IMPORTANT - So TH-cam now let's creators A/B test thumbnails, which means I can test 3 thumbnails at once and see how each performs before choosing one to set in stone. This means that roughly 30-35% of you saw a thumbnail with text related to these shoes curing my hemorrhoids. I just want to be abundantly clear: Were it not for the fact that my very existence is hostage to the TH-cam algorithm gods - and a handful of Albanian loan sharks - all three thumbnails and the title would be categorically hemorrhoid-related. Please use my affiliate links. I am going insane. ✪ Bridlen Straight Tip Oxfords in Bitter Choco: bridlen.com/collections/main-line-goodyear-welted/products/straight-tip-oxford-bitter-choco-zip-last?variant=47502387249448&ktk=d1Zkc05OLTFlMzhhNWM4NDcy ✪ Bridlen Main Line: bridlen.com/collections/main-line-goodyear-welted?ktk=d1Zkc05OLTEyZDEyYjMwODFm ✪ Bridlen Blake Line ($110): bridlen.com/collections/blake-shoes?ktk=d1Zkc05OLTMyNThkOGEwYjk3 ✪ Anything from Bridlen: bridlen.com/?ktk=d1Zkc05OLWQ0YTlmOTRjYTdh medlineplus.gov/hemorrhoids.html I love you
@@DressWell.Madaras Congratulations on your affiliate link. You deserve it dude, definitely the best shoe reviewer out there and also the funniest. If you ever get an affiliate link from skolyx I will 100% abuse it.
You're energy is insane dude. I love how you do parts of your video's in nature and public area's instead of them being 100% in your office. It create's a really unique atmosphere.
This is easily one of the best long form dress shoe reviews I've ever seen. Many reviewers TALK about things like insole/midsole/outsole construction, last design, upper stitching and other details, but very few SHOW that they're talking about in such a plainly understandable way. Talking about these is fine and helpful (no shade to those reviewers), but it assumes a lot of knowledge on the part of the viewer. Visually demonstrating in such detail gives viewers a real education. Whatever the affiliate relationship (and let's be real, you're not getting rich from an affiliate link) you're giving viewers the ability to decide for themselves how important these details are and what they're willing to pay for them, no matter the shoe brand. I wish someone would do this for the 'fine' shoe brands (e.g. Crockett & Jones, Edward Green, John Lobb, etc.) that are assumed to have the highest level of construction. Many of the details would probably be the same as what we see here for Bridlen, and it would also help us understand the fine points that are elevated with those $1k+ brands. Great job Chris!!
I agree with you completely! The way Chris creates content is a breath of fresh air. We need more accessible information out there so people can make informed choices. As for cutting apart a more expensive brand, I think its only a matter of time before we see such videos on this channel. It would be interesting to see where the diminishing returns kick in for different people.
I'm getting married and found your channel while looking for a nice pair of oxfords for my wedding. Honestly your channel was exactly what I was looking for and you made finding a good pair of socks and shoes so much easier. I ended up going with Thursday boots' chairman oxfords because I needed them quickly. Anyway I just wanted to thank you for how extremely helpful your channel has been in my journey to find good value in my foot attire.
I don't really care about dress shoes as a woman, I used your shoe care guide to take care of my vintage leather lace up boots. Your energy and way of explaining things is so nice though that I am binge watching your content. Keep up with all that you are doing because you are super entertaining.
This style of editing is really something. Its fun and unique and isn’t scared to use fun music in creative ways. AND while I’m having fun watching, I’m also learning. Keep up the great work. 👍
i have a pair of Bridlen suede oxfords and they are fantastic. They were very comfortable right out of the box with no break in period. Took them on a trip to Italy recently where i walked around 120km in a few days in them around Turin and Milano and can confirm that they are some of the most comfortable shoes i have ever had and the leather soles are really holding up. They are really a step up from Loake and Barker for the same price and a few steps up from AE.
@@gustafrenstrom8549 you have walked 120km in a feel days? In a loafer? Wow! Like 3 marathons in a week using a loafer? Did you contact the Guinness team? Must be a world record!
Im commenting here because its the latest video on the day i discovered this content. Such a unique approach and an amazing energy man. You should really keep this going if you like it even tho it maybe doesnt make as much money… The quality of these videos is top notch and kept me glued to the screen!
I tend to undersell because I don't want to steer people. But honestly, they are incredible. You'll be super happy with them. It's been a few weeks now and mine are super comfy and look great.
So, I was about to purchase some Allen Edmonds for office work and started doing some research. Now, I am not convinced that I should. I hear too many complaints of quality issues, and it's unsettling. I really appreciate your review of this shoe (I think I might buy these) and your other videos. You got yourself a new subscriber.
I hate flat laces, both in fit in your hand, and for having to often "straighten" them. Best laces IMO are John Lobb. Nice and thick and not waxed. Impossible (so far) to find laces this thick anywhere. I can't wait for more "cutting" reviews. It's so enlightening. Your content just puts (some) others to shame, proving yet again that competition yields good outcomes. Thanks for all the time and care you put into your products.
Great video. Nice to see a review of the Bridlen shoes. It's nice to see how much they've packed into these shoes on such a low budget, especially the channeled insole. The shoe bags made me realize my self conscience of my own, so I'll never recover there. The shoes are overall pretty good, especially for the price point. The design is too plain for me personally, but I'm sure it'll suit others. The quality control is the primary factor that brings these shoes down, so I hope they seriously address that. They have a lot of potential. I noticed all the humorous bits too. Very funny, teehee. I have no clue what you were doing at 30:02 though, haha.
I've watched a lot of your videos at this point because of the depth of the research and your eye for quality while sharing the info. Thanks so much for the time you put in and the info you share. Please keep at it, your page is criminally underrated but you'll pop off! Also- would you put these over TLB Mallorca? What about Carmina?
Thank you so much! TLBM I would rank higher in terms of overall quality and craftsmanship, though Bridlen may be better if you either A) Have wider feet, or B) Prefer a more classic, robust design. I am not intimately familiar with Carmina, though I consider TLBM easily superior to them - and cheaper. Carmina is pricey these days. There is probably an argument to be made that they are superior to Bridlen, though for the price, I would much rather buy 2-3 Bridlens over just 1 Carmina. Bridlen is a better value.
Chris, I am ready to use your affiliate link to Bridlen. I am looking at the Bridlen Straight Tip Oxfords in Bitter Choco. By the way, your videos influenced and swayed me to purchase TLB Mallorca and Ichigo Ichie shoemaker. Very happy with those purchases. Question...Do you have any other affiliate links with other shoemakers besides Bridlen?
I am glad I could help! Thank you for asking and using them! Currently I have links with Bridlen, BLKBRD, Arterton (Yearn & Acme), Meermin, and Beckett Simonon. They're scattered around the relevant video descriptions, though I can always generate one upon request and always appreciate anyone who does so!
Amazing content! Looking to buy my first pair of nice shoes and I’m stuck between cap toe vs plain toe oxford’s! Will be used mostly for weddings and cocktail parties. Which would you recommend?
