brown Derby's from Florsheim for $110 and just after one month you can see that the shoe has more creases than my black pair, the shoe looks like its falling apart. The quality is no where near that of Nunn Bush. I think its just depends. Florsheim was recommended to me because they're an old company who has been around for a long time. Although the quality is sub-par. I have looked into Nunn-bush but it seems that they too have gone down on quality as well.
Yeah, both are really going downhill. Florsheim and Nunn Bush used to be quality shoes. I own a couple of vintage pairs, and they are built like a brick house. When the weren't able to afford staying in America they started to lose their way. Over time they got worse and worse and aren't worth buying in my opinion. They fall apart so fast that if you need shoes getting something for another $100 will end up saving you money.
great video because most people were unaware and for those in California TAKE your shoes to SHOE STOP in Fairfield, He has over 30yrs as a cobbler and the prices can't be beat.
Besides polish for the shoe and shoe trees what about over shoes and galoshes when your out and it happens to rain, snow and slush. I'm in Canada and it's very slick for leather soles. Lucky last year was so cold that it didn't snow much and I could wear my shoes more often. But this year the forecast doesn't look good. I can't go back to cheap shoes and boots for winter. And what about the issue of grip. How did people wear them back in the day?
Thank You. Very helpful. I am fairly knowledgeable in hiking and running shoes but clueless for dress shoes. Agree you generally get what you pay for in shoes. For sports shoes I go with name brand high end models and look for deals on previous year color/style.
Thanks Raphael for all of your informative videos! I've been looking to spend around $250 on a new pair of dress shoes. I've come across Meermin and also Ace Marks. What are your thoughts on quality and value?
Good video. Just got my first pair of Gordon & Bros boots. They are goodyear welted and are getting more an more comfy per day. And they were just above 100€ at amazon. Thx for your great videos! Hi from germany!
Northamptonshire in the UK is one of the best places to buy quality shoes in the world. I have a pair of Crockett & Jones shoes (Used in the James Bond films and Kingsman films) that have lasted me over 4 years so far without even resoling them, yet still look better then a pair of cheap shoes 3 months in. If you buy cheap, you buy twice!
Cole Haan used to make decent budget shoes - not so much anymore. I would recommend, in order of ascending quality, Allen Edmonds Seconds, Retail Allen Edmonds, Alden, Crockett & Jones, and then the cool stuff... St. Crispins come to mind.
Started watching your videos recently, Mr. Schneider. Very informative! What is your personal opinion though, on a Lower range shoe brand, such as Clarks?
I have a pair of Allen Edmonds dress shoes that I purchased for $110 in 1983. I have had them rebuilt several times over the years. Am I cheap or just enjoy a comfortable shoe?
I calculated the cost per wear and bought a used pair of Crockett & Jones Pembroke. The new sole was 160€ (look it up on youtube. it's crazy how good the service is) and I realized that British shoemakers are pretty good when it comes to service. So Now it total I paid 300€ for a good pair of shoes that would usually cost around 550 € ( If you are lucky to find them in the Burgundy color ) and I will wear them for the next 20 - 30 years to come :)
Maybe it's me but I never heard anyone more passionate about shoes. Thanks for the detailed info. I was looking for a good-decent brand for a father's day gift for my husband. You saved me from spending $500+ on some Ferragamos!
Just curious, I know it’s been a while since this post, but what did you buy the hubby?
And I thought $100 dollar shoes were expensive and he just ripped them apart
They are expensive. They are generally garbage and won’t last very long and will end up costing you more in the long run than a more expensive pair.
luke donohoe
"And I thought $100 dollar shoes were expensive and he just ripped them apart"
They are, I bought some leather shoes (uppers) for £15 ($20) , now that's cheap !!
I know right. I paid $40 for my loafers 😂
you can get goodyear welted shoes from spain for 150€ when on sale.
