Having worked with the brand for a number of years, we have reviewed Beckett Simonon shoes numerous times and written a dedicated brand page. Therefore, we thought it would be a good opportunity to see how they’ve stood the test of time!
We’ll be taking a look at how Beckett Simonon shoes last as we touch on the following points:
- Beckett Simonon Longevity
- How Beckett Simonon Shoes Age
- Recraftable Soles
- Leather Quality
- Long-term Value For Money
Simply use the links above to jump ahead or scroll down to read more.
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Beckett Simonon & Longevity
Responsibility has become a growing priority for Beckett Simonon in recent years. Consequently, the brand has strived to produce the best longevity and sustainability as possible with its footwear.
Indeed, Beckett Simonon is a dynamic brand that embraces change rather than stubbornly pursuing the same production methods. For instance, it first produced its shoes in a large-scale Portuguese factory.
However, the founders, Nicholas Hurtado and Andrés Niño, soon decided to transfer production to a small workshop in Bogotá, Colombia. As a result, they could focus on values such as ethical standards and environmental impact.
How Beckett Simonon Shoes Age
Among my Beckett Simonon shoes, there are pairs that I wear daily whereas others are reserved for special occasions. Therefore, they show different levels of wear, which will give you an idea of how they may age with time.
Everyday Shoes
Cohen Loafers As New
Shoes are typically reviewed in pristine condition on most blogs. Therefore, it’s rare to see how they age and wear over time. Having reviewed many pairs of Beckett Simonon, we decided to revisit the pairs that we wear the most.
In the above image, you can see the popular Beckett Simonon loafers, the Cohens, when they were brand new and out of the box. Although not my favorite shoe by Beckett Simonon, I wear them daily just because of their sheer convenience.
Indeed, they live by my front door and I’ll often throw them on and off when nipping out to run daily errands. To be perfectly honest, I’m particularly neglectful of my shoes, especially those that I wear the most.
Cohen Loafers After Two Years Of Daily Wear
Although some pairs worn for special occasions are treated quite well, the majority are kicked around. Additionally, I’m as clumsy as I am neglectful, which are two qualities that go well together as you can imagine!
Nevertheless, despite all this punishment, Beckett Simonon’s Cohen loafers have fared remarkably well! Thanks to their high-quality Argentinian calfskin uppers, they have developed a rich patina, which buffs up nicely when given some care and attention.
Meanwhile, the soles do show clear signs of wear but they are far from needing to be resoled any time soon.
Rubber-Soled Work Boots
Beckett Simonon Dowler Boots New
Otherwise, I often wear the Beckett Simonon Dowler boots for various activities. Unlike the loafers, they’re crafted from pull-up leather. Furthermore, the soles are rubber instead of leather. While they have open-channeled Blake stitching in the sole, the rubber offers extra water resistance.
Therefore, I wore them every day while traveling in Nicaragua with Paul. Similarly, I often wear them in muddy conditions when working in the garden or walking the dogs.
Dowler Boots On Horseback
Despite this punishment, they hold together well and have never let in any humidity let alone water. Additionally, the soles have barely moved under the strain and have also developed a rustic ruggedness, which I quite appreciate thanks to the leather’s natural oils.
Occasional Shoes
New Valencia Wholecut Shoes
I’m particularly fond of wholecut shoes for special occasions. Even when casually worn in tan leather, they exude a pop of discerning style. As such, my Valencia wholecut shoes have only been worn three or four times and live in my wardrobe.
Calfskin is a leather that is known to crease even when worn just a few times. Indeed, it’s not a defect and is perfectly normal. In order to reduce the creases, they are stored with the brand’s own cedar shoe trees. The shoes are also kept in the bags that came with them to prevent dust.
Valencia Wholecuts 3 Years Later
If you’re looking for shoes for special occasions, Beckett Simonon is an excellent choice. While they age well if neglected, they will remain impeccable or even improve if properly looked after. Although I’d refrain from the cliché comparison with fine wine, Beckett Simonon’s choice in leather does develop a fine patina!
Indeed, whether it be for weddings, black tie events, prom, or other festivities, Beckett Simonon’s value proposition is perfect for any special occasion.
Recraftable Soles
As you may have heard, Beckett Simonon shoes are crafted using a Blake-stitched construction. Consequently, they can easily be resoled by any qualified cobbler. Although Goodyear welting is often regarded as a superior technique, Blake stitching offers many advantages.
