Can Women tell a $1,780 John Lobb from a $60 or $450 shoe?

In this video I review a pair of John Lobb "Lopez" penny loafers in museum walnut calfskin that I thrifted for a song. As usual, I'll give a little history of the John Lobb company and take a close look at the shoes. I then show these shoes along side a cheap pair of Bostonian loafers, and a pair of $450 Cobbler Union shoes with a narrowed fiddleback waist, just to see if non-shoe people with good fashion sense can tell which shoe is the most expensive one. The question I'm trying to answer is, are the worth the price when most average people have never heard of the brand name? It would be like buying Prada or Gucci in a place where most people would not have heard of them.
This being said, John Lobb is one of the finest and most respected shoe makers in the world, and are certainly not seeking the approval of an ammateur cobbler and KZbinr sitting at home. This video is certainly not "fair", and shouldn't be taken too seriously, as it's just to make a point.
Kirby Allison's John Lobb's videos:
"John Lobb: A Journey Through Shoemaking History | My First Commission | Kirby Allison"
• My First Commission at...
"Inside The Original John Lobb London With Kirby Allison | The World's Greatest Bespoke Shoemaker!"
• Inside The Original Jo...
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Original music written, performed, and produced by:
Aq Xico @gobah
Used with permission

[@kevingu7196]

The social experiment you did here is so interesting Bob. As a shoe enthusiast I had the exact same prediction as you that the Cobbler Union shoe would be rated the most highly. I was completely dumbfounded by the result! This just goes to show how differently we shoe people think and feel about shoes compared to the average consumer. Personally, I don't have any John Lobb but do have a collection of other shoes that are not as high-end but still certainly of great quality, including brands like Vass, Carmina, TLB and Crockett & Jones. However, every time someone visits my home and I ask them which shoe is their favourite, they almost never pick any of the aforementioned brands. I think Meermin is the brand that has got the most vote, which again just boggles my mind. In your experiment specifically though, I would point out one factor that you may not have addressed which I think has contributed to the women's decision-making process. I think more than one of them has mentioned how "soft" the leather is on the John Lobb, and also how the leather on the Cobbler Union doesn't feel as good. I feel like that's primairly due to the difference in style. A loafer should probably have softer leather compared to an Oxford which is a more formal shoe, requires a better shine and is generally more structured. The polish you've put on the Cobbler Union may have also made the leather feel stiffer, especially on the toe (I think Stacy touched on this). Anyways some food for thought here!

[@CobblerBob]

Yes, very good points!

[@tcn0199]

The leather on a Goodyear welted loafer should not be softer, and it usually isn't. The leather used for Lopezes or Weston 180's is the same as that used for City II's and Half-hunts. The difference is that a lace-up shoe will usually have more stiffening and structure built in. The Lopezes actually have a fairly stiff heel and sides for a loafer, and I would defy you to blindly feel those sides versus a comparable lace-up and tell me that it's "softer" leather. Softer leather (thinner, deerskin, etc.) is reserved for light, flexible loafers (often unlined). A perfect comparison would be the welted Weston 180 with the Blake stitched Weston Le Moc.

[@jobicek]

When you say that John Lobb has Royal Warrant and is the most expensive shoemaker in England, it's different John Lobb. There are two. The Warrant holder is John Lobb Bootmaker of London and their shoes are a hell of a lot more expensive as they only do bespoke. Think $10k. What you have here is John Lobb Paris, their RTW offshoot that is owned by Hermès (originally set up as a shop in Paris, later acquired by Hermès). They are made in a factory in England, but not the the workshop of John Lobb. They just have a license to use that name.

[@CobblerBob]

Thanks for the clarification!

[@zefdin101]

I do not believe the Paris outfit has that unique top lift or the John Lobb that is imprinted into the sole with a hammer & branding tool. Those are from England imho .

[@tcn0199]

@@zefdin101 John Lobb Paris (who does bespoke in Paris and RTW in Northampton, England) made those shoes. They are RTW, but based on a bespoke design for a Brazilian industrialist from 1950. John Lobb Ltd. is bespoke only, and made in London, not Northampton. John Lobb Ltd. sold the naming rights to most everything to Hermes in the 70's or 80's.

[@ArodiCruz]

Sweet! The kind of content that drew me to your channel, I followed your advice and have been finding some sweet thrifts.

[@CobblerBob]

That is awesome!

[@Super50calbmg]

Nice to see you back. I missed your content.

[@CobblerBob]

Thank you!

[@YouShoe-1985]

Hey Robert! Like yourself I’m a big fan a AE shoes and I love your content. I’ve seen everyone of your shoe videos at least once! When you started to drift away from shoe content I admit I was a little disappointed but I understand you’ve got to do what your passion about. KZbin isn’t a viable source of income for most creators so you should make video’s about the things that get you excited. Because of your absence from shoe content this inspired me to make my own content and start a channel. It would be a honor if you checked out some videos and told me what you think I can improve on.

[@jobicek]

Frankly, what you really pay for is brand, construction, craftsmanship and material. If you don't know the brands, you can't put value on them. All you can do is look at the country of origin. Construction is largely hidden and can't be properly evaluated without taking the shoe apart and you need expert knowledge. If you know leather, you can tell something. But what it really comes down to is how well the shoe ages. And knowing e.g. glove leather doesn't really equip you to judge shoe leather. It shouldn't surprise anyone that laymen have a hard time as the real quality is largely hidden. At best, you can look at craftsmanship. Things like consistent spacing, blemishes, etc. You'd need shoes that are the same style, same type of leather, same colour, worn for similar time/ distance and with original soles. You should be able to tell the cheapest shoe by craftsmanship, blemishes and wear. But as you go up, it becomes trickier. Especially certain pairings. You could definitely pick them to trick people. Personally, I don't think John Lobb Paris is particularly good value. There are better shoes for that kind of money.