Look on eBay for quality shoes or visit your your local thrift store it may seem expensive but in the long run you will be glad you spend a little more
He speaks like bad quality shoes are my fault
it is if you buy them
If that’s all you can afford then what could you do but if you can treat your feet better then buy a pair. Sometimes folks spend hard earned money on things that maybe is not a good investment but good shoes are always a good investment as the development of bunions and other foot disorders are more expensive in the long run.
@@kennethflores93 there's always the used market.
@@Acemans absolutely, there’s a market for vintage Allen Edmonds and the Florsheims. And if you check out the Kirby Allison project for about $115, which is their presidential premier service, they resole using the renamed JR sole, recork and replace the gamming if necessary.
@@kennethflores93 yes Ive gotten plenty of Allen Edmonds from ebay although I've resolved mine with the local cobbler here. I like to support the local cobbler here.
Can I just say what a aid to seek out
someone who really is aware of what theyre
speaking about on the internet. You positively know methods to carry a
difficulty to gentle and make it important. More people have to learn this and perceive this aspect of the story. I cant imagine youre no more widespread because you definitely have the gift.
When I was in hospital having physio on my broken leg, the physio commented how classy the shoes were on the guy in the next bed. He explained he had always had hand made shoes and went into detail about the difference, the quality, the longevity and the comfort of hand made shoes. How much better they were and how he had always looked after his feet.
I asked why he was attended physio and he replied, "my knees are knackered". Oh well!
Is that to do with the shoes though. I hurt my knees young and I'm waiting for that to catch up with me.
@@pianofry1138 I think the point of the story is that no matter how much expensive wear you have, it'll never make you indestructible, no matter how much you spend.
I've owned 4 different pairs of Allen Edmonds and can attest that out of all of my shoes in the price range, they are the most comfortable, durable, Goodyear welt with oaked leather soles, and easiest to break in. They also take on color and patina amazingly well. Nordstroms Rack often has them on sale far below MSRP. The classic styles like Oxford cap toes and wingtips are timeless and I always receive compliments on them. My current favorite is the AE Strands.
My grand-uncle was a shoemaker and I loved the visits to his shop. And he did woodpecked shoes although we lived at the western edge of germany, far from austria. But maybe he had roots in the austro-hungarian region I wasnt told about. There were many craftsmen in this branch of my family an in germany it is common they spend some time wandering from one town to another working and learning their craft at different places. In the end they often find their final home at a distant place from their home-town. Even today german carpenters still follow this tradition and travell the country in their traditional outfit, yet another kind of gentleman's etiquette.
you are really underrated. your videos are fantastic and informative. I would recommend you to any friend trying to look more stylish. Keep it up
Thank you. We do our best.
Many other men's fashion content creators I've seen are also pretentious and their videos go off topic often. Some are even openly misogynistic. I appreciate that your videos are always down to earth and focused, and that they never border on offensive. Thanks and keep up the great work.
Michael DeLaMarre misogynistic is a very over and misused word. Do you really know what that word means when you use it?
Agreed. Also, I just love watching him speak.
I've owned cars that cost what he pays for a pair of shoes
I've stolen cars worth more than the total of all the shoes he presented...
Seriously, I took the advice of the local "traditional" shoe repair person, as to the brand he now buys for himself now he has seen a lifetime of shoes being brought in for repair. Now I only buy shoes by "do your own flippin' research, mate!", for about $60 for a pair, and they have all the features of the $400 shoes praised here. So my enjoyment in my shoes, disappointingly for some, is entirely the result of accessing real knowledge and has nothing to do with the internet-web-thing. I'm not sure if shoes worth buying can be found for an ordinary price of less than $65, so selecting shoes on an ongoing basis but only buying during "special offers time" really serves me well.
Have I ever seriously considered paying $400, or the local equivalent, for one pair of shoes? No, I am not nearly that mad... Having examined shoes that expensive in the wardrobe of good friends I have no idea what my friends get out of their $400 and more that I don't get for my $60 or thereabouts. Shoes that will last longer than it will take me to become bored with them are all I need to buy. Why on Earth would I spend more?
