Skechers vs Hermes Shoes – Find Your Perfect

When it comes to footwear, Skechers and Hermes sit on opposite ends of the spectrum.

Skechers is known for its comfortable and affordable shoes made for the everyday consumer.

Hermes, on the other hand, is a prestigious French high fashion label producing luxurious goods only accessible to the ultra-wealthy.

But does this mean Hermes shoes are inherently better quality and style than Skechers? Not necessarily. While the materials, construction methods, and price tags differ enormously between the two brands, they both fill an important niche in the expansive footwear market. This article compares Skechers and Hermes across several key categories to see which shoe style reigns supreme depending on your needs and budget.

Skechers vs Hermes

The main difference between Skechers and Hermès is their brand positioning: Skechers is a mainstream athletic and casual footwear brand focused on comfort and innovation, while Hermes is a luxury fashion house known for its high-end, exclusive, and stylish leather goods and accessories.

Before comparing the specifics, here is an overview of Skechers vs Hermes Shoes:

Attribute	Skechers	Hermès
Brand	Skechers	Hermès
Founded	1992	1837
Founder	Robert Greenberg	Thierry Hermès
Target Market	Casual, Comfort-focused	Luxury, High-end
Price Range	$40 – $100	$500 – $2,000+
Materials	Synthetic, Mesh, Foam	Leather, Exotic Skins, Suede
Technology	Memory Foam, Air-Cooled Memory Foam	Handcrafted, Artisanal
Style	Casual, Lifestyle, Walking	Dress, Luxury, Lifestyle
Endorsements	None	Celebrities, Influencers
Brand Recognition	Mid-level	High
Collaborations	Disney, Bobs for Dogs	Limited Editions, Collaborations
Retail Presence	Widespread	Boutiques, Select Retailers
Sustainability	Some eco-friendly collections	Efforts towards sustainable materials
Brand Identity	Comfort, Value, Lifestyle	Luxury, Craftsmanship, Exclusivity

This table highlights the stark contrast between Skechers, a mid-level, comfort-focused casual shoe brand, and Hermès, a high-end luxury fashion house known for its craftsmanship and exclusivity.

The two brands differ significantly in areas such as target market, pricing, materials, technologies, styles, endorsements, retail presence, and overall brand identity. Hermès is positioned as a luxury, artisanal brand, while Skechers focuses on comfort, value, and a more casual lifestyle.

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Pros and Cons

Pros: Skechers

• Very affordable price points for casual and athletic footwear
• Wide variety of styles for men, women, and children
• Prioritizes comfort and innovative cushioning technologies
• Global brand with widespread retail availability

Cons: Skechers

• Can be viewed as a mass-market, lower-quality brand
• Limited high-fashion or formal footwear options
• May lack the prestige and status of luxury brands
• Not focused on high-end design aesthetic

Pros: Hermes

• Luxury, high-fashion brand with prestigious image
• Exquisite craftsmanship and premium materials
• Exclusive and limited production creates scarcity
• Iconic brand name and designs

Cons: Hermes

• Extremely expensive and out of budget for most consumers
• Limited functionality for athletic activities
• Exclusive distribution and limited availability
• Styling may be too avant-garde for some tastes

Which Shoes are Good for Different Activities

Shoes for Running

Skechers

• Dedicated running shoe lines with responsive cushioning technologies (ULTRA GO, MAX CUSHIONING)
• Lightweight and flexible designs to promote natural stride
• Popular models: GOrun Ride 9, GOrun Maxroad 5

Hermes

• A luxury fashion brand, not primarily focused on performance athletic shoes
• Does not offer dedicated running shoe lines optimized for cushioning and support

Shoes for Walking

Skechers

• Casual walking shoes with Air-Cooled Memory Foam insoles for cushioning
• Lightweight and flexible for extended periods of walking
• Popular models: GOwalk Evolution Ultra, D’Lites

Hermes

• Offers fashion-oriented casual and dress shoes
• Not specifically designed for extended walking or focused on cushioning

Shoes for Standing All Day

Skechers

• Work line with memory foam insoles, cushioned midsoles, arch support
• Designed specifically for occupations requiring prolonged standing
• Popular models: Work Relaxed Fit Felton, Work Sure Track

Hermes

• A luxury fashion brand focused on style and craftsmanship
• Shoes not engineered for prolonged standing or with specialized cushioning

Now that you have an overview of Skechers vs Hermes Shoes differences, read on for an in-depth feature-by-feature comparison.

