Gaziano & Girling Appreciation & Shoe Appreciation Thread (including reviews, purchases, pictures)

[striker]

How's Saint Crispin's leather compared to G&G?

 

[RogerP]

I find my Vass leathers quite stiff compared to G&G, and the inner leathers too are quite inferior to G&G. G&G will definitely feel better than Vass, but are they worth more than double than a C&J Handgrade is very questionable...

I agree with this assessment. I like Vass and have several pairs, but I consider them my "rugged" shoes and boots based on the stiffness of leather.

I am in partial agreement - no question leather quality inside and out is superior in my G&G - but then the cost is also significantly greater.

As for the stiffness, I find the descriptions above somewhat overstated - and the difference is certainly far less pronounced after break-in than fresh out of the box. Also, Vass museum calf is noticeably more supple than their box calf.

I can't say the leather quality makes me peigeon-hole my Vass pairs as purely "rugged" shoes and boots by any stretch. And this is in the context of a rotation that includes EG and St. Crispin's as well.

This pair of austerity brogues, for example, does not suffer much in comparison to higher priced brands:

 

[stevent]



Thanks for the input. I have a normal instep and thus Vass U and F lasts don't fit me that well - normal size results in decent toe fit, but roomy instep/heel slip, whereas sizing down results in correct heel/instep but tight toes. I didn't know RL carries GG so I will check them out some time. I remember just last year when I was contemplating picking up some GG and I could get SJ2 for under $1k yet now they are over $1k, and I've read about imminent price increases yet again...

The sales reps at RL will most likely not be able to tell you which are G&G, it's not like it's official. Purple
Lable also has shoes from other makers like C&J and even EG if I recall correctly. If you've handled a few G&G you'll be able to tell but the sales reps will probably just say they are all made by RL.

Haha this is generally the case with RL, as some will insist shoes are made by Ralph Lauren not by another maker. That said there is a purple label guy in the rodeo drive location that used to do corporate footwear for RL and he does know he shoes. Older guy want to say his name is Scott? Also the G&G shoes will probably be D / narrow width.

Khakis has G&G so it might be worth a drive out to Carmel instead. Or just trust Patrik and Skoab for with their sizing recs, they are pretty accurate.

 

[armsignet]

Quote:

I am in partial agreement - no question leather quality inside and out is superior in my G&G - but then the cost is also significantly greater.

As for the stiffness, I find the descriptions above somewhat overstated - and the difference is certainly far less pronounced after break-in than fresh out of the box. Also, Vass museum calf is noticeably more supple than their box calf.

I can't say the leather quality makes me peigeon-hole my Vass pairs as purely "rugged" shoes and boots by any stretch. And this is in the context of a rotation that includes EG and St. Crispin's as well.

This pair of austerity brogues, for example, does not suffer much in comparison to higher priced brands:

To clarify, when I said "rugged," I did not mean wear them stomping through mud or anything. I meant, for instance, I am more likely to wear Vass over GG or StC when traveling because I am less worried about getting severe scuffs or scrapes in heavy foot traffic in airports.

Vass makes fine shoes and boots, as seen from your example above. I think the difference in price between GG and Vass is much larger than the difference in quality, if you can get Vass at European pricing.

 

[armsignet]

How's Saint Crispin's leather compared to G&G?

To my non-expert eye, they are comparable in quality and finish. StC might have an edge over GG RTW, but GG MTO seems of equal quality to me.

 

[TtownMD]

This is true & I also agree. Stcrispin rtw shoes finish is crazy good but G&G deco mto is equally up there with stcrispin.

 

[grizzlygiant]

Hello SF, I recently purchased these Glencoes off Faster here and I absolutely love them. I am a bit concerned that they may be half a size too large though and was looking for some feedback. The boots fit nicely width wise and I have no heel slip but there is a perhaps an inch and a half room in the toes. When I wear them they are comfortable but I am worried about creasing issues due to the extra length and was wondering how they compare to others who may own the Glencoes as well. The photos below are after a full days length of wear. Thanks!

 

[heelguy]



Hello SF, I recently purchased these Glencoes off Faster here and I absolutely love them. I am a bit concerned that they may be half a size too large though and was looking for some feedback. The boots fit nicely width wise and I have no heel slip but there is a perhaps an inch and a half room in the toes. When I wear them they are comfortable but I am worried about creasing issues due to the extra length and was wondering how they compare to others who may own the Glencoes as well. The photos below are after a full days length of wear. Thanks!

Grizzly-I also have these Glencoe and they have been fine size-wise for me (normal GG size that I take which is the same for EG).

 

[Diabolical]

^^ I'm launching the Vintage Oak GMTO on our site tomorrow. If we are ever gonna have a chance to beat the price increase we need to act fast.

The most sensible make up IMHO is
MH71
Blind Eyelets + Speed Hooks
No storm welt (as its plain calf)
Dainite sole with a thin midsole

It will be a sweet make up and we'll finally have our F-width GMTO after almost two months of trying to get people to rally around one style.

I will support the Racing Green Hatch as much as I can but I just can't order a pair for myself.

Can we still get the racing green hatch thorpes in before the price increase if there's enough interest?

 

[striker]

I would be interested in a racing green isham or a pearl grey St James II GMTO if it can be done before the price increment. I dun wear boots much even in winter, unless I am shoveling snow.

If it gets too close to St Crispin in price, I'd rather take a hand welted shoe.

 

[NAMOR]

For anyone on the fence.

 

[DeSense]

Question regards fit/feel difference, if any, between GG06 and MH71 lasts. With the GG06 being round tipped, does it possibly have a little more wiggle room in the toe box up front? Reason I ask, my Isham MH71s are probably a tat too long, maybe even wide in my normal size. For an Oxford GG06, I consider going down a half size in length, but probably not width.
I just need some encouragement there...

 

[grc1]



Spoiler: Hot damn

For anyone on the fence.

Jesus. Wondering if I could pull off an F-width in thicker socks ....

 

[dddrees]

I would be interested in a racing green isham or a pearl grey St James II GMTO if it can be done before the price increment. I dun wear boots much even in winter, unless I am shoveling snow.

If it gets too close to St Crispin in price, I'd rather take a hand welted shoe.

and the difference of the hand welted shoe would give you a significant advantage or would significantly be worth it because???????

 

[nickrut]



and the difference of the hand welted shoe would give you a significant advantage or would significantly be worth it because???????

The internet said so...