I need brown shoes!

[Tardek]

I'm going to be picking up a navy suit soon, and I need some brown shoes to wear with it. I am thinking about something like these, or possibly these. As I am in Australia my choices are a liiiiiiittle limited. What say you fine gents? Also, while I'm at it: as far as care for leather soles goes, I find that they degrade really quickly while walking on paved surfaces. Should I go to a cobbler and have him glue on some rubber to the bottom? I've also heard that some people add a toe-cap to increase durability.

 

[unjung]

Plal.com?

 

[scottlit]

The rubber might protect the leather from the sidewalk slightly. On the other hand it will also cause the leather to degrade over time because it will act as a moisture barrier, so the inside of the shoes won't fully dry between wearings. I wear my leather soled shoes every day (not the same pair, but I don't rotate that many pairs) and I don't have problems from walking on pavement. Hae you been wearing shoes with very thin leather soles?

 

[freefinancialadvice]

$250 US for some Florsheim!

Maybe the US Senate can put in a provision for you in our Stimulus Package.

 

[penguin vic]

I hope you're not paying the full retail price for those ...

Where in Australia are you?

 

[jjgold]

Uh...how about ordering something from PLAL? Crockett and Jones benchgrade are probably best for that money and they have tons of styles.

 

[Tardek]

Originally Posted by penguin vic

I hope you're not paying the full retail price for those ...

Where in Australia are you?

I'm in Sydney. I'll check out this plal.com as well.

 

[unjung]

Florsheims are $100 shoes, not $250 shoes.

 

[Chips]

I don't think I could go for brown shoes in that shade, with black soles. Just doesn't look right to me.

 

[Prince of Paisley]

If you're after a good pair of regular shoes, you should look at a pair of Loakes from Pediwear or Herring shoes. David Jones in the city stock them, so you can try on some styles you like, find your size, and then order them online from the aforementioned. At DJs they're $400+. You'll save about 50% online (incl postage) and can pick up a good pair for under $300.

I'm not a fan of Florsheim - I bought a pair of Italian made Florsheims a few years back and the soles cracked at the sides after about 6 months of normal wear. They were fused soles so not even worth the $ to get fixed. From the photos the leather on those Spanish Florsheims look a bit hard and shiny = cheap. You definitely have better options, even in Sydney.

 

[apropos]

Originally Posted by scottlit

The rubber might protect the leather from the sidewalk slightly. On the other hand it will also cause the leather to degrade over time because it will act as a moisture barrier, so the inside of the shoes won't fully dry between wearings. I wear my leather soled shoes every day (not the same pair, but I don't rotate that many pairs) and I don't have problems from walking on pavement. Hae you been wearing shoes with very thin leather soles?
Firstly, it'll protect the leather sole completely, not 'might' or 'slightly'. It'll also provide a heck of a lot more grip in the wet. Secondly, no one here has ever reported a shoe that was irreparably damaged due to moisture damage from the 'inside'. No one. On the other hand we have people with topy-ed soles who have mentioned that years later, they don't notice any obvious damage. Coincidentally the only ones who advocate avoiding topys and other similar sole protectors are the original manufacturers, who make a mint re-soling your shoes. Draw your own conclusions.

 

[Prince of Paisley]

Originally Posted by apropos

Firstly, it'll protect the leather sole completely, not 'might' or 'slightly'. It'll also provide a heck of a lot more grip in the wet.

Secondly, no one here has ever reported a shoe that was irreparably damaged due to moisture damage from the 'inside'. No one. On the other hand we have people with topy-ed soles who have mentioned that years later, they don't notice any damage. Draw your own conclusions.

+1. Unless you have the time and money to send your shoes back to the maker to repair on the original lasts, topys are your best bet. They will protect the leather sole and make them more or less waterproof.

 

[apropos]

Originally Posted by unjung

Florsheims are $100 shoes, not $250 shoes.
+1

If you're in Melbourne, go to American Tailors to try out C&Js for sizing purposes, then buy from plal. The salespeople there (the last time I went) were absolute wanks, so don't feel bad for them.

Florsheim makes lousy shoes IMO. Most are ugly too - gunboats IMO. Had a pair which I absolutely baby-ed, yet after 6 months the leather upper cracked. If you must go the Florsheim route, check to see if they're using corrected-grain leather.

 

[apropos]

Originally Posted by Prince of Paisley

+1. Unless you have the time and money to send your shoes back to the maker to repair on the original lasts, topys are your best bet. They will protect the leather sole and make them more or less waterproof.
Exactly right - I've always wondered about this: if covering leather soles with rubber reduces 'breathability' which = moisture damaged uppers, then why do these same manufacters typically also offer double leather soles or rubber soled shoes?

 

[Harrydog]

Originally Posted by jjgold

Uh...how about ordering something from PLAL? Crockett and Jones benchgrade are probably best for that money and they have tons of styles.

+1