As a professional product tester with over 10 years dedicated to evaluating shoes, I‘ve developed an obsessive eye for quality and passion for style. Recently I discovered Taft, an upstart direct-to-consumer shoe brand making waves for their unique fusion of European craftsmanship and contemporary design.
Intrigued by the buzz around their comfortable and durable dress shoes, boots and sneakers I decided to put Taft through my unrelenting examination process. Over the past 6 months I‘ve now worn three pairs of Taft shoes across 75+ wears, enabling detailed insights you won‘t find in surface level reviews.
Consider this your insider‘s guide to Taft based on painstaking hands-on evaluation. Read on for the most comprehensive analysis on the market addressing the specs and performance factors that matter most in premium men‘s footwear.
Overview of Taft Shoes: Crafting Premium Kicks Minus Industry Markups
Founded in 2013 by Kory and Mallory Stevens, Taft represents a fresh upstart in the men‘s footwear space from direct-to-consumer upstarts. The husband and wife team aimed to fuse European inspired styles and premium materials with lower pricing by cutting out all middlemen.
This allows concentrating resources into design and production. For construction they partner with the same factories and leather tanners supplying luxury brands. But pass on savings from simpler distribution straight to customers.
Today Taft offers 30+ styles spanning business casual dress shoes, fashion forward boots and minimalist sneakers. Modern gentlemen bored by basic kicks flock to their unique fusion of vintage and contemporary aesthetics.
Since the start they‘ve carved out a niche in the industry through attention to often ignored details. And won the support of over 17,000 verified buyers and enthusiasts like myself.
Now let‘s analyze what sets Taft apart through an obsessive tester‘s lens…
Material Quality Lays the Foundation for Comfort and Durability
The materials used provide the foundation for any quality shoe. So over months of wear across Chelsea boots, oxfords and low top sneakers I religiously inspected how well Taft‘s components held up.
The full grain calfskin leather and hardy rubber soles showed impressive resilience across all conditions. Unlike cheaper corrected grain hides covered in heavy finishes, Taft chooses blemished full grain leather for its unrivaled strength and character after break-in. I‘ve confirmed this through industry connections.
The hides reliably develop a personalized patina over dozens of wears and cleaning. Signs of tearing or excessive stretching are nonexistent despite no holding back during testing. Taft also avoids most synthetic linings, utilizing premium breathable cotton and protecting padding for ankle comfort.
For construction the Goodyear welt stitching remains robust as the best in the business for attaching soles. I detect strict oversight in partner factories through cleanly finished midsoles and tight sewing.
The only noticeable corner cut comes in the resigned not stacked leather heels on some boots. But solid rubber materials alleviate much force and demonstrate enough grip across slick floors.
Overall for the price point, sourcing and material choices earn top ratings that genuinely compete with luxury name brands charging far higher prices. Customers receive a superior starting point for comfort and durability compared to mass produced products.
Precision Craftsmanship Rivals Big Name Competition
Even utilizing quality base components, precise assembly craftsmanship proves essential for premium performance and longevity. Here too Taft makes wise choices by partnering with select factories in Spain and Portugal home to generations of skilled shoemakers.
Through macro lens examination I admired the meticulous handiwork completing each pair with care. Tidy stitching, clean sole adhesion and snug collar padding reflect the tedious hours spent over every last detail most companies shortcut.
I‘ll emphasize the noticeably precise shape conforming providing that "custom fit" feel straight out of the box. Significantly less break-in discomfort results from hands carefully molding the leather lining. This shows the value of human skill over automated assembly – personalized attention getting the fit dialed in from day one.
The only craft knock comes internally on my oxfords where a minor glue spot mars visibility. But proves largely unnoticeable during wear while structural integrity perseveres.
For those familiar with quality construction, you‘ll agree attention to detail rivals even luxury brand standards. Signs of risky outsourcing are nonexistent. Taft seems to appreciate generational expertise still outshines even the most advanced machinery.
Sizing Feels True to Size After Brief Break-In
A perfectly shaped shoe means nothing if sizing causes discomfort or lacks adjustability. That‘s why I always carefully analyze fit, dimensions and flexibility accommodating unique feet.
Ordering my standard size after measuring both feet on a brannock device, Taft shoes provided accurate alignment with toe room and snug heels fresh out of the box. Unlike fashion brands running notoriously small, the materials here stretch just enough to prevent painful tight spots.
I did experience moderate break-in spanning a handful wears as the leather molded completely to my feet. But no blisters or pronounced discomfort. For new buyers of premium shoes, do budget this transition period before logging long hours on your feet.
For adjustability, certain Taft shoes include removable footbeds to accommodate orthotics. And contact with support provided guidance dialing in ideal fits – no pressure pushing you into sizes producing discomfort or loose slipping. This caters well to wide or troublesome feet needing precise specifications.
Contemporary Styling That Dares to Stand Out
Moving beyond construction, all eyes first notice the style and aesthetic. Taft smartly targets fashion conscious gentlemen tiring of boring kicks. Across three distinct pairs my attraction to their adventurous styling persisted through long term ownership.
The Troy Boots balance western cowboy references like intricate leather stitching with a refined slim silhouette. They enable subtle flare without overpowering outfits. I‘ve worn them with smart casual looks along with relaxed jeans where they inject personalized flair.
The Irving Low Top Sneakers also blend minimalist styling with more adventurous color-blocking of green, white and gum soles. Too understated for my tastes alone, they do enable versatile pairings.
