Comparing THE EMERGING INDIAN Shoemakers - Bridlen, BLKBRD, & OBLUM. A New Frontier in Shoemaking

This video features Bridlen, BLKBRD, and Oblum, 3 innovative, entrepreneurial shoemakers from the Indian Subcontinent who have caught the world's attention with their skill, craftsmanship, and quality shoemaking. Today, I compare wholecut oxfords from each model to give you some insights into which brand or model may fit you.

[@TheRealFeechLaManna]

One bad thing about living in Europe is, that we can not buy from outside of Europe. Tax and customs will basically be 100% of the price on top of the purchsing prize, including shipping fee! So we can only buy from people who can ship from within Europe. Sad, I would like to try some of these, or maybe CNES from Singapore.

[@Shuddho1980]

I have multiple shoes from all three. They are all pretty good. Bridlen is certinly more conservatively styled which will be appreciated by the understated sartorial businessman. Oblam certainly look most stylish and will a more extroverted dresser (though certainly not flashy or tacky). I have only boots from blkbrd and they are very solidly made with great leathers (a chelsea in horween hatchgrain and a cap toe in Stead Kudu), and currently have the most diverse collection of leathers available. Also, their shoes tend to be very comfortable from the get go.

[@mtbokor1969]

I appreciate this video and your comparison of all three emerging indian shoemakers. I've purchased two pair of blkbrd becuase for the price, it was low risk. The cushioned sock liner can cause issues with fit. The first pair i ordered true to size and had to remove the sockliner and take to a local cobbler for them to install a piece of leather. BLKBRD offered me a credit for this local work whoch I used on a second pair where I chose a one seam whole cut becuase I wanted a patina finish. Due to the suzing issue with the first pair, I agreed with Pradeep to have shoes made in a wide width and a half size bigger and with toe plates. Shoes arrived in the wrong size, no toe plates and I am not sure if they are a wide width. Neither pair of my BLKBRD have any size markings on them, only how the box is labeled and in the case of the wholecut, the sock liner had the size written on it. I am waiting to hear back from them on how we reslove the sizing issue on pair 2. For the price, you get what you pay for. You will never find a no seam whole cut for what BLKBRD charges. I am glad I tried them even for the issues I've had.

[@jgb0017]

I enjoyed this. About time someone showed off the great work coming from India! I buy many of my belts from Indian artisans.

[@TheWhiskyAdvisor]

Really enjoyed this video.. thanks for the crisp and honest review. I own a pair of Bridlen and plan to purchase from the other two very soon

[@gamemaker1234]

Thank you for the comparison. I have ordered two custom wingtips from BLKBRD. Will probably take the plunge on Oblum next time

[@gamemaker1234]

Oblum is probably the best of both worlds. You get the craftsmanship of BLKBRD as well as the customization but the quality of Bridlen

[@vmugunthan4503]

With regards to the Blkbrd pair , they use the Goldanil series of box calf in their Seamless range. I have the same pair and the leather is simply amazing. Any unsightly crease may be due to strains placed on the leather during manufacture. Gaziano uses Zonta for their museum calf series as does Blkbird

[@pavanaditya0753]

How much the oblum cost you??

[@markmanriquez3208]

Awesome review full of Great and exciting facts.!! Thanks alot . You did mention Blkbrd being true to size... would you say Meermin shoes are also true to UK sizing?. I ask because I really want a pair of BLKBRD.. I just don't want to order accidentally under or over sized...

[@iboofer]

Be wary. I got mine and they weren't even close.

[@iboofer]

Any idea on the turnaround time on a pair of Blkbrds? I ordered mine about a month ago with barely a peep from the company.

[@iboofer]

Just got my shoes. Took about two months. They were TOO SMALL. 😑😑 Not even close to the size I ordered and confirmed with one of their reps. The measurements I sent in didn't seem to matter, and in my hopes that it would just work out, I creased them up a bit. Lesson learned, so I'll eat the cost and sell them off at a loss, but sheesh. You really, really have to keep on top of them to make sure the shoe is up to spec. The craftsmanship was lovely, but if you don't use Whatsapp it's difficult to correspond with them. Caveat emptor.

[@Hopfroggerz]

I have some experience with Bridlen. I ordered a pair of loafers this summer and I must say they are very well made (Goodyear welted) and they fit and look great. I'm very happy with them. However, I'm more of a boot guy. I own several boots from different brands, but I don't think a would buy any Bridlen boots. The Bridlen boot collection doesn't appeal to me very much. Some Bridlen boots are classic models but most of them are a little odd. There are not much boots in their collection that I like. I have no doubt that their boots are very wel made, but their models are a little average and boring. They're just a bit off. There are a lot of other shoe brands that have much more appealing boots. I think that if Bridlen aims at the Western market, they should refresh their boot collection if they want to attract Western costumers. At least, that's my opinion.

[@dianeruiz0721]

Oblum doesn’t have a website? That’s not very encouraging for a business dealing in high ticket items, in the year 2024. They have a Facebook and Instagram but no website. Bridlen makes a beautiful very well constructed shoe!

[@mtbokor1969]

Many of the shoemakers deal directly via instagram and have bypassed a traditonal web site. While I agree a website is nice for many reasons, it shouldn't stop you from ordering. I have found all the shoemakers to be great ppl, eager to communicate and get you fit correctly. I have ordered shoes from brands including Oblum and they produce and deliver the product

[@parmdeeppuri2981]

​@@mtbokor1969weird , you'd think an Indian company would have a website 😊

[@prospect_joe9813]

You've only worn one of them!!