Crown Northampton - Dress Sneakers
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I'm quite interested in picking up a pair of these, and thought it was about time there was a thread for this brand.
Here's a recent interview with the designer and CEO and video overview of their manufacturing, which reminded me I wanted to check them out:
I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's picked up a pair, and in particular if you have any insights on sizing. How does it run compared to a pair of Converse, say? What's the toe-box like? (I like having room for the tootsies to spread a bit.)
I'm looking at the Harlestone hand-stitched model myself, so particularly interested in hearing from anyone who picked those up, what leather you went for, how they broke in, etc.
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I think Stitchdown has discussed these and maybe interviewed the owner for a pod?
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@Nik said in Crown Northampton - Dress Sneakers:
Stitchdown
Hadn't heard of that website before. Very dangerous for my wallet...
@Karol said in Crown Northampton - Dress Sneakers:
if you want to see them dissected
Yeah, I caught that on Rose Anvil, and then the YT algorithm got to work, and now I want a pair...
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Stitchdown is great. I started the last patina thunder dome but had to drop out due to fit issues wearing a pair of zerrows engineers. @kkibbey23 wore a similar pair the whole contest and they turned out super well. Stitchdown also has a discord that is very active with lots of good thoughts on sizing and styles of footwear.
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Upton Wholecut
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Upton Wholecut Olive
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These arrived today. The hand stitch sneakers in Horween No 8 Shell Cordovan.
I was very nervous on sizing - it was a long wait (11 weeks) from order to delivery and a very expensive pair of shoes. After measuring my feet repeatedly and liaising with their customer support, I went a half size down from my usual size but a wide-fit rather than the standard width fit.
Straight out the box I thought I had messed up as they were quite tight around the ball of the foot and toes, but it turns out they lace them quite tightly for shipping. After messing with the laces for 10 minutes or so I think I’ve got them where there’s good room in the toe box but tight enough at the ankle to prevent heel slippage. I think I’ll be messing around with the lacing more in the coming days as they break in though.
These are going to look dope under my pair of XHS, which I’ll be getting back into after I’ve taken the dog for a run.
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I've been eyeing their calf high tops since you created this thread. Couldn't justify the shell ones, but £300 seems doable for something of this quality. I enquired about their resoling service too, I think they told me it was £80 with a choice of 3 different soles. Could probably make a pair last a lifetime using this service.
Looking forward to seeing yours develop over the years @EdH
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And how they look under some XHS.
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Thanks @EdH , now you got me geekin' over some hi-tops....y'all are a bad influence lol
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@T4920 Ahem... I might have kept my feet under the desk and she hasn't noticed them yet...
It should be alright when I mention I paid for them over 4 instalments... And that with any luck they'll be my last pair of sneakers... Maybe...
Take the dive...
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@EdH that definitely works! Very nice.
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@EdH that’s where I trapped myself lol. I said “these should last forever” and then it’s like “so this is your last pair, RIGHT?”
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So after trying them on a few more times over the weekend, I decided to size up after all. They weren't uncomfortable exactly, I was just very aware that I was wearing shoes while I had them on. (You know how most of the time your brain gets used to the sensations of your clothing and screens that out - well that didn't happen.) And after doing a bit more research on breaking in shell cordovan and liaising with Crown Northampton, I was warned that they wouldn't give as much as other leather once broken in. So they've gone back to Crown Northampton for an exchange.
Hopefully it wont take another 11 weeks to get the size-up pair made!
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Sorry only just seen this.
I have a pair of the Overstones in Horween CXL and also the Overstones TL in white calf.
The normal line look much bigger on foot than than the TL due to all the additional padding.
The Horween leather has not worn well for me. The surface of the leather has eroded at various points due to friction with the laces. Also found it to scratch very easily.
Were I to buy another pair I would buy the TL line due to the slimmer profile.
The white calf has aged fairly well.
Will happily post pics of both (bought them in 2020 if memory serves).
Will also provide further info on sizing when get a moment.
