The London Lounge

There are many repeat buyers of shoes by say - Edward Green RTW. EG shoes are surely superlative in materials used and construction, but do EG lasts (e.g. 202, 606, 888 etc) fit different feet better than lasts by other shoemakers?

Style aside, I am thinking that shoes ought to be selected primarily on the basis of fit. If a marginally lesser brand, offers a last that fits well, then this last should be the go-to last for him. Brand should be a secondary concern.

Thoughts?

Some people have feet that feel comfortable anywhere. I'm not really one of them. So, yes, given acceptable styling I'd much rather have Allen-Edmonds in a very comfortable last than EG or Lobb RTW in a last that doesn't work for me.

I think the real advantage of the EG program is that you have a fighting chance of finding a last that does indeed feel OK and look right for your feet. Which is not to say that everyone has success with it.

There are cordwainers who believe comfort is all, and then there are those like Tony Gaziano who will argue that the look of the shoe is more important, within limits, than comfort. One old saw whose source I do not remember suggests that all bespoke shoe customers whould have their little toes sugically removed so the shoes can be more elegant.

Personally, I am not bothered by less than perfect comfort if the last is significantly more attractive.