Wolf & Shepherd SwiftKnit Derby Review (Shoes for Work & Play?)7 min read

I’m back at it again with another review. This time I’m excited to share my experience with the brand Wolf & Shepherd and answer the important questions like:

• Are they dress shoes or casual shoes?
• How do they hold up over time?
• What’s the quality like?
• Is it really “like walking on clouds?”
• And where do these shoes fit into a wardrobe full of options?

Before we start, here’s a quick background on the brand.

Brief Background on Wolf & Shepherd

Justin Schneider, the founder of Wolf & Shepherd (W&S) was a track athlete that attended Notre Dame and was very accustomed to what performance shoes could do.

And so, fresh out of college, Justin nabbed a job at Adidas (I’m sure that came in handy), where he would design shoes for athletes using his talents and the best technology.

A fated conversation he had with a friend made him drop everything in the pursuit of solving one problem—to blend stuffy and uncomfortable business shoes with his knowledge of performance shoes. After coming up with a concept, Justin took his ideas to Mexico to devise the first prototypes.

And just like any shoemaker, he decided to run a marathon to prove that these hybrid dress shoes/sneakers were the real deal. With no blisters after the event, that’s when he knew the world was ready for W&S.

Initial Thoughts & Shipping

The shipping process was seamless and quick; with a Monday to Friday schedule and a brief 48-hour delay with the initial order, I got my shoes in about a few days, which was very convenient. But, I was in for a treat when I got to the shoebox. It had Wolf & Shepherd printed across the top and on the side it had in quotes “Dress to Perform,” I knew it was a winner.

Opening the box, I was met with the packing slip which, when flipping the lid, there was a card with a message that said “The journey starts here.” And when opened, the company’s mission statement was clear as day:

“We started W&S with a simple mission: Equip professionals with the footwear they’ll feel comfortable in all day. When that’s taken care of, we believe every obstacle becomes a bit more manageable- even enjoyable. Once our shoes are part of your routine, we’re confident you’ll feel the same.”

I couldn’t agree more. I’m a sucker for attention to detail. Looking at the shoes for the first time, you can really feel the quality of the material and all the small details these babies have, which I’ll get more in-depth with later.

Why the SwiftKnit™ Derby?

When making this choice, It came down to a few things. First, we live in an extraordinary time where dressing more casual is the norm. And we don’t work in stuffy office settings as much anymore. (WFH anyone?)

Plus we’re spending less time taking public transit—and so with these things in mind, I needed something I could easily dress up if needed but is also casual and comfortable enough to throw on with some joggers while I run errands.

Old work shoes aren’t the most comfortable, and the ones that are, are pretty ugly and unflattering. Enter the SwiftKnit Derby, a classic re-imagined smart-casual shoe (looks like a sneaker) that could possibly pass for a dress shoe but can also be dressed down, for example with a sweats to make a run to the grocery store.

I’m constantly on the move to work, coaching meetings, dinner dates, etc. And so, when I have no idea whether to dress up or down, I know I’ll be appropriately dressed for multiple situations if I throw the SwiftKnits on. P.S. my girlfriend loves these whenever I wear them.

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SwiftKnit™ Derby Design & Construction

The best way to explain the construction of these shoes/sneakers is to look at a pair of Derby shoes. But instead of the stuffy formal aesthetic of a derby, it’s more casual and trendy with a mesh construction for the upper. Also, take away the leather sole, and replace it with a rubber bottom, more like a comfortable running shoe.

The Mesh & Lacing

According to W&S, the shoe’s mesh construction has different zones (what they call a ‘zoned knit upper’) and from what I can tell, these zones help with, 1. being more comfortable and 2. adding rigidity in certain places like the heel by making it feel stiffer. It also leaves for more flexibility so your toes can move around freely and helps with breathability because of the mesh material.

The SwiftKnits feature a classic Derby open lacing system (more formal Oxfords have closed lacing), which is stitched onto the shoe’s upper. I feel that the lacing system fits with the sleek design of the shoe. Additionally, the laces are of high quality. Since the shoe is pretty much designed to be a slip-on, the laces serve more as a visual detail, rather than having a functional purpose, which is completely fine.

