My favorite pair of shoes...

[davids]

Birks. Third sole, this time I chose a slip resistant vibram sole, the birk soles wear like shit and are a death trap in the winter.

Anyway, it's casual friday, birks it is, my boss refers to them as "those hideous shoes" of yours.

Love them.

Wow. Those make my Merrill clogs look sharp.

[jbartmc]

I just ordered a pair of Edward Green shoes, just like Nuckey wears at the beginning of Boardwalk Empire. Brown and tan wingtips that I can't wait to get.

[Chad]

Nothing attractive about them, no question. My best analogy would be a Brooks saddle, once they're broken in, there is nothing on earth like them.

[Too Tall]

I lived in these during college and recently found replacements. Boy they are fine.

RedWing Pecos. They come with two options for the soles, both are terrific.

[Jeremy S]

Bespoke Shoes Unlaced - a shoemaking blog

This makes me want to know things.

I know James and Deborah. They're great. They've build that business up from a hobby to a serious market position. I love the shoe-making course, and I'm trying to set up to host one in SF if James goes on the road again.

[boundgear]

Awesome. I seriously want to take the course just to do it.

[gearguywb]

OT: Since we are talking about shoes...any idea what the fit is like on the Alden's? Not much chance of trying something on around here. I typically wear a 10 1/2 EEE in Allen Edmonds.

Thanks!

[Jeremy S]

Here's all their lasts laid out:

[dave1215]

OT: Since we are talking about shoes...any idea what the fit is like on the Alden's? Not much chance of trying something on around here. I typically wear a 10 1/2 EEE in Allen Edmonds.

Thanks!

for some odd reason, and any alden dealer will tell you, the barrie last fits one half size up
i always wear a size 9 shoe including most aldens but with the barrie last i wear a size 8 1/2
recently bought a new pair from Winn Perry with a super customer service experience

"Fit tip: The Barrie last fits one half size large, compared to standard US sizing.
Take your measured foot size and go down one half size. Stock is only available in D widths."

ALD_97782_2_WEB_small.jpg

[Jeremy S]

Another bespoke shoemaker's blog: Koronya

[DrZRM]

All of their lasts are a bit different. Here is a description of all their lasts (great picture above) from Alden of Caramel.

[chasea]

If you're in NYC and low-rent like me, there is a store in Soho called Jenny B that carries this stuff. 118 Spring St.
Men | Varda

I got my black wingtips there for about $350, which was half off. They do a lot of sales. Its best to try them on, though. I wear a 13 US and an 11.5 in these.

[Nate@Scarab]

I read this thread and promptly purchased:

Mens Bostonian Crown Windsor Sz 11.5 e/d - eBay (item 280647655931 end time Mar-28-11 09:57:12 PDT)

Damn you people. Cordova makes me gooey. Saving up for a pair of Aldens and a fitted suit from the local tailor.

[Jason Musgrave]

ya'll need to grow some feet! Problem with this thread is that most of these awesome shoes stop at a 13...

[chasea]

ya'll need to grow some feet! Problem with this thread is that most of these awesome shoes stop at a 13!

http://www.johnlobb.com/en/shoes/bespoke

Mmmyeah. Whatch'yer gunna wanna do is click that link. And then prepare to give up things that really aren't necessary; like food or shelter.

[chasea]

There are custom shoe makers in the US. It is an investment, though. Pricing appears to be around $1300-1500 for the first pair. Subsequent pairs are a bit cheaper because they already have your last.
E. Vogel Custom Boots & Shoes

Either way, you're dropping G's like "lasagna." (Apologies to Lil Wayne).

Do you really need your toes?

[caleb]

Not fancy, but I wear this set of Allen Edmonds butcher toes to work two or three days a week.

IMG_0463.jpg

[soupless]

DSC_0618.jpg

They're too big, and I'm going to have to let them go to someone else pretty soon, but these things are exquisite.
Ralph Lauren (by Crockett and Jones) Marlow Cordovan Wingtips.

[Roman]

Alden Brixton boot in color 8, light double leather sole. Mmmmm, I love these shoes, resoled once.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6159/...f20775a9_b.jpg

[soupless]

wow hot