11 Best Bang-for-Your-Buck Shoe Brands in Beijing: Minimalist, Comfortable, Built to Outlast Your Commute

share our own shoes , all purchased in Beijing offline

Nov 18, 2024

Here's a rundown of the 11 pairs of shoes we've purchased and tested. The pair we've worn the longest was bought last year. In 2023, we decluttered and reorganized our wardrobes, getting rid of old clothes and shoes. All the clothing and shoes we use throughout the year are relatively new, purchased over the past year or so. Since we've been selective in our shopping, we don’t have a large collection of shoes or clothing at the moment.

These shoes have been tested for comfort on 10,000-step walks, and they hold up well under that distance. Beyond 10,000 steps, some shoes start to feel less comfortable—either too heavy, or causing cramped toes. However, most days we only walk around 10,000 steps, which aligns with the commonly recommended range of 8,000–10,000 steps for daily exercise. Walking 20,000 steps is more tiring, requiring at least two days to recover.

In terms of price, all these shoes cost between 1,000 and 4,000 RMB, which we find reasonable. This article is divided into two sections: niche international brands found in boutique stores and popular brands available in major malls across China.

We began by buying popular brands like UGG, Onitsuka Tiger, New Balance, and Adidas. Gradually, we upgraded to niche international brands offering casual luxury shoes made entirely of calfskin or lambskin. Looking back, the mainstream brands fall short in both design and materials compared to Spanish, American, or Japanese brands specializing in high-quality leather. Some of the older shoes are no longer worth keeping.

All our shoes were purchased offline in Beijing. As dedicated in-store shoppers, we don’t trust the quality, fit, or post-purchase service of online shopping. Trying shoes in person to ensure a perfect fit is non-negotiable for us.

From our experience, shoe sizing varies significantly across brands. For instance, I wear sizes ranging from 220mm to 230mm (EU 35–36), while he ranges between 235mm and 250mm (EU 38–40). We always try at least three sizes to find the perfect fit, aiming for a snug fit with enough room to slide in a fingertip. Both of us have smaller, slimmer feet with normal arches, so we tend to prefer narrower shoe styles.

Niche International Brands

These were all purchased from Lane Crawford and SKP Select. For us, these are the only two go-to multi-brand boutique stores. While there are smaller boutique stores, we’ve found that they primarily cater to young streetwear trends. Even if they stock luxury brands like The Row, it’s often limited to a few unattractive pieces meant to draw traffic.

Lane Crawford and SKP Select, as large corporate-run stores, have far greater resources for brand partnerships compared to smaller boutiques. We frequent these stores because of their extensive and ever-changing brand selections. For example, a brand featured this season might be replaced by another next season. Their stock rotates quickly, and 2025 Spring/Summer collections are already arriving. Furthermore, their items move to outlet stores faster compared to domestic leading brands, which may take two to three years to transfer unsold items to outlets.

As for online shopping platforms like Farfetch and Mytheresa—even during Black Friday, with discounts up to 50%—we find it difficult to commit. The high cost of returns, shipping, and time makes the process frustrating. Promotions like “spend 300, save 50” during Double 11 sales are even more tedious. Shopping, after all, should be a fun and relaxing experience.

Moreover, the best items are often prioritized for offline stores. Some brands even maintain entirely separate inventories for online and offline channels.

Shoes from niche international brands feature exceptional materials, with full leather construction including uppers, insoles, and linings, often made of calfskin or lambskin. Some also have leather soles and laces. These materials ensure comfort and durability, making them a worthwhile investment.

More details about specific brands and recommendations will follow in the next sections.

Toteme

Toteme has been highly popular in recent years, representing the quiet luxury trend. Both Lane Crawford and SKP Select have stocked a wide range of Toteme products. It’s worth noting that this is the only multi-category brand we’ve purchased from, rather than a brand specializing in or focused solely on footwear. Hence, I’ll also touch briefly on other Toteme items alongside their shoes.

I hold Toteme in high regard, particularly for their Italian-made leather shoes and belts crafted from calfskin and lambskin. The brand impresses with quality materials, solid craftsmanship, and distinctive designs. Whenever Toteme launches new shoes or accessories, I make a point of checking them out.

