Premium handcrafted shoes without premium prices - this is the promise of Beckett Simonon. Founded by two friends in 2011, owners Nicholas and Andrew used to sell leather goods in retail stores where they uncovered the broken retail system. Stores sold their goods for up to 10 times the manufacturing cost - a price they could not even afford.

The vision of Beckett Simonon is to break away from traditional retail and offer high-quality products at a fair price. By managing all aspects of production and operating on a pre-order basis, they eliminated the cost of keeping an inventory and paying third-party sources and retailers. This model keeps operational expenses low and passes the savings on to consumers.

Find out what both the press and real customers are saying to see if Beckett Simonon is the right brand for your needs.

Handcrafted Shoes

Handcrafted shoes often cost a pretty penny. However, they are also often guaranteed to be at a higher quality than mass-produced goods. If you’re looking for a shoe with a versatile design and a durable build that will last, investing in handcrafted footwear is an excellent option. If you’re after affordability and the latest trendiest styles, traditional retailers may be a better fit.

This Beckett Simonon review will check out their key offerings ranging from luxury dress shoes, boots, and sneakers. It’s important to carefully consider product details such as design, material quality, comfort, size and fit, and value for money.

Beckett Simonon Dress Shoes Review

Beckett Simonon is well-known for its high quality dress shoes. They offer a variety of designs from oxfords, derbies, loafers, and more. Their bestselling shoe, the Dean Oxford, is priced at just $199 which is a steal for the quality that you get. Handmade with full-grain Italian cowhide leather, the exterior is soft yet durable, with a finish that is easy to maintain and condition.

It is indeed a gorgeous shoe that will match a wide range of suits, dressy trousers, jeans, and even chinos for a more relaxed appearance. We appreciate that it comes in five colors and GQ Magazine lists the black Dean Oxford under affordable staples to nail the office style. If you’re not a fan of leather, this design is also available in two colors of water-repellent suede.

For a more stand out design, the Durant Oxfords elevate the look of the Dean with some intricate detailing. They’re not as elaborate as wingtips but the addition of key accents allow for the Durant to be eye-catching in understated elegance. The high-quality leather is poised to develop a beautiful finish over time. These retail for $199 and are available in five colors.

The oxford lining is made of Vachetta leather that absorbs moisture and is breathable which works well to eliminate odor. According to Beckett Simonon, they carefully took into account customer feedback to create their foot-shaped molds to provide excellent fit and comfortability. The leather-lined insoles should adjust and take shape to the feet of the user over time.

While most customers rate these dress shoes highly, some consumers do find the shoes stiff and that breaking in the oxfords can take a while. We recommend these if you’re looking for a shoe that lasts as the thicker material ensures durability and longevity.

The shoes are designed to soften and remold, but Beckett Simonon suggests wearing them indoors before prolonged outside use if you find any discomfort. 

Beckett Simonon Boots Review

Leather boots are a wardrobe must-have. A great option both for casual and dressier wear, the Beckett Simonon Dowler Boots feature a pull-up leather boot with a cap-toe and lace-up design. The tanning process of the Dowler uses a blend of oils and waxes that strengthens the leather to survive more rugged use. These are a great pair to bring on your next trip!

At $229, these are more affordable for boots made in this level of quality. The Blake Stitch construction of the leather sole makes the shoe extra sturdy and allows for an easy resole option if the need arises. The heels include a rubber cap for added traction and safety.

The Dowler Boots also come in their signature full-grain leather for a smoother, classic finish. All full-grain leather shoes are conditioned with shea butter and carnauba wax for a lustrous rich color that would stay vibrant for years.

If you prefer laceless boots, the $229 Bolton Chelsea Boots are a great timeless option. It comes with the signature elastic side panel and loop at the back of the boot that are common features to Chelsea boots. It also features a slightly elongated shaft for a sleeker appearance. These boots provide superior comfort at first use with practically no break-in period.

Beckett Simonon Sneakers Review

If you’re on a quest to find minimalist sneakers that don’t scrimp on comfort, Beckett Simonon provides some great options under the $150-mark. The $149 Reid Sneakers are one of Beckett Simonon’s most highly rated products.

This minimalist pair comes in several color options and include upper material of either water-repellent suede, pebbled leather, and full-grain leather. It also features a herringbone outsole for improved traction. 

A dressier option would be the $149 Geller Trainers. Beckett Simmons describes this base material as suede without the worry. They are made with water-repellent calfskin further treated with a liquid-repellent coating to protect from marks, stains, or discoloration.

Common negative feedback on Beckett Simonon sneakers is the length of the laces. Several users find the laces to be too short which makes them difficult to tie. We suggest purchasing laces from other brands if you find this to be an issue.