[@markrollins5325]

While I like cars too. I Love your shoe videos. I have learned so much about shoes from you. While I don't have the same loyalty to Allen Edmonds that you have, your knowledge about shoes is amazing and I want to say thank you because you have value to me.

[@CobblerBob]

Thank you! I appreciate that.

[@deXXXXter2]

What I learned is that brown boots are generally regarded as more upmarket. That alignes with my feelings when I look at people. They generally look better in casual styles with ligh-brown boots.

[@chukka62]

The Numbers inside the shoes are : on the right first digit = size , a letter (E) for the fit (or could be EE for a large feet) , and it should be 4395 for the last , on the left size of the shoe another number is craftmen or quality control identification , got 2 pair of theses and they are awesome ,goes with everything, jeans, chinos, suit, even with shorts in summer .

[@CobblerBob]

Thank you for the info!

[@scootermcgoot]

Funny Video, just like watches women don't know or care about our shoes, lmao

[@CobblerBob]

But if you look at the result, without knowing the brands, they all could tell the Lobb was high quality!

[@lastfearboy]

The real question is how did you get it for $15?!?

[@CobblerBob]

PURE LUCK!! I don''t so much nowadays, but for years, I went through thrift stores 3-6 times a week or more. It's all a numbers game.

[@rasicomega]

Enjoyed the video Bob. Really cool thrift find--honestly an amazing find. I wasn't familiar with John Lobb so I appreciate the info and review of your pair. I'm somewhat familiar with men's dress shoes and if doing the blind ranking via video or images I probably would've ranked the Cobbler Unions first, the Lobbs second and the Bostonians third--if I'd done the ranking in person I likely would've ranked the Lobbs first based on appearance and feel of the leather with the Cobbler Unions second. This upload is the first one in quite a while that KZbin has shown me despite being being subscribed with "all" notifications selected. I haven't checked out your car content yet but I'll give it a look--I know if it's on this channel it'll be high quality stuff.

[@CobblerBob]

Thank you! Last week’s video on the Warfield & Grand boots was actually is my first shoe video since my “Ode to Allen Edmonds” Christmas video, and my Allen Edmonds sneaker vlog last June.

[@AxelTheodor]

Finally the cobbler is back!

[@teenoso4069]

The cost of a pair of shoes comes a distant second to how well (or not) a man looks after them

[@CobblerBob]

Good point. Since this video I've made sure to keep shoe trees in them!

[@philschiavone101]

Cobbler Union looked to slick for the women. John Lobb had the understated quality.

[@stevenjm12]

Good to see you talking about shoes again!

[@TheGameBoy56]

Didn’t matter the content Were still here cheer u on Srry ur views dropped

[@CobblerBob]

Thank you! I appreciate that.

[@supersonique001]

John Lobb, overpriced, over rated and just a status symbol for shoe snobs!

[@CobblerBob]

LOL, but don't tell me for FIFTEEN BUCKS you wouldn't be sportin' them around?!

[@SALTINECRACKUH]

Great video!

[@marlonaguilar816]

Welcome back! Missed yourshoe content

[@CobblerBob]

I will definitely try to keep it coming more regularly!

[@craigmignone2863]

Bob did you say Hermes that should say it all?

[@frankv7068]

Actually when John Lobb ventured their business out of England to Paris and joined Hermes, quality went down and they’re not the same. Northampton shoe makers are expert craftsmen that pass down traditions from generations like Church's, Tricker's, Crockett and Jones, and Edward Green.

[@PierreColombo900]

​@@frankv7068What are you talking about? John Lobb shoes are still made in Northampton, the only thing in Paris is a bespoke atelier

[@frankv7068]

@@PierreColombo900 I know -part- of their inventory are still made in Northampton, but when a company is jointed or rescued by a bigger company, in this case Hermes, the product is made in larger quantities, in different manufacturing places outside of origin by different workers who have no history in that particular company. Unfortunately it will not be the same, the reason why people pay that amount of money is for exclusivity, tradition, history and exceptional craftsmanship. Anyways I don’t even bother with “top brands” you can still find handmade bespoke shoes with traditional companies like Antonio Meccariello, TLB Mallorca, Gaziano and Girling or Saint Crispin’s, these companies you actually have contact and conversations with the owner, and they will follow you for months until your shoe fit is precise.

[@CobblerBob]

I'm not exactly sure what you mean, but Kirby Allison's videos that I did link in the description explain it better, and @pierrecolumbo4654 below explains it well too, although I personally have no experience or knowledge of how their quality changed after the aquisition. What he says does coincide with the general concensus that I've heard though.

[@CatManDoo8844]

​@@CobblerBobThe quality never "dropped" after the acquisition. Before the acquisition, both John Lobb London and Paris were bespoke only shoemakers. Hermes introduced the ready-to-wear shoes after they bought Paris, which simply due to being factory made are not the same quality as the handmade bespoke. The ready-to-wear shoes are also a fraction of the price of the bespoke shoes.

[@milkshakeplease4696]

i doubt it but who cares what they think lol

[@CobblerBob]

😆