How comfortable are your dress shoes?

[krn.nyc]

Hi,

I'm in the market for some really comfortable dress shoes as I travel abroad often and am on my feet during trade shows.
I need them to be contemporary and compatible with a suit, while hopefully having the comfort of something like an orthopedic shoe. I'd go orthopedic but find many of the shoes ugly. Any recommendations would be sincerely appreciated.

As an aside, I'm also just curious how comfortable your dress shoes currently are and whether comfort is an important factor in deciding whether to buy dress shoes or not. Would you be willing to pay more for comfort?

Thanks!

 

[Twotone]

My dress AE dress shoes are very comfortable, or I would not have bought them. I too, have done my share of trade shows. If I'm going to be on my feet for hours, I wear black Ecco rubber soled shoes rather than my leather soled AEs. AEs are great office/meeting dress shoes but they are not my trade show shoes.

 

[krn.nyc]

Hi Twotone, thanks for the response. Were they comfortable out of the box, or did it take time to break in?

While Ecco shoes are great comfort-wise, I feel they leave a lot to be desired in terms of the silhouette of the shoes. Is there a reason why Alden doesn't make a shoe with rubber soles?

 

[GBR]

It will all depend how each fits your feet - there is no measure of comfort in the manner you seem think appropriate.

 

[papa kot]

Hi Twotone, thanks for the response. Were they comfortable out of the box, or did it take time to break in?

While Ecco shoes are great comfort-wise, I feel they leave a lot to be desired in terms of the silhouette of the shoes. Is there a reason why Alden doesn't make a shoe with rubber soles?

Alden can make any shoe you want, provided that you order through a retailer. Typical choices include leather, commando or plantation crepe sole. Commando sole is a bit utilitarian and if you want to get something dressy but comfortable, go with a plantation crepe. Example:



This sole is a standard for Alden walker shoes, but if you go through Leather Soul or Leffot, they may be able to create a custom order for you.

 

[comrade]



Alden can make any shoe you want, provided that you order through a retailer. Typical choices include leather, commando or plantation crepe sole. Commando sole is a bit utilitarian and if you want to get something dressy but comfortable, go with a plantation crepe. Example: This sole is a standard for Alden walker shoes, but if you go through Leather Soul or Leffot, they may be able to create a custom order for you.

This is not "any shoe you want" This is minor variations on standard Alden shoes. Ths is neither MTM or Bespoke. I know. tried to get a wider shoe. Couldn't be done. Yes, they would happily change the sole material on a shoe that didn't fit !

 

[mr monty]

all my dress shoes are comfortable. I don't wear or keep uncomfortable footwear.

 

[Stefan88]



This is not "any shoe you want" This is minor variations on standard Alden shoes. Ths is neither MTM or Bespoke.
I know. tried to get a wider shoe. Couldn't be done. Yes, they would happily change the sole material on a shoe that didn't fit !

Was EEE not wide enough? The widest last is probably trubalance, but there are plenty of choices. Modified might be good.

 

[AnaloKid]

really good one i like it

 

[Cuttingboard]



all my dress shoes are comfortable. I don't wear or keep uncomfortable footwear.

Ditto!

 

[cazone]

[mequote name="Cuttingboard" url="/t/441667/how-comfortable-are-your-dress-shoes#post_7528820"]

all my dress shoes are comfortable. I don't wear or keep uncomfortable footwear.

Ditto![/quote]

Same here.
All my shoes are very comfortable.
Some more, some a little less (quality of the leather, last, fit).
Personally I also prefer in almost all situations leather soles for comfort reasons too (breathability). Sometimes rubber soles can be preferred.
Beside that they look good. For sure.

Quality cotton socks are important too.

Quality shoes must be comfortable. Otherwise something's wrong.
This should also be the case for women, but is rarely and sadly the case.

 

[7_rocket]



all my dress shoes are comfortable. I don't wear or keep uncomfortable footwear.

This. If one's shoes aren't comfortable get rid of them and get yourself a pair of dress shoes that will not hurt your feet. Spend the money on quality now and it will pay off in the long run, no one understands this at my work.

 

[TradThrifter]

I have a pair of vintage tassel loafers from FootJoy and I just love the last, color, and the leather. But they are not very comfortable and I can only wear them for a few hours. They havent gotten much use recently.

 

[papa kot]

I have a pair of vintage tassel loafers from FootJoy and I just love the last, color, and the leather. But they are not very comfortable and I can only wear them for a few hours. They havent gotten much use recently.

You probably bought a wrong size. Until I found this forum, I used to get the crappiest shoes from the cheapest places I could find. Thus, I could never wear those shoes for more than a few hours. After learning to try on shoes based on fit (as opposed to using the size as the main gauge) I have changed my perspective. The sole (I prefer crepe) with a suitable amount of free room make my chukkas and Indy boots as comfortable as Converse. The sad thing is that it took me a long time to figure this out. I was always told that I was a D whereas my best fits are in EEE width

 

[TradThrifter]

You probably bought a wrong size. Until I found this forum, I used to get the crappiest shoes from the cheapest places I could find. Thus, I could never wear those shoes for more than a few hours. After learning to try on shoes based on fit (as opposed to using the size as the main gauge) I have changed my perspective. The sole (I prefer crepe) with a suitable amount of free room make my chukkas and Indy boots as comfortable as Converse. The sad thing is that it took me a long time to figure this out. I was always told that I was a D whereas my best fits are in EEE width

Yea it would have been great if I could have sized up, but I snagged them at the thrift store for about ten bucks and just went with it.Then I cleaned them up and polished them. Beautiful shoes made in the USA, but i guess beggers can't be choosers lol