Firstly, the shoes can be resoled like a Goodyear-welted shoe. In fact, it’s a cheaper and easier repair for most cobblers than a Goodyear-welted shoe. However, as the sole is affixed to the shoe via a small welt, which is punctured with a needle.
Therefore, it can be resoled but probably around three or four times whereas Goodyear-welted shoes don’t have such a limit. Nevertheless, Goodyear-welted shoes are significantly more expensive to produce as the technique is more complex.
Furthermore, Beckett Simonon uses high-quality Argentinian calfskin soles. As described above, they’re durable and require little attention after many years of wear. Therefore, given rarely shoes require resoling, it has little consequence in their overall lifetime.
Beckett Simonon Leather Quality
When we first started working with Beckett Simonon, all its shoes were made entirely of vegetable-tanned Argentinian calfskin. Although a refined material of excellent quality in itself, Beckett Simonon strive to offer better when possible.
Therefore, only the soles and heel stacks are still produced from this material. Meanwhile, the majority of the uppers are produced using Gold Standard Italian full-grain leather.
Indeed, Beckett Simonon discovered the Mastrotto tannery. Established in 1958, it is today run by its original founder’s sons, Santo and Bruno Mastrotto.
The Leather Working Group assesses a tannery’s quality based upon the following considerations:
- Hide Traceability
- Environmental Policies
- Energy Consumption
- Water Usage
- Air & Noise Emissions
- Waste Management
- Worker Safety
In order to have earned its Gold Standard, Mastrotto scored 85% or above in its assessment. Therefore, Beckett Simonon’s shoes are arguably of even better quality now than when we first started reviewing them!
Future Materials For Improved Sustainability
Douglas Jodhpur Boots
As suggested above, Beckett Simonon embraces change. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the brand has dedicated personnel who research new materials that may be used in the future. After all, while leather offers many benefits, it does present an ethical dilemma.
Unfortunately, most vegan-friendly materials are derived from plastics, which means that they result in a far greater environmental impact compared to leather. Consequently, Beckett Simonon actively investigates other potential alternatives.
For instance, Beckett Simonon has shown interest in mycelium, which is a type of leather made from mushrooms. Although it currently isn’t currently scalable in a way that can affordably meet the market’s needs. Similarly, it doesn’t currently offer the desired longevity that Beckett Simonon wishes to produce.
Nevertheless, the brand continues to actively research the subject in search of viable alternatives that it may present to its customers.
Long-Term Value For Money
Beckett Simonon endeavors to offer the best possible value within a fair price point. In fact, we’re often amazed by how the brand frequently exceeds expectations! Although its shoes may cost just $170 if you use or exclusive “BU20” discount code, they can last for many years with proper care.
However, its goal to offer quality that endures creates more than just happy customers. As described above, responsibility is a growing priority for Beckett Simonon and it seeks to produce its wares in a way that reduces its overall impact.
One of its earliest steps was to opt for a group made-to-order business model, which reduces waste and production costs for both the factory and consumer. Yet, by producing products that last, its owners can potentially drastically reduce their environmental impact.
Indeed, by wearing garments and shoes for longer, rather than replacing them on a frequent basis, we can cut our carbon footprint by up to 40%! Although it’s nearly impossible to eliminate your carbon footprint entirely, Beckett Simonon is working to find ways to reduce it as much as is reasonably possible.
Closing Thoughts
Beckett Simonon Yates Brogues
Although many brands will often talk about “disrupting the fashion industry” or creating a “paradigm shift”, Beckett Simonon is one of the few that actively seeks to fulfill its promise in such a significant way.
Additionally, its shoes are honestly priced and present fantastic value for money as described above. The shoes age gracefully even when neglected while retaining their shape and comfort. If you were to properly look after them, they’ll likely last for decades.
"Beckett Simonon shoes wear well and age gracefully, offering excellent long-term value for money."
Further Reading
Once you’ve finished reading our guide, feel free to peruse our wide range of shoe content such as the following resources:
Shoe Content
Great write up and analysis from the lens of aging. I hopped on the Beckett Simonon wagon recently and am extremely pleased with the quality of the dowler boot.
Their shoes are excellent build and incredible value overall. If you’ve only tried the Dowler, a relatively casual pair, I highly recommend checking out their dressier styles.
Rafael