Easily Cap Toe. Plain Toe can be a little more of a statement. Still appropriate, especially for those kinds of more social occasions. But a Cap Toe is classic, sharp, and safe regardless the occasion. A good-look, well-made Cap Toe is always a winner.
Would love to see how these stack up against another brand like Carmina, which are known to be a step or two above Allen Edmonds in quality, but also start around the ~450-500 dollar mark.
Thanks to your TH-cam content, I’m considering buying my first pair of TLB shoes but I had one question. Is vegano leather fake leather? Does it not last as long as boxcalf? Some say it’s full grain leather and others say that it’s made with plastics. I don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on fake leather but I wanted your expertise on this topic. My favorite color, burgundy, is only available in vegano leather instead of boxcalf leather is why I ask. Keep up the amazing content!
Great question. Vegano leather is real, full-grain leather. To my knowledge, Vegano is a term specific to the tannery Annonay referring to a way they finish the leathers. They are finished a little bit lighter than normal Boxcalf, resulting in lighter shades of color and more subtly textured leathers. It is just as high quality as Boxcalf and can be treated similarly. The confusion stems from it's similarity to the word "Vegan". Vegan Leather is not Vegano Leather and has no relation aside from it's similarity in name. I am not well-versed in Vegan Leather, though I assume there may be different types that range in composition, from plastic to plant-based.
First of all thank you for adding the cm measurements, for us outside of US without this attention it becomes basically impossible to follow the discourse and I think this detail shows your desire to constantly improve your audience's enjoyment of your videos. Thank you! Second question: You analyzed the Zip Last, but Bridlen also offers the Deus Last. Do you think it should be preferred by those who like the ecstatic of TLB Mallorca more than that of AE?
Of course! I am trying to get better about making the videos more relevant for my international audience. I am glad you appreciate it and I'll keep doing so! Yea if you want something a little more sculptural I would probably go with the Deus.
I don't think I'll get one of those in this year, though I'd be interested in getting into it next year! Bridlen, Skolyx, and BLKBRD all have Rubber options, I believe. I think TLB Mallorca would probably be the best option without getting too high in price I don't think they have real Dainite, but they have a bunch of pretty much equivalent alternatives: www.tlbmallorca.com/pages/sole-guide
Hi, I hope you are well! I came upon your videos while researching dress shoes. I've settled on Bridlen vs TLB Mallorca. What are your thoughts on the Bridlen Founder's line, and which would you choose between that and TLB Artiste? Or do you have another recommendation I may not be aware of around the ~$400?
Great question! Also a tricky one. Honestly, it's hard to say. Last year I would have said TLBM, but the Founders 25 line I'm genuinely really impressed by. You can tell they are getting better at it. I think the best advice I can give is that between the two, you can't go wrong. I'd say just stick to whichever one you like most in terms of design and aesthetic. Both are classic in their design - Bridlen is more robust, where TLBM is more slender. There are no other options I would consider comparable around $400, at least that I know of. I hope that helps! Feel free to ask anything more specific.
Thanks so much for your shoe wisdom and reviews. Can you review the Magnanni shoes? I've heard they cut corners a bit but have excellent and beautiful looking shoe models.
I am pretty booked out and probably wouldn't get to them until later next year, if I did. Briefly, they are about what you'd expect from American department stores. Very overpriced for materials and construction, though they have some unique designs that may be worth it for you if you feel like you can't find them anywhere else.
Brother content is great, just a suggestion don’t go overboard with all that acting and breathing stuff, sometimes it’s good to make videos a bit more classic way. But amazing info
If money were truly no option, I'd buy Acme: arterton.co.uk/products/acme-8018-punched-captoe-oxford?sca_ref=6795669.I48JeyCd6o&sca_source=brid-rvw-cmt&
I believe they are called Topys. No strong feelings - I think they are a good compromise to getting the longevity / weather-resistance of a rubber sole, while still having the thinner profile and more grounded feeling of a leather sole. I think when installed by a cobbler they run around $50 (this may vary by region) and around that price, I think it's reasonably cost efficient. Just make sure you are indeed getting them installed by a quality cobbler.
Enjoying your videos- highly educational. I agree with your assessment of Allen Edmonds. Would you please compare the other Mallorca shoemaker, Carmina?
Hi Mr Maderas, I had a question about style of shoes and wanted your input. On “regular” cap toe oxfords vs balmoral oxfords (like the one in your yearn video), which style do you prefer and why (assuming no broguing on either)? I wonder which one can I dress up or dress down better for example if I wear them with nice chinos and a dress shirt. I am torn between the two and want the most versatile type since I’m looking to buy one of these style shoes very soon. Thanks and keep up the awesome content!
I prefer balmorals. I think that extended vamp line add just a touch more finesse and sophistication to the overall design. This would also make it just slightly more stylistic, casual, and therefore versatile - though assuming all else is equal, the difference would be very subtle.
Do you have any manufacturer recommendations for wide feet (in the toebox)? I have been buying AE (10.5eee) for many years but I am tired of the poor quality & design. Thanks
I didn't realize it until after publishing the video, but Bridlen's shoes in general seem to be made comfortable for wider feet, but also have more wide-specific lasts, which they detail on their Last Designs page: bridlen.com/pages/the-bridlen-lasts?ktk=d1Zkc05OLTZjZDhhODllOGE4 Otherwise TLB Mallorca MTO and I think Ichigo Ichie offer width options. But they are also upwards of $500. BLKBRD might do it custom, as they do alot of custom work. Otherwise Bridlen is the only one I know of under $400 that have wider options and are also quality-made.
Great video. Considering all the small defects you found in this pair, it’s no a better deal to buy an Allen Edmonds Seconds! Do they do wider sizes like 3E?
It appears they do have wider-sized options. You can read more about their width/sizing on their Last page: bridlen.com/pages/the-bridlen-lasts?ktk=d1Zkc05OLTZjZDhhODllOGE4
The construction demonstrated here is well above Allen Edmonds. But do you need all those enhanced construction details? That's up to you. Allen Edmonds on sale or seconds may be a great deal for what you need. But don't buy Allen Edmonds thinking they're equivalent to what's shown here. They're not.
Great review! I really like the details you mentioned in the review. However, I would like to say that I think these shoes look perfectly fine to me. For the soles, I think these half-beveled, half-squared sole edges look okay. I think it is just an English West End style. You could find this style from the top-tier English brands like Edward Greene or Foster and Son. As for the roundness of the sole, you could also find this kind of design from the prestige line of John Lobb. And to be honest, the flaws you mentioned, I think, are a bit pettifogging. You could easily find those flaws from a top-tier rtw English shoe like EG, JL or GG. So I think for that price, these shoes are good. I think the reason that they are cheap is because the material they used is not the very best, of course, compared to the top-tier brands. And the labor cost is nearly free compared to those English shoemakers.
