Why are Golden Goose Shoes So Expensive?

Golden Goose shoes are expensive because they are made and distressed by hand using premium calf leather and exclusive cotton toweling. This gives a unique human touch to every pair, also making it one of a kind.

The brand sells scuffed, rubbed, greasy sneakers for a whopping $400, 500, 600, or even $900. Yes, these prices can come off as insanely expensive to a bunch of people- I’m sure my grandpa would have made me run for my life if he found out, I spent $600 on a dirty shoe.

But, that’s also the beauty of these kicks. They are unconventional and not something everyone would approve of, which is why, I really wanted to talk about these and discuss why are Golden Goose shoes so expensive.

I’m sure many people wonder about this. To make it easier for y’all, I have used my 16 years of “cobbler instinct” to break down this crazy sneaker, revealing what makes them costly, and if they are worth your money. Let’s kick-start this!

$600 for a distressed shoe—Why?

There can be two answers to this question:

1. Trendsetters can make any product blow.

2. There’s something so good about these shoes that people want them like crazy!

In this case, both the answers are somewhere correct.

For example, celebrities like Selena Gomez, Jenna Dewan, and Alessandra Ambrosio have been making GG popular by carrying them around the town.

But, they wouldn’t have worn any random crazy-looking pair of footwear, right?

That’s where the USPs come in.

Handstitched with love/perfection

Ask me why the Golden Goose shoes are so expensive and their making process will be my first answer.

Every GG pair goes through an expansive manufacturing process carried out by hand and not automatic machines.

And this does not only ensure perfection, artisan, and all the stuff elites may care about. Being handstitched also means that every shoe takes a long time to be ready for sale.

As Italy’s expert shoemakers gather around to stitch, assemble, and scuff these dirty boys, their prices go up.

Plus, as the process is primarily human-driven, in any period of time, the brand makes fewer shoes than any other manufacturer using automatic machinery. Still, their demand is always peaking, resulting in a higher price.

The skidmarks and scuffs are not for free

The highlight of most Golden Goose shoes is their worn-out look, skidmarks, scuffs, and grass marks. And these also come at a premium.

The process of distressing a GG shoe involves several steps such as giving it skid marks, folding the tabs, running it through a muddy track, and putting on the grass stains.

The goal of this treatment is to give the shoe a “long-lived, yet not-so-used” appeal. And guess what? It’s working perfectly in the brand’s favor.

And as the shoemakers and workers spend more time and effort distressing these sneakers, their prices go up. (Safe to say, we pay for the damage on these shoes).

It isn’t just another piece of leather footwear

Every Golden Goose shoe is hand-stitched with perfection, classic calfskin leather, high-end cotton laces, and a loopback cotton toweling (which is my favorite part).

From the outerwear of these shoes to the inner sole, tongue, and laces, every inch employs top-quality material, and these top-quality materials contribute towards the unmatched comfort they offer.

Additionally, the leather on these shoes comes from healthy calves. And as the calves farmers spend huge chunks of money to keep them healthy, their contribution also adds to the cost of this shoe.

You’ll fall in love with the cotton toweling

Speak of comfort and you can’t overlook the loopback cotton toweling on GGs.

The shoemakers have been thoroughly considerate when picking materials for the shoe. This cotton toweling on the inners of the Golden Goose keeps it comfortable across a range of temperatures (take a look below).

From absorbing moisture to leaving room for ventilation, this ingredient does it all to give your feet a comfortable experience. In fact, this cotton toweling allows the shoe to serve you on the hottest days.

Also, as this material enables easy perspiration, you can carry these shoes to the skatepark and enjoy a good skating session.

No wonder, this toweling is a premium element on the Golden Goose sneakers—thus, the roofing prices.

Exclusivity all the way!

And before anyone comes and says—Italy, leather, laces, and towelings are all good, but they don’t contribute to building a $600 shoe—they kinda do; especially when the brand is able to weave such appeal around it!

GG kicks are popular, not only because they have been worn by a bunch of celebrities. The exclusivity of their design, making process, and limited production really inflate their demand.

Since the makers hand-stitch these beauties, every shoe takes more time to be ready, making them more exclusive, and expensive.

And that’s not it! Speaking of exclusivity, Golden Goose also has the following factors doing great for the brand:

Annual design rollouts

Golden Goose launches new shoe designs every year and that too in limited quantities. The best part- GG decorates these new pairs with different colors, unique designs, and tough love, and also makes them a little harder to get. This ensures they are always high-end.