Toteme’s minimalist sneakers can handle a 10,000-step walk with no problem. Around 15,000 steps, however, slight discomfort begins to set in, primarily because of the square-toe design. Prolonged walking can cause feet to swell, and the square toe box can start to feel restrictive. That said, in the past year, I haven’t had many occasions to walk long distances in these shoes.

The sneakers feature rubber outsoles and lambskin uppers, combining comfort with style—so long as you don’t push them past 15,000 steps.

This pair of German-inspired sneakers, priced at 3,000 RMB, is my favorite pair. I bought them in size 35 at SKP Select. Currently, Toteme only offers women’s sizes. The interior, including the tongue, is made entirely of lambskin. Since I’m not particularly careful with my belongings—and lambskin is softer and less durable than calfskin—the leather on the shoe’s upper, insole, and heel has worn down over time.

Toteme differs from ultra-high-end brands like The Row or Gabriela Hearst which are rooted in old-money luxury and set at much higher price points. Toteme’s pricing, ranging from 3,000 to 6,000 RMB, aligns well with its brand identity, fabric quality, and design sensibilities, making it a versatile option.

The only slight downside is the quality of their ready-to-wear materials. For instance, I’ve tried their fall and winter wool scarves and coats. While the designs and tailoring are impeccable, the fabrics feel stiff and heavy. Toteme doesn’t offer cashmere garments due to their pricing range. On the other hand, their summer silk collections are quite good, as silk is less costly than cashmere.

Lastly, I purchased a 2-meter-long double-layer full-grain leather belt, also made in Italy. Like their shoes, the belt features excellent craftsmanship and robust materials. The outer layer is suede, while the inner layer is smooth leather. Its double-layer design makes it suitable for both men and women.

Hender Scheme

Although Hender Scheme offers unisex designs, it primarily focuses on men’s footwear. The brand initially gained attention by replicating iconic Nike sneakers but later established its reputation with undyed vegetable-tanned leather. It has even collaborated with the very brands it once mimicked. You can find more about the brand in this detailed introduction to Hender Scheme .

Eddy purchased two pairs from SKP Select: the MIP-07 bowling shoes from their classic collection and a sneaker inspired by Steve Jobs’ favorite New Balance 991. Due to the difference in materials used, the price between the two pairs varied by 3,000 RMB.

Notice the longer silhouette on the left pair of 991-inspired sneakers? While writing this, Eddy had to dash back to exchange them because he forgot to check for a smaller size when trying them on. He thought they fit fine in-store, but upon wearing them again at home, realized they were too big. It disrupted our plan to visit the National Botanic Garden before autumn ends—a reminder to always try multiple sizes before purchasing!

Hender Scheme shoes are meticulously crafted, with uppers, linings, insoles, and even laces made entirely of leather.

These shoes are best suited for men who appreciate refined craftsmanship. However, the leather soles can be impractical in some settings, as they easily absorb odors. You could add a rubber sole for protection, but unlike GUIDI, which includes Vibram soles as part of the purchase, Hender Scheme doesn’t provide them.

The leather used is top-notch and entirely handmade in Japan. The undyed leather gradually oxidizes over time, deepening into a richer orange hue, which adds a retro aesthetic as it ages.

Upon completion of this article, Eddy successfully switched to new shoes, which surprisingly were 230mm, like Equil and Pedro Garcia, I wear 230mm. Looking at the shoe sizes, it's really a mess.

The heel part, Hender Scheme usually uses rubber because the heel is the point of contact with the ground and bears a lot of weight. The genuine leather soles of Equil introduced later will also have rubber soles at the heel.

Common Projects

The Achilles Classic is the definitive model when buying Common Projects . It’s been a best-seller since the brand's inception 20 years ago, available in a variety of colors and materials like suede and patent leather.

Although Common Projects offers unisex styles, its initial popularity stemmed from men’s shoes, with the women’s line being introduced later. That said, many women now wear their minimalist sneakers.

Eddy purchased a women’s Achilles model in size 40. His smaller feet for a man allow him to find great deals among large-size women’s shoes.

