You judge a shoe once it’s been walked in, not while it sits on the shelf. That’s why I was glad to see a post in the community: a user waited a month before reviewing his Dior B22. His reasoning is simple. A shoe can look perfect in QC photos and still give out after a few weeks.
His verdict after about a month of frequent wear:
- upper still in good shape, seams intact, nothing coming apart;
- normal wear and a bit of dirt on the sole, heel and toe, like any shoe that actually gets worn;
- the shape still sits well on the foot, and comfort is described as good;
- he’d buy them again.
The same week, the community had several QCs of the Dior B30. Those are pre-shipping photos, though, not a real everyday test.
Here on the forum we can do better than the feeds: a collection of long-term reviews (1, 3, 6 months), updated in the same thread instead of disappearing down the feed. See also How long do rep sneakers actually last? What the 3-, 6- and 12-month reviews say.
A few questions for anyone who wants to join in:
- Which rep sneakers have you worn for more than three months? What gave out first: sole, glue, upper or stitching?
- Have you ever had a flawless QC and then been let down in everyday wear?
- Would you be interested in a fixed “30/90-day review” format? It is discussed in detail in Loro Piana Summer Walk and Open Walk. Which fields would you include (size, days worn per week, weather, flaws)?
A care tip: let shoes rest for at least a day between wears and stuff them with paper or use a shoe tree. That lets the moisture escape and keeps the shape. Glued soles in particular don’t like heat, so please don’t put them on the radiator.
Feel free to share “after” photos too, even of pretty beaten-up pairs: they’re the most instructive.
Related threads: Balenciaga Triple S reps: what the first versions were like.