How to Make an $800 Sneaker (Crown Northampton factory visit!)

[@curtisinhouston4120]

I have always held Crown Northampton in high regard. Not for me personally, but to each their own.

[@darrenhall7454]

I love your factory visit videos, but this one is the absolute best one so far. I LOVE LOVE this one, Nick. This guy is an inspiration. Quality materials, quality staff and a quality product. 😁👍

[@Stridewise]

Hell yeah Darren I'm so happy you're following the factory visits! They always get fewer views than the much cheaper to make review videos but damn it, I want to showcase these factories lol

[@chefrichh]

I agree this is the best factory visit video so far!

[@edrader]

@@Stridewise hipsters are a fickle lot. keep up the great work!

[@ihateartxyz]

Never heard of this company until now. Loads of respect.

[@Grecianfan1]

Proud to say my step son works for Crown shoes and can be seen in this video from 6.38 to 7.15 plying his trade.

[@sprig6043]

Fair play wishing him all the best!! Skilled lad!

[@-triumphgt667]

Have three pairs - simply the most comfortable shoes I have ever had. My first pair have now been resoled three times because I wear them all the time - and easy to keep looking good - the Cordovan doesn't crease and a bit of cream and polish and they looks new. Simply brilliant.

[@markc8773]

I have a pair of their Harlestone in navy deer suede. I absolutely love them! They are my most comfortable shoe I own. It took some time to break in however, due to the cork midsole and oak bark leather in the heel and toe cap. Absolutely worth the price.

[@om3981]

Really the best, I'm in to my 4th pair of snickers for me and my son . This after trying KOIOS and common projects , there in no comparison in the quality and comparable cost to common P. Crown feels great and the quality is way above the other brands. Cordovan OMG superb, cheers to crown North Hampton team and thanks.

[@brunonjezic6208]

Beautiful! I really hope brands like this get better known and keep on going for generations to come

[@flemdoghd]

Can’t speak highly enough about Chris and his operation. I visited their factory a month ago and had super service and a great pair of sneakers. Looking forward to visiting again.

[@tommysmith7031]

Nice George Best cameo, alluding to that these are the "best" sneakers. You did a great job on the video, I liked how you removed yourself from the video and let the process speak for itself. The camera were able to get close to the action without disturbing the workers. Great production!

[@abcthecamper1799]

Im lucky enough to have a pair from them, and as a guy who own 4 pairs of koios I can safely say that you cant even compare the crown northampton ones to the koio ones. the leather is on the next level. the only downside is a bit of chunky-ness look they have. edit: 3:40 cannot agree more. the lining is special af

[@Stridewise]

Love that you enjoyed even the stuff on the lining! I love getting super nitty gritty like that

[@Billywoo12]

Such an incredible business. I've been lucky enough to meet Chris and his incredible team. It's a gem and the shoes are incredible.

[@Stridewise]

It was a real privilege exploring the factory

[@Pietervdv]

Those are absolutely gorgeous and I'm very tempted to buy a pair, as I get much use out of a sneaker. For me it's either sneakers or boots. A very first world problem is choosing which one.

[@gyahahaandkyahaha1345]

I've ordered two pairs of Hand Stitch from Crown Northampton. The first pair developed some issues after a few months but Crown took care of me, and fixed the issues. Great Customer Service from a lady named Lucy at Crown! She even gave me a discount which I used for my 2nd pair about a year later. One pair has been going strong for about two years, and the other for a year. I'm absolutely in love with them and I'm so happy I can support something made by skilled hands with quality materials in the west, and not in China. The lining leather is amazing and beautiful, I never knew I loved the smell of veg tan leather until I got these sneakers. The Lactae Havea soles are amazingly comfortable too. The only negative I would say is if you are walking on rocks/gravel you can kind of feel them under your feet, but it's a good tradeoff for normally comfortable and all natural materials. The last is a bit chunkier but that's perfect for me since my feet are just slightly wide. Also the Calf pair seemed to break in faster than the suede pair.

[@TimJohnson-x1o]

what's wrong with supporting skilled workers in China? the man on the tele tell you to hate China, even though most can't find it on a map, and you listened to him huh.

[@BBhatt-pi5ob]

​@@TimJohnson-x1o Do not support commies or pinkos. Personally I've nothing against the people of China, but won't support their government/economy if I can avoid it.

[@ivankrasimirov9334]

Wow. This video was an absolute delight to watch, everything about it is just right! I wish everything was made with such thought, passion and consideration.

