Jack Erwin Shoes – $195.00 per pair
Think Magnanni, minus that Spanish brand’s (sometimes) spear-like over elongated toes, move production one border to the west (from Spain to Portugal), and know that you don’t have to wait for sales at LastCall or Nordstrom Rack to get a pair for under two hundred bucks.
From an outsider’s perspective… that’s Jack Erwin.
A definite step up in quality of leather + construction compared to DSW’s Mercanti Fiorentini. Not quite as indestructible feeling as Allen Edmonds. Nice and modern in shape and profile. Perfect toe shape. Lightweight. Closer to the ground and plenty flexible. At $195, Jack Erwin is a style-forward, web-based shoe brand that’s easily accessible for all, thanks to their greatly appreciated free shipping and free returns policy.
Each shoe’s sole is Blake Stitched to the upper, which helps make them lightweight on your feet, as well as lighter looking to your eyeballs. There’s not an ounce of visual “clunk” here. That lack of bulk and slim silhouette (if you’ve got a wide foot, forget it), gives even a basic cap toe, like their “Joe” model, a little sex appeal. And that’s something you won’t get from, say, Johnston & Murphy’s Goodyear welted (and cheaper) conservative Melton
Jack Erwin’s “Joe” in Espresso.
The leather has a good shine to it out of the box, but not in an unnatural way. This is real leather. Full-grain calfskin that smells like, flexes like, and feels like a medium weight leather that should serve you well.
One of the drawbacks is the small lineup. Not only in number of models (just five, two lace ups, two loafers, and one boot) but in available shades of leather. Each pair of shoes is available in black or a pre-determined shade of brown that varies by model. It’d be nice to have something as fashion-forward as their Jake single monk available in a more toned down brown. But, credit to the Jack Erwin guys for taking it slow and steady out of the gates.
Jack Erwin’s “Jake” in burnished tan. Great looking shoe. Not real subtle.
A warning on sizing: The brand suggests you size down a full size to get the proper fit. That might be going a bit far. A 9.5 on my usually 10.5 feet were an awfully tight squeeze on both the Jake and Joe. A ten on the other hand? Probably would have done the trick.
Lace-ups come with a couple extra pairs of colorful laces, and each pair arrives with back-up insoles, as well as a dust bag inside the box. Awfully impressive that a brand this new has thought of all those little things. The packaging is nice and clean. No pre-paid return label inside though. If you want to return your shoes, you’ll have to email them for a pre-paid label that you’ll print out later.
Are they worth the $195? For many, that answer will probably be yes. The toes are perfect, the leather feels good, and the free shipping + returns is awfully nice to provide for their customers… since all of their customers are first time customers. Now some guys will probably stick to more tried + true brands for their basic day-to-day oxfords + wingtips, but when it comes to picking up an extra pair of shoes that could get worked into the rotation every so often? Like a monk strap or a jodhpur boot? Jack Erwin would be one brand worth giving a shot.
Anyone else give these guys a try yet? Would you go with these guys for a basic cap-toe or wingtip, or would you save up for, say, an Allen Edmonds sale? What styles do you think they could tackle? A chelsea? Maybe something in suede? Leave it all below.
I also wish they offered their “Joe” model in the tan color as the “Jake.” I’ve been needing a pair of plain simple black dress shoes and the “Joe” may be worth considering. It really depends on when you’re purchasing. For example, if you’re around the time of a sale, AE Park Ave’s (most similar to the Joe), can be had for $260. At that price, I think I’d be leaning towards the AE’s just due to the brand name and knowing their product speaks for itself. Also, having a store local and being able to try before you buy, is always a plus factor. Regardless, I think Jack Ervin has priced themselves well and I look forward to seeing what else they bring in the future.
Thanks for doing the review!
Have been waiting for this review and now can’t wait to get a pair of my own to try out!
I think I really like those single monks. Not sure. But these seem like great shoes.
Joe, when you sized down, was the tightness in length, width, or both?
I’m definitely thinking about trying them out. I’m interested in a review a couple of months down the road to see how they are holding up.
Think I just found a replacement for my J&M single monks that are coming unglued!
Be honest, Joe: No matter how good it is, you couldn’t wear a shoe named the Joe, could you?
and that 10.5 thats mentioned is for other dress shoes? casual shoes?
More width since I’m a borderline wide, but length as well. They were too short AND too skinny. But I really feel like a 10 would work for me in both.
I almost always wear a 10.5 in both dress shoes and casual shoes. Unless they’re JCP Stafford shoes. Then all bets are off, since those run outrageously large and you have to size down.
1. Not in front of you guys, since you know what they’re called…
2. This is why perhaps I prefer the single monk “Jake”
Yeah the “brown” for the captoes is really dark
Thoughts on the wingtip? Looks pretty solid from the pictures, but wondering if people think that I’d be better off with a tried and true brand?
my favorite is the captoe oxford named after dappered JOE. it’s much sleeker than allen edmonds’ captoe. i also like how the captoe is a stitch across the toe box rather than another piece of leather that adds bulk and makes it less streamline. it’s really a beautiful shoe.
the other models are a little too fancy for me. but i like this company’s approach.
now…who is holding out for a discount code?
Thanks for the review, hope theres more followup down the line.
Still surprised theres no Strand lookalike.
Heh, no naming rights were discussed or exchanged. I don’t know these guys other than being an early customer. As far as keeping/returning, they’re both going back since they’re too small (as noted) but I might get an exchange for the single monk. I’ve got lots of brown lace ups and not in need right now. And yes, great call on noticing there’s a promo/discount code field. Wonder if they’ll run any soon.
I don’t know where I would wear it but that single monk is damn handsome, and I usually don’t like single monks.
I feel like the AE Park Ave is a bit boring in shape (yeah, its classic, but I prefer a more European shape), and think this toe shape is more my style. Joe, would’ve loved to have seen these compared side-by-side to the J&M Melton and AE Park Ave!!
Joe, what is your size in an AE Park Ave? I see you mention 10.5 above but is that your “normal” size, I usually have to go a 1/2 size down for AE’s. I.e. I’m usually a 10.5 but in AE I am 10.
Another brand of a much higher quality just launched out of NYC as well, Paul Evans. Like Jack Erwin, we have a small offering to start, but the shoes are made in Italy with higher quality leather and workmanship. In sourcing factories for our production, we cut out the Portuguese makers since they couldn’t match the experience or access to quality leathers as those in Italy. Another 10+ styles will debut later in the winter. Check us out at http://www.paulevansny.com. Code JACKERWIN will save you $50 on your next purchase at Paul Evans and will be available through October 23.
Benjamin Earley
Co-founder & Head of Business Development
Paul Evans | New York, NY
http://www.paulevansny.com
Ben@paulevansny.com
……AND your shoes cost $350. Basically you are trying to justify why your shoes are better than Jack Erwin when you’re shoes are $150 more. Apples to Oranges here.
I don’t wear Parks myself, but I’m a 10.5 in the Fairfax and Weybidge.
They are good. Damn good I have the wingtip in brown
yeah, but then what would Jake do? oh dear…i hope they don’t start making a Jack…
Does anyone know if the insoles are stitched in or glued in?