The shoe industry has some amazing, passionate people. Cordovan works particularly well if your style veers towards dressy and conservative. If you find the forum useful and fun, please help support it by buying through the posted links on the forum. In addition to limited supply, shell cordovan requires an intense tanning process that can take six months to produce. Cordovan shoes are known for its excellent finish and durability. This week on the Stitchdown Shoecast @tichoblancoshoes and I are here to engage in the most probing possible discourse to figure it out. So is it truly the best shoe and boot leather? Also, poor tensile strength (not much of an issue for a finished product but it's a real pain in the ass for shoemakers.) A classic digital watch that'll probably outlast you, and beloved darling of watch nerds of all types. Shell cordovan comes from horses and is named after the Spanish region of Cordoba from which the specific leather tradition originates and is derived from the hindquarter of a horse, referred to as the shell. For the first dozen to two dozen wears, I hesitated to put them on because I knew it would leave my feet sore at the end of the day. Welcome to Worth the Price, a recurring series exploring some of menswear’s most covetable and expensive products.This week: shell cordovan shoes. At the beginning of the pandemic, kettlebells were sold out everywhere. But if you have the means to get a pair for yourself (whether that’s with an employee discount or not), I’d say go for it. Pre-Owned. Send me additions or corrections. Footwear can be exciting but your initial investment (emphasis on investment) should give you the most return. SHELL CORDOVAN! I am an owner of many cordovan shoes including Alden's black shell, #8, whiskey, AE's black shell and cordovan as well as the RL Darlton brown shell cordo. Oh, and is it even leather at all?! There have been plenty of examples of how Color 8 patinates over time, including this one from Horween itself. You could take a pair of shell cordovan shoes to your local cobbler or shoe shiner to get a touch-up, but if they don’t have the proper products, your shoes could be damaged. Shell Cordovan: Worth the Sticker Shock? Horsehair brush. Foam rolling may seem a bit like torture, but the pain you experience in the moment will alleviate a ton of pain later. Hi, I'm the owner and main administrator of Styleforum. I’m a big fan of using inside-out athletic socks, too. We have ranked the best brands from Artificial Intelligent and Big Data, as you see … Nobody wants to get their shoe size wrong, especially so with shell cordovan. There really is nothing quite like it. It is fabulously expensive, relatively rare, and looks a lot like normal full grain leather. £23.07 postage. To not complicate things too much, I’ll only talk about the main producer Horween here. But if you don't like creases, look at shoes or boots made of shell cordovan - it's expensive but folds instead of creasing, has a more glossy … Right now, the brand is offering 33 percent off its best selling three-packs for Gear Patrol readers. Smarter shoppen mit der eBay-App. So is it truly the best shoe and boot leather? It’s essentially a water protectant for calfskins and shell cordovan. If you're looking to elevate your sauce shelf, this is a must-have. NEW M.T.O LEATHER SHELL CORDOVAN CROCKETT AND JONES GALWAY BOOTS SHOES HORWEEN. In this case, you’d be safer to just do it yourself. But, I’m not sure that I’d pay $800+ for a new pair. More updates are coming. It’s worth noting that, for any man who’s serious about his footwear, a pair of true shell cordovan shoes is a bit of a “must-have” in his collection. If your foot flexes at different points in the shoe from its previous owner, you’ll end up putting in more ripples in the shoe, deforming its original shape further. It may come in the form of shell cordovan shoes, cordovan belts, or desk accessories. Shoe trees stretch shoes back out and reduce creasing when you're not wearing them. If your shoes are from an American or European brand, then it’s very likely that if they are shell cordovan, they were produced by Horween. Shell cordovan leather, like a fine wine or cigar, takes time, patience, and labor to produce. I have four pairs of dress shoes. Sizing. I bought each of them them on eBay and have spent about $250 on the four pairs combined, including shipping. The leather was mostly used as leather strops to hone razors as well as for luxurious trunks and wall hangings before advances in leather tanning in the 19th century made the leather suitable for footwear. The question on many minds is “Is it worth it?” It’s a fair question worth some research. No one would doubt that the six months it