The shoe brands that will literally last a lifetime
Words: India Gladstone
“We may have been living a throwaway society for the past few decades, but rest assured, society is fighting back. Quality will forever prevail.” – James Fox, Crockett & Jones.
Shoes are meant to last. They shouldn’t be a cheap, disposable purchase that a gentleman makes on a whim. Buying the perfect pair takes time, effort and a bit of well-rounded research. Style may be subjective, but making sure that you’re investing in a pair that will serve you in the long-term is something that every serious gentleman needs to consider. The world of men’s footwear is vast, and the number of options out there can make it complicated when it comes to picking the right pieces, which is where we come in.
Crockett & Jones
When a process has been used for the past 137 years to create some of the world’s most iconic footwear, and it works, you know that you’re buying into a great thing. But it’s not just about buying shoes on the day and assuming that they’re going to last for years to come. A lot of the hard work, you have to do yourself. Treating the shoes as if you’ve bought them from the high street, and assuming that just because they’re built to last means that they will, is a slippery slope.
“Longevity is the result of a tried and tested manufacturing process that in the case of Crockett & Jones, dates back to 1879. We manufacture all of our shoes using the Goodyear welted construction method, this has remained largely unchanged for almost 100 years. Our family owned and managed company is in tireless pursuit of the highest quality upper leather and skilled craftsmen and women to uphold what our founders painstakingly worked to achieve,” says Crockett & Jones’ James Fox.
“That being said, longevity is also at the mercy of the beholder. Regular shoe care is of the utmost importance if you truly want your favourite Oxfords or Brogues to grow old by your side (or on your feet). The swan song of the Goodyear welted construction method is that we are able to remove and replace the soles of your shoes, 3-5 times, whilst keeping the upper that you have so lovingly cared for and broken in over the years in perfect condition. We often receive shoes back to our Northampton factory that are over 20 years old and they always go out looking as good as new (almost).”
James recommends:
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