You see a BEAUTIFUL pair of shoes online…
So you click through…and see the price tag…
BOOM – $400!
What’s the difference between these and the $40 pair you get at the mall?
Do they come with gold laces?!
Oftentimes, cheap shoes are tempting to buy…
But today’s article & video are going to show you:
- How to find the best quality pair (that fits within your budget)
- What really causes the price to go up (and how to find the same quality for less)
- How to identify cheap shoes (and pass on buying no matter how tempting)
Read on to find out what factors separate quality shoes from cheap ones designed to rip you off. (Don't learn this the hard way!)
This post was brought to you by JL Rocha. Want the highest quality full grain leather dress shoes for an affordable price?
Click Here To Discover JL Rocha
Jose Luis’ dress shoes are comparable to most $400 Italian shoes I've seen.
But he since he:
- owns his own leather factory (cheaper to produce)
- and he gave me a discount code (Use RMRS for an extra 40% OFF.)
You can get a $400 pair of dress shoes for $210.
But this deal won't last long.
There are a very limited amount in stock.
Click Here to Claim Your $400 Dress Shoes For 50% OFF
1. Build Quality
Excellent shoe construction makes a $400 product. The soles are the biggest factor that comes into play. They’re put together in either of two ways.
Goodyear Welting (double-stitching) – sews a specific kind of thread through the upper, welt and insole rib. Another stitch attaches the welt to the outsole. The two-level stitching makes the shoes water-resistant and easy to re-sole.
Blake Welting (single-stitching) – wraps the upper around the insole and attaches it between the insole and outsole. This makes the soles more flexible but also less water-resistant.
Shoes that cost $400 are nicely shaped and fit as a fiddle. They’re built to last a lifetime provided they’re well taken care of. In fact these shoes look better over time and develop more character. They might need re-soling, but that shouldn’t be a problem since they will look good as new in the end. J.L. Rocha offers free sole replacement for life with all of its shoes.
With $40 shoes you get the complete opposite of things. The upper and sole are glued (not stitched) together. The seams are uneven and the welting is inferior to $400 types. Hence these shoes do NOT last long. Before you know it, the upper starts to peel and the sole slowly comes off. And worst of all they can’t be re-soled – you must buy new ones.
2. Leather Material
The following are types of leather that determine the quality of a dress shoe:
Full Grain Leather – From the topmost layer of the skin where all the grain is found. It makes the best-looking shoes as its natural surface stays unblemished over time.
Top Grain Leather – The second highest grade of leather for which the skin has to be sanded (but fibers are weakened).
Suede Leather – Grain is taken out in one piece and the flesh side is rubbed. It’s softer and thinner because it doesn’t include the exterior layer of skin.
Synthetic Leather – Nearly 100% fake leather used for cheap shoes.
All $400 dress shoes are made of full grain, top grade or suede leather. The leather is non-recycled and is guaranteed to come from good quality animal skin. These shoes are more flexible and endure wear-and-tear for years. They retain shine longer and don’t require as much waxing or polishing. They always protect and keep your feet comfortable.
Synthetic leather gets you $40 dress shoes. That means lower quality – an imitation of leather is nowhere near as good as the real thing. The material gives in easily to creases and cracks which you’ll soon begin to see. You can polish and take good care of these shoes but they eventually degrade.
3. Handwork
Any $400 shoe is a work of art. There’s so much attention to detail that goes into it. The different processes of broguing, stitching and designing the cap toe are taken very seriously by professional shoemakers (cobblers). They’re passionate about each final product.
High-end dress shoes are made in smaller factories where cobblers create the parts by hand (which is how they’ve been made for centuries!). That’s why there are custom shoes that cost as much as $1,000 or $5,000. A lot of handwork has been put into them. A lot of time is spent on the cobbler’s skill and dedication.
The country of origin also matters. There are different price points for shoes that are made in England, Italy, Mexico and the US.
However – if you’re paying $40 – expect most of the work to be done by machine and by the hands of unskilled people who are trained to do 1-2 simple steps.
4. Run Size
Run size is based on the machinery and workforce to produce a particular batch (or run) of shoes. Higher-end companies focus more on professional shoemakers and less on machines. As a result, only a small size – 25-50 pairs can be produced in a run.
The good thing about these types of shoes is they can be inspected/checked for any defects. But in turn they have to be priced higher so that the company can make up for the limited supply. That’s why we have $400 dress shoes.
Meanwhile $40 shoes come from a run size of thousands. They’re mass-produced in sweatshops by underpaid workers. And cheap labor means no cobbler to oversee the process – no quality control. There’s no inspecting of each and every shoe before it hits the stores. So those who find defects in the pair they just bought would have to get them returned or exchanged right away.
5. Profit Margin
The kind of margin the manufacturer wants is a big deal. When it comes down to it, $400 dress shoes are riskier. They’re harder to make versus $40 mass productions. And there’s no guarantee that people are willing to buy them.
The shoe or style may not be familiar to customers because it’s new to the scene. But it could end up being a hit. Nevertheless the margin is sensibly higher than that of a tried and true classic. That’s why companies increase prices in the hopes of gaining more from the risks they’re taking.
6. Brand
You can expect the more expensive shoes to come from established brands with a history and reputation in the market. There’s a lot more expected of them – which is why they can charge more. People believe their products are worth it.
You find different price points shoes by Cheaney, Church’s and John Lobb. Those are some of the elite dress shoe brands. But I’m telling you: look out for those up-and-coming brands that are gaining momentum. They offer you comparable products for medium-range prices.
With $40 shoes you can expect companies to neither rely on nor care about the reputation of shoe quality. It’s safe to say they’re targeting the good number of guys who settle for cheap. Don’t be among them.
7. Distribution Model
Finally $400 means not just a better product, but also a better buyer-seller relationship. Dress shoes at this price can be bought directly from the company.
You might think of getting more affordable shoes from department stores or big-box stores. But remember everyone involved has to make their margin. It’s likely that a $200 pair of shoes which is on sale for $100 might’ve actually been bought by the store for $50! So beware of these misleading “good deals.”
That’s why you’re better off buying high-quality shoes directly from the brand. Here you’ll get superb customer service. You can address any complaints with a product and they’ll be happy to engage with you about it. It’s really about you – the customer – when it comes to these companies.
Additional Factor To Consider
Arch Support
The ideal dress shoe supports your arch. $400 shoes provide thick padding below the arch area. That’s important because as doctors would say – you may get bodily problems from the lack of arch support.
However $40 shoes aren’t arch-friendly. They’re made with a flatter last (plastic/wooden mold on which a shoe is based). There’s a near zero height difference between the heel area and where the toes fall. So be mindful of this potential issue.
This post was brought to you by JL Rocha. Want the highest quality full grain leather dress shoes for an affordable price?
Click Here To Discover JL Rocha
Jose Luis’ dress shoes are comparable to most $400 Italian shoes I've seen.
But he since he:
- owns his own leather factory (cheaper to produce)
- and he gave me a discount code (Use RMRS for an extra 40% OFF.)
You can get a $400 pair of dress shoes for $210.
But this deal won't last long.
There are a very limited amount in-stock.