I agree. I point out every detail I possibly can so people can have the clearest possible image of what they can expect from their purchase. I try to provide context so everyone understands the significance of any given facet of the shoe, though I try to be minimal in imposing my own narrative on that context because I don't want to 'tell people what to think'. That said, I think I need to do a better job of making it clear that something like the tiny craters on the toplift are categorically negligible, as far as I'm concerned. I fully agree that the flaws found here are, if anything, rather impressive - in the sense that at $250, you'd probably find substantially worse on other shoes. Not that you could even find many properly-made GYW shoes at that price to begin with. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
@@DressWell.Madaras Thank you for your reply. It is very helpful that you pointed out the details. And I have to say your reviews are among the best. What I mean is unfortunately these days people might have to adjust their expectations of flawless factory made shoes. You could very possibly find more flaws on a pair of £1000+ shoes…
Bridlen's lasts run on the wider side and they specifically have a more classic EEE last with a higher instep: bridlen.com/pages/the-bridlen-lasts?ktk=d1Zkc05OLTZjZDhhODllOGE4 I believe BLKBRD also can do wider/high instep options by custom order and with a very reasonable upcharge. Both are substantially higher quality than AE.
I wish I hadn’t watched this video and checked out Bridlen. The Founders brown museum calf options look amazing, but they approach TLBM in price. Is there information on size conversion between brands? For example, in AE’s 65 last, I’m an 8.5 EEE. What would that translate into for Bridlen or TLBM?
I have generally found them to size similarly. I don't know about width, though. I suggest reaching out to the shoemakers themselves, as they will be able to give you the best specific guidance. The new Founders 25 Line at ~$400 honestly I'd say is comparable in value to TLBM, albeit a very different shoe altogether. They did really good work with it - so I'd say choose whichever you feel best about the design and features. The standard Founders line is solid, though inferior to TLBM. That is $300, though, so it makes sense from a value perspective.
Yes, often even a full size. It's a good rule of thumb, though I always suggest asking the shoemaker directly for their guidance on sizing. This video by Yearn Shoemaker is also great for sizing information for any company: th-cam.com/video/VTKf3sXqZ0c/w-d-xo.html
PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE MEERMIN. I have two pairs... They are easily the worst pairs of welted shoes I've had regarding leather stiffness and overall break-in period. (1 pair going on 4 years and a couple hundred wears; it still feels like I purchased it yesterday) . I have Allen Edmonds, Beckett Simimnon, and M Gemi in my rotation for reference. I was thinking about Blkbird, but I'll try these instead. Thanks for the Review!
Thank you for sharing your experience! Meermin seems to be a real hit or miss with that regard. I may do a video on them in the near future and see what I find. I'm working on a BLKBRD review hopefully in the near future, but I love my Bridlen so far and it's been probably over a month since I recorded that segment.
I'd love to, though honestly that would be pretty far out, like maybe mid-2025. I've heard good things about Black Lapel and Oliver Wick for a long time. I've heard Spier & Mackay was good, but quality has slipped the past few years. If you have a Balani near you, they seem fairly reputable. Otherwise local tailors tend to be my recommendation for in-store.
Why is their "Wingtip Oxford - Black - Blake Line" or "Semi Brogue Oxford - Black - Blake Line" only $138? I think they look great but are they built differently than their more expensive shoes?
They definitely have a slightly wider fit. It looks like they have EEE and EE options. I was just checking it out on their Last page, where have notes on sizing. bridlen.com/pages/the-bridlen-lasts?ktk=d1Zkc05OLWUzZGE0ZjZiMDA1
I'm not sure about this specific pair of Bridlens. The construction looks fine, but overall just seems meh. Like it checked most of the boxes, but got lazy with the QC and aesthetics. I notice such attributes occurring frequently in "budget" tier premium shoes. CNES is another one that comes to mind.
I tend to agree but most of these value brands have at least ONE model that has all the benefits of good value construction with an actually great design as well. Boots and loafers tend to be the best purchases at this price range. I’d say these oxfords would make a nice daily beater despite their English/American blobbiness.
@@mtbokor1969 Budget with quotes, because anything above $150 is considered pricey for shoes. I'm talking relative to European brands that are significantly pricier for the same attributes like GYW, full grain leather, cork filling etc. CNES shoes are expensive in the sense that they are priced higher than your cement shoes, but they are budget in the sense that you can get a lot of the higher end attributes at a lower price. The catch is in the QC of the shoes themselves. I have a few pairs of CNES ranging from lower end to higher end, and they are kind of like the Bridlens in this video. Astounding value, but the stitches are sometimes crooked, fraying end stitches, blemishes on the leather, creases on the back of the shoes etc.
@@abcxyz7529 How did you decide on the $150 price point as being the cut off for budget? You can't purchase a quality, good year welted shoe for $150 of less. If you pay less, you have to expect less. Even if you could buy a GY welted shoe for $150, you cant expect the same attention to detail as.$350 pair from TLB. That detail requires more time which translates to more cost.
Your review was great, however, these Made in India shoes are just NOT worth it and definitely not worth the price at all. No Indian made shoe is worth more than $100 given the ultra low wage rates, cheaper fixed and variable costs and overall attention to detail. Not to mention the filthy places they build them in. If I'm paying that kind of a price, my main consideration would be the country of origin along with the overall cleanliness and quality of manufacture, all of which are lacking in this brand. By just saying Designed in Japan and using an English name, one really cannot just achieve those standards. If you visit Indian shoe factories, you'll probably not even look at buying an Indian product ever again. Thos reading this comment, beware of what you're paying for. There are better brands out there made in first world countries and costing the same amount of money. At least they follow some industry standards and don't lie about their processes like Indian/Chinese companies do.
My assessment of value is based on a Comparable Sales approach, not a Cost Approach. I am assessing how the product compares to what a consumer could reasonably get on the market, as that is what a consumer looking for a high-value product is typically concerned with. With that regard, I think it is a fair statement to make that Bridlen is one of, if not the very best quality-for-the-price for GYW dress shoes under $300. If your main consideration is cleanliness and quality of manufacture, you may be pleasantly surprised to find Bridlen's production facility is pretty much as clean and orderly as you would expect or want. You may be interested in seeing this factory tour from Stridewise: th-cam.com/video/A2qaqGGcyTo/w-d-xo.html As far as there being other brands that cost the same, but offer higher quality, could you please specify which ones you are referring to? What specific lies are you referring to regarding Bridlen? I am not big on removing comments, though sometimes I wonder if I am doing a disservice to the rest of the audience by leaving up a comment that makes such wild and reductive speculations without providing anything that could even remotely be interpreted as evidence.
I agree with you. They stole the art and skills from Northampton UK and now offering shoes “cheap” paying their employees 100 a month. No way brother. I buy my C&J, Tricker’s and Cheaney ..pay a bit more but made in the UK.