takes to tan shell cordovan leather is worth it in the end, with a result so rich, soft, and enduring. It moulds to your foot better. The Stitchdown Shoecast Episode 5: The Best Alden Model of All Time…Decided. Over time, Calvin Klein underwear has become a standard in the style world. SHELL CORDOVAN! The trucker jacket has been part of the style zeitgeist for decades and doesn't look to be going anywhere. Every product is carefully selected by our editors. This thing can cook anything you want, from sauces to omelets. Shell cordovan is a great addition to your shoe closet if you appreciate the unique look, feel and durability of the leather. Caring for them is more specific. Over time, even with proper care, repeated creasing can cause leather to crack and rip. This can be done by applying some Venetian Leather Balm (or VSC) and giving the footwear or leather goods a … Allen Edmonds. Shoes made with this beautiful leather are made to last & get more confortable over the time. There really is nothing quite like it. The American company Alden (est. All. But shell cordovan also has its downsides! The cordovan doesn’t break down due to it, but other parts of the shoe can. Top Rated Plus. Today, it’s sought after for its durability, luster and is most often seen in high-end shoes and leather goods. 22 watchers. THE SHELL: Cordovan is horse leather cut from the horse’s hind. Cordovan ,named after its origin in Córdoba; Spain, is horsehide leather and the most nonporous leather. An Alden shoe made with shell cordovan leather will last a very long time. Of course with that special characters, they won’t come in cheap. The color can always remain more consistent with proper shoe polish, if you’d like. Make an offer. Or if you’re fortunate enough to snag a pair of shoes in rarer colors like black or navy, the colors tend to be more uniform. or Best Offer. Bonus points for not being an eyesore like most air purifiers. I guess it's just a matter of personal taste or preference. But as the historical value that Shell Cordovan brings, its rarity, the processes, secret yet takes-time formulas, and other special characters, we all can say that it really is the best leather in the world to date would be worth … Whatever yours was, it probably wasn’t made from shell cordovan leather. Finally, it’s worth noting that cordovan differs a lot depending on from who you purchase the shoes, and of course from which tannery the cordovan comes from. Horween Shell Cordovan is one of the most exclusive luxury good materials on the leather market today. Bring your briefcase up to speed by swapping it out for one designed by the same folks who create bags for wildlands firefighters and active-duty members of the military. Because the materials are limited to this specific region, a single horse yields much less material than a cow. Still, at shell cordovan’s current price points, I can’t say that I’ll be picking up another pair any time soon. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Another thing worth noting is that I have found it possible to give Unglazed Shell Cordovan a Glazed look fairly quickly if for some reason you aren't happy with the matte look. I like them all, but I favor Alden's #8 the best. I was taken to London by my wife and children for a surprise birthday trip and while there I paid my usual visit to Crockett & Jones on Jermyn Street. Shell cordovan (or cordovan) is a type of leather commonly used in high-end shoemaking.Cordovan is an equine leather made from the fibrous flat connective tissue (or shell) beneath the hide on the rump of the horse. But beyond that, shell cordovan is a near-perfect combination of beauty and brawn. Horween are one of the last big leather companies that still produce the product, and are based in America. Shoes with this precious leather will develop a deep patina over the time, that will add its very own special character. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. I purchased my first pair of Horween Shell shoes a little over 2 years ago. It is especially great for enthusiasts that want a hard wearing, casual-to-informal shoe that they plan to care for and re-sole for many years to come. This leather is very limited & exclusively sourced from a family operated Japanese Tannery! Shell cordovan – that durable and robust leather known for its luster – doesn’t stay shiny for long. Materials: 3 rags: here I have 2 old t-shirts and a flannel shoe bag. Include description. Give it a listen! [Read my interview with Horween Leather Company here!] or Best Offer . Was I drowning in cash, my next pair would be more adventurous. Crafted in a painstaking process and vegetable tanned, cordovan leather is extremely durable, flexible and