Best outsole for city walking

[Coldfire3k3]

Having said that - does it really make sense to drop Saint Crispies money on a handwelted shoe with a pegged waist and super close trimmed uppers and then stick on a $30 Vibram outsole? I'm saying this a fan of soft, comfy soles but if I ever sold a kidney and wanted to invest in a pair it would be closed channel single leather all day long for me.

View attachment 989343 View attachment 989344

I understand this point and I've been thinking about it. I think people who purchase a pair of St. Crispin's shoes are motivated by one or a combination of the following: 1) getting a good fit with their personal last / bespoke options, 2) the craftsmanship and 3) style.

For me, though all are important, 1) is the most important since I have difficult to fit feet. So I'm willing to sacrifice some craftsmanship and style for comfort and function.

 

[Blake Stitched Blues]

I understand this point and I've been thinking about it. I think people who purchase a pair of St. Crispin's shoes are motivated by one or a combination of the following: 1) getting a good fit with their personal last / bespoke options, 2) the craftsmanship and 3) style.

For me, though all are important, 1) is the most important since I have hard to fit feet. So I'm willing to sacrifice some craftsmanship and style for comfort and function.

Ok. My vote is for the Gumlite then. It's thinner than crepe, wears better and has excellent grip in rain and snow. Super soft and comfortable under foot.

 

[ace13x]

I'm trying to select the best outsole for a MTO pair of St. Crispin's boots (mod 591 also known as the PC boot).

I'm less concerned about aesthetics. I primarily want something comfortable for city (pavement) walking that can also handle exposure to wet weather once in a while (so it should have decent grip).

I have the following options:

- Leather sole (thin, medium or double)
- Leather sole with vibram topy
- Dainite sole
- Commando sole
- Ridgeway sole
- Crepe sole

What would you recommend? Is there any sole in particular that is generally considered better for long term foot health (especially if you are planning on walking around in them a lot)?

A lifetime of sneaker wearing has left peoples feet WEAK.

As to what is BEST, depends on the person and the shoe/boot. If you put an Itshide or Vibram 100 Commando sole on a cap toe balmoral you're a fool. If you can't walk 10 ft. in leather without slipping and falling, either leather might not be for you, or you should see a podiatrist.

As for Dainite, many people complain about the hardness. And, yes, it can feel like you're walking on cleats for the first wear or three or X. But they do break in, and if you are indeed walking primarily on city sidewalks, the nubs will wear down closer to flush rather quickly.

Personally, I prefer leather. Sun, rain, or snow (double if applicable, i.e. a cap toe balmoral should have a single leather sole). If you find leather too slippery, see if the manufacturer offers an in-house rubber half sole, like Allen Edmonds V-Tread. You can go with a rubber toppy, but the factory applied half sole has a much cleaner profile.

BTW, It's the insole that molds to your foot, not the outsole (regardless of material). The only thing the out sole typically does is curl, which happens when you don't use shoe trees.

 

[Colonel Mustard]

Leather.

I have only slipped in the rain once and I was wearing Dainite soled G&Gs. Dainite is an absolutely pointless sole material - ugly, exposed stitching (apart from the few makers that just cement them on - I understand Stc C is one of those makers), wears unevenly and doesn't offer better grip or durability to leather during inclement weather.

Rubber soles are for trainers, not quality shoes.

 

[Coldfire3k3]

Something I'm curious to get opinions on is: why do podiatrists generally recommend rubber outsoles to ensure cushioning and grip and advise not to use leather outsoles?

 

[The Saint]

A lifetime of sneaker wearing has left peoples feet WEAK.

As to what is BEST, depends on the person and the shoe/boot. If you put an Itshide or Vibram 100 Commando sole on a cap toe balmoral you're a fool. If you can't walk 10 ft. in leather without slipping and falling, either leather might not be for you, or you should see a podiatrist.

As for Dainite, many people complain about the hardness. And, yes, it can feel like you're walking on cleats for the first wear or three or X. But they do break in, and if you are indeed walking primarily on city sidewalks, the nubs will wear down closer to flush rather quickly.

Personally, I prefer leather. Sun, rain, or snow (double if applicable, i.e. a cap toe balmoral should have a single leather sole). If you find leather too slippery, see if the manufacturer offers an in-house rubber half sole, like Allen Edmonds V-Tread. You can go with a rubber toppy, but the factory applied half sole has a much cleaner profile.

BTW, It's the insole that molds to your foot, not the outsole (regardless of material). The only thing the out sole typically does is curl, which happens when you don't use shoe trees.

Regarding people having weak feet , a foot specialist told me he sees a lot of fallen arches nowadays. .

 

[SuitedDx]

Not familiarity with the thickness of StC's leather sole but I would go with such (maybe double if they run thin). I live in NYC and walk anywhere to 4-6 miles daily. Leather is definitely the most comfortable then I would put Ridgeway, Dainite, and then Commando. With athletic shoes, typically the midsoles provide the cushioning but with hand-welted shoes you'll have to depend a bit on the outsole material I think. I'd go with leather unless you're in a wet/tropical climate.

Personally I don't have a problem with Dainite for wet weather wear. The only time I find them slippery is on wet marble (polished) floors. Never had issues on pavement. For snow, honestly, unless you do walk with a penguin's gait, you're going to slip on black ice unless you have shoe studs on. With unpacked snow/mud/etc. Ridgeway and Commando work well for me, with the former just a little dressier in look (but both are fairly casual).

I've heard the argument on leather vs. rubber sole breathability but I am a skeptic of the significant difference for regular daily city wear. Yes, the sole of the feet create moisture but at most they will soak on the insole (physiologically the human body doesn't sweats enough to saturate moisture past this piece of leather). This moisture would then evaporate via more breathable membranes, such as uppers. The outsoles are so cured I really don't think this is the natural path where sweat goes through. The only argument I can think of where the breathability of outsole leather could be included is if you occasionally (or more) get your shoes wet enough that it saturates the in/mid/outsole. Then you'd have to worry about all layers drying quickly but properly.

 

[stylish_raven]

dainite for a mid term sole that looks sleek but grips

My vote is for Dianite or the similar style by Vibram.

From the side their profile is similar to leather soles, but they are more adverse weather tolerant. They also have a decent “feel”while walking, and are quite durable.

To me, Ridgeway soles are a bit too much like hiking or construction boots.