Leather Soles on nice shoes: to protect or not to protect?

[pred02]

I know there is a lot of discussion whether it's worth putting some sort of rubber protection on new leather shoes to protect the soles from wear and leather and increase the lifespan of the shoe, or just leaving the leather as-is. I have a couple of pair of new nice Brunos and Ferragamo Tramezzas, all with leather soles which I would like to start wearing, so was just wondering what peoples opinion on this subject is.

Thanks!

 

[iroh]

for me, i don't really care, apparel is meant to be used and abused

 

[Salsalocust]

Leave well alone!!

If you want rubber soled..... buy rubber soled

Regards,

Graham

[/IMG]

Tricker's "Bourton"....

[/IMG]

Crockett & Jones "Hallam".... usually leather soled, of course!

Regards,

Graham

 

[ManofKent]

So far I've restricted my purchases to Dainite soled shoes/boots but the choice is relatively restricted. I walk to work in all weathers and have to contend with a polished tile floor at work so I suspect for me I will have to go for adding rubber soles even if it offends the purists.

 

[2Scoops]

leave it alone. when it wears down enough, just get it re-soled.

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by 2Scoops

leave it alone. when it wears down enough, just get it re-soled.
+1

 

[Spatlese]

Originally Posted by JayJay

+1

+2

 

[DocHolliday]

I don't mind topys. I generally get them on my boots, especially ones that will see a lot of wear/bad weather. For dressier shoes, I leave well enough alone, but if I had a small rotation, I might consider topying those too.

My topyed boots, incidentally, fare much better in rain/slippery conditions than do my Dainite soles, at least for street wear. Dainite's fine for muck and mud but not so much for concrete.

Roetzel's book includes a picture of a beautifully patinated pair of brown bals that I assume got that way partly by virtue of their topys.

 

[kolecho]

OP,

Just use them the way they are, unless they are slippery or something like that.

 

[yachtie]

Putting on topys is kind of pointless imho. After all the shoes are resoleable. I have a couple of pairs that are pushing 17 years and the welt is fine after several resoleings. The uppers are finally starting to go- and topys won't help that.

 

[A Harris]

We've had this discussion many times before, and as always I cast one of the few votes for topy's. They are all benefit /no downside to me. All my leather soles shoes have them installed, except for my suede pairs which never go out in foul weather.

 

[A Harris]

Originally Posted by yachtie

Putting on topys is kind of pointless imho. After all the shoes are resoleable. I have a couple of pairs that are pushing 17 years and the welt is fine after several resoleings. The uppers are finally starting to go- and topys won't help that.

I have to disagree with this, because a topy costs $25 and I've had them last as long as 7 years. Resoling is far more expensive and unless you have them done by the original maker (expensive) they generally don't look right. The welt looks pretty rough after it has been sewn over for the second time.

 

[yachtie]

Originally Posted by A Harris

I have to disagree with this, because a topy costs $25 and I've had them last as long as 7 years. Resoling is far more expensive and unless you have them done by the original maker (expensive) they generally don't look right. The welt looks pretty rough after it has been sewn over for the second time.

Not my experience but YMMV. But i do only get 2 years out of heels so there may be a gait issue involved here. I've had recraftings done by the maker and had resolings done locally and they're both pretty similar ( but i do have a good local cobbler) There's no way I'd get as much mileage out of a topy as you say.

 

[pred02]

I think I will leave them alone, I got a good deal on these shoes so it's not like I spent a fortune. I will not wear them everyday for work, and even when they wear out, well, if I like them I will resole them, if not just will buy the new shoes anyhow -

 

[fcuknu]

How bout some taps.
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