@@DressWell.Madaras I really liked your review but I don't know why you're taking offense to my honest comment. I've seen most of these factories from the ones in North India (UP) all the way to South India. The workers mostly consume Tobacco, Pan, Gutka, Bidis etc. while on the job or during breaks, spit on the walls and don't even wash their hands after blowing their nose out in the open - Biggest problems in India. The overall working environment (Less than ideal working conditions), poor lighting, low wage rates, On the Job training of inexperienced manpower is highly prevalent in India. The same can also be seen in the video link that you shared. The overall condition of the factory, lighting, sweating laborers, loose wiring, dirty working environment etc. is clearly visible there. See, I wash all my clothes before wearing them the first time. Sadly, I can't do that to leather shoes. So, obviously I'd prefer buying shoes from a manufacturer that maintains a clean working environment, pays it's workers well, has an attention to detail and offers quality, even if it means paying slightly more for all this. How often do we discard shoes anyway, right? I might as well get the right pair and be happy about it for a long time. I just stated a fact here, whoever visits India knows this fact. There is a reason I'd never buy anything Made in the Indian Subcontinent because all those countries have the same work culture and similar conditions. I'm sure the owner is doing his best to offer quality and using the right raw materials. But the workmanship and hygiene leaves a lot to be desired and he can't really control the habits of his workers. These are the biggest limitations in a country like India. That is the reason why most of the MNCs and even the local businesses are now moving production to China/Malaysia/Vietnam etc. Hope it makes sense now.
@@robfulano2552 That is very true what you mentioned there. There is no formal training for shoe making in countries like India. Factories like these do no hire any formally trained laborers. Most of these people working here have learned things on the job and are paid peanuts for their hard labor throughout the day in those dirty, humid and sweaty conditions. You can't really expect them to put their heart and soul into manufacturing because there is no motivation to do so. I'd rather not support such businesses and pay for quality and workmanship. TLB Mallorca may be expensive, but then they're that much better as well and so are various other brands in a similar price bracket.
@@chiragghuman You made a comment, the content of which ranged from baseless speculations to damning accusations. I replied, clarifying my own assessment and asking you to cite your sources and/or rationale. You selectively chose to not respond to these questions. I'll write them here again: - As far as there being other brands that cost the same, but offer higher quality, could you please specify which ones you are referring to? - What specific lies are you referring to regarding Bridlen? - Additionally, you insinuated that Bridlen pays its employees significantly below market rate, "ultra low wage rates". Could you cite your sources on this? I am assuming your comment is honest and you have evidence to support these claims, or at least will clarify for everyone if you don't. If you do, I would really like to know. These are pretty critical subject matters, notably the latter two. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You instead expanded on your claim regarding cleanliness. I have been to India. I have seen the varied working conditions. It doesn't really matter what other companies are doing because the company in question is Bridlen. Bridlen's factory is about what you would expect in most places in the world - and it's very reasonable. I don't really understand what qualms you have, as what you stated is strangely vague and inconsequential. Lighting? Bridlen's factory seems about as well lit as you would expect. "sweating laborers".......what a strange way of describing normal people doing a manual labor job. You start with more specific, yet minor complaints, then proceed to abstract that out into more significant, but entirely non-descript generalizations that make the situation seem bad without actually providing any substance. Quite frankly, if the working conditions were truly as bad as the exaggerated image that you have painted in your comments, Bridlen would not be able to produce the sort of quality it does. The world isn't an Amazon warehouse or an Oracle office. It's great that new standards for workplace sterility are being pioneered by a few more developed countries, though it's an unreasonable standard to hold for the rest of the world. If you personally want your shoes made in a hyper-clean production facility, that's okay as that is your preference. But the average person doesn't - and ultimately shouldn't - care about if a production worker sneezed in the general direction of their shoe, not that that is exclusive to India anyway. This isn't food or medicine. These are shoes. And for the average person to restrict themselves so much would be to lose out on exceptional products they would otherwise be happy with. To be so intensely concerned with sterility is fine, though at point, you may want to also avoid: 95% of restaurants, most products, the general outdoors. Then you go on to shoehorn into the concern of cleanliness an argument against workmanship & product quality. Again, a claim without any form of evidence or argument. A claim made even more bizarre by being left on a video that maps out every detail of the workmanship and product quality of Bridlen. I would assume that if you have such strong evidence that you would, twice, accuse Bridlen of lacking quality and attention to detail, you should very easily be able to address and counter the points I made in the video regarding any given facet of the product. I am perfectly well open to any argument you have to make on any of the points of the video. The purpose of the video and the channel is truth-seeking. I don't really care if I'm wrong and if I am, I am happy for somebody to clearly show that so I can better disseminate more accurate information to the audience.
Please do the brand Guidi, they use horse leather and do whats called object dying, very unique and high quality goodyear welted shoes & boots which have more of a rugged, avant garde look. You would be super jazzed to look at one trust me
IMPORTANT - So TH-cam now let's creators A/B test thumbnails, which means I can test 3 thumbnails at once and see how each performs before choosing one to set in stone. This means that roughly 30-35% of you saw a thumbnail with text related to these shoes curing my hemorrhoids. I just want to be abundantly clear: Were it not for the fact that my very existence is hostage to the TH-cam algorithm gods - and a handful of Albanian loan sharks - all three thumbnails and the title would be categorically hemorrhoid-related. Please use my affiliate links. I am going insane.
✪ Bridlen Straight Tip Oxfords in Bitter Choco: bridlen.com/collections/main-line-goodyear-welted/products/straight-tip-oxford-bitter-choco-zip-last?variant=47502387249448&ktk=d1Zkc05OLTFlMzhhNWM4NDcy
✪ Bridlen Main Line: bridlen.com/collections/main-line-goodyear-welted?ktk=d1Zkc05OLTEyZDEyYjMwODFm
✪ Bridlen Blake Line ($110): bridlen.com/collections/blake-shoes?ktk=d1Zkc05OLTMyNThkOGEwYjk3
✪ Anything from Bridlen: bridlen.com/?ktk=d1Zkc05OLWQ0YTlmOTRjYTdh
medlineplus.gov/hemorrhoids.html
I love you
@@DressWell.Madaras Congratulations on your affiliate link. You deserve it dude, definitely the best shoe reviewer out there and also the funniest. If you ever get an affiliate link from skolyx I will 100% abuse it.
You're energy is insane dude. I love how you do parts of your video's in nature and public area's instead of them being 100% in your office. It create's a really unique atmosphere.
Iron Snail anyone?
This is easily one of the best long form dress shoe reviews I've ever seen. Many reviewers TALK about things like insole/midsole/outsole construction, last design, upper stitching and other details, but very few SHOW that they're talking about in such a plainly understandable way. Talking about these is fine and helpful (no shade to those reviewers), but it assumes a lot of knowledge on the part of the viewer. Visually demonstrating in such detail gives viewers a real education. Whatever the affiliate relationship (and let's be real, you're not getting rich from an affiliate link) you're giving viewers the ability to decide for themselves how important these details are and what they're willing to pay for them, no matter the shoe brand. I wish someone would do this for the 'fine' shoe brands (e.g. Crockett & Jones, Edward Green, John Lobb, etc.) that are assumed to have the highest level of construction. Many of the details would probably be the same as what we see here for Bridlen, and it would also help us understand the fine points that are elevated with those $1k+ brands. Great job Chris!!