[@damonmuzzy277]

Excellent video. Overlooked them before due to price; but seeing the how and why… yeah, definitely want to invest in a pair, now.

[@Stridewise]

Awesome! And I don't even make a cut!

[@jamieward3574]

15 miles from where I live. Not a nice city but great for shoe manufacturing

[@Christopher_Stead]

Another reason I didn't hear that makes them worth it is that they''re resoleable. This goes a long way to justifying the cost, knowing you can have them repaired and therefore be able to wear them indefinitely.

[@sprig6043]

Wow I didn’t know this. I’m sold

[@I_like_YT_lots]

You can also resole Common Projects. Sure is expensive shoes usually the ones you can replace the soles, but is not always the case.

[@gerryvickers7098]

Gorals are also resoleable

[@Crackers2549]

Beautiful pair of sneakers, gorgeous..... So clean and smooth, no frills just love it.... Excellent video Nick, you knocked it out of the park as well as your guest...! GG....IN

[@predragmedojevic6878]

Funny story, I watch this few days ago and today on fb market I saw someone was selling this sneakers in shell cordovan exactly my size and they are brand new so I contact him and I got them for $400 CAD which is around $300 US 😍 Wow what a fantastic sneakers and price no one can beat, love it 😁

[@watch2venture]

My dream sneakers...wonderful process

[@notthatproud7453]

Part of the reason they’re $760 is the shell cordovan. With normal leather, it’s $425 or so. Still an insane price for a sneaker, but there is a question of whether the normal ones are worth that price. Or are they only worth it if you’re getting shell?

[@Stridewise]

I think the video does a good job of showing the skill/quality of the non-cordovan parts of the process!

[@corensam]

I mean $425 is Common Projects territory, and I'd take Crown Northampton every day of the week.

[@xc43t]

People pay quite a silly amount of money for Nike or Adidas shoes... made by children in some Asian country and the price being mostly about the brand name. Crown does sound like a better deal even for their basic models.

[@wave2k868]

The video I've been waiting for l especially after the last trip got cancelled

[@johnjones5157]

A super video..keep up the great work Nick 👌

[@banbaji]

Good stuff man your best factory tour video yet!

[@Stridewise]

Appreciate that Paul!

[@svenbrinkmann9284]

By Chance I visited them today! I chatted mit Chris about his passion and the brand. The Future looks really exciting:) I had the chance to try them in in Person and picked up a pair of the Harleston Handstitch in rare green cordovan. One of 20 pairs they made. They look amazing!❤

[@TheOneInYellow]

Awesome video tour of my favourite aspirational sneaker maker, and loved the CEO Q&A at the end too! During the pandemic, and moving away from Converse as part of my overall change in how I wanted to dress myself, for footwear I started with a range of Nike trainers. I've always worn size 6 UK, but I'm actually smaller sized than this (5.5), so finding comfortable sneakers has been difficult. Eventually, I found my favourite one: Nike Air Force 1 Gore-Tex in carbon black and gum soles (black shoes, black swoosh, with orange stitching accents). These are amazing sneakers, but during that time came across Crown Northampton, and certainly wanted to go all out but was too expensive at the time. I shelved the idea for a future me instead. Years later (2022?) it dawned on me how vaguely similar...ish my AF1's were to traditional English made boots in terms of boot-like style, gum shoes that are a few shades of leather soles colour wise, and all mostly black colour reminiscent of black textured leather. This led to an epiphany; time to upgrade my foot ware and get some well made dress boots! Unfortunately, getting dress boots in my very small feet size has been a right 'mare, and I didn't want to get a size 6 as this breaks the whole point of comfortable dress shoes (inserts were not a consideration if I'm paying that much for dress shoes). Luckily, this month (Nov '23) I discovered three perfectly sized pairs of shoes in my size, from one of my favourite English shoe makers, and so far purchased two of these NOS dress boots: - Crockett & Jones Chelsea 3 in black wax calf and single leather sole - Crockett & Jones Northcote in dark brown wax calf and Dainite sole I'll be purchasing one more C&J shoe, likely the Tetbury in black suede and Dainite sole (this upper variant is NOS) or a current Coniston Rough-out black suede with commander soles. The latter is only available in this specific version in size 6, so if I want this I will have to contact Crockett & Jones and request a custom made-to-order for my size. That leaves one final pair of shoes to get, dress sneakers, so Crown Northampton is now a part of my dress shoe project again, and I'll be making a purchase in the new year! I genuinely can't wait to complete my new shoe collection, and having dress sneakers of extreme quality, British made, is exciting!

