Grenson Fred any good?

[miurasv]

I fancy a new pair of brogues and was considering the Church Grafton but the fronts on the pair I already have have worn extremely quickly. Can't believe how fast to be honest. I thought these would last for ages but after a few wears only the tips are down to next to nothing and perfect everywhere else. They must be faulty surely???? hence considering a new pair.

Anyway I've been looking at the Trickers Stow but they don't come in a wide fit that I need and I don't like the orangey colour of the Maltons that do come in a wide fit. Hmmm. No, I really don't like that orangey colour. I wish Trickers would do the Acorn colour in a wide fit but they don't.

Also I've come across the Grenson Fred which are around half the price or less of the Church's and Trickers and they do come in the colour I like and the wide G Fit. Are these any good? Are they going to be noticeably inferior in quality to the Trickers and Church's? Will they last a decent length of time? I know they have a thick sole but is it a high quality sole. I've seen many leather soles have the leather layers separate before their actually worn if you know what I mean. Anyone have the Fred and what's been your experience of it? Any other suggestions for a high quality (non black) brogue shoe or boot in a wide fit? Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[Groover]

Be interested to see some pics of the Graftons.

They're a tough shoe, so I'd be surprised to see/hear of premature wear.

 

[miurasv]

Originally Posted by Groover

Be interested to see some pics of the Graftons.

They're a tough shoe, so I'd be surprised to see/hear of premature wear.

http://s255.photobucket.com/albums/h...urasv/grafton/

Link above to a couple of pics of the fronts of my Graftons. Please click on the pics to enlarge.

 

[Groover]

I'd suggest getting toe taps installed (ideally when new), you're very heavy on the front of your shoes.

It's certainly not a fault of the shoe

 

[miurasv]

Originally Posted by Groover

I'd suggest getting toe taps installed (ideally when new), you're very heavy on the front of your shoes.

It's certainly not a fault of the shoe

None of my other shoes have ever worn like that.

 

[Christopher Essex]

I have a pair of Barker Harrisons in the cedar calf colour with a Dainite sole that are wearing quite well in my opinion. http://www.pediwear.co.uk/barker/products/2914.php

 

[miurasv]

Originally Posted by Christopher Essex

I have a pair of Barker Harrisons in the cedar calf colour with a Dainite sole that are wearing quite well in my opinion.

http://www.pediwear.co.uk/barker/products/2914.php

Very nice but only an F fit like so many shoes I like but can't wear. I need at least a Wide G fit.

 

[miurasv]

Originally Posted by Groover

I'd suggest getting toe taps installed (ideally when new), you're very heavy on the front of your shoes.

It's certainly not a fault of the shoe

Do you think it's too late to get toe taps on my Graftons and will it arrest the wear at the front completely? One of the shoes has worn down very thin at the front now after wearing them a couple more times. There's lots of wear left on the heal and the rest of the sole.

 

[SuitedDx]

Looks like you're pretty close to the last (which is not good to wear out). With the curvature, plastic taps will slow further damage. I have similar biomechanics and wear out the toes of my shoes too. My cobbler was able to contour a leather strip to match the wear of one of my shoes then installed a toppy but it's a bit of work.

Now I ad metal taps to leather soles and even plastic ones to my rubber soled shoes. Aesthetics are out the window for me I they can preserve the structure of my shoes.

As to your Grenson question, I own a pair of Ellis (brogue boots) and the quality is fair for the price I paid (about half of retail). The leather is surprisingly soft but creased more than my better shoes. The craftsmanship is nothing to brag about but I am more than happy with my pair. For reference, I'm not in the G&G/Lobb/EG level of appreciation So I don't have such a high bar when it comes to shoes.