@@towmlvb3423 You are supposed to wear the shoes to see how good they are, not "examined them." That's about as good as buying based on what you read off the Internet. If you are in USA or Western Europe $60 just doesn't go really far. Now if you are going on goodwill hunting or getting a good deal somehow, props to you, but that's not $60.
All my cars have been so...
I can get less by scrapping my truck 😂
Peasant!
Good discussion on $100 vs $500 dress shoes and great tips on what to look for when buying quality shoes thanks
This is excellent information. Please consider doing a series for women. Most of our clothes are junk. Many of the quality brands went out of business. I’d love to see this kind of information on TH-cam.
Yes you are right back in the 70's women had great clothing now it seems it is all wear once or twice then throw away.
the way he speaks.....between whispering and talking normally.
Darren Kueh so?
@@Ferien7 it's a tad too sharp for my ears, especially when he says shoe, it sounds way too sharp compared to other words even in low volume but at the same time the way he pronounce his words require the volume to be above average which leads to the word shoe being so sharp that I eventually just mute it and read the captions
he did talk funny and unnatural
I really like the way he speaks! No slang, no bad words
HE is my vision of real good friend, he reflects the values of my family
@@michaelciccone2194 definitely
Great video. You lay out the reasons to invest in higher quality shoes without pushing the fact. It is informative on a topic for which every gentleman should have a basic understanding of!
One of the most underrated and under-priced luxuries in life is a good shoe repair guy!
You can buy nice shoes and get them repaired / re-soled by a wonderful craftsman for a really good price.
I bought two identical pairs of black oxfords from Jones' in London about three years ago - goodyear welt, nice stitching and quality leather inside and out.
Managed to score a discount on them, but would have happily paid the original ticket price of £200+ per pair - still incredibly comfortable despite hundreds of wears, and three re-solings!
Raphael,
At 6:40 “This old brogue shoe that I got in 2003, it’s been resoled twice, it’s been on five continents and it’s still going strong.”
Ha! Nuff said! That was great!
Love the videos!
I have no doubt that you are right about high end quality shoes. My favorite brand however is Clark's. They have many price levels but even the lowered priced ones do an excellent job.
cant stop watching your videos. always informative and well put together. thank you
You're welcome. Stay tuned for more to come and spread the word! :)
Great information, have learned a lot watching your videos. I finished reading your 30 Men's Style Mistakes, next to read is Gentleman of the Golden Age. Thank you for all that you do.
Glad to hear you get value from our content!
And every other fashion bloger is obsessed with Paul Evans :D Good job Raphael!
They do good marketing.
But our opinion cannot be bought and we believe there are better shoes out there in this price range.
I really appreciate that. I have bought a pair of chelseas from Berwick two months ago. They are around 200$, Goodyear Welted and leather looks fine for now.
DDzulian Paul Evans is good, just bought two pair.. Trying them out.. but my mainstay shoes are Mezlan and Magnanni.. Super Nice shoes
I've had an $80 pair of Stacy Adams for about 12 years and still going strong. Just bought another pairs of SA. Comfort is subjective and more expensive doesn't mean more comfortable. I think if you spend $500 on your shoes you aren't going to look to keep them for forever. I understand what he means about the shoes and he is correct but most people just need dress shoes that are good enough
Comfort isn't really subjective though. Nice shoes are really more comfortable. I wonder if you have actually tried on $500 shoes - if you do you wouldn't be making this statement. Go to poorer countries and you can have bespoke shoes for $500 - the fit is important IMO.
Whether $500 are worth the extra comfort is another thing.
Dat Dinh Agree. Expensive doesn't mean comfort or quality. I've settled on two brands (because they have my size/14 US): Cobbler Union and Carmina. If anyone thinks there's not a difference in feel, look and style they haven't tried those shoes.