I agree with you completely! The way Chris creates content is a breath of fresh air. We need more accessible information out there so people can make informed choices. As for cutting apart a more expensive brand, I think its only a matter of time before we see such videos on this channel. It would be interesting to see where the diminishing returns kick in for different people.
I'm getting married and found your channel while looking for a nice pair of oxfords for my wedding. Honestly your channel was exactly what I was looking for and you made finding a good pair of socks and shoes so much easier. I ended up going with Thursday boots' chairman oxfords because I needed them quickly.
Anyway I just wanted to thank you for how extremely helpful your channel has been in my journey to find good value in my foot attire.
A pair of their shoes came across my feed and my mouth watered…. Came straight to your video
This channel deserve a million followers. And i am sure one day will have.
We couldn't agree more.
The whole segment from 9:13 onward was an absolute breath of fresh air and extraordinarily well said. Excellent video and hilarious too!
Nothing comes closer. Such great work with the video and the details. Many congratulations and best wishes always.
Thank you very much!
I don't really care about dress shoes as a woman, I used your shoe care guide to take care of my vintage leather lace up boots. Your energy and way of explaining things is so nice though that I am binge watching your content. Keep up with all that you are doing because you are super entertaining.
That is such an incredible compliment! Thank you so much for saying that :)
The classic menswear channel that has more energy than a hyperactive kid with a chocolate cake!
Keep rocking mate, great channel.
This style of editing is really something. Its fun and unique and isn’t scared to use fun music in creative ways. AND while I’m having fun watching, I’m also learning. Keep up the great work. 👍
Thank you very much!
I haven't enjoyed a video as thoroughly as this one in a long time!!
Glad to hear it!
i have a pair of Bridlen suede oxfords and they are fantastic. They were very comfortable right out of the box with no break in period. Took them on a trip to Italy recently where i walked around 120km in a few days in them around Turin and Milano and can confirm that they are some of the most comfortable shoes i have ever had and the leather soles are really holding up.
They are really a step up from Loake and Barker for the same price and a few steps up from AE.
@@gustafrenstrom8549 you have walked 120km in a feel days? In a loafer? Wow! Like 3 marathons in a week using a loafer? Did you contact the Guinness team? Must be a world record!
How is that there are soo many new reviews for Bridlen!? Anyways, I've loved them for such a long time now, their burgundy Captoe oxfords are AMAZING!
Im commenting here because its the latest video on the day i discovered this content. Such a unique approach and an amazing energy man. You should really keep this going if you like it even tho it maybe doesnt make as much money… The quality of these videos is top notch and kept me glued to the screen!
Agreed!
Comments like yours are what keep me going! Thank you! New videos soon :)
Wow, I love the shoe bag start. I thought I was going to bounce, but I love the nuance
Wow good to know in detail about BRIDLEN shoes being made in India. The overall quality looks very good, will try out a pair soon.
I tend to undersell because I don't want to steer people. But honestly, they are incredible. You'll be super happy with them. It's been a few weeks now and mine are super comfy and look great.
So, I was about to purchase some Allen Edmonds for office work and started doing some research. Now, I am not convinced that I should. I hear too many complaints of quality issues, and it's unsettling. I really appreciate your review of this shoe (I think I might buy these) and your other videos. You got yourself a new subscriber.
Thank you so much! I'm so glad you appreciate my work. You'll love Bridlen if you get them!
Great to see a new video. Keep it up!
Excellent review. This channel will be big one day.
Thanks for making your videos and stories informative and fun! I took the time you hoped, and I'm watching to see if I should purchase a pair :)
Thank you! I love mine. Let me know how you like them if you get a pair. You'll love them!
I hate flat laces, both in fit in your hand, and for having to often "straighten" them.
Best laces IMO are John Lobb. Nice and thick and not waxed. Impossible (so far) to find laces this thick anywhere.
I can't wait for more "cutting" reviews. It's so enlightening. Your content just puts (some) others to shame, proving yet again that competition yields good outcomes.
Thanks for all the time and care you put into your products.
PS: when I said JL, I meant models like the Barros, Chambord, or Arron. Not their "dressy" line (e.g., Wroxham, which has flat laces argh).
Great video. Nice to see a review of the Bridlen shoes. It's nice to see how much they've packed into these shoes on such a low budget, especially the channeled insole. The shoe bags made me realize my self conscience of my own, so I'll never recover there.
The shoes are overall pretty good, especially for the price point. The design is too plain for me personally, but I'm sure it'll suit others. The quality control is the primary factor that brings these shoes down, so I hope they seriously address that. They have a lot of potential.
I noticed all the humorous bits too. Very funny, teehee. I have no clue what you were doing at 30:02 though, haha.
Hey mate i just found you channel and i love it! I love your style and you should maybe try shorts to boost your viewer count!
I've watched a lot of your videos at this point because of the depth of the research and your eye for quality while sharing the info. Thanks so much for the time you put in and the info you share. Please keep at it, your page is criminally underrated but you'll pop off!
Also- would you put these over TLB Mallorca? What about Carmina?
Thank you so much!
TLBM I would rank higher in terms of overall quality and craftsmanship, though Bridlen may be better if you either A) Have wider feet, or B) Prefer a more classic, robust design.
I am not intimately familiar with Carmina, though I consider TLBM easily superior to them - and cheaper. Carmina is pricey these days. There is probably an argument to be made that they are superior to Bridlen, though for the price, I would much rather buy 2-3 Bridlens over just 1 Carmina. Bridlen is a better value.
dang, the B-roll here is beautiful!
But when the world needed him most -> He returned!
Our favorite detail oriented, brain rot humor, competent shoe reviewer has returned
Awesome video, as usual. Got myself a pair using your video description link, thanks!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!
Chris, I am ready to use your affiliate link to Bridlen. I am looking at the Bridlen Straight Tip Oxfords in Bitter Choco. By the way, your videos influenced and swayed me to purchase TLB Mallorca and Ichigo Ichie shoemaker. Very happy with those purchases. Question...Do you have any other affiliate links with other shoemakers besides Bridlen?
I am glad I could help! Thank you for asking and using them! Currently I have links with Bridlen, BLKBRD, Arterton (Yearn & Acme), Meermin, and Beckett Simonon. They're scattered around the relevant video descriptions, though I can always generate one upon request and always appreciate anyone who does so!
@@DressWell.Madaras Chris, can you send me the affiliate link for Arterton? Thank you in advance!
Here you go! Thank you! arterton.co.uk/?sca_ref=6795669.I48JeyCd6o&sca_source=test2
Amazing content! Looking to buy my first pair of nice shoes and I’m stuck between cap toe vs plain toe oxford’s! Will be used mostly for weddings and cocktail parties. Which would you recommend?
