Luscombe
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2015
- Messages
- 394
- Reaction score
- 799
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In late 2019 I bought a MTO Downeast Moc with a crepe RLH heel. Based upon advise from Kyle and how my CXL Rangers stretched, we downsized these 1/2 size. They have been uncomfortable since I first received them. I even sent them back and had Kyle stretch them. I could only wear them for a couple hours before my feet would start to hurt. In the past I have experienced this when downsizing 1/2 on highly structured soles/shoes. These are just a thicker leather and a rubber sole. Bottom line, for me the shoes were just unwearable. When I walked, I felt like the heel on the sole was bouncing my gait and flexing my foot and calve muscle.
I like everything about the leather, so much so, I had Rancourt price up another MTO for me before they run out of the Virginia natural leather. Their latest website update no longer has that leather as an offering.
After a lot of thought, I decided to do some surgery on my existing shoes before pulling the trigger on another pair. I took my band saw and cut the heel off so that I would end up with more of a camp sole.
WOW, what a difference in how the shoes feel now. Removing the heel changed my gait and the shoes feel like my Baxter Mocs with the Aspen sole. The advantage here is these should not be as slippery. I know the heel area will not last long but at least I know what style of sole to put back on when it wears out.
In late 2019 I bought a MTO Downeast Moc with a crepe RLH heel. Based upon advise from Kyle and how my CXL Rangers stretched, we downsized these 1/2 size. They have been uncomfortable since I first received them. I even sent them back and had Kyle stretch them. I could only wear them for a couple hours before my feet would start to hurt. In the past I have experienced this when downsizing 1/2 on highly structured soles/shoes. These are just a thicker leather and a rubber sole. Bottom line, for me the shoes were just unwearable. When I walked, I felt like the heel on the sole was bouncing my gait and flexing my foot and calve muscle.
I like everything about the leather, so much so, I had Rancourt price up another MTO for me before they run out of the Virginia natural leather. Their latest website update no longer has that leather as an offering.
After a lot of thought, I decided to do some surgery on my existing shoes before pulling the trigger on another pair. I took my band saw and cut the heel off so that I would end up with more of a camp sole.
WOW, what a difference in how the shoes feel now. Removing the heel changed my gait and the shoes feel like my Baxter Mocs with the Aspen sole. The advantage here is these should not be as slippery. I know the heel area will not last long but at least I know what style of sole to put back on when it wears out.