$500 shoes can(emphasis on can)be far more comfortable. Stacy Adam's are really comfortable and if you're buying new and only wearing for special occasions they aren't a terrible choice. Still Allen Edmonds are super easy to find on sites like eBay for $80 new returns and around $50 (and often under) for quality barely used pairs. They do mold to your foot more because of the leather used and the insole and that can make them more comfortable. Doesn't mean that memory foam isn't nicer for people who only use them occasionally and don't break shoes in.
I can relate and yet not totally. To compare: I've got ~€300 Floris van Bommel boots, they're Goodyear welted and after a lot of months the leather still didn't break and cause my heels to get hurt every single time I try to wear them (, yet the suffering can't be compared to the breaking of my boat shoes so I'll toughen up). The leather on the side however already shows signs of coming cracks, alas. I've got a pair of ~€150 brown brogues from A State of Art, these ones have a blue coloured thick soft rubber sole. Although it erodes quicker, these are still after 2 years, since day 1, my most comfy shoes I ever had and they still look as beautiful as then. It's all a bit relative. Great video btw!
Bought a pair. 500 plus. The most comfortable shoe I've ever bought. As if they were made 4 me.. the shop was in Savile Row London.
My current $300 shoe is quite comfortable, the most comfortable I've ever owned. Is it worth me buying a $500 shoe if it will be more comfortable? What about $700? $1000? Who can put a price on comfort?!!
@@trevbarlow9719 it depends if your 300 dollar shoe is still usable or if you really wanna buy a 700 or 1000 dollar shoe but it really depends on you
Not everyone can pull off your style of dressing . You have such a classic way of dressing. You remind me of how people dressed in the 20’s . I love it.
Another fantastic video! Allen Edmonds fan here...thanks for sharing opinion on Paul Evans.
What is the smallest men's shoes you have? For a smaller person? Thanks
With a bit of work, it's plausible for someone on a budget to get quality made $200-$300 shoes. Allen Edmonds can be found for
Very helpful video. I’m a $200 shoes guy - Kenneth Cole NY, Florsheim, Hush Puppies, Dr. Marten’s, etc. I spend on Louis Vuitton leather goods but not so much on shoes. After watching your video I will spend more on higher quality shoes. I won’t go beyond $500.
While I am one who always opts to save as much as I can on purchases, it does not apply to dress shoes. You really get what you pay for with dress shoes and it is a lesson my feet have learnt the hard way. The most expensive ones are also the most comfy and last the longest and in the long run end up being cheaper. I recommend shelling out a bit more to get proper, comfortable, long lasting dress shoes for sure.
I always have been buying what I thought were decent shoes for around 150-200 euros.
And they had all the issues you described. Creases after a while. Discoloration. Seams or the sole might even start to wear out etc. Usually though they just became uncomfortable to wear. Never considered repairing them because they already looked so worn.
That's also why I never bought more expensive shoes because I always assumed they would have the same issues and lifetime. Might try it out on my next purchase.
I just bought a pair of British made Barker branded Oxford shoes called a Nelson and made with single piece upper from calf skin, they're very nicely made... I'm very please with them.
I so love your advice and tips and tricks.....
I previously bought some great german made leather shoes ( Derby and Oxford ) for quite cheap on ebay and later realized that they sold for over 100 Euro new. They needed resoling but after that, I got myself some real nice comfy pairs......my winter shoes with rubber soles and for summer with leather soles, because I really enjoyed the feel in walking with them!
And they are still with me and a trusted companion!
He’s absolutely right. You get what you pay for and people recognize quality. They also recognize cheap.
those eyes really lock you in, stare straight into your soul. OK OK I WON'T BUY CHEAP SHOES AGAIN.
Your suit in this video is just awesome. Colours and texture are beautiful. I have a pair of Barker Shoes (McClean model) and they are a pleasure to wear.
Thanks
Great video, as usual. My preferred brands of shoe are Barker and Loake, I am British and I feel we have some of the best shoe makers in the world. I aspire to a pair of bespoke Lobb shoes but these will run me somewhere in the region of £4000! I would love to see a video about playing with the patina of a lighter shoe, I have toyed with the idea but I have never been brave enough to take the plunge on a pair of my Barkers.
