One Shoemaker for the Rest of Your Life

[sclemmons]

John Lobb. Either 7000 last or Lopez. I like Alden and Edward Green, but Lobb is the next level of fit and comfort for me. 7000 does look strange with casual clothes, I admit.

 

[baba-au-rhum]

So I've been thinking a lot about brand loyalty lately, and wondering if that even exists anymore. But I thought it could be a fun experiment to ask if you had to only wear shoes from one shoemaker for the rest of your life (yes, cost is a factor), which would it be? If it's not listed, feel free to add a comment.

Hi,
Pardon me for asking, but why is JM Weston excluded from the list?
Marc

 

[Rich T]

Grant Stone 🔥. Affordable but also high quality. Many more casual styles. A great round toe last. Always changing up their offerings. Amazing customer service.

Agreed! The price is a good reason to check out Grant Stone, but their quality is on par with my Aldens, and much more consistent than Allen Edmonds (though I wish that wasn't true).

 

[Rich T]

This feels like a renaissance for handmade and hand finished shoes. There are some wonderful choices in the survey. I have also found wonderful shoes (especially boots) from Grant Stone, Viberg, Trickers, Oak Street and Parkhurst.

 

[Anachronist]

For me it would Edward Green. I know they cost a fortune compared to many other quality shoes I don’t want to kick off a discussion about value for money, but for me they have been by far the most comfortable quality shoes I have ever worn and they have held up beautifully over time. Ultimately I think the poll is difficult to answer, because it is more about fit than anything else and to get a representative picture, you‘d need to add quite a few more brands.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Crockett & Jones by a long shot. They offer a variety of styles, excellent quality and value.

 

[Markus50]

Santoni

 

[shirtingfantasy]

Either Antonio Meccariello, or Berluti

Both solve the sneaker problem in addition to dress shoes

 

[JohnMRobie]

Really? Those are your only choices?

Bespoke: Nick Templeman
Ready-to-wear and MTO: Edward Green

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

Since many folks are talking about sneakers, the only choice should be Antonio Meccariello.
He offers:
-Many price points (Hi to Low)
-High quality leathers
-Many available lasts
-Different construction options
-RTW & true Bespoke available
-Last modification available

 

[Luscombe]

Rancourt for the win.

Dress shoes, casual shoes, dress boots, casual boots, hand-sewn moccasins, sneakers. In fact, they made the sneaker boots for the 2022 Olympic team.
As a bonus, they will custom make almost any shoe in their line with any leathers they offer or if you want to supply your own leather, not to mention that their RLH soles are the most comfortable on the planet. I do have a couple in shell.

All of this is done at very affordable prices.
I find the fit superior to AE, they use similar lasts and even offer narrow widths.
While I appreciate all of the other makers, Rancourt is my preferred shoemaker. Yeah, I'm a fan

 

[pasadena man]

Crockett & Jones by a long shot. They offer a variety of styles, excellent quality and value.

I tend to agree, although I have about 20 pairs of shoes & only one pair is C & J. Most of my dress shoes are Church’s (older, on the legendary 73 last), and more casual shoes are Alden. But I can’t think of a single maker other than C & J that has quality offerings across as many categories, and at or near that price point and price/value level.

 

[Jack3]

OK, so starting over with zero shoes, can shop only from one brand. I think this would have to be Allen Edmonds, because of the very solid value that can reacquire all my work needs, but also pick up sneakers and smart casual, all at a very reasonable total ticket.

 

[dieworkwear]

If people want variety, I think it would be hard to beat Ralph Lauren. You have work boots from RRL, dress shoes from Polo and Purple Label, moccasins made in Maine, etc. And while I don't love RL sneakers, I think they're better than sneakers from Allen Edmonds, Antonio Meccariello, and Berluti.

If we're just talking about CM aesthetics, I agree with Andy. My choice would be Templeman for bespoke and Edward Green for ready-to-wear. But I only wear suits and sport coats about half the week, and personally would need different brands to fill the rest of my wardrobe.

 

[emptym]

Nicolas Templeman, for the sense of humor.

Spoiler

I look like I’m mid-fart

Actually, I'd probably go with @DWFII for boots and Alden for loafers.