Brand History and Ethos

To understand the core identity of both brands, it’s important to first look at their origins and ethos over time.

Skechers and Hermes Brand History Comparison

Category	Skechers	Hermes
Founding Year	1992	1837
Founder(s)	Robert Greenberg	Thierry Hermès
Original Goods Sold	Affordable sports shoes and boots	Horse harnesses and bridles
Current Product Focus	Lifestyle, athletic, work, and kids shoes	High-end leather goods, accessories, fragrances
Target Customer Base	Middle and lower-income consumers	Ultra-high net-worth individuals
Brand Ethos	Comfort, quality, innovation, affordability	Exclusivity, luxury, craftsmanship, status

As you can see, Hermes has a long legacy of serving the carriage trade since the mid-19th century, while Skechers is a relatively young brand focused on versatile shoes for mainstream buyers.

This informs all aspects of design, materials sourcing, manufacturing methods, marketing, and customer service between the two labels.

Skechers aims to pump out stylish, comfortable shoes incorporating the latest technologies at a reasonable price point for the average person. Hermes limits availability to heighten desirability amongst the social elites and positions its products as pinnacles of quality craftsmanship.

However, the drastically different corporate philosophies allow both brands to flourish. You choose Skechers primarily for affordability and comfort. With Hermes, you pay for exclusivity and top-tier construction.

Shoe Styles Offered

As expected based on their target customer demographics, Skechers offers by far a wider range of shoe styles compared to Hermes.

Overview of Shoe Styles Offered by Each Brand

Shoe Category	Skechers Styles Offered	Hermes Styles Offered
Athletic	Running, walking, training, golf, basketball, tennis, fitness	None currently
Casual	Flats, sandals, slip-ons, boots, sneakers	Loafers, espadrilles
Dress	Oxfords, loafers, heels, boots	Oxfords, loafers, heels, boots
Occupational	Foodservice, healthcare, construction, military, hospitality	None currently

The well-heeled gentleman might have a fine pair of Hermes leather oxfords handmade in France passed down generations. But he certainly isn’t going for a jog in them. That’s where Skechers comes in. Their focus is shoes born from a desire for all-day comfort matched with supporting the unique rigors of various occupations.

Don’t be mistaken though. Skechers also offers plenty of cute flats, sandals, and sneakers for casual everyday wear. And select styles utilize premium materials like leather and memory foam for a touch of luxury paired with durability.

Shoe Quality and Construction

A general rule of thumb is the more you pay, the higher quality materials and workmanship you get. This holds when comparing Hermes and Skechers shoes.

Hermes sources the finest alligator skins, calf leather, cashmere, and exotic materials for its lines. These undergo meticulous hand assembly by France’s most skilled shoemakers. The result is exquisite footwear meant to last decades (or more) when properly maintained.

Overview of Material Differences Between Brands

Material	Skechers	Hermes
Leather	Primarily synthetic leather with some real leather accents	Premier-tanned French calfskin
Soles	Rubber, foam EVA, plastic	Leather, rubber
Eyelets	Fabric, metal	Polished metal
Glue	Standard commercial adhesive	Artisanal adhesive recipes

Of course with Skechers, construction methods vary widely based on price point and shoe type. Their flip flops and vinyl nurse clogs will feel flimsier than their memory foam sneakers or leather boots. But overall, Skechers utilizes cheaper manmade uppers, lightweight soles, and basic glues designed for mass production.

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There’s also a difference in manufacturing locations. While Skechers operates factories globally in low-labor-cost countries, Hermes artisans handcraft their shoes exclusively in France. This allows closer quality control.

So if you want shoes to pass the test of time over generations with meticulous stitching and bespoke finishing touches, Hermes takes the gold. But for the average person wanting rotation-friendly kicks, Skecher’s construction quality is more than adequate for daily wear and tear.

Shoe Style and Design Originality

Here’s where personal taste comes more into play compared to quality differentiation between labels. Do you prefer Skechers’ fun, youthful, on-trend aesthetic? Or the refined timelessness of Hermes?

