Foster and Son shoes sole problem

This is my first post on SF, though I'm a long time reader. It's a shame to start off with a negative post but I need some advice - I bought a pair of Foster and Son "Elgar" Oxfords in their January sale, and after having worn them 4 or 5 times in since then I sat down to give them a polish this afternoon.

On picking them up to give them a polish I noticed that the sole was coming away at the toe, and that the sole appears to be some kind of composite, despite them being badged as leather soles. Here are a couple of iPhone pics - as decent as I can get.






I'm fairly shocked at this - I bought a pair of their Westbury shoes also, and the soles on those don't look great either. I have just called the shop, explained that the soles appear to be some kind of cardboard rather than leather and was asked to bring them in - the fellow was pretty curt with me, but didn't seem overly surprised. Has anyone else had issues with Foster and Sons - in particular with their sale stock. The shoes had a couple of tiny marks on the uppers and I was told they were in the sale because of this - I'm now wondering if they wheel out sub-par shoes for their sales. I would appreciate any views on what these soles look like to other people - my other shoes are Church's, Loakes and Barkers and have had no similar problems over the years. I thought this was a step up in quality but it looks like I was wrong.

The sole is "channelled", which means in production they cut sideways a lip/flap into the sole leather, fold the lip back, so it's kept clear of the actual seam. Once the stitching is in place the flap is folded back and glued in place to hide the stitching.

Some people are harder on their shoe toes than others. Just glue it back or take it into the shop to have it done. If you are hard on your toes, you might consider some form of toe protector.

You seem to have a style of walk wich tears heavily on the toe. Try to be more concious on walking with your heel first.



bengal-stripe said:

The sole is "channelled", which means in production they cut sideways a lip/flap into the sole leather, fold the lip back, so it's kept clear of the actual seam. Once the stitching is in place the flap is folded back and glued in place to hide the stitching.

Some people are harder on their shoe toes than others. Just glue it back or take it into the shop to have it done. If you are hard on your toes, you might consider some form of toe protector.

Click to expand...

This.

charlesgoodyear said:

You seem to have a style of walk wich tears heavily on the toe. Try to be more concious on walking with your heel first.

Click to expand...

Not this.

The soles are definitely leather not composite, you just drag your toe when you walk which grinds down the flap used to cover the welt, any good cobbler can put toe protectors on.

The problem is that the last is a little long probably so your foot drags, normal wear.

This is leather but your gait leads to this occurrence with this last. certainly not a fault - glue it back and study your gait.

Thanks for the responses. I'll put my copy of the Sale of Goods Act back on the shelf and instead of demanding a refund learn to walk properly. Much appreciated.

No need to re-learn how to walk. Get a cobbler to put steel toe tips on the sole; All my leather soled shoes have toe tips on them which I put on when the shoes are new. You can't hear them when you walk. Also I stick on rubber soles so that I don't have to resole the shoes every 2 years.