The Upper & Insole

Next, let’s move onto the shoe opening where you’ll see light brown tabs to help you more easily slide the shoes on and off. The shoe tongue has a brown leather tab with an embossed wolf insignia which is tastefully done IMO. On the back of the shoe, the leather tab runs down the heel, connecting with a brown strip detail with the Wolf & Shepherd logotype printed which is also a fine detail.

For the insole, there’s a removable memory foam footbed which is exceptionally comfortable. But I also feel that it takes time to get used to it. It honestly took a couple days of wear until I broke it in and it started to feel more comfortable. You can always remove the insole to help with adjusting the fit, if you have wider feet for example, the insole may not be necessary.

The Material & Outsole

And finally for the materials—the SwiftKnit™ upper is made with recycled polyester, which is promising in that they’re looking out for the environment through more sustainable materials.

According to W&S, the shoe’s sole is made of high-abrasion thermal rubber to help with traction. My experience wearing them has been solid as I’ve been wearing them mostly indoors so far, but I’ve never slipped or had any issues walking my SwiftKnits even during 8-hour shifts at work.

For the final details, the outsole also has the Wolf & Shepherd logo emblazoned. The last thing I’d like to point out is how light these shoes are. These aren’t your heavy Derbies of old, instead they’re akin to featherweight, like you’re floating on your feet.

SwiftKnit™ Derby Details

• Zoned knit upper to provide comfort, flexibility, and stability
• Classic Derby open-lacing system
• Removable memory foam footbed for industry-leading comfort
• Premium leather pull-tabs for easy on and off
• High-density TPU midsole
• Recycled polyester upper
• High-abrasion, thermal rubber outsole for traction
• Offset: 10mm (forefoot 5mm, heel 15mm)

How They’ve Held Up: 1 Year Later

I’ve now worn my Wolf & Shepherd SwiftKnit™ Derby for over a year, so I can provide you with some intel on how they’ve held up over that time. I wore them mostly indoors, with some short trips outside during winter.

You can see how the salt has gotten into the fabric, but a quick clean with a quality cleaning kit that Wolf & Shepherd conveniently offers, they’ll be as good as new. Furthermore, the mesh material has stretched a little bit. A solid cedar shoe tree could’ve helped keep its shape intact, though.

Finally, the insoles can be replaced, but even after a year of wear, they still feel very comfortable on my feet, and the soles are still in excellent condition. In the end, these are sturdy shoes that have stood the test of time so far. That said, I could certainly do better job of caring for them.

What I Like Most About the SwiftKnits

What I love most about these shoes is the versatility, they provide me with effortless ability to wear them with many different fits. These shoes pair well with a casual suit and tie combo, a button up with chinos, or an athleisure tracksuit.

Dress them up or down; you won’t look out of place, instead giving off a casual-cool vibe when you wear them. You won’t be underdressed and at the same time, you’ll look like you take your style seriously. They have a super clean look that’s sure to impress.

Price & Additional Info.

If you’re looking to pick up a pair of SwiftKnit™ Derbies yourself, you’ll be looking at $179, which for the quality and construction, I’d say it’s a pretty good deal.

These shoes come in a wide variety of colors like the black/white I got or limited-edition colorways like the white-on-white version, which looks super fresh for the spring and summer seasons. And for the sizes, they range from 6-15.

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Pros & Cons

Pros

• Extremely comfortable
• Lightweight and breathable material
• Versatile for business / casual outings
• Recycled material
• Removable insole
• Great price for the build quality

Cons

• Not suitable for highly formal events leans more casual
• These are not great to wear outside during the winter, or while it is raining, your feet will get soaked or super cold. (Would look into their weatherized version for the elements)

Wrapping Up

After a year of wearing the Wolf & Shepherd SwiftKnit™ Derby I can’t say anything genuinely critical about ’em. They are one of the most versatile pairs of shoes in my current shoe collection.

I’ve worn these at work, casually out and about running errands, and at semi-formal events—and still pulled them off, with compliments to boot!

With shoes as light as a feather— yes, like walking on clouds! (it definitely checks out), and a stylish design—your only problem will be picking these for every occasion, making your other shoes obsolete.

Before you go, you might like this Rothys Review.

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