Skechers pumps out thousands more completely new shoe designs each year catering to current tastes versus Hermes’ select seasonal collections. In 2022 alone, Skechers released over 300 innovative lifestyle and performance styles.

But quantity doesn’t always beat quality. Hermes shoe design draws inspiration from their rich archives spanning nearly two centuries. Even their most modern offerings incorporate small traditional details ensuring no single pair ever appears boring or generic. Plus, limiting output prevents overexposure even amongst luxury consumers.

Design Style Comparison Between Brands

Category	Skechers	Hermes
Color Variety	Extensive – brights, neutrals, rainbow palettes	Limited – mostly neutral staple tones
Silhouette Variety	Maximum – platforms, chunky, sleek, retro, sporty	Minimum – 2-3 silhouettes offered per season
Embellishments	Sparse accents, perforations, prints, textures	Subtle hand-painted details, custom hardware, engraving
Trend-Focus	High – always chasing the latest sneaker tech and styles	Low – evolves delicately each season

So those wanting to make a design statement each season with color, prints, chunky platforms, and more will appreciate Skecher’s quick adapting style. Devotees of Hermes time-honored elegance can’t be tempted by such fleeting footwear fads.

Cost and Budget Comparison

Now to address the elephant in the room. Prices. How do Hermes and Skechers shoe costs stack up?

In short – they don’t. The magnitude of the difference remains astronomical. Their least expensive leather loafers ring up at $1000+ with unique exotic skins passing $10,000…per pair. Of course, being haute couture shoes not mass-produced, you pay for the countless hours of fine craftsmanship from start to finish.

Meanwhile, over three-quarters of Skecher’s extensive catalog retails under $100. And that buys you athletic performance innovations like air-cooled memory foam, arched support, and flexible grooved soles for mile after mile of bliss. Even their leather boots and sandals sit around the $50-150 range – an absolute steal in comparison.

Average Price Differences Between Brands

Shoe Type	Skechers Avg. Price	Hermes Avg. Price
Canvas Sneaker	$45	$975
Leather Sandal	$65	$1,150
Leather Boot	$85	$1,600
Exotic Heel	$110	$11,000+

So there lies the trade-off. With Hermes, you pay an exorbitant premium for flawless quality, limited availability, and elite status association. Skechers delivers innovation, comfort, and variety keeping wallets happy. Determining which shoe provides better “value” depends on personal budgets and priorities.

But for the average person, Skechers footwear works for nearly every occasion at a reasonable cost. Hermes remains a pillar of fashion royalty for those with pockets deep enough to access such rarified air.

User Reviews

Brand	Rating	Review
Skechers	⭐⭐⭐⭐✰	“Skechers are my go-to sneakers for comfort and support. The cushioning is amazing, and they never leave my feet feeling tired or sore, even after a long day of walking.”
Hermès	⭐⭐⭐⭐✰	“The quality of Hermès shoes is unparalleled. The craftsmanship is impeccable, and the attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the design. They’re truly a work of art.”
Skechers	⭐⭐⭐⭐✰	“I love the memory foam insoles in my Skechers. They make every step feel like I’m walking on a cloud, and they’ve been a lifesaver for my foot pain.”
Hermès	⭐⭐⭐⭐✰	“Hermès shoes are an investment, but they’re worth every penny. The leather is supple and luxurious, and the shoes only get better with age. They’re a true statement piece.”

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Conclusion

When comparing powerhouse shoemaker Skechers versus venerable French leather house Hermes, we see two brands catering to completely different customers but succeeding on their terms.

Skechers proudly brings comfort, support, style diversity, and affordability to the masses. Hermes retains elite status by producing exquisite handmade footwear with astronomical price tags indicating their commitment to quality craftsmanship above all.

At the end of the day, personal taste, budget, and intended use case determine whether Skechers or Hermes shoes earn the top spot in your footwear rotation. But both brands continue thriving thanks to understanding and excelling within their unique market positions.

So which philosophy speaks to you? For dependable kicks conquering sidewalks worldwide every day, Skechers remains a top contender. And devotees of Hermes help preserve the legacy of luxury shoemaking at its finest. Different strokes for different folks!

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