[@Stridewise]

I hope plenty of people stayed to watch the CEO Q&A! Glad you did. I JUST got my pair of these this week and can't wait to wear them in warmer months

[@TheOneInYellow]

@@Stridewise yes that's exactly my plan too; Crown Northampton* dress sneakers, and Crockett & Jones Tetbury black suede, for the summer season! *I've not decided exactly which sneaker, but this has taken my fancy: - Harlestone Hand Stitch Derby - Horween No 8 Shell Cordovan (Deluxe Care Pack) First, need to get the C&J Tetbury, then save up for the sneakers. I enjoyed the Q&A, and the lovely story of his family's past within the Northampton shoe business, alongside his, at the time available, shoe college education. It's lovely that he is now created an academy for his business too, very similar to what Gaziano & Girling have done! You are one of a few KZbin channels I've consumed to nail down exactly which shoes I want, and sticking to my own style of dress code (semi-casual/formal with an edgy accent via gothic jewellery). However, I also enjoy watching your content outside of that, just for more opinions and data points, leading me towards a better informed opinion about contemporary styles and brands/products to look out for! Cheers 👞🍻🤘🏽

[@johnwaterhouse3752]

Great informative video Nick. I need a pair of these shoes/sneakers, quality counts. Good health to you.

[@oscarfishboy]

What a fantastic video and insight into a great company! Thankyou so much I have 2 pairs of Crown Northamptons and love them! This video made me feel even better about my purchase

[@RolloZx]

what an inspirational guy. I refuse to buy non british made shoes these days - the quality of what northampton produces is exceptional. Buy less, but buy right

[@thechief043]

Hard to justify that price, but damn if they aren't a quality piece. After I burn through more of my current sneakers, I may contemplate a splurge; plus they do re-crafting for the soles, I think. Side note: I really like this music, Nick. I can't remember who made it, I just recall it being royalty-free music, but very chill.

[@DalesLeatherworks]

That’s definitely worth $730 ❤ Love seeing these traveling videos!!!!

[@Mark.G475]

Great Interview! Cool Manager. Cheers from Milwaukee Wisconsin 🇺🇲

[@lolsovs]

5:47 look at the hands of this gentleman... You can bet he's been working with those hands for many years.

[@black_solidus]

Shoe artisan

[@rockygabriel7096]

The quality control is amazing there... They really treated shor making like an infant... Definitely worth the price.....

[@JAG214]

I been seeing Crown Sneakers online for a very long time now and I have always said I would buy from Crown but I have not yet but soon I will

[@durgaprasadpatel2656]

Love this. My dream sneaker....

[@SharoPeikof]

Love Crown Northampton. Owning a pair of their shell cordovan sneakers is a wonderful experience. Plus, these are going to last for a long long time. :)

[@Stridewise]

My bourbon cordovan ones are on their way!

[@IUsedToBeAPygmy]

I love Crown Northampton. What I find hard to believe is that they'd buy/use the consumer sized/packaged 75ml Saphir Renovateur as shown @6:28 - I'd expect a company using it in production to be able to strike a deal to get it by the bucket as paying for the small 75ml glass containers with print seems very wasteful. To be honest I'd expect Crown to *not* use Saphir Renovateur - it would be much cheaper to buy mink oil without a brand attached to it.

[@nodieusa]

Best sneakers in my shoe collection!

[@Stridewise]

What leather did you get?

[@nodieusa]

@@Stridewise I got a pair of Harlestone hand stich in off white veg tan. I was really pleasantly surprised with how squishy the soles are and the support provided by the shank. This in my opinion was one of the coolest videos you've made. Well done mate!

[@mattashman4040]

Yup, they are the best

[@Doodleman2020]

Nice sneakers but hot damn the price. I won’t buy Viberg boots for the same reason.

[@randynovick7972]

I've been on the fence when it comes to getting a pair of these. You may have pushed me over the crest. :)

[@snorttroll4379]

the cork paste, what glue keeps the shredded cork together? can I make it at home and with what? we do not have that product here and I would like to make it. is it silicone?

[@DMorgan77]

Did you get a pair, Nick? I love these type of videos. You have a dream job dude :)

[@Stridewise]

haha it's stressful but days like these are the bright spots! i didn't get a pair actually but I really want brown cordovan ones, maybe I'll ask them for a pair wish me luck!

