C&J Tetbury, re: dainite sole

[robasaurus]

I am interested in purchasing a pair of the C&J Tetbury chukka boots, but am concerned that it appears to be offered only with a Dainite sole. I would prefer to have a leather sole, and that is a dealbreaker for me. What I hope that you wonderful people could tell me is if C&J make the Tetbury with a leather sole, or am I out of luck?

Also, if they do not offer a leather sole on this model, are there any chukka/desert boot styles out there in a last comparable to the C&J 348? One option that I came across was the Leach or Smith model offered by Grenson in their Rushden line. Does anyone have any insight into this shoe?

Thanks in advance!

edit: for clarity's sake - I have very narrow feet, and I am 110% set on a narrow and sleek chisel toe shape. I can post examples of shoes that I own which are the ideal last shape for me if anyone needs an example.

 

[Baron]

You can always contact Ron Rider and get a chukka from him (either Martegani or Rider Boot Co.) in a similar last.

 

[alliswell]

check out Francos.com for examples of Ron's shoes.

 

[grimslade]

Or riderboot.com. His 5A last bears a certain resemblance to the 348. That comes with a rubber sole, but I can't remember whether he also makes a stock version with a leather soles.

From either company, a leather sole could be special ordered--at a premium.

 

[yfyf]

What's the big deal over the rubber sole? I find it far more comfortable and not noticeably different. If you stamp your feet a bit more as you walk, you can still make that cool clip-clop sound

 

[Baron]

I like rubber soles for what they are, but I think they look a lot less dressy, which makes them a lot less versatile IMO. I have 2 chukkas with rubber soles (Martegani and Sutor Mantellassi) and I don't think they look right with dress trousers or suits, while leather soles would be fine (and still like right with jeans).

 

[whacked]

Originally Posted by yfyf

What's the big deal over the rubber sole? I find it far more comfortable and not noticeably different. If you stamp your feet a bit more as you walk, you can still make that cool clip-clop sound

+1. Dainite sole is where it's at. For this particular style (chelseas), anyway.

 

[zalb916]

Tetbury only comes with the Dainite sole. I own it and really like it that way.

 

[chobochobo]

+1

 

[Douglas]

I'm not sure why the rubber sole is so maligned. I would understand if the rubber sole on the Tetbury were a big clunker, where the entire outsole and heel were obviously just one giant slab of rubber. I'm trying to describe something more distinctly casual, such as this recently-discussed Sargent:

http://www.styleforum.net/attachment...7&d=1220841670

But the Tetbury still appears to feature a leather "midsole" (I'm in dangerous terminology territory here, and I welcome correction) and a stacked heel - only the very bottom "layer" of the sole is rubber. The result is a very discreet-looking rubber sole that you wouldn't even notice unless you were looking for it. Here's the stealthily rubber-clad Tetbury:

 

[HHD]

Another vote for the "discretion" of the Dainite sole on C&J chukkas. There is a leather sole model; consult the catalogue here: http://www.crockettandjones.fr/actu.php as I can't remember the name.

 

[jhcam8]

Originally Posted by HHD

Another vote for the "discretion" of the Dainite sole on C&J chukkas.

There is a leather sole model; consult the catalogue here: http://www.crockettandjones.fr/actu.php as I can't remember the name.

An excellent in the sloppy weather months.

 

[jhcam8]

Originally Posted by jhcam8

An excellent in the sloppy weather months.

^insert 'look'

 

[robasaurus]

Still dead set on a leather sole as I would like to be able to wear these with suits as well as casual clothing, so all the recommendations for Dainite are doing nothing for me. I appreciate the feedback though.

I think I may have found a solution with a pair of Ferragamo chukkas I came across today. I'll try them on when I have time.

Does anyone know about the Grenson Rushden line? What is the quality like? Are they Goodyear welted, etc?

Originally Posted by HHD

Another vote for the "discretion" of the Dainite sole on C&J chukkas.

There is a leather sole model; consult the catalogue here: http://www.crockettandjones.fr/actu.php as I can't remember the name.

Thank you for the link, but sadly my French is terrible. Those blue chukkas are fantastic though!

 

[zalb916]

Originally Posted by robasaurus

Still dead set on a leather sole as I would like to be able to wear these with suits as well as casual clothing, so all the recommendations for Dainite are doing nothing for me.

Totally beating a dead horse, but I really don't think you understand how they look. I'm wearing my pair right now. They are two feet away from my eyes, and I wouldn't be able to tell that they are rubber soled. Dainite sole does not equal bigger or clunkier. I have no problem wearing these with a suit or jeans. They look no different than the leather soled chukkas I own.