We’ve got another Beckett Simonon review for all you gents.
This brand has already earned a spot on Gentleman Within’s favorites list for value shoes & sneakers, and for good reason.
Want to know more about the Geller Trainer and and why it’s further proof of Beckett Simonon’s value?
Keep on reading.
Beckett Simonon Geller Trainer Review
In this comprehensive review, I will delve into the made to order and unboxing experience and critique the product in the following areas: style & design, quality & craftsmanship, comfort & durability, shoe sizing, price to performance, and conclude with my purchase recommendation.
About Beckett Simonon
Beckett Simonon is one of many Kickstarter success stories in the fashion industry. They originally launched with the promise of quality, made to order (MTO) shoes for an affordable price. They have lived up to their promise, and have exceeded expectations for quality in all areas of their business model. Their line-up now includes shoes, sneakers, boots and accessories.
Where Are Beckett Simonon Shoes Made?
All of Beckett Simonon products are ethically handcrafted in their studio in Bogotá, Colombia; aside from their Cedar trees which are made by a US company with decades of experience. Beckett Simonon is also proud to say that all products are made by experienced artisans with ethical, fair working conditions.
You can view a video of the Beckett Simonon production process below.
Unboxing The Shoes
Unboxing the Beckett Simonon Geller trainers was hands-down my favorite shoe unboxing experience to-date. The black box, the muted bourbon paisley interior, the slight texture to the surfaces, and the velvet-esque bags for each shoe screamed high quality. Not to mention the cards were printed on rustic paper with nice tactile feedback, not your average info cards on semi-gloss “printer paper”.
Everything about the unboxing was seemingly set up for me to feel as if I was getting something very special, and it worked! They even came with extra laces, and two options for inserts. To top it off; my wife, who rarely comments on products, was impressed and stated that she wished they were for her. I am happy to say that the Geller Trainers were for me!
Overall, the unboxing made me feel as though I was receiving something special, made just for me. So, from a packaging standpoint, they get all five stars.
Quick note: If you’re enjoying this Beckett Simonon Geller Review, then you’ll probably like this Beckett Simonon Reid review too.
I will be critiquing the Geller Trainer in these five categories:
- Style & Design
- Quality & Craftsmanship
- Comfort & Durability
- Shoe Sizing
- Price to Performance
Style & Design
When the Geller Trainers arrived, I was blown away with how good they looked. Their minimalist silhouette is best appreciated in person. Believe me, photos do not do them justice. These smart-casual wholecut sneakers are the most versatile shoes that I own.
These shoes also come in a number of attractive colorways other than my black / white pair. The Geller trainers come in a multitude of suede colorways as well. As you can tell, I am a fan of the style and design, but how well are they made?
Quality & Craftsmanship
These shoes are crafted by skilled artisans in Bogotá, Colombia with full grain leather sourced from Argentina, and a soft Vachetta leather lining. Durable construction, and good quality laces. With proper care, I expect my shoes from Beckett Simonon to last a very long time.
Quality & craftsmanship of the Geller Trainer is a couple steps above most of the competition. This is partially due to their three month crafting process. This made to order business model allows Beckett Simonon the option to lower the cost to the consumer without sacrificing their quality.
Quality Control (QC) Check
After wearing these shoes regularly for a couple months, I am happy to report that the only thing I notice is that the bottoms have some dirt on them. And the insoles have my foot indented into them. Other than this normal break in, all stitching, seams, and materials are in like-new shape!
Is Beckett Simonon Footwear Goodyear Welted?
The Geller Trainer is a sneaker, so it has a traditional glued sole construction. Although, most shoes/boots from Beckett Simonon are blake-stitched. Blake stitching is the slimmer, more elegant alternative to the tough and durable goodyear welt. Both have their merits in a gentleman’s wardrobe.
Shoe Details
- Hand made in Bogotá, Colombia
- Full grain Argentinian calfskin leather outer
- Full grain, breathable Vachetta leather lining
- Sleek, minimalist Silhouette
- Durable construction
- Leather and rubber insoles provided
- Extra laces included
- Dust bags provided
- Free shipping, returns, and exchanges
» Readers’ Favorite: Adidas Stan Smith Sneaker Review (A Forever Classic?)
Comfort & Durability
The Geller Trainers are a close second to my number one shoes for comfort the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite, and that is saying a lot. The Vachetta Leather lining is very soft, and comfortable. The shoes also come with two insoles — one insole is a more traditional padded insert, the other is a minimal soft leather insert.
I prefer as little space between me and the ground as possible, so I went for the thinner, minimal inserts. If you want to know why, check out my Vivobarefoot Primus Lite Review. Aside from my preferences, I am impressed that they provided two types of inserts with the shoes to accommodate anyone’s needs. This is yet another display of the impeccable value provided by Beckett Simonon.
Shoe Sizing
Shoe sizing with Beckett Simonon is on point. I am normally a 9.5 in dress shoes, and 9.5 fits me really well in both my Hoyt double monkstraps and the Geller Trainers. The Geller trainers have more room than the Hoyts, but that’s exactly how you want these two styles to fit.
Price to Performance
They set the bar really high. That sentence pretty much sums it up. I know I have said this a lot, but Beckett Simonon provides so much value for their price point, especially when you consider the sales and discounts available.
When I look at Beckett Simonon from a value perspective, it is my opinion that they blow almost everything out of the water, although you do have to wait a bit longer to receive this deal.
» Related: You might like this long term review of the Beckett Simonon Morgan Trainers.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Made to order in Bogotá, Colombia
- Sleek, minimalist silhouette & durable construction
- Leather and rubber insoles provided
- Extra laces included & dust bags provided
- Full grain calfskin leather & breathable Vachetta leather lining
- Free shipping, returns, and exchanges
- Fits true to size
Cons
- Wait time of three months
- No way to “try on” before you order
Why Beckett Simonon Is Worth It
Are you looking for luxurious looking and feeling shoes for a fraction of the cost? Are you willing to wait a little longer to get a great deal? If you answered yes to both these questions, then you should consider buying from Beckett Simonon.
The value that Beckett Simonon provides in the price range is almost unrivaled. You do have the trade off of waiting upwards of three months to receive your made to order shoes, and I think it is well worth the wait.
I am generally pretty critical of products or services, I know this because my wife often reminds me of this trait (something I am working on). Even with my analytical nature, I had to look really hard for negatives with these trainers, and I did not find much.
Conclusion
I am concluding with my complete purchase recommendation for the Beckett Simonon Geller Trainers. They are well worth the wait, and I foresee myself buying from Beckett Simonon many times in the years to come. Keep up the great work Beckett Simonon!
Before you go, here’s another sneaker review for ya: Everlane ReLeather Court Sneaker Review.
A note: This review is not sponsored, and I wasn’t told to say anything positive or negative about Beckett Simonon — I was sent this pair to provide an in-depth honest review. Gentleman Within holds all control over editorial content.
About Christopher
After getting married and having a child, Chris’ life was put in perspective. He learned that if he wanted to become the person he wanted to be, he needed to continually improve. From self development, he entered the realm of men’s fashion and found that improving his style gives him the confidence he needs to be his best self.
What do you think about these wholecut sneakers?
Let’s continue the discussion over in the Gentlemen Within Private Facebook Community.
Looking forward to seeing you in there.
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