Easily Cap Toe. Plain Toe can be a little more of a statement. Still appropriate, especially for those kinds of more social occasions. But a Cap Toe is classic, sharp, and safe regardless the occasion. A good-look, well-made Cap Toe is always a winner.
Would love to see how these stack up against another brand like Carmina, which are known to be a step or two above Allen Edmonds in quality, but also start around the ~450-500 dollar mark.
Thanks to your TH-cam content, I’m considering buying my first pair of TLB shoes but I had one question. Is vegano leather fake leather? Does it not last as long as boxcalf? Some say it’s full grain leather and others say that it’s made with plastics. I don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on fake leather but I wanted your expertise on this topic. My favorite color, burgundy, is only available in vegano leather instead of boxcalf leather is why I ask. Keep up the amazing content!
Great question. Vegano leather is real, full-grain leather. To my knowledge, Vegano is a term specific to the tannery Annonay referring to a way they finish the leathers. They are finished a little bit lighter than normal Boxcalf, resulting in lighter shades of color and more subtly textured leathers. It is just as high quality as Boxcalf and can be treated similarly.
The confusion stems from it's similarity to the word "Vegan". Vegan Leather is not Vegano Leather and has no relation aside from it's similarity in name. I am not well-versed in Vegan Leather, though I assume there may be different types that range in composition, from plastic to plant-based.
First of all thank you for adding the cm measurements, for us outside of US without this attention it becomes basically impossible to follow the discourse and I think this detail shows your desire to constantly improve your audience's enjoyment of your videos. Thank you!
Second question: You analyzed the Zip Last, but Bridlen also offers the Deus Last. Do you think it should be preferred by those who like the ecstatic of TLB Mallorca more than that of AE?
Of course! I am trying to get better about making the videos more relevant for my international audience. I am glad you appreciate it and I'll keep doing so!
Yea if you want something a little more sculptural I would probably go with the Deus.
Love the channel. Could you compare this to BlckBrd as well? Since both are made in India
In the works for sometime this year!
Great video. Would like to request a review of a leather dress shoe with Dainite Soles-relevant for fall/winter
I don't think I'll get one of those in this year, though I'd be interested in getting into it next year! Bridlen, Skolyx, and BLKBRD all have Rubber options, I believe. I think TLB Mallorca would probably be the best option without getting too high in price I don't think they have real Dainite, but they have a bunch of pretty much equivalent alternatives: www.tlbmallorca.com/pages/sole-guide
Hi, I hope you are well! I came upon your videos while researching dress shoes. I've settled on Bridlen vs TLB Mallorca. What are your thoughts on the Bridlen Founder's line, and which would you choose between that and TLB Artiste? Or do you have another recommendation I may not be aware of around the ~$400?
Great question! Also a tricky one. Honestly, it's hard to say. Last year I would have said TLBM, but the Founders 25 line I'm genuinely really impressed by. You can tell they are getting better at it. I think the best advice I can give is that between the two, you can't go wrong. I'd say just stick to whichever one you like most in terms of design and aesthetic. Both are classic in their design - Bridlen is more robust, where TLBM is more slender. There are no other options I would consider comparable around $400, at least that I know of. I hope that helps! Feel free to ask anything more specific.
Thanks so much for your shoe wisdom and reviews. Can you review the Magnanni shoes? I've heard they cut corners a bit but have excellent and beautiful looking shoe models.
I am pretty booked out and probably wouldn't get to them until later next year, if I did. Briefly, they are about what you'd expect from American department stores. Very overpriced for materials and construction, though they have some unique designs that may be worth it for you if you feel like you can't find them anywhere else.
Brother content is great, just a suggestion don’t go overboard with all that acting and breathing stuff, sometimes it’s good to make videos a bit more classic way.
But amazing info
Thank you for the candid feedback!
Great vid as always, Chris. Regardless of price, which shoe brand would you buy from out of all the shoes you have reviewed or bought from so far?
If money were truly no option, I'd buy Acme: arterton.co.uk/products/acme-8018-punched-captoe-oxford?sca_ref=6795669.I48JeyCd6o&sca_source=brid-rvw-cmt&
Shoes are an important part of human life, Basic showing importance QC check respective product design on leather shoes production.❤
What do you think about sole protectors, as in the rubber pad glued onto the sole?
I believe they are called Topys. No strong feelings - I think they are a good compromise to getting the longevity / weather-resistance of a rubber sole, while still having the thinner profile and more grounded feeling of a leather sole. I think when installed by a cobbler they run around $50 (this may vary by region) and around that price, I think it's reasonably cost efficient. Just make sure you are indeed getting them installed by a quality cobbler.
Best shoes for the price ❤
Enjoying your videos- highly educational. I agree with your assessment of Allen Edmonds. Would you please compare the other Mallorca shoemaker, Carmina?
Thank you! I'll put them on the list!
Hi Mr Maderas, I had a question about style of shoes and wanted your input. On “regular” cap toe oxfords vs balmoral oxfords (like the one in your yearn video), which style do you prefer and why (assuming no broguing on either)? I wonder which one can I dress up or dress down better for example if I wear them with nice chinos and a dress shirt. I am torn between the two and want the most versatile type since I’m looking to buy one of these style shoes very soon. Thanks and keep up the awesome content!
I prefer balmorals. I think that extended vamp line add just a touch more finesse and sophistication to the overall design. This would also make it just slightly more stylistic, casual, and therefore versatile - though assuming all else is equal, the difference would be very subtle.
OMG GiantGrantGames reference you are a gentleman and a scholar
Do you have any manufacturer recommendations for wide feet (in the toebox)? I have been buying AE (10.5eee) for many years but I am tired of the poor quality & design. Thanks
I didn't realize it until after publishing the video, but Bridlen's shoes in general seem to be made comfortable for wider feet, but also have more wide-specific lasts, which they detail on their Last Designs page: bridlen.com/pages/the-bridlen-lasts?ktk=d1Zkc05OLTZjZDhhODllOGE4
Otherwise TLB Mallorca MTO and I think Ichigo Ichie offer width options. But they are also upwards of $500. BLKBRD might do it custom, as they do alot of custom work. Otherwise Bridlen is the only one I know of under $400 that have wider options and are also quality-made.
Came here to ask the same question. Thanks for asking it and for the answer too!
You're very welcome!
Great video. Considering all the small defects you found in this pair, it’s no a better deal to buy an Allen Edmonds Seconds! Do they do wider sizes like 3E?
The flaws on these are nothing like AE. These are far superior.
It appears they do have wider-sized options. You can read more about their width/sizing on their Last page: bridlen.com/pages/the-bridlen-lasts?ktk=d1Zkc05OLTZjZDhhODllOGE4
The construction demonstrated here is well above Allen Edmonds. But do you need all those enhanced construction details? That's up to you. Allen Edmonds on sale or seconds may be a great deal for what you need. But don't buy Allen Edmonds thinking they're equivalent to what's shown here. They're not.
Yoo watching from Boulder!
