The Ultimate Vass (Footwear) Thread (Pictures, reviews, sizing, etc...)

[bdavro23]

Thanks for your feedback and appreciate it.
Does the Narrow fitting E width also reduces volume in toe area for F last. I only have U last shoe/boots but instep is not very ideal and for me sizing down half size or taking E width on U last could also cause toe area to be narrow.
Not sure if Vass can or offer a MTM fitting through email and that would be something I would be really interested in.

I have not noticed an issue with a reduction in toe volume. There are 5 widths at Vass: D, very narrow, E, slightly narrow, F standard, G slightly wide, and H, very wide. The slightly narrow and slightly wide are not dramatically different from the standard width, and in particular, the E width accomodates people with relatively normal width feet who have flat or low insteps.

As to your other question, Vass can do basically whatever you ask them to do, within reason. However, understand that there is both a slight language barrier and the challenge of describing the change you want in a way that encompasses the technical needs for the change. In my opinion, if you are not a stock size and want any changes at all, it is well worth the additional expense of going through a vendor rather than trying to order from Vass directly.

 

[saurabh]



I have not noticed an issue with a reduction in toe volume. There are 5 widths at Vass: D, very narrow, E, slightly narrow, F standard, G slightly wide, and H, very wide. The slightly narrow and slightly wide are not dramatically different from the standard width, and in particular, the E width accomodates people with relatively normal width feet who have flat or low insteps. 

As to your other question, Vass can do basically whatever you ask them to do, within reason. However, understand that there is both a slight language barrier and the challenge of describing the change you want in a way that encompasses the technical needs for the change. In my opinion, if you are not a stock size and want any changes at all, it is well worth the additional expense of going through a vendor rather than trying to order from Vass directly. 

Thanks for clarifying and that's great to know that E fitting is good for slightly wide feet with low instep. I will email Mr. Kuti to see what options are available in that direction.

 

[AdductorMagnus]

Went to see Mr. Kuti today, tried some shoes on F and U last in sizes 43 and 43,5 to find out what I should go with. Decided I liked the rounder toe of the F-last better.
I'm normally a 43, the F-last in 43 was a bit tight in the whatchamacallit part, where my metatarsophalangeal joints sit. Toe box? Anyway, a 43,5 was comfortable except for some heel slippage, so Mr. Kuti recommended to go with a modification of the last, 43 length and 43,5 width, which I guess would be the G width you're talking about?

So I ended up ordering a pair of balmoral boots on the F-last with said modification. Black calf cap toe, no punching, straight balmoral line, grey suede shaft with metal eyelets.No pull loop or speed hooks. Single Dainite soles seeing as I live on the west coast of Norway.

There was no markup from RTW to MTO, price was 174.000 forints including shoe-trees (9000 forints), which today is ~$610/€575. He deducted 15% VAT on the spot, so I paid 147.900 forints, $517/€490. Was told they'd be ready by mid April.I'll pick them up when I'm back in Budapest at the end of May, avoiding the Norwegian 25% VAT plus customs fees.
At three times the price of the dress shoes I already own, I'm hoping they'll be worth it.

Oh, he offered to have the cap glossed on delivery, to which I said yes. Should I backtrack on that and rather do it myself after a few wears?
No language barrier with Mr. Kuti by the way.

 

[Zapasman]

That is a wise man. Enjoy those!!

 

[metranger8694]

Nice pool table.

 

[Vadim T]

Suede is F last, Cognac calf is P2 last.

Thank you.
Usually F last look narrower than P2 last (in the area cap toe).
In this case, P2 look narrower than F.
Prompt, they are made in the same width?
Sorry for my еnglish.

 

[Shawl Lapel]

Nice report @AdductorMagnus From the pictures I've seen it looks like Vass knows what they're doing with shoe shines, so that last part is up to you.

 

[RogerP]

Hello,

Thank you for your kind advice. How does one go about doing so?

I had sort of assumed you had done this yourself, as I have never seen burnishing quite that dark from Vass directly. Now it's not horrible by any stretch and if you like the high contrast look then don't give it a second thought. But if you want to tone it down a bit just try some leather cleaner - small, gradual, repeated application - to dial back the darkness. Or else just slightly darken the rest of the shoe. That's what I did on a pair of St. C. chukkas that came with a bit more high-contrast burnishing than I envisioned and also in a slightly lighter shade than I had expected. Seeing your pair reminded me of them.

New:

And then darkened a shade:

 

[SCALINVEST]

My new MTO vass
Thanks for all rezso

 

[Deedee]

My Vass in the wild...

Oxblood...

Museum Green...

Cognac...

Black...

 

[berto]



New arrival today: Vass Blue Bal Boots courtesy of @jokb

These are made on the K last in a wide fitting. Haf sole with Topy and metal toe taps. What isn't navy grain is navy museum.

I was a little leary of the K last in a bal boot and hedged my bet by going up in width. It seems to have been the right call. Fot through the forefoot is good and through the toe box just that little bit more forgiving. The heel is maybe a touch wider than I need it to be, but this is of less concern in a tall boot than in a shoe.

Overall I am tickeld pink... um... blue!

Here are the boots as they came from Vass:

Then after a proper shine by Jok:

In the direct sunlight:

My Dark Brown VASS Highlander Boots

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[VRaivio]

Another year, another Vass: something I've named A Suitable Hungarian City Shoe in honour of uncle Will from ASW and the city that is home to the miracle makers of Vass.

Plain balmoral oxfords from black calfskin and light grey suede in F-last, Dainite-soles, natural welt and white welt stitching.

I need a new camera.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

 

[RogerP]

^^^ Beauties!

 

[ecwy]

Byron boots via Jeeves. The English Grain is pretty nice

Mine has been tweaked to be a plain toe with 360 goyser welt on the P2 last.

Quality control on this pair is good as far as I can tell. Only issue spotted so far is a slightly unbalanced sole (or maybe heel?) on the left boot so it doesn't seem to sit totally flat. Should even out with some wear.

 

[peppercorn78]

Gold museum monk chukkas. F last.