Acceptable shoe gaping?

[Willin]

On the topic of shoe gaping - what is acceptable?

I have a pair of Allen Edmond Strands which have a spread at the throat a bit more than what is pictured below:

Being that these are balmorals then the leather should technically be touching, correct? Bluchers on the other hand can have a bit of spread?

I am conflicted because my feet are quite wide but I like a tight fit. I have a second pair of unworn Bourban Calf Strand's which I am thinking about selling since they spread at the throat of the shoe and I don't want to be mocked on StyleForum for wearing them.

If I get a shoe where the throat doesn't spread I think the footbed is going to feel boxy like a clownshoe. I've seen a bit of spread of some prominent members balmorals. Is it acceptable or should they be castigated mercilessly?

 

[ethanm]

I don't think yelling at your shoes will do much good.

 

[stant62]

What size are those? In my experience with the 5 last, I sized down but increased in width - i.e. 9.5D on most other lasts is a 9E on the 5 last.

 

[TheSizzle]

Is this how they always look? How do they feel?

As my foot expands and contracts through the day, depending on when I tie my shoes, comfort results from different amounts of gap. Now, if I jump right out of the shower, all warm, I've found that my Strand lace pretty similarly, but if I let myself settle, I can pretty much seal them up, with almost no separation.

So, it's tough to say whether this is normal or not, but I wouldn't consider it catastrophic as it stands now.

 

[MyOtherLife]

Willin, you are worrying yourself over nothing. Try Bar Lacing for your Strands or any other balmorals. The leather flaps on balmorals need not touch one another. Enjoy your shoes. Example of Bar Lacing:

 

[PhiPsi32]

+1 for bar lacing

 

[glenjay]



Willin, you are worrying yourself over nothing. Try Bar Lacing for your Strands or any other balmorals. The leather flaps on balmorals need not touch one another. Enjoy your shoes. Example of Bar Lacing:

Spoiler: Shoe Image

Actually that image is an example of European Straight Lacing. Bar Lacing does not have the underlying crossing string. Minor point however, either will work fine.

 

[MyOtherLife]

You are ofcourse, correct Glenjay but the bar lacing (proper) is too complicated for some gents. This was my reasoning for a small cheat with the Euro-Straight. Well spotted.

 

[PhiPsi32]

+1 for European straight lacing, much easier to adjust the laces. When using low contrast laces, the underlying criss-cross is subdued.

Looks like Ian's website has been updated with an animated lacing guide. Pretty slick.

http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/straighteuropeanlacing.htm

 

[MyOtherLife]

PhiPsi thank you ! What an improvement on Ians site. This is great.

 

[PhiPsi32]

Thank you MoL for being there when people need help. I'm just glad I could provide some support.

 

[MyOtherLife]



Thank you MoL for being there when people need help.  I'm just glad I could provide some support.

Most kind, but there are plenty of good qualified souls on here with skills far exceeding my own. I do however thank you for the encouragement and your own good input.

 

[dddrees]

+1 for European straight lacing, much easier to adjust the laces. When using low contrast laces, the underlying criss-cross is subdued.

Looks like Ian's website has been updated with an animated lacing guide. Pretty slick.

http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/straighteuropeanlacing.htm

That is neat.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Willin]



That is neat.

Thanks for sharing.

Neat website but that lacing method looks sloppy though probably effective. I wouldn't want to do that on a sleek looking shoe.

Anyhow - those are not my feet/shoes in the original post. I was just using it as an illustration. I will post a picture later tonight of my new Strands and get your opinions on whether they are wearable. I got E's but I am afraid the throat spread is still too wide, unfortunately. I'll come back for advice later!

 

[steezy]



Neat website but that lacing method looks sloppy though probably effective. I wouldn't want to do that on a sleek looking shoe.

Anyhow - those are not my feet/shoes in the original post. I was just using it as an illustration. I will post a picture later tonight of my new Strands and get your opinions on whether they are wearable. I got E's but I am afraid the throat spread is still too wide, unfortunately. I'll come back for advice later!

The lacing method is sloppy underneath, and clean on the top. You will not see the diagonal criss cross underneath if there is no gap.

Anyways, the new animated steps on Ian's website are a great addition.