RANCOURT & Co. Shoes - Made in Maine

[ajd578]

Looks like the pre-sale is up on the page, with Baxter Ranger Moc in natty CXL and horsebit loafers in brown and black calfskin included in the mix.

I've been thinking about horsebit loafers for a while but not sure how much I'll actually wear them when I'm WFH all the time now.

On one hand, I’d say you shouldn’t get bit loafers unless you’re sure about it. On the other hand, I have two pairs and I only wear them casually (too flashy for my work).

 

[NonChalant321]

Within an hour of my last post, I went down the rabbit hole of googling ranger mocs and penny loafers and ended up pulling the trigger on pre-ordering a pair of Alden shell ranger mocs. I think the thought progression went something like Rancourt ranger mocs -> Rancourt shell ranger mocs -> Rancourt x Leffot bit ivy shell penny loafers -> Alden shell ranger mocs (vaguely remembered seeing a pic of these many months ago and liking them)

 

[ajd578]

Within an hour of my last post, I went down the rabbit hole of googling ranger mocs and penny loafers and ended up pulling the trigger on pre-ordering a pair of Alden shell ranger mocs. I think the thought progression went something like Rancourt ranger mocs -> Rancourt shell ranger mocs -> Rancourt x Leffot bit ivy shell penny loafers -> Alden shell ranger mocs (vaguely remembered seeing a pic of these many months ago and liking them)

Enjoy!

 

[NonChalant321]

While waiting for my wife, snapped one of my Natural Essex mocs,1 month in of frequent wear in the sun. Patina coming along faster than I expected at this point. They were inspired by the Coggins Sawtooth 3 eye boat moc.

 

[DG123]

I am disappointed that for Rancourt's new model introductions the company has discontinued offering narrow width sizing.

 

[Radboots]

Wides too for that matter.

 

[DG123]

Wides too for that matter.

While narrow or wide widths do not sell in high volume numbers, offering those widths is evidence of a brand's commitment to proper fit, which is a sign of integrity.

 

[Garrister]

While narrow or wide widths do not sell in high volume numbers, offering those widths is evidence of a brand's commitment to proper fit, which is a sign of integrity.

I suspect it has a lot more to do with financial constraints than a commitment to proper fit/integrity but I could be wrong.

 

[DG123]

I suspect it has a lot more to do with financial constraints than a commitment to proper fit/integrity but I could be wrong.

Yes, financial considerations are the reason 99% of footwear producers and retailers offer only a single width. This is essentially a statement that fit is not a priority, which I believe reveals a lack of integrity.
50 years ago many producers and retailers offered multiple width sizing but that philosophy has been replaced by an emphasis on fashion instead of fit. Brands such as Red Wing, Alden, the Pacific Northwest bootmakers, Allen Edmonds etc... still offer width sizing, but each year it's becoming less because the newer generation consumers do not expect or demand proper fitting footwear.
Rancourt has always been a relatively small volume niche producer but the company does already own the Lasts to produce narrow and wide sizes, and offering these widths did help distinguish the company from its imported production medium-width-only competitors.

 

[Limboroom]

Yes, financial considerations are the reason 99% of footwear producers and retailers offer only a single width. This is essentially a statement that fit is not a priority, which I believe reveals a lack of integrity.
50 years ago many producers and retailers offered multiple width sizing but that philosophy has been replaced by an emphasis on fashion instead of fit. Brands such as Red Wing, Alden, the Pacific Northwest bootmakers, Allen Edmonds etc... still offer width sizing, but each year it's becoming less because the newer generation consumers do not expect or demand proper fitting footwear.
Rancourt has always been a relatively small volume niche producer but the company does already own the Lasts to produce narrow and wide sizes, and offering these widths did give help distinguish the company from its imported production medium-width-only competitors.

Pretty sure Rancourt would do a special order for you.

 

[SKVFX]

If it bothers you, return it. The shoes are handstitched, which means you sometimes get variation and cosmetic imperfection -- within reason. What is acceptable is up to the customer. I have many pairs of Rancourts and two pairs of Gilmans. One shoe on one pair of Gilmans has a similar imperfection but it never bothered me (and I have sent pairs back for loose machine stitching on the uppers which Rancourt fixed free of charge). I still wear those shoes going on four years. So I would say it's not typical but it does happen. For you, given that you posted about it and it bothers you, you might want to return it. Hope that helps.

Hey thanks for the reply, hearing that that they hold up well is great. Between the retailer absolutely ghosting me on the return front and that the plan was always for these to be slip on dogwalking shoes I'm sticking with them. halfway broken in they're already quite comfortable!
I do draw the line of maker mistakes before an error like that though, I think an issue like that at this price point is well into B grades. Definitely will be thinking twice about any other shoes from them now.

Anyhow thanks for the advice, looking forward to getting past the break in on these guys!

 

[jb335]

Wides too for that matter.

I actually think Rancourt still offers a great range of wide width options, especially in their core models. One of the reasons why they're becoming a go-to shoemaker for me, especially at the wholesale prices.

 

[Radboots]

I actually think Rancourt still offers a great range of wide width options, especially in their core models. One of the reasons why they're becoming a go-to shoemaker for me, especially at the wholesale prices.

Well, that's the older core models as you said. We are talking about new introductions, styles, etc.

 

[DG123]

Well, that's the older core models as you said. We are talking about new introductions, styles, etc.

Yes, and the new models introduced during the past several months are built on the same Lasts as Rancourt has used for decades.
If Rancourt was in the business of owning and storing finished inventory, offering only medium widths would be somewhat understandable. Or if these new models required new Lasts for which it would be an additional expense to produce narrow and wide width Lasts that too would make it somewhat understandable. But neither is the case as the new models are built on previously used Lasts which Rancourt already owns in narrow, medium and wide widths.
So, it is perplexing why Rancourt chooses to offer new models-colors etc... in only medium width.

 

[ajd578]

Yes, and the new models introduced during the past several months are built on the same Lasts as Rancourt has used for decades.
If Rancourt was in the business of owning and storing finished inventory, offering only medium widths would be somewhat understandable. Or if these new models required new Lasts for which it would be an additional expense to produce narrow and wide width Lasts that too would make it somewhat understandable. But neither is the case as the new models are built on previously used Lasts which Rancourt already owns in narrow, medium and wide widths.
So, it is perplexing why Rancourt chooses to offer new models-colors etc... in only medium width.

I don't make shoes, but I imagine the patterns need to adjusted when the width changes.