[Feature] Finding a lifelong luxury men's shoe: A comparison of four major British brands that combine popularity and quality.(1/5)
As always, four shoe experts from ISETAN MEN'S thoroughly compare these four major British brands. They'll discuss all the reasons why you'll definitely want to wear them after reading this.
■ Find your lifelong luxury men's shoes: A comparison of four top British brands with excellent reputations.
▼ 1. EDWARD GREEN
▼ 2. GAZIANO & GAIRLING
▼ 3. ANTHONY CLEVERLEY
▼ 4. JOHN LOBB

From left to right: Tashiro, Editor-in-Chief of ISETAN MEN'S net; Tabata, Buyer in charge of men's shoes; Saito, Assistant Buyer; and Fukuda, Chief Buyer for the B1 floor of Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building
■Related Article: Your first luxury men's shoes for under 100,000 yen: What are the must-have shoes that buyers say they're glad they bought?
A clear answer to the question, "Why are expensive shoes considered good? Why are good shoes expensive?"
Fukuda: Customers often ask me, "Why are expensive shoes good? Why are good shoes expensive?" and I answer, "It's the material." For example, JOHN LOBB is famous for luxuriously using large, high-quality pieces of leather for the uppers, but all four brands I'll be discussing today are not only experts in leather selection, but also exceptionally skilled in how to choose and use leather.
Tabata: I think it's "skill." I often use the analogy of sushi; even if you spend a lot of time preparing good ingredients, the taste changes depending on the skill of the chef who makes it in the end. These four brands have factories staffed by highly skilled craftsmen who consistently produce shoes at a high level. Furthermore, the fact that they have a solid system for passing on their skills and have accumulated know-how is also a major attraction.
Saito: If I were asked the same question, I would answer, "The effort and time put into production." Just by looking at the fine stitching, you can see the effort the craftsmen put into it. They also take plenty of time to break in the last (wooden mold), so the beauty of the finished silhouette is different.
Tashiro's fourth point is their "pursuit of authenticity." Of course, they pay meticulous attention to the leather of the upper and the soles, and their shoemaking techniques are top-notch, but they also make absolutely no compromises on the insoles and linings, which contribute to comfort. Furthermore, the shoemakers working in Northampton are all incredibly talented, and each brand boasts an amazing team, which sets them apart from other shoemaking regions.
The lineup of Tabata Shokunin is comprised of talent on par with Barcelona in football, in the world of professional football.
"I only realized it after trying them on": A very personal review of how they feel to wear.

Tashiro: Of the four brands we've discussed, I think a relatively large number of people start out wearing Edward Green shoes.
Fukuda: That's right. Edward Green is truly the "King of Standards." It sets a standard when it comes to shoemaking. I also like Edward Green's simple and unpretentious atmosphere. Its historical background, having been founded in 1890, also contributes to my affection for it.
Tabata: I bought a pair of Edward Green shoes in my third year at the company and have been wearing them for over 10 years. It's true that if the materials are good, you can wear them for a long time and their value doesn't depreciate easily. Buying a good pair of shoes and keeping them for a lifetime is one of the great pleasures of owning luxury shoes.
The feel of wearing Edward Green shoes and JOHN LOBB shoes is completely different, but I prefer JOHN LOBB .
What are your reasons for liking JOHN LOBB Saito ?
Tashiro : In a nutshell, these are "shoes that don't accentuate the shape of your feet when you wear them." They have a moderate, safe, and secure silhouette, yet they fit well and look great.
Tabata JOHN LOBB shoes are comfortable right from the start, and despite being made with the Goodyear welt construction, they don't compress much, so the size doesn't change much even after wearing them for many years. You can wear them in the same way you first put them on.
Saito: Each pair feels quite different when worn. I like the arch support and fit of ANTHONY CLEVERLEY shoes, which are derived from bespoke designs, and how easy it is to adjust the heel.
■ Find your lifelong luxury men's shoes: A comparison of four top British brands with excellent reputations.
▼ 1. EDWARD GREEN
▼ 2. GAZIANO & GIRLING
▼ 3. ANTHONY CLEVERLEY
▼ 4. JOHN LOBB
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