Eddy, who typically disliked sneakers, is now a convert thanks to Common Projects. Compared to Hender Scheme’s leather soles, the rubber soles of Common Projects are softer and more versatile. The brand’s mission was to create shoes that are both casual and suitable for business settings, and Eddy often pairs them with English-style wool trousers.

The sleek silhouette perfectly complements Eddy’s smaller feet. However, counterfeit versions of this model are rampant, so it’s essential to purchase from authorized retailers.

Pedro Garcia

For a more detailed review, check out Lane Crawford Outlet Double 11 Haul: Luxe Cashmere & Sparkling Shoes . Here's a brief overview:

Pedro Garcia specializes in women’s shoes, handmade in Spain. Their satin ribbon shoes feature a shiny silk layer on the exterior, while the lining and insoles are crafted from leather.

From my experience, Pedro Garcia satin shoes are more comfortable for everyday wear than Toteme sneakers. They’re suitable for long walks—up to 20,000 steps—even for hiking (though I’m not very particular about footwear care). For Pedro Garcia, I wear size 36 (230mm).

A noteworthy improvement over Toteme sneakers is Pedro Garcia’s use of more durable suede for the heel area, while the rest of the shoe is smooth leather. This prevents wear and tear at the heel, an issue I’ve encountered with Toteme shoes.

One caution: the lettering on the leather insoles tends to fade with wear, so I recommend pairing them with dark socks initially.

Equil

For more details, refer to Lane Crawford Outlet Double 11 Haul: Luxe Cashmere & Sparkling Shoes Here's my take on the shoes after wearing them:

Initially, the rubber strap on the right shoe felt tight across my instep (my right foot is wider and shorter than my left). After two days, the fit improved as the shoe adapted to my foot shape.

Although the soles are genuine leather, they’re thin and very soft, making them comfortable for indoor wear. I’m currently wearing these “frog shoes” (my nickname for them) with cashmere socks while writing this blog. For spring and summer outings, I plan to add protective rubber soles.

This pair was made in Dongguan, as Equil is a Lane Crawford house brand. Rumor has it that future collections may shift to Italian manufacturing, but nothing is confirmed yet. While Equil uses suede for the lining, it’s less luxurious than Pedro Garcia’s meticulous detailing or Toteme’s premium lambskin. However, Equil shoes are also significantly more affordable.

Most of Equil’s women’s shoes are budget-friendly and include a variety of styles, such as ballet flats.

Maison Margiela

Although we didn’t purchase this pair, I wanted to share my thoughts. The Margiela German Army Trainer (GAT) has been on my wishlist for 1–2 years. When we finally decided to try them, they didn’t meet expectations.

The interior isn’t fully leather, and parts of the construction—such as the fabric on the sides of the laces—felt subpar.

Additionally, the prevalence of counterfeit versions in China made me feel uneasy, as the shoes didn’t exude the premium quality I expected.

The price has also surged, rising from 3,000 RMB last year to 5,000 RMB this year. Even with the 30% discount at Lane Crawford this season, they still cost 3,500 RMB—essentially the original price two years ago. When we decided to buy them, only display models were available, with no new stock. The salesperson even brought out 2023 AW leftovers, claiming they were “new.”

Margiela’s aggressive marketing makes it seem like everyone must own a pair, but we prefer brands like those mentioned earlier. These brands are not owned by large fashion conglomerates, focus on their craft, and don’t constantly hike prices.

For anyone considering buying Margiela GATs, I recommend trying both half sizes and full sizes. For example, size 35.5 is not only shorter but also narrower than 36, making it better suited for slim feet.

Domestic Popular Brands

These brands are in a lower price range, around 1,000 RMB. The reduced cost corresponds to downgraded materials and less comfort. If you’re considering buying these shoes, I recommend two strategies:

Purchase them offline. Shop from the largest flagship store and choose the newest production batches (ideally made within the past six months).

That said, these are brands we won’t repurchase in the future.

Timberland

It’s no wonder VF Corporation has such high profit margins. Timberland’s iconic styles, like the men’s 10061 and women’s 10361 boots, have been around for 30 years and still hold their price point.

