Spier and Mackay suede chukkas

[fieldhuis]

Received a pair of Spier and Mackay suede chukkas a couple weeks ago and have experienced some odd creasing along the toe puff. Please note this creasing became quite noticeable after only two days wear - it was not noticeable when I took them out of the box. I used cedar shoe trees in the boots from day one.

I’ve owned dozens of pairs of quality leather shoes (to include suede) and am very familiar with normal creasing. What seems abnormal here is the deep and uniform crease along the toe puff of the left boot. In comparison, the creasing on the right boot seems more natural/organic. I’ve not experienced creasing at the toe puff that looks like this, nor can I find any examples on the internet.

I relayed my concern to Spier and Mackay - they replied that creasing is normal and I should use shoe trees. I think the true test of whether this is normal/acceptable is if I sold them to a SF buyer without disclosing the unusual creasing. Would a typical SF member complain? I assume so but maybe I’m being too picky.

I welcome your thoughts. Thanks.

 

[FlyingHorker]

Could be me, but I don't mind creasing on suede shoes. It doesn't seem to look so nice on calfskin though.

They do have that unlined look to them, even though I think those are lined. Odd, but not a deal breaker for me.

 

[Viatu]

I agree. They look unlined. I don't think shoe trees would've prevented creases that deep.

 

[TheShetlandSweater]

I see what you mean. I can speculate as to the cause, but I think the solution here is to try to get it to wrinkle in a different spot.

 

[fieldhuis]

I see what you mean. I can speculate as to the cause, but I think the solution here is to try to get it to wrinkle in a different spot.

I had a similar thought as well - maybe a crease farther back from the toes would prevent the deep ‘dip’ along the length of toe puff. Unfortunately I didn’t have any luck with that.

 

[TheShetlandSweater]

I had a similar thought as well - maybe a crease farther back from the toes would prevent the deep ‘dip’ along the length of toe puff. Unfortunately I didn’t have any luck with that.

Is the toe area more structured than the rest of the shoe? If so, as the shoe breaks in the problem might become less significant.

 

[fieldhuis]

I had a similar thought as well - maybe a crease farther back from the toes would prevent the deep ‘dip’ along the length of toe puff. Unfortunately I didn’t have any luck with that.

And if you look closely at the picture of the left boot, there are actually two parallel lines emerging - one at the toe puff border and one where the suede drops down from the toe puff. Strange.

 

[fieldhuis]

Is the toe area more structured than the rest of the shoe? If so, as the shoe breaks in the problem might become less significant.

Yes, definitely some soft structure - I’m unsure of what material is used. I assume it’s similar to what you’d find on other suede chukkas of this style - Loake, etc.

I guess if it was happening on the right boot too it wouldn’t be as noticeable - almost like a soft cap toe. But because the right boot is acting ‘normally’ it stands out more.

Of course, I’m confident no one else notices it - just me. ?

 

[TheShetlandSweater]

This might be terrible advice, but you may be able to soften up the area some and rework it with a hair dryer.