Go to the link to read the entire list. There's a longer list of recommended shoe brands. I've pulled out the top 5. Meermin comes in tops (like I've been saying) in terms of value. It has a very good price-quality mix. The link --
Parisian Gentleman – PG’s recommendations : The 2013 Shoes Edition
IMPORTANT NOTE: In assessing the relative quality of these shoes, PG, a shoe connoisseur, uses extremely high criteria in assessing standards of quality. So, whilst he might call some brands out for 'mid-tier' leather etc, it's relative to extremely high quality shoes. I can safely say that MOST people who have little/no exposure to august shoemakers that PG uses as a benchmark will see the 'mid-tier' as 'top-tier'.
PG’s RECOMMENDATIONS : THE 2013 SHOES EDITION
Our 2013 selection for ready-to-wear shoes covers 22 houses, meticulously handpicked, whose price range varies from 130 to 1500 euros.
Be advised that although the inclusion of shoetrees with the purchase of a pair of shoes goes without saying for us—for many entry-level brands, shoetrees are optional, so you may have to add 30 to 60 euros to the final price (which corresponds to the average price for a decent pair of trees).
As for the indicated prices, also be aware that we are giving averages — numerous houses listed here offer different collections whose prices can vary wildly, depending on the leather, design, and/or construction.
Without further ado, here is our selection given in ascending order :
MEERMIN
The new sensation from Majorca
Average Price: 150 Euros
meermin.es
This young house founded in 2001 was taken over about two years ago by the Albaladejo family, already well-known for being behind Carmina and for their great Shell Cordovan leathers. Meermin is probably one of the best quality/price ratio offerings to emerge from the past few years. This small house distributes its collections via two physical stores (one in Madrid, the other in Tokyo), plus an on-line store.
With a casual, Goodyear welted collection (rubber soles) priced at 130 euros, and a classic collection of Goodyear welted shoes (leather soles), priced at 160 euros, the Meermin price tag is nothing short of impressive.
Made in Shangai and finished in Majorque, this house also offers a hand-welted collection, at 260 euros (the most interesting offer as far as we are concerned), a norwegian-welted range at 360 euros, and a Shell Cordovan offer, priced at 320 euros.
Clearly inspired by British designs, these models are discreet with relatively modern lasts. The solidity of the construction is honorable, and the designs are overall pleasant. Of course, at this price range, the leather quality is mid-grade at best, the soles could be sturdier, and the finishing touches are only average, with hit or miss quality control.
Despite this, the quality/price ratio remains excellent, and the customer service, though a bit « rustic », is full of goodwill and consistently reactive.
One regret though, would be the abusive use of the affiliation with Carmina on the communications side (i.e., tradition-washing). Carmina and Meermin are two different companies, with two different production lines, clearly providing different levels of quality.
+ + : The quality/price ratio, the sober lasts
- – : The leathers, the finishing work, only two physical stores (Madrid & Tokyo).
LODING
Still an excellent value for money
Single price for all shoes : 160 euros
loding.fr
No need to introduce Loding again, founded fifteen yeas ago, with the concept of providing accessible luxury at a single price.
Now counting at 66 stores (franchised network) in France and in the world (Hong Kong, Barcelona, Lausanne, Warsaw), Loding has secured a good reputation amongst shoe enthusiasts (newcomers and veterans alike) who have a limited budget but still want to enjoy (relatively) well designed shoes of (rather) good overall quality.
Loding still offers its collection at 160 euros for all models, an excellent choice to take one’s first steps into the highly addictive world of quality men’s shoes. This brand provides a great and affordable way to “taste” the formality of an oxford or the nonchalance of a derby, or even the casual chic spirit of a loafer without having to spend a fortune.
Of course at this price the leather quality is not fantastic, even if Loding shoes are famous for their decent sturdiness, if regularly well-maintained.
The only downside would be the lasts, which tend to get longer and thiner as collections come and go, to the point of verging on bad taste, but this concerns only a few select models, fortunately.
This concern aside, the offer is as relevant as ever and Loding is a house that can be credited for its real consistency in terms of quality and selection.
+ + : The quality-price ratio, the wide selection, a large number of physical stores
- – : The “average” leather quality, some of the lasts are not as elegant as in the past, sporadic customer service depending on the store (the downside of a franchised network)
MARKOWSKI
An impressive choice at an impressive price
Average Price: 195 Euros
markowski.fr
Markowski literally infiltrated the market in 2007 under the impulse of Marcos Fernandez Cabezas, the man behind the launch of Bowen, the revival of Doc Martens in France, the update of the Paraboot style and subsequently, the creation of Emling.
The tireless Marco Fernandez (who, by the way, created Septième Largeur two years later, and sold Markowski in 2012) created the house with a simple and seductive idea : offer quality shoes at « wholesale prices » (about twice as cheap as retail prices) by cutting the middleman and reducing as much structural costs as possible, and selling online only (but still including a store / office/ warehouse located in a popular Parisian neighbourhood).
This philosophy resulted in an offer, which at the time of its inception, was nothing short of remarkable (for the price range). This quite quickly seduced a large customer-base looking for classic shoes with contemporary lasts (i.e the « 169 » model in its one-cut / saddle form – a very successful model, and rightfully so), with simple and elegant designs, for a quasi-miraculous price tag.
Six years later, despite barely acceptable leather quality and uneven quality assurance, Markowski remains a very solid choice in terms of quality/price ratio… if prices would stop increasing, that is. A 60 euros increase in a time frame of six years on a pair of shoes initially sold for 135 euros is a 45 percent inflation (even if the cost of leather has been skyrocketing in the past few years.)
In 2012, Marcos Fernandez sold Markowski to dedicate himself to Septième Largeur, who was until then a Markowski superior sub-brand offering, providing more sophisticated models with contemporary patinas.
+ + : Still an excellent quality/price ratio
- – : Average at best leathers, fluctuating quality assurance, back order issues.
LOAKE
For your first steps in English shoes
Average price : 200 euros
loake.co.uk
Loake is a British shoemaker installed since the late 1800s, in Kettering (close to Northampton), that produces classic shoes of honorable quality sold at a very honest price.
Nothing spectacular here, in that no efforts are poured into creating original or highly seductive shoes. The designs are as British as it gets, the leather quality is decent, and the Goodyear welts are well-made, especially on the upper « Loake 1880 premium » range, the only collection still made in England, which sells at around 190£ (235 euros)
The other models fluctuate between 110 and 150£, with beautiful classic collections (including the : « 201 » semi-brogue at the very convincing price of 110£).
Loake is a good alternative for the most conservative, and for those who only swear by English shoes (which is not necessarily a wrong choice, especially in terms of sturdiness).
+ + : Nothing spectacular, but a solid choice, very decently crafted.
- – : Average leather, very « heavy » looking lasts, no physical stores outside of England.
SEPTIÈME LARGEUR
A good quality/price ratio, with added style.
Average price : 250 euros
septiemelargeur.fr
The second part of Marcos Fernandez’s work, in favor of affordable, yet qualitative men’s shoes. The Septième Largeur collection recently has became a house proper, with an online store and two physical shops in Paris. The shoes are of classical style, honorably built with nice lasts and rather seducing designs, and for a few models, you can request a patina for 75 euros more (added to the original price).
A very relevant offer that can give you that bit of soul and style that few houses are able to offer for under 250 euros.
+ + : The quality/ price / style ratio.
- – : A sometimes random leather quality.
