We mentioned before how Bally is not just about the aesthetic. They also have sporty designs, sneakers which are created to support, keep comfortable, and even improve your athletic performance. After all, this high-end luxury brand helped many an Olympian bring home the gold with their innovative and downright revolutionary pieces.

Over the following decades, Bally had reshaped the way footwear was constructed. This company introduced the concepts of perforations on the upper, new types of stitching, as well as ribbon weaving. However, that is not to say that the brand is only fashion over function. To this day, one of the company’s greatest achievements is the fact that the first man to conquer Mt. Everest, Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, wore a pair of Bally Reindeer-Himalaya boots.

If there is one brand which left a permanent mark on the history of shoemaking and altered the course of fashion, that is definitely Bally. This pioneering company has over 160 years of experience in crafting only the finest, most creative of designs, out of the highest grade materials that money can buy. Bally is a synonym for timeless style, expensive quality, and unparalleled luxury.

Wearing Bally is a matter of prestige. A pair of their shoes represents class and wealth, and above all, elegance which withstands the test of time. While keeping a watchful eye on the fashion world and all the current trends, Bally goes beyond the craze, creating pieces which are contemporary and yet a clear reflection of the times gone by – designs which are relevant in any period of the modern age.

While comfort, material quality, and durability are all important aspects to consider when buying new footwear, you must also think about the purpose of that footwear, and where you intend to wear it. Do you need an option for every day? Something to stroll around the neighborhood in? Or are you looking for something more business-like, or even more formal, such as a pair of shoes that go well with a suit or a tuxedo? With Bally, there is something for everyone!

Often, an exquisite footwear design is likened to a piece of architecture. Everything about a model, from its quality to its comfort levels, its durability and even its price, is determined by the way it has been constructed. The brand we are focusing on in this guide utilizes no less than five unique techniques of construction, each of which comes with its own pros and cons and particulars.

The Goodyear
This particular construction method is thought to be one of the most prestigious there is. The reason for this is that footwear which is constructed using the Goodyear method can be easily repaired – the soles easily replaced – and thus the longevity of the design can go up to a few decades even.

The Goodyear technique is named after Charles Goodyear Jr., and it consists of several steps, starting with creating a ‘rib’ across the insole. This construction involves a last (a solid form around which the design is shaped) as well as a stitch sewn through the welt, the upper and the ‘rib’.

This is truly a classic construction technique, and only the best of the best crafters use it in their production processes.

The Blake
The Blake stitch is named after Lyman Reed Blake in 1856, a few years after Bally was founded. This is a type of construction usually associated with bespoke footwear – with clean, polished designs and flexible shoes.

The Blake is actually a strong stitch which goes through the sole and directly joins it with the upper. Footwear crafted like this doesn’t have many layers to it and therefore is quite lightweight, and just perfect for the ‘busy gentleman on the move’, as the company puts it.

The only downside of the Blake stitch is that footwear constructed like this isn’t the most waterproof. However, this can be remedied by reinforcing the usually thin sole which comes with the Blake.

The California
As it befits a state which is always sunny, bathed in ocean waves and undeniably free-spirited, the California construction is a method reserved for casual footwear. It is especially common for sandals and other types of light, open styles.

This technique means that the sock, the upper and the wrapper of the shoe are all sewn together before the design is molded over a last. After lasting, all pieces are usually cemented for a sturdier finish. The result of this construction is footwear which has a cushioned feel and is comfortable to wear to the beach, to the park, the pool, anywhere you’d like!

What is inconvenient about the California method is that it doesn’t allow for resoling of the footwear. This is why it’s best if you go easy on your California construction designs so that they can last you for as long as possible.

The Moccasin
Believed to be the oldest form of footwear construction, the Moccasin originated among the indigenous tribes in North America, but is still widely used today. It is a method which requires patience, a meticulous attention to details, and deft hands. Those specializing in the Moccasin take years before they fully master this intricate technique.

Footwear constructed using the Moccasin has a single layer section which represents the vamp, the insole and the quarters. This one layer is formed upwards from the bottom side of the last, and then an additional element is stitched to the vamp, which is often called an ‘apron’.

