THE HEART OF QUALITY

ON WHAT SEPARATES A WELL MADE SNEAKER FROM EVERYTHING ELSE

QUALITY IN A SNEAKER IS NOT A FEATURE. IT IS A CONSEQUENCE. THE CONSEQUENCE OF DECISIONS MADE BEFORE THE FIRST PIECE OF LEATHER IS CUT, ABOUT THE LAST, THE HIDE, THE CONSTRUCTION METHOD, THE SOLE SPECIFICATION. EACH DECISION EITHER BUILDS SOMETHING THAT WILL ENDURE OR ALLOWS SOMETHING TO FAIL QUIETLY OVER TIME.

THE HEART OF QUALITY IS THE LAST. A CORRECTLY DESIGNED LAST PRODUCES A SNEAKER THAT FITS FROM THE FIRST WEARING AND IMPROVES WITH EACH SUBSEQUENT ONE. AROUND THAT LAST, EVERY OTHER DECISION EITHER SUPPORTS OR UNDERMINES THE RESULT. FULL GRAIN LEATHER THAT WILL DEVELOP PATINA. CONSTRUCTION THAT ALLOWS THE SNEAKER TO BE RESOLED. DENSE RUBBER THAT WEARS SLOWLY AND HOLDS ITS PROFILE. FINISHING THAT REWARDS CLOSE ATTENTION.

THESE ARE NOT LUXURY ADDITIONS. THEY ARE THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF A SNEAKER BUILT TO LAST. AT 1812, THEY ARE THE STARTING POINT.