[@hexum9449]

They don't come with cedar shoe trees?

[@_bats_]

Not really my style but no one else is doing the whole minimalist sneaker thing with such ludicrously high-quality materials and construction as Crown Northampton. The video emphasises the most expensive sneakers they make, but you can get some really nice ones built to the same standard for far less if you don't spring for the shell cordovan. About $310 for the calf version or $320 for Horween CXL.

[@gyahahaandkyahaha1345]

The hand stitch in calf/suede are in the 400ish range USD last I checked. They do sell cheaper sneakers with more synthetic materials but both the pairs I own are hand stitch.

[@waynedub1167]

Fantastic video.

[@Stridewise]

Thank you very much Wayne!

[@WeileWorld]

Shops where I can try models and sizes?

[@weaponson3-158]

Can someone help me find my width? I want these. From the first knuckle of my big toe measured across the first knuckle of my pinky. So I’m measuring the ball of my foot. That circumference is about 10.5 inches, depending how tight I pull the measuring tape. I would hate to order these and get the wrong thing. Thank you.

[@JAG214]

The first time I found out about them was from the KZbinr The Kavalier about three years ago

[@Stridewise]

he's a good friend and he liked this video :D

[@billystpaul8907]

These may be sneakers, but, I doubt my Helm's and Thursday's sneakers are not made this way...? High quality goods always cost more money. Learned something new today, fancy sneakers and about Northhampton....

[@melvinjones3895]

I have a pair of his shoes they are great.

[@bassheadlife492]

They're resolable as well, I guess I'm going to have to get a pair 😅

[@ash36230]

Bit too much for my price range, but if these are made so durably and can be resolved indefinitely (assuming you care for them well), then £700 and cost of soling, would save you compared to buying new ones every year or two, and in the few bespoke makers that still exist (that aren't bought out or shifted manufacturing overseas) there is a quality above most of what others you get

[@Soulpt1]

Amazing product!

[@anthonymerchanmorales8150]

I've waited too long for this video

[@Stridewise]

while waiting for it to upload I was shouting "come on come on anthony can't wait any longer"

[@anthonymerchanmorales8150]

@@Stridewise XD. Your work is worthy of admiration, never change bro

[@Standoffmuffin]

The problem with Shell cordorvan is the extra maintenance required and have to baby a sneaker seems silly to me. I can buy a proper boot made of the same leather from other brands. Also styling them requires a lot more creativity because of balancing $700 leather sneakers is a unique problem. Oh well they do look nice I suppose just not for me.

[@adnaanu]

If i could afford them, i would choose them over any other brand.

[@pastense]

Always had a shoe fetish as a kid, so that includes being a sneakerhead before the whole hypebeast craze. These sneakers aren’t particularly my taste, neither would it be the typical sneakerhead’s. BUT I really wish sneakerheads and hypebeast would see this process of making shoes that are actually worth the price of production, especially when compared to their beloved factory-made Nikes and Jordans! Them and stupid sneaker resellers need to see what they’re paying/selling, despite any type of iconography or nostalgia. That part, I get. But these hyped sneaker brands have been slacking in quality worse and worse each year.

[@Stridewise]

Yes, that's what I like about the kinds of products I offer: there's (almost) always a justification for the price beyond simply the brand behind it!

[@tomgarcia9200]

is that gregory house

[@syrah96]

told U twice, love my Upton Wholecuts

[@alui5362]

I love my crown sneakers, but the thing I hate most is that the white soles need to be constantly cleaned in order for them to look beautiful. doesn't matter how well made or nice they are, dirty white soles ruin everything. if anyone has a solution, I'd love to know about it.

[@Stridewise]

scotchguard?

[@alui5362]

@@Stridewise tried using waterproofing sprays yeah. but I suspect they don't quite work on rubber. they work for fabrics and suede because the little fibres will soak the hydrophobic chemical in... but I think rubber doesn't quite do that

[@black_solidus]

Toothpaste + waater + scotchbrite works well for me to clean white rubber sole (on my Rancourt Court Classic)

[@alui5362]

@@black_solidus yup, i do that too. baking soda works too. problem is getting some of the slurry onto the shell cordovan, which stains it

[@alanc6468]

If they could make a white shell cordovan sneaker that would be the pinnacle of white sneakers. Zero wrinkles. I love Crown, my Overstones get a lot of compliments

[@Stridewise]

I don't think you can get white cordovan without chrome tanning it, which I'm not sure you can do with cordovan! worth thinking on though...

