I have ordered a pair of bespoke shoes from Japanese Main d’Or, the alias of Eiji Murata. He is famous for being meticulous and for a high level of craftsmanship, which also is apparent in his fitting shoes. The above are the second test pairs, and keep a level that many makers would wish they could accomplish on their final pair.

The outsoles are cemented (they shall only last for a few weeks before the last meeting with Eiji), but hand welted to achieve a fit as close to the final pair as possible, made in the same leather as the pair ordered (but worse parts), a properly built heel, and with details like hand-braided reinforcement stitches below the lacing. Read more about Main d’Or in this report.