Among the six domestic brands we tried, Timberland offers the best value. Their classic yellow boots are a winter staple for us in Beijing.

Always buy the latest production batch, as the leather’s color is fresher. This is especially true for women’s styles, as Timberland caters more to men, leading to slower turnover for women’s shoes and potential stockpile issues. You can see the difference in these pictures: Eddy’s boots are noticeably more vibrant, while mine have faded.

In China, Timberland boots are made either in Vietnam or Bangladesh. Always opt for the Vietnam-made versions, which have better proportions. The country of origin is printed on the final row inside the shoe, labeled “Made in Vietnam.”

Once again, for Timberland, I needed size 225mm.

Onitsuka Tiger

After wearing shoes from brands like Common Projects, Toteme, and Hender Scheme, it’s hard to go back to Onitsuka Tiger. Their interiors are made of synthetic materials, and the leather uppers use the cheapest, most basic pigskin.

This comparison image, from left to right, shows calfskin, pigskin, and lambskin. The difference in quality is evident from the creases: pigskin has the coarsest texture, followed by calfskin, with lambskin being the smoothest.

If you still want to buy a pair, this particular Onitsuka Tiger stands out because of its thin round laces, unlike the brand’s typical flat, wide laces.

Modred Dream

This Beijing-based shoe brand seems to be struggling, as it hasn’t released many new styles this year and is still clearing last year’s inventory.

Modred Dream is a mall brand that caters to an older demographic but offers better value than brands like Ecco and Gabor. If you’re considering buying from them, go for their most expensive styles, which feature decent-quality leather and even XL rubber-soled leather shoes. While the price doesn’t rival the international designer brands mentioned earlier, it’s a fair trade-off for what you get.

These two pairs are fully leather-lined and leather-uppers, offering decent comfort and passable style. It’s a conscientious domestic brand.

New Balance

This is a pair I’d gladly toss, and I’ve sworn off athletic shoes because of it. The materials, inside and out, feel subpar, and the soles are uncomfortably hard. On top of that, they’re not aesthetically pleasing—I don’t like sporty styles.

We bought this pair before we understood quality footwear, influenced by its online popularity. It was a regretful impulse buy.

This style is also too common—I’ve seen at least five people wearing the same pair in the same color. We only wear them occasionally for activities like badminton or park walks in the summer when we’re in low spirits.

Adidas

These two pairs are even less desirable than the New Balance ones. They’re stiff, uncomfortable, and poorly designed. Looking back, Eddy and I both cringe at the thought of buying these. Combined, they’ve been worn fewer than 15 times and mostly sit gathering dust.

Selling them on secondhand platforms like Xianyu is probably our best option.

Postscript

This post doesn’t include summer sandals for barefoot wear—I’ll save that for a future article when summer arrives, and we have more styles to review. Speaking of summer, as we near the 4°C days of late November, I’m already looking forward to the pleasant warmth of June 2025, when early summer brings a mix of heat and a touch of coolness.

Reflecting on the shoes we’ve purchased over the past year, it’s clear our taste has evolved, which is a comforting realization.

Future Shoe Plans

We’re now considering derby shoes or boots from Marsèll. Scoring a discounted pair of Gabriela Hearst or Gianvito Rossi boots would also be ideal. Boots are still what I need most, as winter in Beijing demands thick-soled options for women. Men, on the other hand, can survive with regular leather shoes thanks to their better cold tolerance.

I recently tried on a pair of Guidi boots at SKP Select, but I didn’t like them. They squeezed the ankles, the soles were too thin to keep out the winter chill, and they weren’t visually appealing. That said, the horse leather is undoubtedly durable.

I’m also not a fan of UGG sheepskin boots. They remind me of “mother hen” shoes from rural childhood days, and far too many people wear them. I dislike matching shoes with the masses. When Eddy suggested we browse UGG boots during a shopping trip, I didn’t even step inside the store.

For fur-lined shoes, I’d rather wait for something made with mink fur or even high-quality rex rabbit fur for a mid-to-high-end option.