Horween Chromexcel #8 High Top

These Gustin high tops are made from Chromexcel color #8 from the Horween Leather Company in Chicago, IL. Horween has been in the leather game since 1905, and has developed some of the most durable and beautiful leathers for sale today (from Shell Cordovan to the leather used for NFL footballs). You can only begin to see the sheer beauty of this leather from the images we’ve shown you. That special Horween luster, the depth of shade, the hues that you simply don't see from other tanneries. We can safely say these CXL #8 shoes are even richer in person than any image can convey. The now famous #8 color presents the most rich, deep burgundy color. The slightest change of light lets you see different and new depths of shade. It’s a beautiful surprise each day you put them on. The feel of this shoe is captivating. When you pick it up, you instantly sense the weight and durability. The surface is smooth and slightly oily to the touch. The character this leather develops even after one day of wear is like nothing we’ve seen before. The way it creases where your toe bends, the way the tongue forms indentations around the laces, the way the uppers mold to your foot. Each day we’re torn between wanting to wear this shoe and hanging them on the wall so we can just stare at them all day.

The Gustin high top pays homage to the now classic sneakers we grew up wearing. Take one look at the shape of our high top and you know it captures everything perfectly — from the extremely low profile toe box, to the ultra clean stitch lines, to the absence of any extraneous materials. Beauty is in the small details such as the way top of the ankle gently swoops up at the back, the tight arc of the stitching on the heel counter, the perfect diameter of the eyelets. Our styling truly captures what we loved about our old sneakers, now done the right way

Our sneakers are constructed by hand in the Tuscany region of Italy by a group of craftsmen who have been making shoes since 1901. They have perfected their craft to the point where the industry's biggest and best names, including Lanvin, use them for production. All leather is die cut one hide at a time. Single needle stitching is used to construct the uppers. Binding clean finishes edges. Custom lasting creates the unique Gustin shape. An Italian-made Margom rubber sole is cemented internally and reinforced with 360° stitching to the upper. A calfskin-lined removable footbed is stamped with the Gustin logo. These are time honored techniques taken to the highest level.

Sneakers made in Italy to our quality level, that finally get the styling right and that use only the highest quality materials carry incredibly high price points. The Gustin model allows us to offer you a radically better value.

Gustin sneakers follow European sizing and run slightly larger than some US sizes. If you typically wear a US 9 in dress shoes or boots, we recommend ordering a US 9 in these as well. If you usually wear a half-size, we would recommend you order down to the nearest whole size. If you have tried on other Margom soled sneakers, you should order the same size.