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Shoes in English winter

dbc

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I'll be in the UK in February (mainly in London and Oxford with a few days up in Manchester) and I understand that the past two Feburarys have seen a lot of snow.

As I'll be there on a workcation, I'll need to suit up on certain days.

Being from the tropics, I have absolutely no idea what kind of shoes to carry. I've searched around these forums, but none of the topics seem to apply specifically to English winter.

So with a suit, odd wool pants and smart jeans what do you chaps recommend?

I'm leaning towards galoshes, but I'm weary of snow piling up a bit.

I've seen Hunter boots but they look ridiculous with smarter wear IMHO; I can't imagine trudging around Oxford Street in them.

Alternatively, I could carry them with a pair of boots but if I pop in and out of offices, that'd probably involve a lot of changing?

Any links to websites where I could view options would help. I'm hoping not to go beyond US$150-200 too.

Cheers.
 
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Originally Posted by dbc
I'll be in the UK in February (mainly in London and Oxford with a few days up in Manchester) and I understand that the past two Feburarys have seen a lot of snow.

As I'll be there on a workcation, I'll need to suit up on certain days.

Being from the tropics, I have absolutely no idea what kind of shoes to carry. I've searched around these forums, but none of the topics seem to apply specifically to English winter.

So with a suit, odd wool pants and smart jeans what do you chaps recommend?

I'm leaning towards galoshes, but I'm weary of snow piling up a bit.

I've seen Hunter boots but they look ridiculous with smarter wear IMHO; I can't imagine trudging around Oxford Street in them.

Alternatively, I could carry them with a pair of boots but if I pop in and out of offices, that'd probably involve a lot of changing?

Any links to websites where I could view options would help. I'm hoping not to go beyond US$150-200 too.

Cheers.


Last year's snow was considered to be 'freak weather' but of course could happen again. Lots of rain in Manchester highly likely in Feb ( & most other months- I live there!) so would suggest something with a rubber sole which would not need to dry out so much between wearing.

Depending on your industry, you may get away with a pair of black brogue boots with a dainite sole, as the best compromise. The bad news is your budget of $200 - this is going to be difficult for a pair that ticks all boxes and doesn't damage your feet.

You may be better off sorting out 2 throw-away pairs of rubber soled/formal shoes from a mall sale once over here - think Loake/Barker entry level range. They won't embarrass you but will not awe anyone neither.
Good Luck!
 

Blackhood

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I would argue that the Keswick is a good option, especially if you can get it in black.
 

George

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Originally Posted by dbc
I'll be in the UK in February (mainly in London and Oxford with a few days up in Manchester) and I understand that the past two Feburarys have seen a lot of snow. As I'll be there on a workcation, I'll need to suit up on certain days. Being from the tropics, I have absolutely no idea what kind of shoes to carry. I've searched around these forums, but none of the topics seem to apply specifically to English winter. So with a suit, odd wool pants and smart jeans what do you chaps recommend? I'm leaning towards galoshes, but I'm weary of snow piling up a bit. I've seen Hunter boots but they look ridiculous with smarter wear IMHO; I can't imagine trudging around Oxford Street in them. Alternatively, I could carry them with a pair of boots but if I pop in and out of offices, that'd probably involve a lot of changing? Any links to websites where I could view options would help. I'm hoping not to go beyond US$150-200 too. Cheers.
The heavy snow fall that hit the Northwest of England was in January, just after the New Year, not February and effectually shut the Northwest down.
 
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Originally Posted by dbc
I've seen Hunter boots but they look ridiculous with smarter wear IMHO; I can't imagine trudging around Oxford Street in them.
If it's snowing, aesthetics generally take second priority to practicality so you could most likely get away with a pair of Hunters and carrying a pair of shoes to change into when you get into the office.
If you wanted to wear shoes, the problem isn't so much the snow as the salt from the grit they put down to aid grip - it will easily stain and ruin leather. In this case, as has already been suggested, a cheap pair of Loakes or similar that you wouldn't be too upset at ruining would be a good option.

If it's just raining, you probably don't need to worry too much - the only thing I'd say is if you're wearing the same pair of shoes on consecutive days then leather soles may not have time to dry out properly over night which will increase the rate of wear on the soles.
 

MarquisMagic

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Yes, rain and snow present different problems. Rain is simply keeping dry. Some rubber overshoes might suffice..and one should be very mindful of allowing wet shoes dry out properly between wearings (wipe clean, insert newpapers, when moisture gone insert shoe trees, do not put too close to heat source, when dry then polish). Snow creates additional problems -- warmth, traction, as well as wetness and salt. Wellies (with good liners or socks) might indeed be your vbest bet with changing into dry shoes at work.
 

academe

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I'd suggest getting a pair of English-made dainite-soled or "commando" rubber-soled shoes. The leather treatment/conditioning for most English-made shoes should allow them to hold-up against the snow and rain very well, without any need for galoshes or overshoes. I wear my C&Js, Edward Greens, Sargents, etc. rain or shine, summer or winter, and haven't had any problems...Periodically I re-waterproof my calf shoes with Nikwax, but that's about it. The biggest problem will be your budget, although I think you should be able to get Loakes or Grensons or something similar for quite a reasonable price. They won't be quite as nice as C&J, EGs, etc. but should work just fine for British winter weather. If you're in SIN, I'd suggest buying online from Herringshoe, because they give you a VAT break and shipping is quick. They also have a Church clearance/sale section with some pretty good deals, so worth looking there, if you're willing to spend a bit more (probably around £225 inclusive of VAT; so you should be able to get them for about 18.5 % less).