Beckett Simonon Accessories Reviews

Aside from shoes, Beckett Simonon also offers other leather goods such as bags and belts. Designed with a hand-polished solid brass buckle that has a hefty weight reminiscent of high-end luxury brands, the Nelson Belts come in a 5-pack promo in classic shades. The belts are made of full-grain leather and are lined with wear-resistant nubuck leather for durability.

Press and Real Customer Reviews

There are over 6,000 verified reviews of Beckett Simonon shoes on their website, and more than 90% give them a perfect 5-star mark. Many reviewers agree that Beckett Simonon shoes are well-made and worth the wait with Stitchdown rating the Durant Oxfords a 7.7/10, calling them a sharp-looking shoe at an excellent price.

Quoting one of the top reviews, “The quality of this shoe is unreal. It might take a bit of time to arrive, but it’s well worth the wait. I was also extremely pleased with how comfortable these shoes are straight out of the box!”

The public consensus is consistent. Most users are happy with the quality of their Becket Simonon shoes and have bought multiple pairs over the years. The customer experience is also well commended. Beckett Simonon has been featured in major publications like GQ, Esquire, and Business Insider who admits that “We’re obsessed with this leather company.”

Ordering Experience

The ordering experience with Beckett Simonon is unique with their direct to consumer model. To order, browse through the options in their design catalogue, place an order with your color and sizing details, and that is the only time when Beckett Simonon will start manufacturing.

Production can take anywhere from ten to twelve weeks and you will be updated by the team about the process with photos and videos. It’s a special experience that lets you observe what happens behind the scenes. Three months may be a long wait but this is because Beckett Simonon shoes are handcrafted the old-fashioned way to ensure longevity.

Shipping is free and so are returns and exchanges within the US. As of this moment, Beckett Simonon does not ship internationally.

To initiate a return or exchange, contact customer service within 120-days from the delivery date. Items must be unworn and a prepaid shipping label will be sent to you to facilitate the return. Once inspected and confirmed to be unworn, you can receive a full refund as soon as one business day or exchange as soon as a replacement product is available.

Beckett Simonon is well-praised in social media for their excellent customer service. They also offer a one-year warranty against any manufacturing or design defects, excluding damage from use.

All products are made in Colombia under ethical and fair working conditions. You’re not just saving money in exchange for time, but also helping out a worthy cause that employs artisans and helps the environment.

Alternatives

Many shoe enthusiasts esteem the Beckett Simonon brand highly. Offering luxury footwear for fair and honest prices with their direct to consumer model, Esquire regards Beckett Simonon shoes as a style that comes with an unbeatable price tag. However, the long wait for production may be a deal-breaker for many.

If you are looking for some readily available shoes that are up to par to Beckett Simonon’s quality, other well-rated options are:

• Taft Clothing

Taft Clothing shoes are manufactured by artisans in Spain. Featuring the same Blake-stitched process and vegetable-tanned full-grain leathers, Taft offers premium quality shoes and also offers a wider range of trendier designs.

• Meermin

Meermin follows the same direct to consumer approach as Beckett Simonon and is thus also able to offer competitive prices for high-quality footwear. They source raw materials from tanneries in Japan, Italy, and France and Meermin specializes in Goodyear Welted shoes.

• Feit

Feit is a handmade brand based in New York City offering shoes, apparel, and accessories for both men and women. Showcasing the talents of master craftsmen from Italy, they source leathers from tanneries specializing in vegetable dyeing in the Tuscan region.

The products are around twice to three-times the price of Beckett Simonon but include excellent post-purchase care and repair services designed to increase the lifespan of all Feit shoes.

Promos and Discounts

Beckett Simonon shoes are affordable as it is, but the 20% off first purchase discount offer makes the deal even sweeter. All you have to do is sign up for their subscription mail at the bottom of the website, and you’ll receive a code for 20% off your first order. You’ll also get notifications of future sale promos through email. 

In case you need to make payments lighter, they also offer interest-free installments via Afterpay. 

Summary

If you are ready to invest in handcrafted shoes, Beckett Simonon offers great value for money with shoes that are fairly priced, well-designed, and that are built to last. The pre-order basis may not be for everyone, as wait time can take up to 3 months. If that’s not an issue, you can visit Beckett Simonon to check out their line of handcrafted shoes and other leather goods.

All in all, we rate the Beckett Simonon a 4.5/5 for excellent-quality and affordable shoes with beautiful classic designs. If you do not mind the delayed gratification, Beckett Simonon is worth considering for your next pair of handmade shoes.