Shoe geeks opinion please - excessive creasing

[JasoninDenver]

Hey All:

I purchased a very nice pair of shoes by Alt Wein while on vacation in Munich recently. They are actually made by Crockett & Jones.

After wearing them for one day, I noticed the right shoe was showing extensive signs of loose grain creasing. I was quite surprised as I have only experienced this on very cheap shoes back when I could not afford high end shoes.

What do you guys think? Unacceptable or simply normal, luck of the draw leather variations?

I am tempted to reach out to the manufacturer, even if it requires me to eat the cost of shipping. However, I am not sure they would do anything.

[Syed117]

That seems a little ridiculous after a single day.

I have shoes that I've worn for years that haven't creased like that.

Poor fit?

[Wesley Crusher]

Are the shoes calf or some other leather? It almost looks like CXL or pull up leather to me based on the creasing, but I've never known C&J to use those type of leathers.

I'd say that the fit is wrong. Are these your first C&Js?

[SDRider]

Man, that sucks. I have a pair of Allen Edmonds Cap Toe Oxfords I've been wearing to work daily for a few months and they show no signs of creasing like that.

How do the shoes fit and wear overall? Do you use shoe trees?

[JasoninDenver]

No. Actually this last fits my foot better than any pair of shoes I have ever purchased. They were superbly comfortable right away.

[Wesley Crusher]

The upper could be separating from the lining. Put your hand in your shoe and feel around the creases. Does it feel like the two pieces of leather are coming apart?

[JasoninDenver]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

The upper could be separating from the lining. Put your hand in your shoe and feel around the creases. Does it feel like the two pieces of leather are coming apart?

No. It seems to be loose grain creasing on the top layer alone.

Never even had the chance to put the shoe trees in there as the creasing popped up on the first wearing. I am a religious user of trees on all of my shoes.

[Abdullah71601]

I know you said they feel great, but that looks like a fit issue.

C&J made them, but were they made to the same specs as their signature range?

[dmash]

You sure they aren't too big? I have 3 pairs of Crockett & Jones (2 of which are boots that I'm rough on) and they certainly have nothing that looks like this.

The crease closest to the laces is normal and would come over time, but the more defined crease at the beginning of the toebox looks like a defect to me. Look how it bubbles and isn't purely 'creasing' like the other one.

[JasoninDenver]

Originally Posted by dmash

You sure they aren't too big? I have 3 pairs of Crockett & Jones (2 of which are boots that I'm rough on) and they certainly have nothing that looks like this.

The crease closest to the laces is normal and would come over time, but the more defined crease at the beginning of the toebox looks like a defect to me. Look how it bubbles and isn't purely 'creasing' like the other one.

They are the right size. Perfect finger width lacing gap when snug. I have a pair of Crockett & jones (brecon) that are probably a half size too big but even they don't show any abnormal creasing. None of my Allen Edmonds or Alfred Sargent shoes have ever had this issue and they range from a tad snug to a little big (for winter sock wear).

These actually are one of the most comfortable shoes I have ever purchased.

Seems like the clear consensus is that this is simply a bad piece of leather.

Hopefully the manufacturer will respond favorably.

[joli160]

I wear C&J and quite like the brand for their price/ quality ratio. The pictures you showed are really not comparable with my C&J experience. Don't know what you paid but it looks like a very cheap knock off.

[rr-nyc]

If these are C&J, the fit and finish aren't at the level I would expect for the price point or at the level that some people place the brand.

Is this normal looking?

[vman]

The crease on the right foot looks a bit odd. These shoes are built on the last that's has more room on top than your feet can fill out. Thus, you have extra space and more creasing. It also may explain why the shoes fill comfortable.

I have wide flat feet and I buy shoes that are slighty larger than my usual size. In certain lasts imhad the same issue.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by rr-nyc

If these are C&J, the fit and finish aren't at the level I would expect for the price point or at the level that some people place the brand.

Is this normal looking?

Agree. These don't look like the customary quality I have seen from C&J.