Still today the most commonly used shoe trees in the world are ones with a front part and a big spring that is bent to be placed against the heel. This type of shoe trees are in fact bad for your shoes, in the worst case they may even destroy them. Learn why in this article.
It’s finally here, the substantial review of all 25 competition shoes that entered the World Championships of Shoemaking 2024. Info about the makers and the shoes, comments, pictures of the shoes and in some cases also the manufacturing process. Experience some of the best full strap loafers you’ll ever see.Continue reading
This is the second part of the substantial review of all competition shoes in the World Championships of Shoemaking 2024. Here position 11 to 25 are gone through with comments and pictures.
A bunch of sales has already started in the shoe world, and more is likely incoming the coming weeks. As usual I’m here to highlight a few good ones where you can make a bargain on quality footwear.
We now open the qualifications to the U.S. Championships of Shoe Shining 2024, with the finals taking place at the huge shoe event New York Super Trunk Show on October 5. The contest and the event are organised by The Shoe Snob, Shoegazing and Kirby Allison in collaboration with sponsors Saphir and Bridlen Shoemaker. Apart from the shine contest where finalists will have 20 minutes to shine their shoes, we’ll also have a shoe patina exhibition and a free shoe shine service on site.
Articles continued:
One of the most common mistakes done when it comes to shoe care, if one look at the population as a whole, is the use of waterproofing spray also on full grain smooth leather. Yes, it do protects against water, but it also makes it difficult for the nourishing ingredients of shoe creams to penetrate the leather, which means the leather risks drying out. Learn more in this article.
Normally box calf leather is associated with a nice shiny finish, but one can also do box calf in an almost matte finish. This was more common back in the days, which this pair of bespoke Yohei Fukuda made in a vintage Ilcea leather is evident of.
The British-based bespoke shoemaker William Efe Laborde now introduces a Made to Order service, with shoes made to exactly the same standard as his full bespoke, but on standard lasts available in two different toe shapes and in four widths. Initially an oxford and a derby are available as base models, and the leather options are spectacular, with among other things several vintage Freudenberg leathers.
The legendary British bespoke shoemaker Jim McCormack has worked five decades as an outworker for various big and small bespoke shoe companies in England. Hear him talk about life as an outworker and how this system works, about the development of the bespoke shoe scene in the UK the last 50 years, and much more.
The entry level welted men’s shoes brand Meermin runs a pretty large spring sale, with up to 40% off a bunch of shoes and boots. Already affordable footwear now are even more affordable, with prices for Goodyear welted shoes from €130, pretty hard to beat.