Great review! I really like the details you mentioned in the review. However, I would like to say that I think these shoes look perfectly fine to me. For the soles, I think these half-beveled, half-squared sole edges look okay. I think it is just an English West End style. You could find this style from the top-tier English brands like Edward Greene or Foster and Son. As for the roundness of the sole, you could also find this kind of design from the prestige line of John Lobb. And to be honest, the flaws you mentioned, I think, are a bit pettifogging. You could easily find those flaws from a top-tier rtw English shoe like EG, JL or GG. So I think for that price, these shoes are good. I think the reason that they are cheap is because the material they used is not the very best, of course, compared to the top-tier brands. And the labor cost is nearly free compared to those English shoemakers.
I agree. I point out every detail I possibly can so people can have the clearest possible image of what they can expect from their purchase. I try to provide context so everyone understands the significance of any given facet of the shoe, though I try to be minimal in imposing my own narrative on that context because I don't want to 'tell people what to think'. That said, I think I need to do a better job of making it clear that something like the tiny craters on the toplift are categorically negligible, as far as I'm concerned. I fully agree that the flaws found here are, if anything, rather impressive - in the sense that at $250, you'd probably find substantially worse on other shoes. Not that you could even find many properly-made GYW shoes at that price to begin with. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
@@DressWell.Madaras Thank you for your reply. It is very helpful that you pointed out the details. And I have to say your reviews are among the best. What I mean is unfortunately these days people might have to adjust their expectations of flawless factory made shoes. You could very possibly find more flaws on a pair of £1000+ shoes…
All good to know, but. I'm a EEE with a high volume foot. AE , as far as I know, only ones to come in widths. Happy for all of you skinny foot people
Bridlen's lasts run on the wider side and they specifically have a more classic EEE last with a higher instep: bridlen.com/pages/the-bridlen-lasts?ktk=d1Zkc05OLTZjZDhhODllOGE4
I believe BLKBRD also can do wider/high instep options by custom order and with a very reasonable upcharge. Both are substantially higher quality than AE.
Okay okay, I'll subscribe. 🙂
They really deliberately add a lot of curvature to the sole. I'm not sure why, but Affan likes it and thinks its a positive marker.
You should do a video with the channel “Rose Anvil” they do similar stuff with looking at shoes and the Dolan would be sick.
I wish I hadn’t watched this video and checked out Bridlen. The Founders brown museum calf options look amazing, but they approach TLBM in price.
Is there information on size conversion between brands? For example, in AE’s 65 last, I’m an 8.5 EEE. What would that translate into for Bridlen or TLBM?
I have generally found them to size similarly. I don't know about width, though. I suggest reaching out to the shoemakers themselves, as they will be able to give you the best specific guidance. The new Founders 25 Line at ~$400 honestly I'd say is comparable in value to TLBM, albeit a very different shoe altogether. They did really good work with it - so I'd say choose whichever you feel best about the design and features. The standard Founders line is solid, though inferior to TLBM. That is $300, though, so it makes sense from a value perspective.
do people usually do half size down for dress shoes when comparing to sneakers?
Yes, often even a full size. It's a good rule of thumb, though I always suggest asking the shoemaker directly for their guidance on sizing. This video by Yearn Shoemaker is also great for sizing information for any company: th-cam.com/video/VTKf3sXqZ0c/w-d-xo.html
PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE MEERMIN. I have two pairs... They are easily the worst pairs of welted shoes I've had regarding leather stiffness and overall break-in period. (1 pair going on 4 years and a couple hundred wears; it still feels like I purchased it yesterday) . I have Allen Edmonds, Beckett Simimnon, and M Gemi in my rotation for reference. I was thinking about Blkbird, but I'll try these instead. Thanks for the Review!
Thank you for sharing your experience! Meermin seems to be a real hit or miss with that regard. I may do a video on them in the near future and see what I find. I'm working on a BLKBRD review hopefully in the near future, but I love my Bridlen so far and it's been probably over a month since I recorded that segment.
Can you cut Morjas shoes in half? Everyone promotes them but there isn’t much information on the inside of shoes
Production is mapped out pretty well ahead, but I'll check them out!
Can you do a video on suits? What you look for in suits? Brands to recommend (known/unknown)?
I'd love to, though honestly that would be pretty far out, like maybe mid-2025. I've heard good things about Black Lapel and Oliver Wick for a long time. I've heard Spier & Mackay was good, but quality has slipped the past few years. If you have a Balani near you, they seem fairly reputable. Otherwise local tailors tend to be my recommendation for in-store.
These are made in Madras (Chennai), right?
Yes
Why is their "Wingtip Oxford - Black - Blake Line" or "Semi Brogue Oxford - Black - Blake Line" only $138? I think they look great but are they built differently than their more expensive shoes?
Sims music is a 10
Iron Snail?
Where were you in 2020?
No shot he threw the rifleman’s creed at a shoe bag 💀
>autism
I clicc when I hear my clarion call
Legend
Chris I have to disagree with you here.
Deadpool and wolverine was hilarious.
Good video , except for those words
You need to stop copying the iron snail and get your own personality dude.
It crazy you copy his entire format personality and video content.
I LOVE YOUR ENERGY
@ you are talented you don’t need to copy his style just do your own thing and watch it take off.
That movie did suck. The dog was just stupid.
How is the size??? AE i ware a 10ee/eee, Beckett Siminon a 10.5.
They definitely have a slightly wider fit. It looks like they have EEE and EE options. I was just checking it out on their Last page, where have notes on sizing. bridlen.com/pages/the-bridlen-lasts?ktk=d1Zkc05OLWUzZGE0ZjZiMDA1
I'm not sure about this specific pair of Bridlens. The construction looks fine, but overall just seems meh. Like it checked most of the boxes, but got lazy with the QC and aesthetics. I notice such attributes occurring frequently in "budget" tier premium shoes. CNES is another one that comes to mind.
Have you had personal experience with CNES? I don’t consider them budget
I tend to agree but most of these value brands have at least ONE model that has all the benefits of good value construction with an actually great design as well. Boots and loafers tend to be the best purchases at this price range. I’d say these oxfords would make a nice daily beater despite their English/American blobbiness.
@@mtbokor1969 Budget with quotes, because anything above $150 is considered pricey for shoes. I'm talking relative to European brands that are significantly pricier for the same attributes like GYW, full grain leather, cork filling etc. CNES shoes are expensive in the sense that they are priced higher than your cement shoes, but they are budget in the sense that you can get a lot of the higher end attributes at a lower price. The catch is in the QC of the shoes themselves. I have a few pairs of CNES ranging from lower end to higher end, and they are kind of like the Bridlens in this video. Astounding value, but the stitches are sometimes crooked, fraying end stitches, blemishes on the leather, creases on the back of the shoes etc.
To call these shoes "meh" is absurd. They are an incredible value for what you're getting.
