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Decent semi-disposable oxford/gibson style shoes (UK)?

montyharding

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I work at a lot of places where there is zero point in wearing nice shoes. However I have to be reasonably well dressed. So I have disposable chinos / trousers for this sort of thing. After trashing one too many pairs of Churches (my 'mainstream' shoes from before), I've taken to buying 'disposable' shoes from Clarks - this one at the moment http://www.clarks.co.uk/find/product-is-20317802 which is reasonably comfy and doesn't look too bad, apart from the 'Clarks' logo embossed onto the side (which is actually not a problem in reality. I guess I'm just a label snob).

I prefer the traditional Oxford style, and was wondering if I should be looking at others in the similar or slightly higher price range. I'd like it to be cheap enough to not worry about what I'm walking into and throw away when it gets too damaged / raggedy - so about the £80-£150 range (the lower end of this scale would be better).

However, that horrible cheap, stiff leather I would definitely like to avoid. Some sort of grip on the bottom would be useful as well - so would actually prefer a synthetic (or a synthetic/leather mix like the Clarks) sole.

Any suggestions? Or am I using the best solution already?
 

michael_legeek

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I always seem to wind up with Rockports for that kind of thing. Soft leather, synthetic soles with some tread, good for walking but in my experience they are not especially long-lasting.

For example this Rockport Allander can be had for £90.

pG01-5728097p275w.png


(FWIW as an experiment I had one of my most beaten up Rockports resoled by Timpson with a lugged Vibram sole instead of just tossing it. It's now my really-wretched-weather pair, with uppers that don't look bad at all on a suitably dark and dismal day, and plenty of sole tread.)
 

montyharding

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Thanks. I'll take a look. I ordered a pair of £70 gibsons from Schuh in the meanwhile and am not entirely sure about'em - the leather is a bit hard as I feared - only a wear-in will tell, I guess.

Edit: Ordered.
 

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