breathable. That’s because over time it ripples rather than creases, and crea… Already pre-seasoned and ready to sear. We are the first producer in Europe of shoes with this special material of extraordinary quality. That most magical of shoe leathers. Made with Horween shell cordovan, and usually sold out while still in preorder despite their $1200+ price tag. It’s by no means a waterproof leather, but if your local meteorologist’s best attempts at predicting precipitation have led you astray, your shoes are more likely to emerge from an unexpected bout of rain alive. Shell cordovan is prized for its beauty and durability, but with a painful break-in period and steep price tag, is the so-called king of leather worth the fuss? Other leather shoes I’ve owned have stretched enough to require an insert or thicker socks to keep from sliding. And the brand wasn’t handcuffed to a particular style of shoe—Alden makes loafers, off-duty shoes, real dress shoes and boots. This helps cover up scratches and scuffs while also providing some nourishment. Compared to other leather shoes I’ve owned (a pair of Wolverine 1000 Mile shoes in brown Chromexcel leather, another pair of Alden penny loafers in snuff suede, a pair of Hermés calfskin leather boots, among others), breaking in this pair of loafers was difficult. Finding shell cordovan shoes on the cheap is not as common, however. Type III trucker style and a fuzzy sherpa lining join forces to make a jacket you will want to wear every day. Our Cordovan Collection is made with the World’s Finest Horween Shell Cordovan leather. ... That is a quite long process, but the result its totally worth it. There really is nothing quite like it. The pores are much smaller than other leathers which give the leather a smoother finish and a more brilliant luster. Finding shell cordovan shoes on the cheap is not as common, however. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. £384.56. No one would doubt that the six months it takes to tan shell cordovan leather is worth it … So, let me explain why. While other leathers may over-stretch with time, shell cordovan keeps its shape much better, resulting in a better long-term fit. For the rare few that aren’t familiar, the term ‘seconds’ refers to second-quality pieces. Related: danner shell cordovan shoes alden shell cordovan mens shell cordovan shoes crockett jones. It’s more durable. You can never go wrong with a pair of Stan Smiths. This is one of our top picks for sports-focused earbuds. I’m not a burgundy shoe fan in general, yet this wasn’t a regular burgundy shoe that I bought, it’s one that has a reputation for looking exquisite over time. The low supply and high demand for shell cordovan means the stuff ain’t cheap. This should even out most rough spots. At the end, I found myself partial to Alden's shell cordovan shoes. Cordovan is an immensely popular material for shoes and leather accessories, with its special character and features. The leather is tanned according to ancient traditions and the shoes are among the best and most durable in the world. Best Shell Cordovan Shoes of December 2020: Comparisons, AI Consumer Report, and Reviews. Once you had checked off that first box of Goodyear welted shoes, whether it was the Red Wing Iron Ranger or the Alden Indy boot, the next step in the ascension toward shoe collection mastery was a pair of shell cordovan shoes. Because shell cordovan ripples instead of creasing, it maintains its integrity for much longer. It has wildly inconsistent thickness and tone, not only from shell to shell, but also within each individual shell. We offer shell cordovan leather and horsehide shoes in black, brown & burgundy finish. When and where was it first created? Your first pair of nice shoes was probably a Goodyear-welted dress shoe or boot. Regions that include horse in their diet are scarce and that’s just the beginning of its rarity. Your first pair of nice shoes was probably a Goodyear-welted dress shoe or boot. This episode was sponsored by Standard & Strange, where you don’t NEED an engineering degree to buy their engineer boots…but it helps. That most magical of shoe leathers. Mit der eBay-App hast du immer Zugriff auf Angebote, Bestellungen & beobachtete Artikel. More than anything though, it is famous for its durability. Technische und notwendige Cookies benötigen wir zwingend. Alden Shell Cordovan shoes are made with Genuine Shell Cordovan leather from the famous Horween Tannery in Chicago. King of shine, paragon of durability, bastion of beauty. This smart air purifier has five fan settings, can cover over 1500 sq. Produced with a centuries old leather tanning process that uses the highest quality raw materials and takes up to six months to complete.