Shoes That Can Handle the Streets (Question)

guyincity · Mar 30, 2010

Hello,

I'm looking to get a half decent wardrobe to look more "professional" at my place of employment. One thing I'm concerned about is what kind of shoe to get.

I currently wear $60 sneakers. They are dirty, but they cost $60, so I'm not too worried.

I'm worried about getting dress shoes. I have large feet, so I'll probably have to go the custom leather shoe route.

I take the subway and do lots of walking outside. This means that my shoes get stepped on by other people and bumped by elevated blocks in the pavement.

If I do decide to get custom leather dress shoes, then is there a certain style/leather that can take the daily abuse and still look "fabulous"?

Thanks in advance to those who respond.

usctrojans31 · Mar 30, 2010

Define large feet.

guyincity · Mar 30, 2010

Originally Posted by usctrojans31

Define large feet.

Size 15 US.

Francisco · Mar 30, 2010

WOW... i am only half of yours.. Haha...

dropout5 · Mar 30, 2010

my officemate has size 15 b (hard to find) and has 3 pairs of allen edmonds that he loves. 2 of them are rubber soled and handle the pavement/walking better than the leather sole. i prefer leather soles though and you can always have them re-soled.

JayJay · Mar 30, 2010

Originally Posted by dropout5

i prefer leather soles though and you can always have them re-soled.
I also prefer leather soled shoes for beating the pavement. I usually wear my Alden double-soled shoes when I anticipate a lot of walking.

mr monty · Mar 30, 2010

Originally Posted by guyincity

Size 15 US.

Nordstrom's Rack has lots of 15s, 16s, and even some 17s in dress shoes

JohnnyLaw · Mar 30, 2010

If you want durability, a double leather sole is a good idea and if your shoes get scuffed, polish them. You should also alternate between at least 2-3 pairs to let them dry out between wearings.

guyincity · Mar 30, 2010

Thank you JayJay, dropout5, mr monty and JohnnyLaw.

mccvi · Mar 30, 2010

Originally Posted by usctrojans31

Define large feet.

Define "fabulous." That's code in some circles. Code I tell you!

guyincity · Mar 30, 2010

Originally Posted by mccvi

Define "fabulous." That's code in some circles. Code I tell you!
Something that looks great/shiny/spiffy/new, not something that looks stepped on and kicked multiple times on a given day.

mccvi · Mar 30, 2010

Originally Posted by guyincity

Something that doesn't look stepped on and kicked multiple times on a given day.
Are you fox trotting to work? It's okay if you are, really...

guyincity · Mar 30, 2010

Originally Posted by mccvi

Are you fox trotting to work? It's okay if you are, really...
It depends on my mood. I do take the subway and walk to work everyday. Many people are in a rush and lack spatial awareness. The sidewalks tend to be formed by stone blocks, and they are not level. These two things are dangerous when it comes to wearing shoes. I could leave the house with brand new white sneakers, and when I get home I'd have marks on the back of my shoes from people kicking/stepping on them, marks on the top from people kicking/stepping on them, and marks on the front from tripping over slightly elevated blocks on the sidewalks. Maybe I should get an electric wheel chair...

mccvi · Mar 30, 2010

Originally Posted by guyincity

It depends on my mood. I do take the subway and walk to work everyday. Many people are in a rush and lack spatial awareness. The sidewalks tend to be formed by stone blocks, and they are not level. These two things are dangerous when it comes to wearing shoes. I could leave the house with brand new white sneakers, and when I get home I'd have marks on the back of my shoes from people kicking/stepping on them, marks on the top from people kicking/stepping on them, and marks on the front from tripping over slightly elevated blocks on the sidewalks. Maybe I should get an electric wheel chair...
Joking aside, if you get yourself some good quality leather and condition/polish (wax polish serves as a pretty decent protector of the leather) often it will be able to take a lot of abuse. The upside of the frequent conditioning and polishing is that it will develop a nice patina sooner. Definitely get a good quality leather sole and have toppys and top and or heal plates put on at your local cobbler and replaced as needed (every month or so if you are wearing them frequently). With the requisite care they will serve you well and look great (I empathize as I wear my EG's walking 60 blocks a day, at least, and frequently take the bus and subway - they have held up very well).

guyincity · Mar 30, 2010

Originally Posted by mccvi

Joking aside, if you get yourself some good quality leather and condition/polish (wax polish serves as a pretty decent protector of the leather) often it will be able to take a lot of abuse. The upside of the frequent conditioning and polishing is that it will develop a nice patina sooner. Definitely get a good quality leather sole and have toppys and top and or heal plates put on at your local cobbler and replaced as needed (every month or so if you are wearing them frequently). With the requisite care they will serve you well and look great (I empathize as I wear my EG's walking 60 blocks a day, at least, and frequently take the bus and subway - they have held up very well).

Thanks mccvi.

Are Allen Edmonds good quality?

How can I tell a good quality leather when going for custom shoes? Can you tell just by price (the higher the price, therefore the better quality the leather)?

Shoes That Can Handle the Streets (Question)

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