Keep up the great work.
I sent a pair of tan Barkers to mbshoedoc for a patina job. They look great I was terrified to try it myself
I have a pair of Rockport dress shoes that I’ve worn for 10 years. Not an expensive brand but they’re damn comfortable and the leather has held up very nicely. But it’s probably time to upgrade
All my dress n casual shoes are from Allan Edmonds. They're made just a few miles from home.
If you catch them on sale. Especially out of season you can get a tremendous value and have them twenty or more years.
I just bought my first pair of Allen Edmonds and compared to Chaps and other cheap brands you can easily tell the difference. One caveat is you can find Goodyear welted shoes for a lot less so it isn't indicative of a quality shoe. Dr. Martens MSRP for most shoes is under $150 U.S. and they are Goodyear Welted.
Also a rubber sole in and of itself is not always indicative of a cheap shoe. Many manufactures offer Vibram or Danite soles on their shoes. You need something for rain and snow, see LGA Wingtips from AE.
Since I have long narrow feet, 13B, I'm forced to buy $400+ shoes. I've become quite adept at shopping outlets. I tend to spend $200-$300 for Allen Edmonds factory seconds and discontinued shoes. I often work 12 hours/day, and I'm on my feet for extended periods of time. These work.
Great information , thanks . Be curious about everything . The more You learn the more appreciate craftsmanship and cost .
This kid looks like a dapper member of the Addams Family. The video was informative and nicely done.
At what age does someone become an adult for you?
I'm going to take a guess and say if you wear 100.00 shoes that are shined and in good condition to a formal or semi formal event. No one in the room is going to even notice your feet and say to themselves "what a pity, those are cheap shoes". Well, with the exception of this guy.
And you have no idea how judgemental morr wealthy people often are. Especially at events. Your look is basicly your business card to yourself and your company before handing one out.
You wearing stuff for others? And he has great point. Long run...high end is cheaper then buying $100 every year or two.
There are brands made from horse leather that will outlive you. So, you will pay them $800 once in lifetime. And YOU will know what great shoes you have and it will make YOU feel great wearing them.
@@godra051 wearing stuff for others, idk, if u want to call presenting yourself in a proffesional way/matter wearing stuff for others then yes. If it makes the difference between you getting a new client/increase your income i dont mind at all. If its just for leisure then its different. I mean would u go to a job interview in baggy sweats and a tanktop?
@@kippetjes4 you going to extreme there. But if you wanna be smart then tank top can work as well. If you're build well and applying for construction job.
Point is, you have to feel comfortable wearing stuff and good quality products will boost your confidence. No matter if other people notice it.
In my experience, if you have good stuff (jacket, shoe, watch..) sooner or later people will ask you what is it. Where did you get it etc. And it is actually cheaper to spend $800.00 for a lifetime shoe then having new pair every year and spending $70-100 every time.
@@godra051 examples are often extremes to make clear the point.. in certain ocassions the clothing you wear can be a deciding factor for your succes. Therefor in higher class socializing events theres nothing wrong with wearing expensive stuff and people do notice, which was the point of the initial comment.
Years back when I didn't know any better, I spent hundreds on Ferragamo loafers that had rubber soles, thinking they were high quality. The rubber literally crumbled a few years later. As mentioned, big brands aren't always better. Know what makes a quality shoe to make informed decisions.
When it comes to how much you're willing to shell out for a pair of shoes the most important consideration is...who are you? Are you a guy who wears a suit every day for work? Then no matter your financial situation investing $500 in a decent pair of shoes makes sense. Are you a guy who only wears dress shoes for weddings and funerals? Then you can probably rationalize spending just $100 on some Florsheims.
Great video as always Sven.
