The Myth of the Universal Shoe Size Guide There is no such thing as a universal shoe size guide. Let me repeat that because it is one of the biggest
Saphir MDO vs BDC Pâte de Luxe: Which Should You Use?
When it comes to wax polish, Saphir offers two products that can easily confuse people: Saphir Médaille d’Or Pâte de Luxe and Saphir Beauté du Cuir Pâte de
Why Wear Dress Shoes? Comfort, Style & Confidence
When you are young, the thought of wearing dress shoes probably does not enter your mind too often. Not at least in the sense that you will actively do so of
Why I Use Travel Shoe Trees (Especially for Sneakers)
For years, I have traveled with shoe trees. That might sound excessive to some, but if you care about maintaining the shape of your shoes—and especially if
Do Not Wear Brand New Shoes In The Rain
One would think that it is common sense not to wear brand-new shoes in the rain. And of course, I won’t lie and say that I have never done it. But after doing
Athleisure vs Classic Style: What Happened to Elegance?
The conversation around athleisure vs classic style is no longer theoretical—it’s playing out in real time, on every street, in every airport, and increasingly,
Why the Brannock Device Isn’t Enough for Shoe Sizing
I have fit and measured thousands—literally tens of thousands—of people in my life looking to buy dress shoes. And in doing so, I’ve learned a lot about fit,
Arterton Premium Shoe Trees Review
Shoe trees are one of those accessories that separate people who wear shoes from people who truly care for them. And today, we take a proper look at the
What Determines Shoe Pricing? A Complete Guide
There is a lot of confusion when it comes to shoe pricing. I see it constantly—people expecting $300 shoes to perform like $1,200 ones, or assuming that a
Is Gemming in Shoes Bad? The Truth About Goodyear Welting
Is Gemming in Shoes Bad? The Truth About Goodyear Welting There’s a long-running argument in the shoe world that refuses to die: Is gemming in shoes
What Is a Handmade Shoe? The Truth About the Term
What Is a Handmade Shoe? I’ve written about this before, and yet it still seems to be one of the most misunderstood topics in the shoe world. If anything,
Should You Condition New Shoes? (Do Not Do This)
Do Not Condition Brand New Shoes To condition new shoes or not? That is the question many apparently face. And the answer is simple: DON'T. That simple rule
Why You Should Avoid Neutral Shoe Polish
Neutral Shoe Polish is Not For Novices Neutral shoe polish—often seen as the “safe” option—is actually one of the most misunderstood products in shoe care.
Sneakers vs Loafers: When to Wear Each
Sneakers vs Loafers — Choosing the Right Shoe for the Right Occasion Let’s get straight to it: sneakers and loafers are two totally different tools. It
Cushion vs Support: What “Comfort” Really Means in Shoes
Cushion vs Support in Shoes: What Creates Comfort? It is surprising how often people have told me that I needed to add more 'comfort-based' rubber soles to
Leather Soles vs Rubber Soles: Which Is Better?
Few debates in the shoe world are discussed more than the idea of leather soles vs rubber soles for your dress shoes. Especially in today's world of 'comfort
Leather Quality in Dress Shoes
Introduction: “Leather Quality” Is Not a Simple Term People love to say “high-quality leather," or "Brand X uses 'better' leather." But what does that really
The Slow Decline of European Shoemaking
Is European Shoemaking in Decline? A Hard Look at the Industry Over the last few years, I’ve found myself asking a question that honestly makes me
Why Socks Make a Difference in Dress Shoe Fit
This is a mistake I’ve seen countless times over the years, whether in shoe stores, at trunk shows, or through emails from frustrated customers: trying on dress
A Guide to Leather Creasing
Leather creases. Full stop. And leather creasing is about as natural as your skin eventually wrinkling. There is no such thing as crease-free leather, and
Pocket-Sized Travel Shoe Horn – The Shoe Slyde
Let's be honest, most travel shoe horns are not convenient because the traditional shape of a shoe horn is not suitable to carry on your person. Sure, it might
Heel Stiffeners in Shoes: What Matters and What Doesn’t
The longer I work in footwear, the more I’ve realized that many of the things people obsess over simply don’t matter as much as the internet would have you
The Black Wholecut: The Only Dress Shoe You Need
Every so often, someone asks me a question that seems simple on the surface but reveals a lot about how little most men understand their footwear: “If I could
How to Use the Sole Edge Iron – Complete Guide
Keeping your shoes’ sole edges neat and polished is one of those small details that makes a big difference. A clean edge instantly elevates your shoes, giving