Exclusive collectibles

Anyone who hasn’t been living under a rock may know how collectible sneakers can cost fortunes. And when you speak of an already expensive pair of shoes, their collectible ranges may be priced at the peak. So, whether it’s a pair worn by a celebrity or a design that was so rare that not many people could have it—it all boils down to spiking up the prices.

Never old, never new

And here’s another great thing about GGs—they don’t get old easily. Or one may say, they are never new in the first place.

While you may be too worried about wearing your white Jordans on a rainy day, these dirty babies will help you relieve this tension.

The message of the Golden Goose

Different people can have different emotions and perceptions when looking at a pair of Golden Goose sneakers.

For example, if my dad, mom, or granddad came across a pair of these, they’d ask me to clean it. And if they found out the price tag on these shoes, they may wish to cleanse my mind. However, on the other hand, when I look at these sneakers, I see a hot trend attracting rich kids, GenZ influencers, and celebrities.

And if my elder son came across these, he may as well want one pair.

The point is clear—Golden Goose shoes are not just hard material, calf leather, and cotton toweling, mudded and dusted around the edges!

This shoe holds more value- primarily for the message they convey.

The scuffed edges and signs of damage add an element of rebellion to these shoes. Just like the skaters in “Dark Necessities” carried their bruises with pride, the distressed appearance of these shoes speaks on similar lines.

It’s not something a parent would want their kid to wear. It’s not something bosses would like to see their employees in. The Golden Goose shoe is not something you buy to be in your societal fairyland.

In a way, when you get a pair of Golden Goose shoes, you make a statement- “You choose to be different.”

And that, again, is a perception that can vary from person to person, making these shoes even more personal and attractive.

What Marty thinks!

I am in love with my pair of Golden Goose sneakers. A perfectly made shoe, with the right leather, oozing with comfort, and a touch of ruggedness- it makes a great recipe for hotshots across all age groups (including myself at 35 YO).

However, before you invest in a pair, make sure to be wise.

For example, these may not be the perfect shoes for the baseball ground. And I wouldn’t dare carry these on the football field either. But yes, if it was my son’s farewell night, these babies could surely compliment his outfit. Or, if he woke up tomorrow asking for a skateboard, the skatepark would gladly welcome his GG kicks.

Similarly, when you think of getting a pair of these sneakers, make sure you know what you want from them. Moving further, the following Q&A may help you decide better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Golden Goose indeed is a footwear brand that can make anyone curious. Here’s a bunch of frequently asked questions that may cross your mind while talking, reading, or researching about these shoes.

Can I get Golden Goose shoes for a cheaper price?

As per the official Golden Goose website, they do not hold seasonable sales. Hence, it’s advisable to beware while buying these shoes from a sale, as these can be counterfeit.

However, if you wish to save on a Golden Goose pair, you can consider looking for used shoes. Plus, older models may also come at a cheaper price. But honestly, finding Golden Goose shoes at a cheaper price is all about luck and timing.

How to tell if Golden Goose are real?

When trying to spot fake Golden Goose sneakers, you may need to consider a bunch of factors. Primarily because there can be tons of shoemakers stitching fake Golden Goose shoes to sell at a cheaper (or so-called discounted) price.

However, after trying a bunch of Golden Goose imitations, I figured out that the copies have a different color (usually darker or brighter) as compared to the OGs. Apart from that, it’s crucial to pay attention to the distressed appearance.

What I noticed in most of the fake Golden Goose pairs was that the scuffs, scratches, and GG’s iconic signs of damage appeared either overdone or too bland.

Apart from that, the Golden Goose shoes:

• Are true to size: Will fit you just right.
• Don’t have visible glue lines: Epitome of a perfect finish.
• Are easily stretchable: Since the OG Golden Goose shoes are made of premium calf leather, they are more flexible and stretchable as compared to the fake ones.
• Have a unique tongue: The tongue on Golden Goose sneakers has a different toweling feel, as I said above. Most fake ones may not even try imitating this, and the ones trying would be failing miserably.

What does GGDB mean?

GGDB stands for Golden Goose Deluxe Brand. While various websites and shoe sellers may suggest it means Golden Goose Dirty Brand, the official GG website clearly states “Deluxe” and not “Dirty.”

How to style Golden Goose sneakers?

Styling your Golden Goose sneakers won’t be a problem. The easiest styling options include parallel jeans or trousers with a loose shirt. As the Golden Goose sneakers come with a chic aesthetic, you may want to keep your style minimalist and simple. Or you can simply carry your skatepark look.

How do Golden Goose sneakers fit?

Golden Goose sneakers mostly fit just true to their size. However, when you put them on for the first time, the leather may pose some initial fitting challenges. However, it’s still best to pick your true size as these shoes are fairly stretchable and prone to adapting to your feet.