Indeed, it all depends on what you're using it for and each individual's need on it. No need to spend extra on something that you don't need
And there's a whole range of prices in between. Personally I find the sweetspot the best and if you can afford it, 500€ is not too outrageous for shoes, it's about the max you'd spend unless had a lot of money. But you can just buy the sweetspot, around 200-300€~. Those are high quality but not too expensive. Sweetspot for high quality long lasting shoes at a good price. And if you wear shoes less often then they also of course last longer than in hard/daily wearing.
I think it is "what you are willing to afford" and "how much do you understand?" If you understand the look and feel of a good pair of shoes you wouldn't want to wear sh*t on Sunday especially if it is the only day of the week you're wearing dress shoes. Make it count for God! And one thing that a lot of posters have forgotten is sales. You can get good sales from the shoe company websites and from Nordstrom's during their summer sale. I've picked up Allen Edmunds at up to 70% off. Just walking into a store one random day and saying "I need shoes" is a good way to get raked over the coals.
Ron J lol...don’t know if it was an impulse buy, or God actually telling me to purchase some Bally Carlet shoes on clearance on eBay for €200! 😂
If I got a dollar every time he says “nice patina over time” I could afford a 500$ pair of shoes.
Everyone should look into Massimo Matteo shoes, they incorporate all the traits of a $300-$500 shoes. Soft easy to break in leather outer and inner lining, wood nailed in heel, leather sole, hand made in Italy. All for around $160 bucks, the only draw back is the sole is glued not stitched. Still for the price it is an AMAZING value and I love them.
wait . If you calculate the "price / wear" you have to take into account your repairs. ... .But still than, it will cost about the same per wear I think. You have said that you have re- soled the shoue 2 times.
@poida Yeah. The guy has like a gazillion pairs in his wardrobe. The upper on that tan pair is in bad condition though so we know it's been through a lot. So it's probably not 2000 wears but maybe half that. Doesn't make for a strong case of cost per wear.
Yeah its more expensive in the long term. Principle of calculation isn't faulty though. Paying for comfort I guess
You may have already, but a video about vintage shoes could be fun. Bates, Stuart maquire etc old v-cleats etc. Also, u used Florsheim as an example of lower quality shoe, but that wasn’t always so. Never top of the line but much much better than now. (I have a few old Imperials that are 30+ years old, re-soled ofc, but still going. Could be fun to talk about what some shoe makers were like back in the day. That said, I always learn something when I watch your vids and I definitely make better wardrobe and outfitting choices because of them. Thanks!
Cobbler union has winter sales, you can get their shoes between 200 and 400 depending on model. There is also Meermin, Berwick and at a higher price Carmina. All made in Spain and mostly Goodyear welted.
I loved the video, all the important points were covered. Keep up the good work!
Thank you for your support.
Yes I'll be sticking with the $20 shoe thank you very much
Before you do, think about the cost per wear
I love the way he talks, it sounds like Anton Chigurh
Spot on
I like Sven's videos before watching them. That's the level of trust he has.
Wonderful of you to say so. Thanks for the support!
Gentleman's Gazette Thanks for the videos & my preference - the articles.
We always have information in the video that is not in the article and vice versa, so consume both.
I got some pairs from shoe passion and Wiener Schuhmanufaktur - and it’s actually amazing what you can get for 300 Euro already. They will last a lifetime.
Great video on price points regarding various qualities of men's shoes. Thanks, Mate.
DT
Thanks for speaking about Paul Evans. I was going to try out one of their monks, will think twice now.
Notice how near the end he recommends some shoes that are less than $500 because they are a good value. Excellent.
Very informative with a quality presentation! Thank you!!
I recommend Crockett & Jones, Church’s, Loake and Joseph Cheaney & Sons. Those are the ones I love.
Always buy the best you can afford... I have many pairs of 20-25 y/o dress shoes, from Allen Edmunds, Nettleton and Johnston & Murphy brands, most purchased in the mid-90s... most have been rehabbed at least once, all have endured the 4 seasons of heat, cold, rain and snow and yet they still look brand new.... always put cedar-wood shoe trees in after wearing them and during inclement weather, I always carry a set of foldable rubber overshoes, so that I am not trashing them when out in the elements... they were classics then, still classic now....
