Thank you. These are cheap bata shoes. $80 each only but goodyear welted and leather is just OK only. I got rid of the stupid tag they sew on the heel pad.
These have been just briefly polished. Couldnt bother with a full shine as shoes tend to get stepped on when taking public transport.
If you did not award me the Oscar prize, your statement would be tantamount to slander. LOL.
Why is it so difficult for people to understand that shoes dun have to cost alot. Goodyear welting is just a simple manufacturing technique using machines, nothing special. Just that you have been duped by people in England, Japan, US and other places into thinking that GY welted shoes has to cost $300 and up. If you think GY welted shoes must cost $XXX figure, then go ahead and buy. GYW shoes are also made in China, Vietnam, Thailand, India and poorer European countries at very low cost. The only problem with cheap shoes is that they seldom use high grade calfskin.
The lao jiaos here who have far more expensive shoes have been recommending Bata for years, if anyone bothers reading the thread, to people who wants entry level shoes. I got them for 50% off list prices during Christmas shopping in December. The salesperson told me only a few pairs left. I think, two type of wingtip, one loafer and two captoe designs. The leather quality is not great but serve my needs well enough and if they spoil, I just throw away and buy another pair, no need to pay for overpriced re-soling services here. They don't state country of origin also so I believe it is India. If you don't believe Bata sells GY welted shoes, it's not mine or anybody's loss. It's not like I make money from recommending them.
No point buying good shoes when they are always being abused and stepped on in trains or kicked by people when going down buses. That's why after buying these for $80, I really regret spending $300 on Ed Et Al.
I took a pic of the sole of one of the pairs when new and these are not definitely not faux stitching with glued on soles like Pedro. I have since put a rubber on them as the leather sole is very slippery.
The shoe bag.
They gave me a wrong box but the labels are from the same range.
If you did not award me the Oscar prize, your statement would be tantamount to slander. LOL.
Why is it so difficult for people to understand that shoes dun have to cost alot. Goodyear welting is just a simple manufacturing technique using machines, nothing special. Just that you have been duped by people in England, Japan, US and other places into thinking that GY welted shoes has to cost $300 and up. If you think GY welted shoes must cost $XXX figure, then go ahead and buy. GYW shoes are also made in China, Vietnam, Thailand, India and poorer European countries at very low cost. The only problem with cheap shoes is that they seldom use high grade calfskin.
The lao jiaos here who have far more expensive shoes have been recommending Bata for years, if anyone bothers reading the thread, to people who wants entry level shoes. I got them for 50% off list prices during Christmas shopping in December. The salesperson told me only a few pairs left. I think, two type of wingtip, one loafer and two captoe designs. The leather quality is not great but serve my needs well enough and if they spoil, I just throw away and buy another pair, no need to pay for overpriced re-soling services here. They don't state country of origin also so I believe it is India. If you don't believe Bata sells GY welted shoes, it's not mine or anybody's loss. It's not like I make money from recommending them.
No point buying good shoes when they are always being abused and stepped on in trains or kicked by people when going down buses. That's why after buying these for $80, I really regret spending $300 on Ed Et Al.
I took a pic of the sole of one of the pairs when new and these are not definitely not faux stitching with glued on soles like Pedro. I have since put a rubber on them as the leather sole is very slippery.
The shoe bag.
They gave me a wrong box but the labels are from the same range.
Hi guys im looking to buy a pair of brown shoes to go with my brown belt, caramel coloured pants and light blue shirt
Please throw me all good recommendations.
Thank you
Hi guys im looking to buy a pair of brown shoes to go with my brown belt, caramel coloured pants and light blue shirt
Please throw me all good recommendations.
Thank you
let me share with you some interesting and shocking information...before you spend half your salary on John Lobb RTW shoes etc. If you are really into good shoes then please read on, else just skip it TLDR.
before i start to explain my views, i would like to say that although i cannot pretend to be a newbie to shoemaking, neither am i an expert. all our knowledge comes from somewhere (usually experienced shoemakers) and mine comes from a few trusted online sources + my personal inspection.
my view is that in today's world the reputation of the shoemaker as an artisan (i.e. using highest quality materials) is more important than the construction. . there are terrible quality goodyear welted shoes and there can be very good italian blake rapid shoes.
(in case you are wondering the bata shoes seem a good deal and reasonable quality if you're not a snob, from the exterior)
These following pictures are taken by a crazy french shoe expert who deconstructed some of the most expensive ready to wear branded shoes out there:
site: Démontages - De pied en cap (in french)
1. First picture is John Lobb ready to wear. It shows clearly that the welt is sewn onto a synthetic wall (white). Meaning it's a not 100% leather and wood natural shoe. Most people don't know that there are 2 John Lobb companies. The ready-to-wear John Lobb company, available in singapore, is owned by Hermes aka. a commercial brand.
The english heritage, family owned business by MR. LOBB does not sell ready to wear.
A cheap plastic heel stiffener is used in the making:
To the french expert this was "extremely disappointing" for the reputation of the name "JOHN LOBB".
moving on...
2. Crockett and Jones oxford
this part of the upper is "thermo formed" which causes "great displeasure" to him and its "poor quality is even less justifiable than the entry level of the house"...
3. Edward Green
same synthetic canvas wall as depicted in 1.
for others I can encourage you to read the website...
As we can see shoe construction is very complicated and it is very hard to say how good it is without completely destroying the shoe and examining the materials. Also please note that the above pictures may only apply to some models (but very expensive nonetheless).
Ask the maker to guarantee that it is "hand sewn and welted" before paying a premium. A true artisan like laszlo vass will guarantee it. A brand like louis vuitton "goodyear" will most likely try to sidestep it.
Another very high quality (but stiffer) construction is norwegian which is very recognisable, an example is the 2.5k pair of shoes at MBS santoni.
Very important must read!!
Before buying a gentleman's shoe (especially on sale) I highly recommend reading this guide with google translate:
Contrôler ses futurs souliers avant achat - De pied en cap
It will point out some of the obvious flaws.
Hope it has been helpful.
To Kiton: You and I know it is absurd to compare MMM to GG...unless you are only going for looks, he he
But if Berluti uses blake (after all it makes for a lighter, more flexible, more elegant shoe) then it's ok so long as the quality is there.