Originally Posted by dbc
I'll be in the UK in February (mainly in London and Oxford with a few days up in Manchester) and I understand that the past two Feburarys have seen a lot of snow.

As I'll be there on a workcation, I'll need to suit up on certain days.

Being from the tropics, I have absolutely no idea what kind of shoes to carry. I've searched around these forums, but none of the topics seem to apply specifically to English winter.

So with a suit, odd wool pants and smart jeans what do you chaps recommend?

I'm leaning towards galoshes, but I'm weary of snow piling up a bit.

I've seen Hunter boots but they look ridiculous with smarter wear IMHO; I can't imagine trudging around Oxford Street in them.

Alternatively, I could carry them with a pair of boots but if I pop in and out of offices, that'd probably involve a lot of changing?

Any links to websites where I could view options would help. I'm hoping not to go beyond US$150-200 too.

Cheers.
 

dbc

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Originally Posted by George
The heavy snow fall that hit the Northwest of England was in January, just after the New Year, not February and effectually shut the Northwest down.

Hm yes, but I'm up in Manchester for a couple of days. And it's more to watch the football than work.

I was under the impression that the snow hit in early Feb?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7934126.stm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Februar...eland_snowfall

I'm in the UK from the 3-12. Last 2 days in MAN.

Anyway thanks for the tips chaps! Leaning towards the Keswick, but they don't have my size in stock yet :/
 

ralphwho

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Originally Posted by dbc
I'll be in the UK in February (mainly in London and Oxford with a few days up in Manchester) and I understand that the past two Feburarys have seen a lot of snow.

As I'll be there on a workcation, I'll need to suit up on certain days.

Being from the tropics, I have absolutely no idea what kind of shoes to carry. I've searched around these forums, but none of the topics seem to apply specifically to English winter.

So with a suit, odd wool pants and smart jeans what do you chaps recommend?

I'm leaning towards galoshes, but I'm weary of snow piling up a bit.

I've seen Hunter boots but they look ridiculous with smarter wear IMHO; I can't imagine trudging around Oxford Street in them.

Alternatively, I could carry them with a pair of boots but if I pop in and out of offices, that'd probably involve a lot of changing?

Any links to websites where I could view options would help. I'm hoping not to go beyond US$150-200 too.

Cheers.



Well I guess there are 3 possibilities:

1-The members answering this post "on the straight" are being extremely ironic

2- This dbc guy is ******* with you and the members answering this post "on the straight" are being extremely naive or worst: dumb

3- This dbc guy is really as dumb as it seems and so are the people answering

"I'm leaning towards galoshes, but I'm weary of snow piling up a bit. "

galoshes in England?? gimme a break

My advice is buy some 5K crocodile galoshes- I have been told they can take anything
 

dbc

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Or

4- Everyone's less of a douchebag then you are.

To everyone else, thanks a lot for your help! Looks like it'll be the Kerwick boots.
 

williamson

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Originally Posted by academe
I'd suggest getting a pair of English-made dainite-soled or "commando" rubber-soled shoes. The leather treatment/conditioning for most English-made shoes should allow them to hold-up against the snow and rain very well, without any need for galoshes or overshoes.
"Commando" (or "vibram") rubber-soled shoes were more than adequate for me in the very wet western Norwegian city of Bergen on many occasions, and galoshes/overshoes are virtually unknown there and in Britain.
Some posters have correctly stated that snow came last winter in December and January. February is a drier than average month in the UK; its reputation as "February fill-dyke" comes from snow-melt, not from precipitation - and the day-length is increasing dramatically although the temperatures may be low.
 

patrickBOOTH

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I have a really good post for this thread. I'm not sure when it is getting here from Italy though. *cough* RIDER *cough*...
 

ralphwho

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Originally Posted by dbc
Or

4- Everyone's less of a douchebag then you are.

To everyone else, thanks a lot for your help! Looks like it'll be the Kerwick boots.


The word douchebag is actually a funny one both in its original meaning and how it got to be used as an insult.

Your questions on the other hand -if taken at face value, which seems to be the thing to do- are extremely quaint and reveal this exquisite American character, who gets his first passport in his 40s and then thinks oh my god I am going abroad what will happen to me? Can I drink the tap water in the UK? do I need special shoes?

Get a grip; this country has a very mild climate. You should worry about the water and the weather when you travel inside the US.

Oh and by the way you don t need to bring your gun with you. If you find a piece of hard ice just cross to the other side of the street, no shooting is necessary.

As for the members advising "dainite-soled or "commando" rubber-soled shoe" they seem to be even more out of this world than you.

I am still laughing at the idea of purposely buying dainite soles so as to visit London in February
 

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