I'm a simple guy and I check 2 things in shoes: weight, if it's too light-no good, and the smell, if the shoe smells like paint, that's not good.
gianca60 😂😂
Lol. Smells like paint.
Thanks for the great tips!
I will go with Shoepassion!!
What do you think of English shoemakers such as Herring, Cheaney, Loake, Alfred Sargent. They seem to be supplying in the 250 - 400GBP range and as far as I can tell have the hallmarks of high quality shoes.
Picked up a pair of Aldens on e-bay. Soles were pretty solid and they're a great pair of shoes.
There are good reasons to buy higher quality shoes, especially to get the nicer leather uppers. But I've not found they give better longevity. I had a pair of Allen Edmonds that I wore regularly for a few years. I took good care of them, e.g., inserted shoe trees between wearings. During this time they were resoled at least once (I don't recall exactly). But the last time I went to get them resoled the cobbler said he couldn't fix them because the heel counters had broken down. I sent them back to Allen Edmonds, and they also said they couldn't repair broken heel counters. So if your normal wear pattern can break down heel counters, you'd be best advised not to expect better longevity from expensive shoes. A high quality shoe's better leather longevity and better sole reparability isn't going to increase the durability of its heel counters. All the talk about how high quality shoes last longer seems to ignore this key point.
Thanks for sharing. Do you use shoes horn? If you can afford high quality shoes you probably aren't worrying too much about longevity anyway. If finance is all one is concerned with, cheap shoes win. They just do. Now talk about looking good or feeling good in the shoes that's a different story.
@@dinhdatVN I do use shoe horns. And I do worry about longevity, since if I'm investing in high quality, expensive shoes, I'd like them to last.
In my country custom Blake skitch shoes cost only around $70 and bespoke Goodyear welted only cost around $350
Amazing detailed infromation. I'm hooked to your channel.
My Gosh, This man is a genius!
I managed to get a pair of goodyear welt English made (In Northhamptonshire, just one county over from me) oxfords, £160 which was a really good deal considering a store nearby was selling rubber sole much lower quality oxfords for £92. I feel confident with care these will last years and be able to be resoled. My previous pair of cheap dress shoes were poor quality leather and the top layer of leather started disintegrating and peeling after only a few years.
Great video Sven, awesome tips, keep it up.
Thanks!
omg your outfit looks so elegant , love your tie
Thank you!
Awesome, thank you for making all these videos, they help me a lot.
Could you please make a video about vests - casual, formal ... ?
This might help you: www.gentlemansgazette.com/vest-waistcoat-guide/
This is going to be a good watch. Thank you for the upload!
Purchased $100 sketchers sneakers with my first pay in 2016, wearing them everyday from office to gym to table tennis court, and yet feels like new.
Big diff beyween sneakers and dress shoes lol
@@kenrivers9757 I have one pair of brown Derby, not as comfortable as sneakers but overall happy with them(wish they were lightweight), I'm purchasing one pair of black dress shoes for my first suit :) but Don't want to spend anything beyond $100.
I bought a pair of Black derby Cap toe style dress shoe from Nunn Bush (Leather uppers) for $75 and they have last over 7 years very soon 8. That is also used very heavily throughout the week. I bought a pair of brown Derby's from Florsheim for $110 and just after one month you can see that the shoe has more creases than my black pair, the shoe looks like its falling apart. The quality is no where near that of Nunn Bush. I think its just depends. Florsheim was recommended to me because they're an old company who has been around for a long time. Although the quality is sub-par. I have looked into Nunn-bush but it seems that they too have gone down on quality as well.
Yeah, both are really going downhill. Florsheim and Nunn Bush used to be quality shoes. I own a couple of vintage pairs, and they are built like a brick house. When the weren't able to afford staying in America they started to lose their way. Over time they got worse and worse and aren't worth buying in my opinion. They fall apart so fast that if you need shoes getting something for another $100 will end up saving you money.