Moccasins are also commonly referred to as loafers, so what we get from this construction are shoes which are truly the epitome of elegance. They may not be as watertight as one would wish for, but we have yet to hear about someone purposefully taking their loafers out for a walk in inclement weather.

Previously we spoke about the oldest and the most valued methods of constructions, and now we are going to focus on the most common – the Cementing. The reason this is arguably the most widespread method for crafting footwear is that it is quick, flexible, and cost-efficient.

While footwear constructed using Cementing isn’t the most long-lasting – as resoling is impossible once the upper and the sole separate – it is quite affordable and practical. This technique is perfect for sneakers, chukka boots, and other designs which have rubber soles and don’t require any elaborate stitching.

Because that is the entire point of the Cementing construction, in the end. The upper is attached to the sole in a way that doesn’t involve any welts or stitches, meaning that it greatly reduces production time, as well as the initial price tag of the design.

The Bally label works with leathers, first and foremost. Given the luxury stamp on the brand name and the careful attention to quality and longevity of their designs, it is only natural that they opt for only the finest, most durable materials at their disposal. And leather is definitely that.

However, they do use more than one type of leather in their construction processes, from the commonly found ones to those which are far more exotic in origin.

Alligator – A type of leather which is extremely soft, and can either have a slight sheen, or a rich, nubuck finish.

Bovine – Bovine leather is thick enough to be used for boots and most casual designs, but it has a soft, sophisticated finish, which is somewhat grained and comes with gradual color shading.

Buffalo – Buffalo hide is one of the strongest types of all leathers. It has an irregular grain to it and is almost completely wear resistant in everyday use. Bally makes sure to tan their Buffalo leathers using vegetable-based chemicals, as these help the leather preserve its natural characteristics.

Calf – Calf leather is widely used in construction shoes for all purposes. The brand we are talking about here utilizes over forty different varieties of this material, including plain, grained and even printed, as well as all different levels of thicknesses.

Cordovan – Cordovan is another name for horsehide – an extremely rare form of leather, which is obtained from a subcutaneous layer of hide from the horse’s hindquarters. While it can develop wrinkles over time, if properly cared for, Cordovan leather can last longer than an average human lifespan.

Deer – Bally offers no less than four options when it comes to deer leather, all of which have different degrees of tanning and fat content, making them either soft or more granulated.

Goat – Goat leather is one of the most luxurious versions of this material there is. Reserved only for the most elegant footwear, this leather is very fine, and yet durable at the same time. It comes in a high-shine, semi-shine or hand-polished version.

Kangaroo – Kangaroo leather is twice as strong as goat leather, and yet just as fine. The flexibility of this material makes it a perfect choice for sports sneakers, but also lifestyle designs which can be worn around the city. The only disadvantage of kangaroo leather footwear is that it needs regular care and maintenance, otherwise it tends to crack easily.

Lamb – Topping the list of delicate leathers, lamb hide needs to be treated with care. It is unmatched when it comes to suppleness and softness, and it offers an addictive sort of comfort to any design.

Nubuck – This is a term which refers to traditional leather that has been abraded to have a finish similar to that of suede leather. To achieve this effect, Bally uses a special device dubbed ‘smerigliatrice’, which means ‘grinder’ in Italian. It provides calf leather with that desired velvety texture.

Ostrich – A defining characteristic of ostrich leather is that it comes with large follicles from the bird’s feathers.

Python/Serpent – Exceptionally strong and flexible leathers, those which come from snakes are purposefully non-uniform, so they can reflect the unique and colorful patterns of snakeskin.

Suede – Suede is the same as leather, only it is turned inside out, showing the reverse side of the animal’s hide. It is most often made from calf leather, and it has a distinct, plush, velvety finish. While not any less strong than traditional leather, suede is markedly more prone to getting scuffs and other signs of wear.

Velour – Similarly to nubuck, velour is also a sister material of suede leather. It is produced by separating the upper layer from the hide, and it is exceptionally soft and malleable. What’s more, velour easily takes in dye, making it a highly versatile material.