RANCOURT & Co. Shoes - Made in Maine

[DG123]

13C or D in Trubalance. The 13D LHS is a pretty good loafer fit for me.

My feet are pretty flat and bony. The Beefroll seems better for people with meatier feet.

Thanks for your helpful reply .

 

[Bavo]

Ringing in 2023 in some Baxters. Happy New Year!

 

[Hellraysaz]

I ordered a pair of Baxter Boots back in August with a shipping estimate of December 8th. They shipped December 9th.

FWIW my august crowdfunding order still has not shipped. Rancourt customer support had said to wait at least another 2-3 weeks in mid-December.

Wait and see.

 

[DG123]

I had a similar issues to you and did not want to size down because I was not optimistic it would work. So I tried a different model in the same last to see if it made a difference. I went with (now multiple) Eastports in Bulldog leather. The Bulldog does not stretch as much and I find that the pinch stitching reduces excess volume ever so slightly -- even in the heel. Those have been great for me.

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I've now tried a size 13B Eastport and the fit is good, so thanks again for the suggestion.
If you've worn a bull dog leather Eastport and a chromexcel Beef Roll in the same size/width, is there for you a significant fit difference ?

 

[Garrister]

I've now tried a size 13B Eastport and the fit is good, so thanks again for the suggestion.
If you've worn a bull dog leather Eastport and a chromexcel Beef Roll in the same size/width, is there for you a significant fit difference ?

The Eastport fit a little snugger around the heel and the Bulldog does not stretch as much as CXL. So if you can one that fits out of the box it will continue to fit throughout the life of the shoe. The Beef Roll was a slightly roomer fit all the way around for me. I think you really want a snug CXL fit out of the box because it will stretch over time. If its loose out of the box it does not portend well. Glad it worked out for you -- sounds like you went up a size and down a width? That is an interesting experiment.

 

[DG123]

. Glad it worked out for you -- sounds like you went up a size and down a width? That is an interesting experiment.

Longer length while at the same time more narrow in width used to be a common way to properly fit shoes. This method allows for toe room while at the same time securing the ball and instep areas of the foot.
However these days manufacturers have discontinued producing the AA, A, B, C, D, E, EE, EEE, EEEE full range of widths which enabled truly proper fit.

 

[Canadianguy]

Hey guys, I’ve got a pair of the shell pinch pennies and I’m finding the left shoe a bit snug in the width/strap. They don’t seem to be loosening up much with wear so at this point I’m considering either sending them back to rancourt for stretching or some kind of diy method. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks

 

[Kohntarkosz]

Hey guys, I’ve got a pair of the shell pinch pennies and I’m finding the left shoe a bit snug in the width/strap. They don’t seem to be loosening up much with wear so at this point I’m considering either sending them back to rancourt for stretching or some kind of diy method. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks

You could try buying your own shoe stretcher. I have a shoe one, and a boot one. I've had mixed luck with them on various types of shoes and leathers (I have really wide feet). Shell doesn't stretch much though.

 

[Canadianguy]

You could try buying your own shoe stretcher. I have a shoe one, and a boot one. I've had mixed luck with them on various types of shoes and leathers (I have really wide feet). Shell doesn't stretch much though.

Thanks for the tip. I might very well try that although I’m afraid of destroying the shoe!

 

[Garrister]

Thanks for the tip. I might very well try that although I’m afraid of destroying the shoe!

Be careful with shell. It can rip easier than other leathers. I would suggest applying a moderate heat to the shoe with something like a space heater to make the leather as soft and pliable before stretching the shoe -- slowly and with patience. Conditioning the leather before stretching may help as well.

 

[stook1]

Hey guys, I’ve got a pair of the shell pinch pennies and I’m finding the left shoe a bit snug in the width/strap. They don’t seem to be loosening up much with wear so at this point I’m considering either sending them back to rancourt for stretching or some kind of diy method. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks

I would start by determining whether your issue is pressure across the strap (ie. instep room) or width. This will affect what approach you want to take for stretching. It is possible to stretch shell a little bit. However, the edge of the strap where it crosses from the tongue to the side can be a weak spot for potential tears (probably the most common spot on shell loafers).

 

[DG123]

Hey guys, I’ve got a pair of the shell pinch pennies and I’m finding the left shoe a bit snug in the width/strap. They don’t seem to be loosening up much with wear so at this point I’m considering either sending them back to rancourt for stretching or some kind of diy method. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks

On the interior lining of the "too tight area" I suggest applying a softener such as Venetian Shoe Cream or Bick 4 or a cream product with beeswax. Also stuff the loafer with a couple of pair of rolled up socks or rag (s) or crumpled up paper so that pressure is applied (for a few days) to the area where the loafer fits you too tight.

 

[Canadianguy]

Thanks for the insight everyone, that’s very helpful. I think I will attempt to stretch at home, proceeding with appropriate caution.

 

[BAK]

Thanks for the insight everyone, that’s very helpful. I think I will attempt to stretch at home, proceeding with appropriate caution.

You shouldn't really need the creams and all of that, although it could't hurt if you wanted to condition the exterior shell. Ideally you want to get the interior somewhat dampened, so for best results use some sort of shoe stretcher spray such as this (spray it on the interior, not the exterior). That's what cobblers typically use in conjunction with the actual stretching device. I've never stretched shell before but I've had plenty of luck stretching calf shoes with the spray + stretcher method. Spray, insert stretcher and stretch to whatever extent you feel is safe (because it's shell I'd start with minimal stretching), and then let it sit with the stretcher inside overnight.

 

[Garrister]

The Rancourt factory is humming. Quoted delivery is now 10 to 12 weeks (up from 6 to 8 weeks a few months ago -- which was bumped from 4 to 6 weeks about a year ago).