Founded in 1975 by Andrea Santoni in Corridonia, Italy, Santoni began as a small artisanal workshop dedicated to traditional Italian shoemaking. With a focus on craftsmanship, hand-dyed leathers, and Goodyear welt construction, the brand quickly gained recognition for its elegance and quality. Under the leadership of Andrea’s son, Giuseppe Santoni, the company expanded globally while keeping all production in-house to preserve its heritage.

Today, Santoni is known as a symbol of Italian luxury, producing handcrafted shoes, leather goods, and accessories in its eco-conscious factory. The brand remains committed to excellence, blending timeless techniques with modern innovation—upholding its legacy as one of Italy’s premier luxury shoemakers.

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Inside Santoni: What €990 Really Buys You in Italian Leather Craft

Santoni's Double Buckle Shoe

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Tanner Leatherstein examines a €990 Santoni shoe in the Rip My Shoe Challenge, exploring what high-end Italian craftsmanship really delivers.

In the world of luxury footwear, Santoni stands tall as one of Italy’s most revered names. Known for its meticulous craftsmanship and commitment to Italian tradition, the brand commands a premium price—and their Double Buckle Men’s Shoes are no exception. Priced at €990 (around $1,000), these shoes fall right into the bracket that’s become the new normal for high-end footwear. But does that four-digit price tag really translate into value, quality, and craftsmanship?

Let’s explore every detail—inside and out—to see if these shoes live up to the promise of Made in Italy luxury.

DISCLAIMER: The “Rip My Bag Challenge” is a review series that tests leather products’ quality, price, and craftsmanship. While the brand supports the challenge financially, my opinions stay fair, unbiased, and truthful. Products featured are purchased anonymously without brand involvement. Brands have no control over content, publishing dates, or the review process.

First Impressions: Presentation, Packaging & Polish

Right from the unboxing, Santoni delivers a strong first impression. The packaging is thoughtfully designed, with high-quality branded dust bags and a sleek, structured shoe box that speaks of refinement and attention to detail. Even the color palette—complete with a rich orange sole—echoes the kind of visual language we associate with iconic luxury design houses. It gave me flashbacks to dissecting those bold red-bottomed shoes from another luxury label.

Everything at first glance—look, feel, finish—makes these shoes feel like €990. There’s a premium aura to them, and the materials instantly signal high-end quality.

Design & Aesthetic: Elegant Simplicity, Artisan Touch

The design of the Double Buckle model is understated yet elegant. It doesn’t scream for attention, but it absolutely commands respect. The color tones are well-balanced, the silhouettes are refined, and the buckles add just the right amount of personality. While the overall design may not be revolutionary, it is certainly tasteful, mature, and cohesive. I’d give the design a solid 4 out of 5.

The Dissection: Inside-Out Craftsmanship

Now comes the hard part—literally. Tearing into these shoes was painful, mostly because it became clear very quickly just how carefully and thoughtfully they were constructed. Every stitch, every seam, every material layer pointed to artisan execution. The use of Goodyear welt construction stood out right away—a hallmark of serious, long-lasting footwear. This technique not only improves durability but also makes the shoes resoleable, which means the investment can stretch across years with proper care.

From structure alone, these shoes earn a full 5 out of 5.

Hardware & Finishing Details

The only area that didn’t quite reach perfection was the hardware. The double buckles appear to be brass with electroplated gold coloring. While decent, the finishing could be a touch cleaner. There were small imperfections I noticed—nothing that screams “bad quality,” but not quite at the same caliber as the rest of the shoe. For this reason, I’d rate the hardware a 3.5 out of 5.

Leather Testing: Lining & Upper

I ran my usual acetone tests on both the inner lining and the outer leather. The lining leathers showed a bit of finish—as expected—offering a soft, clean surface that won’t transfer color onto your socks. The calfskin used is supple and appropriate for its functional role.

The outer leather, however, was the real star. Hand-stained with minimal surface protection, it’s the kind of naked finish that makes leather purists like me smile. There’s nothing to remove with acetone—just raw, dyed elegance. It absorbs everything, so it’s not the most forgiving in terms of wear, but it looks absolutely stunning. From a leather standpoint, this shoe earns another perfect 5.

The Verdict: A €990 Shoe That Justifies Its Price

While I don’t specialize in pricing or cost estimation, I can confidently say this: Santoni’s Double Buckle Men’s Shoes deliver on their promise. From materials and structure to design and feel, these are true representations of what €990 should get you in today’s leather market. It’s a shoe made with pride, purpose, and undeniable skill.

Would I wear a pair? Absolutely. Would I look deeper into their catalog? Without hesitation.

Final Thoughts

There’s a lot of noise in the luxury market—marketing jargon, inflated prices, and design over substance. But Santoni’s shoes cut through all of that. They don’t just look the part; they are the part. If you're going to spend $1,000 on a pair of shoes, make sure they have a story worth stepping into.

Until next time—stay curious, stay skeptical, and above all, stay leathertained.