Clearly, it’s unfair to compare Christian Louboutin’s shoes to those of almost any other brand on the market. Not only does Louboutin make arguably the most stylish footwear on the planet, but his prices are equally out-of-this-world. When other premier designers struggle to compete, what hope does a “contemporary” brand have?

As it turns out, with some design restraint and a bit of flair, a few mid-priced brands aren’t doing too badly for themselves. When you compare the Christian Louboutin Egoustina Boots with these Ash Studded Motorcycle Boots, it’s abundantly clear which pair is more expensive and luxurious. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t also love to have the lower-priced pair, though, particularly at a sub-$400 price point.

Christian Louboutin Egoustina Boots, $1495 via Neiman Marcus.

Ash Studded Motorcycle Boots, $395 via Neiman Marcus.