Wow, that was great information. Thank you!
Very informative for the average joe. Forrest Gump never lied when he said "there's a lot you can tell by a man's shoes".
great video because most people were unaware and for those in California TAKE your shoes to SHOE STOP in Fairfield, He has over 30yrs as a cobbler and the prices can't be beat.
Frank Castle Do they sell shoes as well as repair them?
great info. thanks for the time making this video
The TH-camr has the perfect shoe saleman look.
Thanks Raphael! Great vid!
You are an A☆☆☆ Speaker and very informative. Like your calm confident style♡♡ Thank you!!
Besides polish for the shoe and shoe trees what about over shoes and galoshes when your out and it happens to rain, snow and slush. I'm in Canada and it's very slick for leather soles. Lucky last year was so cold that it didn't snow much and I could wear my shoes more often. But this year the forecast doesn't look good. I can't go back to cheap shoes and boots for winter. And what about the issue of grip. How did people wear them back in the day?
Thank You. Very helpful. I am fairly knowledgeable in hiking and running shoes but clueless for dress shoes. Agree you generally get what you pay for in shoes. For sports shoes I go with name brand high end models and look for deals on previous year color/style.
excellent details! thank you. I was really interested in construction, not just style.
Thanks Raphael for all of your informative videos! I've been looking to spend around $250 on a new pair of dress shoes. I've come across Meermin and also Ace Marks. What are your thoughts on quality and value?
Just wonderfully informative videos. Superlative information that truly helps. Also, not least, is the fine presentation performance. Thank you sir.
Good video. Just got my first pair of Gordon & Bros boots. They are goodyear welted and are getting more an more comfy per day. And they were just above 100€ at amazon. Thx for your great videos! Hi from germany!
Northamptonshire in the UK is one of the best places to buy quality shoes in the world. I have a pair of Crockett & Jones shoes (Used in the James Bond films and Kingsman films) that have lasted me over 4 years so far without even resoling them, yet still look better then a pair of cheap shoes 3 months in. If you buy cheap, you buy twice!
When I want expert knowledge, from one of the most well known American Shoe Salesman, I go to see Al Bundy!
British made shoes > American
Try a pair of EG:s
Cole Haan used to make decent budget shoes - not so much anymore. I would recommend, in order of ascending quality, Allen Edmonds Seconds, Retail Allen Edmonds, Alden, Crockett & Jones, and then the cool stuff... St. Crispins come to mind.
Started watching your videos recently, Mr. Schneider. Very informative! What is your personal opinion though, on a Lower range shoe brand, such as Clarks?
Waste of money.
Great information.
Subscribed!!
I have an Asian foot which is smaller and wider. It's very hard to find a good type of shoe. Thxs for your knowledge.
It's our pleasure.
I have a pair of Allen Edmonds dress shoes that I purchased for $110 in 1983. I have had them rebuilt several times over the years. Am I cheap or just enjoy a comfortable shoe?
AE was a great company at that time.
Your shoes are as old as i am. 3.5 decades of use? That's a well made shoe. They were meant to be rebuilt 👍
Rubber soles are not always an indication of cheap. There are plenty on 400-500 dollars shoes you can get with a rubber, Blake stitched sole.
That's true. He should have been more specific. Danite soles and the like would be fine.
What a great video. well done . Thx for your expertise 🖒
I calculated the cost per wear and bought a used pair of Crockett & Jones Pembroke. The new sole was 160€ (look it up on youtube. it's crazy how good the service is) and I realized that British shoemakers are pretty good when it comes to service. So Now it total I paid 300€ for a good pair of shoes that would usually cost around 550 € ( If you are lucky to find them in the Burgundy color ) and I will wear them for the next 20 - 30 years to come :)
Interesting points. How do you feel about hybrid shoes that hover in the $100-200 range, such as the Cole Haan OriginalGrand & ZeroGrand models?
Great video! Very useful information.