Alden penny loafer but with dainite sole?

[DapperDolphin2]

I've been looking for a loafer like the the Alden penny loafer, but with a dainite sole instead of a leather sole. Do you guys have any recommendations (short of buying the shoe and immediately resoling it)?

 

[Phileas Fogg]

The problem with Alden is that they won’t be a special make up individually. Only large orders.

If you’re looking for shell cordovan, however, you might be a bit more limited. You could try Allen Edmonds. Given their recent QC issues I’d be wary. An option nonetheless.

Rancourt is a great American company and they can accommodate made to order:

Rancourt & Co. | Handcrafted & Custom Shoes | Made in Maine

Based in Lewiston, Maine, Rancourt and Company crafts handmade, custom leather shoes for men and women, from loafers, boots, and boat shoes to moccasins.

www.rancourtandcompany.com

If you want to level up and go English, both Crockett & Jones and Edward Green can do MTO shell cordovan but it will cost you well north of $1000. In the case of EG, closer to $2k.

As a side note, there is something odd about a dainite sole, which I find to be somewhat heavy, on a penny loader. There are better synthetic options, in my opinion.

Good luck.

 

[DapperDolphin2]

The problem with Alden is that they won’t be a special make up individually. Only large orders.

If you’re looking for shell cordovan, however, you might be a bit more limited. You could try Allen Edmonds. Given their recent QC issues I’d be wary. An option nonetheless.

Rancourt is a great American company and they can accommodate made to order:

Rancourt & Co. | Handcrafted & Custom Shoes | Made in Maine

Based in Lewiston, Maine, Rancourt and Company crafts handmade, custom leather shoes for men and women, from loafers, boots, and boat shoes to moccasins.

www.rancourtandcompany.com

If you want to level up and go English, both Crockett & Jones and Edward Green can do MTO shell cordovan but it will cost you well north of $1000. In the case of EG, closer to $2k.

As a side note, there is something odd about a dainite sole, which I find to be somewhat heavy, on a penny loader. There are better synthetic options, in my opinion.

Good luck.

Thank you very much! I'm not stuck on the cordovan, and I was just looking for any rubber sole, as the area where I live is rather rainy.

 

[mbdakin]

Cordovan is basically waterproof already, so that's a good choice. The thicker the sole, the more casual it will look, so I agree with Phileas that I wouldn't put a Dainite sole on a penny loafer. But a thin rubber sole can look almost indistinguishable from leather. The other thing to consider is a storm welt, since the welt is another place that water can seep in. But again, bigger welts make the shoe more casual.

Loafers have less overall coverage than derbies, brogues, or boots, so they wouldn't be my first choice for a waterproof shoe. But Allen Edmonds Dylan loafer might be the kind of thing you're looking for.