Rubber soled dress shoes - vs.- Leather w/ Topy -- is there a difference visually?

[jack12345]

I'm looking for a new pair of dress shoes (to wear with a suit) which:
1. have good traction (have to walk regularly on wet/slippery surfaces) and
2. have no clicky/tappy sound when walking on floors (have to be discreet/quiet)

I understand rubber soled are usually considered inappropriate/less formal with a suit. However, visually what's the difference then between a thin rubber soled shoe vs. a leather shoe with a topy/vibram added? Visually (not in terms of durability/construction), is there a difference?

Here's some rubber soled I'm considering (need plain toe, black):
http://www.zappos.com/allen-edmonds-provo-black-imported-leather
http://www.zappos.com/florsheim-allen-limited-black-leather
http://www.zappos.com/product/7680043/color/104
http://www.zappos.com/cole-haan-air-kilgore-plain-oxford-black-nappa
http://www.zappos.com/cole-haan-air-madison-plain-oxford-black

Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks

 

[fritzl]



Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

I'm looking for a new pair of dress shoes (to wear with a suit) which:
1. have good traction (have to walk regularly on wet/slippery surfaces) and
2. have no clicky/tappy sound when walking on floors (have to be discreet/quite)
I understand rubber soled are usually considered inappropriate/less formal with a suit.

However, visually what's the difference then between a thin rubber soled shoe vs. a leather shoe with a topy/vibram added?

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Visually (not in terms of durability/construction), is there a difference?
Here's some rubber soled I'm considering (need plain toe, black):
http://www.zappos.com/allen-edmonds-provo-black-imported-leather
http://www.zappos.com/florsheim-allen-limited-black-leather
http://www.zappos.com/product/7680043/color/104
http://www.zappos.com/cole-haan-air-kilgore-plain-oxford-black-nappa
http://www.zappos.com/cole-haan-air-madison-plain-oxford-black
Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks

the sole edge.

 

[msulinski]

Just a warning, a leather-soled shoe, even with a sole guard, still has a bit of a "clack" to it. It is only slightly muted from plain leather.

 

[jack12345]



the sole edge.

Do you mean the thickness of the sole edge or the look of the sole edge material (or both)? I've seen a number of rubber soles that are just as thin as leather, which is actually what made me ask my original question.

Just a warning, a leather-soled shoe, even with a sole guard, still has a bit of a "clack" to it. It is only slightly muted from plain leather.

Thanks. I didn't realize that. That would limit down my options...

 

[fritzl]



Do you mean the thickness of the sole edge or the look of the sole edge material (or both)? I've seen a number of rubber soles that are just as thin as leather, which is actually what made me ask my original question.

this. imo, construction is equivalent to quality hence it is more important.

 

[MarioImpemba]

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF8602_1_40000000001_-1

Get these on sale.

Recraftable unlike the other options (AE excluded) AFAIK.
Made in the U.S., unlike the other options, including the lower-line AE pair.

 

[jjr4884]

of the dress shoes that i have had, all of my leather soled AE's and one of my Cole Haans are actually the quietest. I have two pairs of Hugo's that click like no other... but the rest were surprisingly quiet.

 

[Nick V.]

You may want to look into Dainite soles.

 

[jack12345]



http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF8602_1_40000000001_-1

Get these on sale.

Recraftable unlike the other options (AE excluded) AFAIK.
Made in the U.S., unlike the other options, including the lower-line AE pair.

Thanks for the suggestion. They're nice, and would solve my problem of traction and tapping sound. However, I need a plain toe (black). By chance any other suggestions for rubber soled shoes that have the quality look that leather has?

How about these AE Provo, or any of the 5 shoes I linked in my original post.
http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF4214_1_40000000001_-1

Thanks for all the input

 

[SirGrotius]

Okay. I'll bite. Why can't you make sound when you walk?

All my leather soled dress shoes have a distinctive sound when I'm walking on wood floors, etc.

 

[MarioImpemba]

I would try to find a pair of AE Leeds on ebay. The black shell ones go for $100-150 all the time, which is an incredible bargain, or even the black calf. Then have a local cobbler throw on a Vibram sole of your choice for $25-50. Best of all worlds.

Personally, I would not throw money at disposable, glued-on soled shoes like any of the 5 in your first post; especially given you have the opportunity now to invest in a business shoe that'll last you for decades.

 

[Winston S.]



Okay. I'll bite. Why can't you make sound when you walk?
All my leather soled dress shoes have a distinctive sound when I'm walking on wood floors, etc.

He's a ninja, hence the request for a black shoe.

On a serious note, Brooks Brothers has some shoes, like the Strand, that are made by Allen Edmonds that come preinstalled with a rubber half sole. That may be an option for you.

Edit: My mistake, there is no plain toe one.