@@abcxyz7529 How did you decide on the $150 price point as being the cut off for budget? You can't purchase a quality, good year welted shoe for $150 of less. If you pay less, you have to expect less. Even if you could buy a GY welted shoe for $150, you cant expect the same attention to detail as.$350 pair from TLB. That detail requires more time which translates to more cost.
Your review was great, however, these Made in India shoes are just NOT worth it and definitely not worth the price at all. No Indian made shoe is worth more than $100 given the ultra low wage rates, cheaper fixed and variable costs and overall attention to detail. Not to mention the filthy places they build them in. If I'm paying that kind of a price, my main consideration would be the country of origin along with the overall cleanliness and quality of manufacture, all of which are lacking in this brand. By just saying Designed in Japan and using an English name, one really cannot just achieve those standards. If you visit Indian shoe factories, you'll probably not even look at buying an Indian product ever again. Thos reading this comment, beware of what you're paying for. There are better brands out there made in first world countries and costing the same amount of money. At least they follow some industry standards and don't lie about their processes like Indian/Chinese companies do.
My assessment of value is based on a Comparable Sales approach, not a Cost Approach. I am assessing how the product compares to what a consumer could reasonably get on the market, as that is what a consumer looking for a high-value product is typically concerned with. With that regard, I think it is a fair statement to make that Bridlen is one of, if not the very best quality-for-the-price for GYW dress shoes under $300.
If your main consideration is cleanliness and quality of manufacture, you may be pleasantly surprised to find Bridlen's production facility is pretty much as clean and orderly as you would expect or want. You may be interested in seeing this factory tour from Stridewise: th-cam.com/video/A2qaqGGcyTo/w-d-xo.html
As far as there being other brands that cost the same, but offer higher quality, could you please specify which ones you are referring to?
What specific lies are you referring to regarding Bridlen?
I am not big on removing comments, though sometimes I wonder if I am doing a disservice to the rest of the audience by leaving up a comment that makes such wild and reductive speculations without providing anything that could even remotely be interpreted as evidence.
I agree with you. They stole the art and skills from Northampton UK and now offering shoes “cheap” paying their employees 100 a month.
No way brother. I buy my C&J, Tricker’s and Cheaney ..pay a bit more but made in the UK.
@@DressWell.Madaras I really liked your review but I don't know why you're taking offense to my honest comment. I've seen most of these factories from the ones in North India (UP) all the way to South India. The workers mostly consume Tobacco, Pan, Gutka, Bidis etc. while on the job or during breaks, spit on the walls and don't even wash their hands after blowing their nose out in the open - Biggest problems in India. The overall working environment (Less than ideal working conditions), poor lighting, low wage rates, On the Job training of inexperienced manpower is highly prevalent in India. The same can also be seen in the video link that you shared. The overall condition of the factory, lighting, sweating laborers, loose wiring, dirty working environment etc. is clearly visible there.
See, I wash all my clothes before wearing them the first time. Sadly, I can't do that to leather shoes. So, obviously I'd prefer buying shoes from a manufacturer that maintains a clean working environment, pays it's workers well, has an attention to detail and offers quality, even if it means paying slightly more for all this. How often do we discard shoes anyway, right? I might as well get the right pair and be happy about it for a long time. I just stated a fact here, whoever visits India knows this fact. There is a reason I'd never buy anything Made in the Indian Subcontinent because all those countries have the same work culture and similar conditions.
I'm sure the owner is doing his best to offer quality and using the right raw materials. But the workmanship and hygiene leaves a lot to be desired and he can't really control the habits of his workers. These are the biggest limitations in a country like India. That is the reason why most of the MNCs and even the local businesses are now moving production to China/Malaysia/Vietnam etc. Hope it makes sense now.
@@robfulano2552 That is very true what you mentioned there. There is no formal training for shoe making in countries like India. Factories like these do no hire any formally trained laborers. Most of these people working here have learned things on the job and are paid peanuts for their hard labor throughout the day in those dirty, humid and sweaty conditions. You can't really expect them to put their heart and soul into manufacturing because there is no motivation to do so. I'd rather not support such businesses and pay for quality and workmanship. TLB Mallorca may be expensive, but then they're that much better as well and so are various other brands in a similar price bracket.
@@chiragghuman You made a comment, the content of which ranged from baseless speculations to damning accusations. I replied, clarifying my own assessment and asking you to cite your sources and/or rationale. You selectively chose to not respond to these questions. I'll write them here again:
- As far as there being other brands that cost the same, but offer higher quality, could you please specify which ones you are referring to?
- What specific lies are you referring to regarding Bridlen?
- Additionally, you insinuated that Bridlen pays its employees significantly below market rate, "ultra low wage rates". Could you cite your sources on this?
I am assuming your comment is honest and you have evidence to support these claims, or at least will clarify for everyone if you don't. If you do, I would really like to know. These are pretty critical subject matters, notably the latter two.
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You instead expanded on your claim regarding cleanliness. I have been to India. I have seen the varied working conditions. It doesn't really matter what other companies are doing because the company in question is Bridlen.
Bridlen's factory is about what you would expect in most places in the world - and it's very reasonable. I don't really understand what qualms you have, as what you stated is strangely vague and inconsequential. Lighting? Bridlen's factory seems about as well lit as you would expect. "sweating laborers".......what a strange way of describing normal people doing a manual labor job. You start with more specific, yet minor complaints, then proceed to abstract that out into more significant, but entirely non-descript generalizations that make the situation seem bad without actually providing any substance. Quite frankly, if the working conditions were truly as bad as the exaggerated image that you have painted in your comments, Bridlen would not be able to produce the sort of quality it does.
The world isn't an Amazon warehouse or an Oracle office. It's great that new standards for workplace sterility are being pioneered by a few more developed countries, though it's an unreasonable standard to hold for the rest of the world. If you personally want your shoes made in a hyper-clean production facility, that's okay as that is your preference. But the average person doesn't - and ultimately shouldn't - care about if a production worker sneezed in the general direction of their shoe, not that that is exclusive to India anyway. This isn't food or medicine. These are shoes. And for the average person to restrict themselves so much would be to lose out on exceptional products they would otherwise be happy with. To be so intensely concerned with sterility is fine, though at point, you may want to also avoid: 95% of restaurants, most products, the general outdoors.
Then you go on to shoehorn into the concern of cleanliness an argument against workmanship & product quality. Again, a claim without any form of evidence or argument. A claim made even more bizarre by being left on a video that maps out every detail of the workmanship and product quality of Bridlen. I would assume that if you have such strong evidence that you would, twice, accuse Bridlen of lacking quality and attention to detail, you should very easily be able to address and counter the points I made in the video regarding any given facet of the product.
I am perfectly well open to any argument you have to make on any of the points of the video. The purpose of the video and the channel is truth-seeking. I don't really care if I'm wrong and if I am, I am happy for somebody to clearly show that so I can better disseminate more accurate information to the audience.
Please do the brand Guidi, they use horse leather and do whats called object dying, very unique and high quality goodyear welted shoes & boots which have more of a rugged, avant garde look. You would be super jazzed to look at one trust me