Proper leather shoes

Few years is pretty good for grenson quality I think. I don't mind them as such, just think they're way overpriced for what they actually are.

they're not all made here anymore :(

Some of them are, this seasons triple welted collection still comes out of the Northampton factory iirc.

It's the current fashiony stuff that's made from a lower grade leather else where.

I'm not sure if the whole range has gone with the newer box design but the hand-written info suggests it's much more likely a domestic made thing. The quality difference between the two is even clearer holding the shoes in-hand.

Had an email conversation with the guys behind Put This On a few years ago. They recommended Grensons as a modern, bench made in the uk, shoe. I pointed out that some of their shoes are put together in India these days but they refused to believe me.

Think Grenson has managed to milk their heritage incredibly well as they're still considered top quality shoes well worth their money amongst a lot of people

Are you saying that their UK benchmade is only finished in the UK?(similar to what Meermim do in China).

If that's what you're shooting for than fair enough, if not I don't see what your point is.

Most UK based manufactures which see an uplift in sales like they have in recent years will struggle to fulfill demand.

The basic range doesn't say anywhere that they're made in the UK and it doesn't take a genius to spot the difference between the two.

Just relaying a convo with the PTO guys, nothing more. My gripe with Grenson is that they're still regarded as a uk made shoe, and charges accordingly, but they're actually under investments so cutting the corners they can. Nothing wrong in that though, as long as people are aware.

You could state it a bit clearer though. Some of the shoes in their range are made in India.

Sure, fair point, edited

It's the G-Two spec you're referring to fwiw and AFAIK they've always been pretty open about the manufacturing process for that particular range.

I own one pair of Grenson's and by no means are they my favourite pair out shoes but I think they're good value for money and their sales are decent enough.

Personally I’m not into Grenson at all. I find a lot of the designs a little ugly (subjective of course) and I don’t like how their operation has been bought out and streamlined by a shrewd London marketing guy to cater directly for a temporary demographic (the heritage hipsters of the Brown Brogue Brigade). I think they're riding a trend rather that doing something original or authentic. Maybe I’m old fashioned, awkward or just a snob, but I like those companies who do the same thing year in year out, who wouldn’t dream of manufacturing abroad. I quite enjoy the tired décor, unhelpful staff and distinctly unfashionable vibe of the Tricker’s shop for example!

This recent article on Permanent Style explains clearly how Grenson is structure.

http://www.permanentstyle.co.uk/2014/10/tim-little-and-grenson-explained.html#.VEeGdCj5cQM

agreed. Awful fashion shite. £145 takes you a fair bit of the way towards a proper pair of boots - just buy something decent instead. Buy cheap, buy twice.

Yes, that.

Good link, thank you

On the other hand, maybe they are doing a modern approach to decent shoes at a challenging pricepoint. Whichever, it's not who I'd go to.

On the subject of Grenson: http://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/top-stories/flats-plansfor-former-rushden-shoe-factory-1-6363977

I think that it's pretty clear on the Grenson site where the different lines are made.

I think it also depends on what kind of shoe you are looking for too. I have a pair of the Indian-made Grenson Curts that I bought last year as a winter shoe because of the commando sole. They are lovely shoes, comfortable and extremely sturdy - perfect for what I wanted them for and I paid a very reasonable £150 for them. They still look like new and I'll be wearing them 3-4 days a week this winter too.

However, this summer i had to buy some Oxford-style shoes for weddings etc and decided that after looking at them again, the quality of the Indian-made Grensons just wasn't up to scratch for a 'proper' suit shoe and certainly not a patch on the Church's I was replacing. They construction and finish just wasn't refined enough to justify the price tag in this particular instance.
In the end I couldn't justify spending nearly £400 on a pair of shoes I wear 3/4 times a year at the moment, so I bought some Loakes - which were a good compromise of price and quality.

Had some Solovair Gibson 3 eye shoes for 9-10 months and the sole has separated between the black and translucent parts. The leather is still in excellent condition, the cobbler I took them too suggested rooting out the receipt (I may have binned when moving house) and taking back to the shop. Very disappointed as they were extremely comfortable.

That would be Leonard Jay, owned by a friend of mine. He sells cheapest (non sale) loakes in the country, and probably the same for barkers.

I have a pair of these up for sale if anyone is interested. Retailing for £195 at Oi Polloi in a slightly darker colour, yours for £50: UK8.

pm'd

Best shoes ever for work - Jeffrey West - 6 years old - cost me £175 in the sale - cost per working day 17p plus support and maintenance! AT least another winter in them and finally I've had a rubber sole fitted! That's usually the death knell sounding!

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Another fave pair of JW's with an interesting sole wear pattern.

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And from another angle.....

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plz...stahp

No stopping me now...I'm on a roll.......look out for cherry red DM shoes made in the UK and set aside to be tattoo'd by Tattoo-a-go-go!