[@georgeonderko5273]

The moment they make a birkestock style LAST is the moment I never have any other shoe aside from crown. While I love my crowns, nothing beats the every day comfort of a wide toe sprawling toe box. Birkenstock materials are pretty cheap and many of their shoes aren’t resolable (sandals are). I would happily pay for quality leather, craftsmanship, and resolability in a wide toe box format. I’m percolating a pair of thurston sole Nick’s who get what I’m giving here.

[@drunacres]

I can attest to the quality of these shoes. I have two pairs and find them the most comfortable "smart casual" footwear I have ever had. More power to these exceptional craftsmen.

[@Stridewise]

No one else puts cork in sneakers!

[@dahak972]

That looks like north Jersey, not Great Britain.

[@Stridewise]

we are all one

[@berndbaier3660]

I have two pairs of Harlestone Derbys, their most exclusive shoe. Both of them are extremely uneasy to wear in, the stiff leather even cutting into my ankles so that the grey leather is now blood stained. In one pair of them the stitching already failed after about six times of wearing the shoes and there is a visible hole now. This shoes are just not evolved enough yet, sorry to tell you that. Buying these is the biggest regret in my life.

[@snorttroll4379]

Soon us plebs will use one shot shoes. 2 pound price. 10 year durability. How will these compete? in a marginal category.

[@patrikprvonozac7479]

Iz😅😅o

[@alltogetherplaytubefingerf6045]

If it is not bespoke it is not worth it.

[@xuxamelo]

a robbery that's what about special!

[@Virtualfantasy1999]

Imagine spending $800 to get bullied

[@robertomugabe11]

100$ max

[@Stridewise]

I don't think that even covers the leather

[@DA-jw6nm]

Know your industry. Know your target customer. Know your technology. Me? I’d NEVER buy these sneakers nor would the vast majority of people. Personally, I don’t think his target customer is going to cause this product to flourish.

[@andresfg6788]

JM Weston does better sneakers than these

[@binder946]

You just can't justify that price unless he is paying living wages.

[@Stridewise]

He is, he's even opening a shoe college to replace the ones that shut down since his youth. Very cool!

[@_bats_]

He pretty clearly explained the labour aspect of the business in the video - changing perceptions about what it is to be a factory worker, trying to revitalise the trade and the education required to do it, and elevate it to something people today would actually want to do. It would be insane to pour that much money and energy into trying to bring back shoemaking as a profession in England if he weren't also paying people well enough to actually attract them to learn the trade and do the work.

[@binder946]

@@Stridewise that is great 👍

[@justinleemiller]

The bottom of the shoe is white. It loses value the first time you wear it. 👎🏽

[@Stridewise]

can't please everyone

[@frankgonzalez3822]

I have to disagree. Not worth $739

[@ivankrasimirov9334]

The shell probably costs around £250 alone, you have some more for lining, counter, toe stiffener, insoles, outsoles and the other materials. Someone is probably spending a day to make these so you have £100-£200 for labour costs. Then you have bills for the factory and taxes. The markup on these is probably smaller than on a pair of Nike or Adidas, let alone CP or other similar crap.

[@richkramer1841]

Not even going to watch the vid. Need I say more.

[@Stridewise]

I mean I'm a little confused

[@pedrocols]

Current price of these sneakers is almost $100 US dollar more. Currently it is over $800 US dollars. In my opinion it is not worth that much. Not a good value.

[@larrysmith937]

If you're spending more than $700 for a pair of sneakers, your priorities are out of wack.

[@zinknot]

What's an appropriate amount to spend on shoes? Are you considering the overall cost per wear?

[@EssenceofPureFlavor]

If you're spending more than (I would) for (thing), your priorities are out of whack.

[@hawkevick9184]

​@@zinknotYou can get much cheaper sneakers that would probably last longer.

[@StealthFX9]

​@@hawkevick9184 I highly doubt that's the case!

[@tommysmith7031]

@@hawkevick9184 The shoes in the videos are made of cordovan. There are cordovan shoes that are over 100 years old. Leather like cordovan also looks better with age, so after 5 years the shoe will look better. I don't think you would get a shoe made out of cordovan for less.

[@69Muscle]

I’ll be buying a pair in the near future. I own a pair of John Lobb Lehva’s, they are incredible too.

[@Stridewise]

I'm waiting for my cordovan sneaks to arrive!