Derring Dude

I’ve pounded pavement from sea to shining sea, but you don’t have to walk even a block in my shoes to know the futility of a search for fashionable men’s footwear. Shoes are supposed to be a “female thing,” the purview of leather hounds such as Imelda Marcos, Carrie Bradshaw and their ilk. The New York Post wrote, as recently as a couple years ago, that “it’s only for women that shoes become an all-consuming obsession.”

Based on my own inclinations, and those of people I know (some of whom track the release of, say, Nike Air Forces like others do the weather), I’d say the male focus on footwear isn’t considered at obsession level due only to the absence of available inventory. As a sports journalist, I’ve traveled extensively, killed considerable time in the name of fashion, and can suggest the best places to buy menswear in a lot of different cities. But ask me about a place, anywhere in this country, to buy well-made, in-style shoes, and I’m stumped.

Until now, that is. Until Leffot.

On the corner of Christopher and Gay Streets in the West Village of New York City, Leffot is a shrine to the male foot. Like a display at MoMA, it has a sizable room, ringed by windows and dominated by a long, ash table upon which some of the world’s best men’s shoes (and boots!) are arrayed like place settings. It is a spare, unflinching look owner Steven Taffel’s edit of brands such as Alden, Church’s, J.M. Weston, Wolverine and much more.

The setting was more heavenly than I’d imagined. And, believe me, I’d imagined plenty.

A few weeks ago, an online story led me to a link that led me to Taffel’s blog, on which he posts descriptions and photos of new, delectable deliveries. By the time I arrived at the store, I practically was foaming at the mouth. I fully expected to leave with a pair of comfortable boots.

Years of pounding on hardwood basketball floors, asphalt tennis courts and whatever odd, hard surfaces upon which I’ve jogged have rendered me with feet that are difficult to squeeze into shoes, particularly high-fashion (read: slim to pointy) pairs. But Taffel, who worked for 25 years at places like Prada and Bottega Veneta, knows his stuff. He got me into Alden’s All-Weather Walkers that are made from a chromexcel whose color pigments change as the leather bends or otherwise shifts.

Taffel was telling me about some great boots he also scored from Alden that were due to be delivered the next day or so. As we were chatting, mainly about youth sports (his daughter fences), a delivery was made; included were the very boots Taffel just told me about. “You were destined to have these,” he said as I admired them on my feet. It was then that I truly believed. Leffot, you see, seems like the kind of place that induces this kind of magic. And I feel destined to return — often.