J FitzPatrick Appreciation Thread

[The Shoe Snob]

Dear All,

We just received a restock of our Snoqualmie boot in Rugged Brown

http://www.jfitzpatrickfootwear.com/collections/boots/products/snoqualmie-rugged-brown

Best Regards,

Justin

 

[Trqmaster]

Are you planning on releasing your button boots in size 12?

 

[rbhan12]

Just got shipping confirmation for my button boots. Can't wait for the maiden voyage!

 

[RogerP]

^^ Which one did you get?

 

[mw313]

Cross post by me from the quality shoes under $500 thread:


Hey again guys. I have more shoe info to post on this thread about some first hand experience about another brand that I listed in my major post a while back.

This is on J. Fitzpatrick footwear. These shoes are from Justin Fitzpatrick "The Shoe Snob" blogger (@The Shoe Snob ). He worked in the shoe industry and eventually trained under Stefano Bemer and worked with Tony Gaziano to make a custom last. He then had a set of lasts made off of that last for his foot and now that his company is growing, he had made multiple last designs for his shoes and keeps pushing boundaries with his brand. He loves two tone shoes and uses different materials to add a great level of texture.

His shoes are in the US $400-$500 range depending on model and if you are buying from the US or elsewhere. The shoes are sold in the GBP and there is VAT on the cost, which is taken away if you live in the US.

He has his shoes made in Spain from a very good factory and the shoes are Goodyear Welted. The materials are a very high quality from his leather uppers, to soles, to his other textured materials too, such as suede, corduroy, tweed, and even denim.

The pair that I received from Justin is on the JKF last in Shaded Navy Calf (made by Koldeleder of Germany, which is a crust leather that also supplies St. Crispin's) with Spanish Denim. It is a Two-Tone 4 eyelet Wingtip Adelaide on a Black "Chestnut-tanned" leather closed channel “Flex Sole” with a beveled waist.

The proportions are well done and I love how he has modified the standard style by adding his own feel to the shoe with the placement of the wingtip as well as the facing. Having a slightly beveled waist on a closed channel sole is not common at all for this price range. The nicer UK shoes brands like Crockett & Jones, Trickers, Church's, etc. as well as US Brands Allen Edmonds and Alden do not have those fine features at all. They are more common on the "high end" shoes of the $800+ range.










The stitching is very clean and even. The coloring and polishing of the leather is very consistent as well. So here is a close up view to show some of that detail. I love how the roll-over is present for the ankle, which helps keep it clean in terms of aesthetics, but also is a nice feel when touching the foot.






Yes some of you guys may wonder why to spend this much more money on a pair of this brand than some of the other goodyear welted brands in the under $500 range. These shoes have the finer details at a much higher level in terms of stitching, beveled waist, closed channel, etc. One part that also separates a good quality shoe from the high end shoes is the last design, which develops the overall shape of the shoe. The lasts used in J. Fitzpatrick shoes are based off of a last created by Tony Gaziano for Justin so now you can see what the shape is like from the tighter more shapely heel to the fine toe.



Look how tight this heel shape tapers. My only comment for improvement is that the actual heel stack could be made more tapered or less wide. The competition doesn't taper this either, but the high end brands like Edward Green, Gaziano & Girling, etc. do, and since J. Fitzpatrick shoes are at such a high level for the price, a fine detail like taper that would make it look even more like a shoe of the even higher echelon.




You can see the burnishing at the toe with how it is dark, but gets darker at you get closer to the end of the shoe. The denim is a nice dark color as well, and it adds a great level of depth to the shoe that could be used to dress up something casual like jeans, but also could be used to dress down some more professional outfits.





I love the elongated toe that is more of an almond shape but isn't too pointy either, especially with a large foot like mine.


The shape is great and here are a few pictures with me trying them on just so you can see. I have narrow feet so that is why I am just putting them on with thick black socks.






So overall, they are very high quality shoes that in my opinion are above that of Crockett & Jones and Church's of the UK because they have the same high quality materials and construction but they have some finer details (beveled waist, closed channel, burnishing) to take it up a notch, along with being at a much lower price point.

They are more refined in appearance than Allen Edmonds and Alden, who are much closer in price range, but those fine details of the J. Fitzpatrick shoes are also at least a step or two ahead of these US brands. J Fitzpatrick shoes are also much more sleek and don't have the sometimes referred "blobby" nature that AE and Alden are said to have.

They are superior to the other brands that I have written about on this thread from other new independent brands too. The price range is closest to these other new brands like Scarosso and Awl & Sundry, but the J. Fitzpatrick shoes have the fine details that really sets them apart.

Finally another separating factor is that when you email with questions, you will get them directly from Justin and he will answer you in anything that you want. He is a very genuine guy and has great knowledge of shoes as well. I have spoken with him on and off for quite a few years (about his blog and shoe brand) and we have always gotten along and respected each other for what we both do in the shoe industry. I feel great that I was finally able to get a pair of shoes made that I could wear, so I could not only talk about him as a person but to tell you all about his great shoes.

His shoes even come in a nice box with high quality shoe bags, a plastic shoe horn, and even an extra set of laces, just like both Scarosso and Awl & Sundry.

If you are looking for a pair of shoes in this $400-$500 price range, definitely consider his brand, J. Fitzpatrick!!!!! I fully endorse this brand.








Just as a side note, he now offers button boots and even has a full Made to Order (MTO) program where you can pick any current style and mix and match the last you want, the materials of the upper, as well as the sole. This was one part that Scarosso and Awl & Sundry had over J. Fitzpatrick because they have very good MTO programs (added premium for Scarosso and included in the price for Awl & Sundry), but now that Justin has added this feature (added premium of about 75 GBP ($115 depending on current exchange rate)), it now has everything that these brands offer and so much more.

 

[RogerP]

Thanks for the detailed review and that is a VERY handsome pair - congrats!

 

[rbhan12]

^^ Which one did you get?

The hazel calf and forest tweed version. Should be here tomorrow based on previous shipping times!

 

[mw313]



Thanks for the detailed review and that is a VERY handsome pair - congrats!

Thanks. Hope that helps people see what his brand has to offer.

 

[Trqmaster]

The hazel calf and forest tweed version. Should be here tomorrow based on previous shipping times!

Very nice! I was considering the same ones. Can't wait to see some pics!

 

[andrel42]

WIWT : The impeccable Greenwood in navy suede today ... Love 'em !

 

[notdos]



Just got shipping confirmation for my button boots. Can't wait for the maiden voyage!

Would love to see a pic !

Thanks,
Phillip

 

[The Shoe Snob]



Would love to see a pic !

Thanks,
Phillip

He unfortunately had to return them as they were too tight for him in the instep/shaft.

You can see some pics of clients wearing them at a French Forum: http://depiedencap.leforum.eu/t18579-Justin-Fitzpatrick-online-shop.htm?start=100

 

[The Shoe Snob]

Two new models in stock for A/W2015. More to come as well..... see link below

http://www.jfitzpatrickfootwear.com/collections/aw15

 

[rbhan12]

Beautiful new Wedgewoods! Noticed the switch to open channel stitching, any particular reason?

 

[The Shoe Snob]



Beautiful new Wedgewoods! Noticed the switch to open channel stitching, any particular reason? 

that's only for double sole. The factory doesn't have a machine that can cut the closed channel through two soles like that so they have to do it by hand and they refused to do so. Single soles will stay closed channel.

Glad that you like them though