New Goodyear welted shoes, what to expect?

[88RSL]

I'd recommend you to take your shoes to a cobbler and install a rubber sole protector and a metal toe tips - it will greatly extend the lifetime of your soles.

Well I believe a rubber topy is up to one’s preference. Where I live it’s really hot and humid, with frequent thunderstorms, therefore many people here tend to wear rubber soled shoes. However, if you dry your soles properly, if your shoes came into contact with water it shouldn’t be too much of an issue at all

 

[DWFII]

What other kinds of shoes were you wearing before this pair? Running shoes? Jelly shoes? Moccasins? Cement construction?

From your post. I get the impression that these are a 'step up' for you. Is that right?

Fact is that most men's dress shoes are GYW. Not all, but it's a common denominator among manufactured shoes...low end to high.

If you've had dress shoes before, chances are you've had GYW.

Aside from being careful on slick surfaces first couple of times out, you don't really need to do anything special to 'break them in'.