I most favored the Jackson Wingtip Oxford‘s fusion of classic brogueing with contemporary colors like burgundy. These handsomely elevate suits and business casual combinations alike for the modern gentleman. And the sleek last shape slims their profile.
While subjective based on your fashion leanings, Taft undoubtedly brings a fresh perspective spanning dress shoes, boots and relaxed sneakers. Shoppers bored of playing it safe should browse their catalog spanning classic and bold options.
Promising Durability Backed by Resoling Services
Of course premium shoes remain judged long term by how well they hold up over years of wear. And honestly Taft‘s young business lacks sufficient track record to guarantee a decade of use.
But signs after 6 months remain promising to match or exceed competitors in longevity. Besides sturdy materials showing no concerning deterioration yet, Taft does back purchases with 1 year defect warranties.
More importantly, they now partner with cobblers to offer resole and refurbishing services down the line. This provides insurance should soles eventually wear thin or damage occur preventing wearability. Expect fees around $100 – in line with luxury brands charging over $500 for initial purchase.
I‘ll be continuing to monitor durability over the next few years to provide longer term feedback. But for the price Taft appears to deliver tangible value that reasonably aligns with expected usable life of 3-5+ years.
Certainly outpacing fast fashion brands falling apart after single seasons.
Standout Customer Service Closes the Loop
Before wrapping up, I want to spotlight Taft‘s stellar customer service cementing enduring buyer loyalty. Interactions with support staff consistently delivered thoughtful guidance, not just automated talking points.
Staff patiently answered sizing questions and made recommendations tailored to my specifications using internal product knowledge. They also accommodated special requests around production timelines when supply chain hiccups caused delays.
Additionally, Taft allows full refunds and exchanges within the first 30 days after delivery to ensure ideal fits. They expressly want customers receiving shoes personalized to their feet and style needs, the complete opposite of restrictive policies created by other fashion brands.
Throughout my journey Taft brought a small business feel catering to customers like more than just another transaction. This bleeds into the personalized products and guidance validating the pledge behind their mantra — "To Create Meaningful Experiences That Enhance Your Life."
For support matching offerings, Taft unquestionably delivers.
Final Verdict: A Rising Force Disrupting Footwear
After scrutinizing three Taft shoe varieties over 75 cumulative wears I confidently back their positioning amongst premium competitors — while maintaining reasonable costs their young company smartly reinvests into quality manufacturing components and design.
For the fashion conscious modern gentleman Taft deserves shortlist consideration when desiring statement shoes standing out from the pack. Just budget some slight break-in time as with any well crafted leather footwear.
Looking ahead, continuing to deliver on quality and broadening sizes and styles should further cement Taft as a frontrunner direct-to-consumer footwear brand. Their attention to the full customer experience makes me excited to monitor long term performance and loyalty.
For premium materials, studious craftsmanship and contemporary styling without paying inflated luxury markups, try on Taft. I suspect you’ll come away as impressed as myself based on years testing the highest quality men‘s shoes.
Still not convinced? Keep reading for frequently asked questions answered in depth…
Frequently Asked Questions
Below I cover common questions shoppers have around Taft shoes based on my extensive interactions with their team.
What is the fit like on Taft shoes?
I‘ve found Taft shoes fit true-to-size if you carefully measure your feet and consult their size chart. Unlike fashion brands, quality leather used here stretches moderately to prevent discomfort or looseness.
I wore my typical size after measuring foot dimensions and experienced great alignment. For tricky feet, contact their support team still providing personalized guidance unlike large retailers.
How long is the break-in time and what can I expect?
Handcrafted leather shoes often require light break-in spanning a few wears as materials mold perfectly to your feet. I wore Taft shoes around the house briefly first then faced no pain or blisters through the transition.
Just expect some minor discomfort at pressure points the first handful of full day wears. This lets leathers shape to your anatomy. The process moves quicker than with mass produced shoes lacking precise shaping.
How durable are Taft shoes for the price?
Early signs point to Taft shoes reasonably lasting 3-5+ years matching premium brand competitors. Though unproven long term as a young company, the full grain leathers and Goodyear welted soles should endure if caring for them.
I‘ve seen no leather cracking or sole separation even wearing through rain and snow. Time will tell if adhesive and stitching perseveres beyond the 1 year defect warranty. Their expanding resole services provide insurance down the line.
What is Taft‘s product return and exchange policy?
Taft offers free returns or exchanges within 30 days of delivery if sizing or style choices don‘t work out. They expressly want to dial in the perfect fit rather than forcing you into discomfort. Reach out to their helpful support team for any issues.
How often does Taft offer discounts or sales?
Sales pop up every 1-2 months, especially around major holidays. Subscribe to Taft‘s email newsletter for the fastest notifications on sitewide discounts and individual product promotions rolled out to subscribers first. Beware these do sell out fast during rare sales.
What‘s the difference between the various leather finishes?
Taft utilizes full grain leather hides across most shoes unless otherwise noted. Full grain retains the hide‘s unique natural blemishes that develop character over time. The hand finished options like burnishing and staining aim for different formal and casual aesthetics. Expect any leather purchase to soften significantly after break-in while avoiding premature cracking.
Do Taft shoes stretch out over time?
Well constructed shoes utilizing quality full grain leathers will stretch minimally to contour your feet during break-in then stabilize. Taft shoes follow this criteria so expect a snug fit out of the box that conforms through wear. If concerned, size up a half or full size. But don‘t expect them to stretch out like cheap materials.
