The issue I have with footwear, and clothing in general really, is the ridiculous markup for poorly made products by mistreated workers, so branding companies can make tons of money. Really, 90% of the footwear you can buy in a mall is made in China/India, with Spain and Italy providing the 'higher' end. Payless, Call It Spring, Aldo, most of the Bay etc, doesn't matter if it's $30 or $300, the quality of materials and quality of life for the shoe 'maker' is the same... Not very damn good.
A sign of the times, of course, and it's not going to change, but it does make me sad that if I want a pair of Canadian made shoes (we do have a few Boot manufacturers) I have to scour for a few select vintage brands. Johnston and Murphy has closed their last American plant, leaving Allen Edmonds and Alden as the only two (that I'm aware of) for formal shoes in the states. "Hartt Shoes starting up again... blah blah New Brunswick factory blah blah... shoes will be made in Spain." Well #### me. Yep, I will get my old shoes repaired, because apparently they are part of history that has all but died.
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