Split Toe Derby

[WilYa]

These are an amazing style. Heck any of these leather choices would be fantastic. If your purpose for these boots is to wear them during normal, rain, sleet, or snow times.. Out of these options you presented here I believe I would go with a different grain.

For boots, I would prefer a grain, but the Russian Calf from Horween lightens up in flex areas and requires upkeep to retain its beauty. Not that I consider that a negative but more upkeep nonetheless. It does acquire a beautiful patina in those lightened areas though.

The Janus calf (suede) is a nice boot option. Snow tends to really kill it though, and heavy rain as well. Again, the upkeep factor is present. I'd argue that inclement weather would help it develop character, but you are doing some serious brushing on those bad boys.

It leaves the museum calf. If memory serves, when I was using it on a consistent basis, the water was not its best friend.

I have boots in a smaller grain and have been very lucky with it. Both in an Inca and Utah grain. I would suggest Alpine grain, but I have not seen it sold for a while. Any of those three grain leathers require next to no special care, and take a nice beating while retaining a distinctive appearance.

Basically something along these lines...obviously it is a different style just wanted you to see the grain on a boot. View attachment 1260669

much appreciated your insightful thoughts!
I actually want to have a dressier (but not formal) boots for the sunny or less-rainy days in London, most of my other boots are rubber-soled so I want to use a thick JR sole on this pair.
I am also a huge fan of smaller grains, Utah, Inca, Alpine or Pin-grain (Fandango) will all be ideal but unfortunately the maker stock none of them.
If you leave out water-resistance, how would you compare Janus and museum calf style-wise?

would go for a cooler tone of janus or russian calf. warm looking shoes can be hard to wear in outfits. similarly, i find, museum calf looks better on screen than in actual outfits.

I leaned towards a very dark brown museum calf before your comment but now I am thinking a grey Janus could also work.

 

[dieworkwear]

I leaned towards a very dark brown museum calf before your comment but now I am thinking a grey Janus could also work.

I have a pair of grey boots I sometimes wear with blue jeans and a midnight blue leather jacket. But the problem with unusual shoes, whether by design or color or material, is that they draw the eye downwards. That can be less of an issue with very causal outfits, such as what people talk about at SWD. But with more traditional outfits, such as CM, the focus is more often centered at the top -- on the shirt, tie, and jacket combo, or with a sweater and coat. When you have strange shoes, they draw the eye downward.

IMO, this is why walnut colored shoes are more often than not worn poorly rather than worn well. They can be worn well, but guys gravitate towards them because they're bright and shiny, without realizing they don't have the necessary wardrobe to support such a shoe color.

Anyway, something to think about if you're going to go for warm tones, grey leathers, or unusual materials (if you haven't already thought about this).

 

[WilYa]

I have a pair of grey boots I sometimes wear with blue jeans and a midnight blue leather jacket. But the problem with unusual shoes, whether by design or color or material, is that they draw the eye downwards. That can be less of an issue with very causal outfits, such as what people talk about at SWD. But with more traditional outfits, such as CM, the focus is more often centered at the top -- on the shirt, tie, and jacket combo, or with a sweater and coat. When you have strange shoes, they draw the eye downward.

IMO, this is why walnut colored shoes are more often than not worn poorly rather than worn well. They can be worn well, but guys gravitate towards them because they're bright and shiny, without realizing they don't have the necessary wardrobe to support such a shoe color.

Anyway, something to think about if you're going to go for warm tones, grey leathers, or unusual materials (if you haven't already thought about this).

You are quite right! Just reminded me that I have a Lavagna grey EG nevis sitting in storage. Do you think a greyish brown like below will work?

Problem is I already have too many snuff/dark brown suedes, what else cooler colortones will you suggest?

 

[dieworkwear]

You are quite right! Just reminded me that I have a Lavagna grey EG nevis sitting in storage. Do you think a greyish brown like below will work?
View attachment 1260742
Problem is I already have too many snuff/dark brown suedes, what else cooler colortones will you suggest?

Hard to say without seeing them in an outfit.

TBH, I only really wear dark brown and black shoes. I have a couple of pairs of tan, but they don't really get that much wear. It just takes a bit too much coordination.

It's not a very StyleForum answer, but I think at some point, a person has enough shoes and their money could be better spent on other things.

 

[Mallaig]

I saw this thread, and figured I might post this photo here too:

View attachment 1260563

Love the look of those oxblood (?) **** toes. Are they on the Cavour site? I don’t see them.

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

If you leave out water-resistance, how would you compare Janus and museum calf style-wise?

I leaned towards a very dark brown museum calf before your comment but now I am thinking a grey Janus could also work.

I would say all things being equal, the Janus leather. It is much more versatile. It can be dressed up or down. You can easily get three seasons from it, so long as you keep it dark. So, obviously I am agreeing with your comment concerning a dark brown color. In this case I would be a dark suede.

@dieworkwear provides great insight pertaining to a lighter color attracting the attention towards your feet. A dark color keeps everything muted, and can pass for something more than a country boot.

I would say though that I always associate Janus leather with a chukka, but it can probably work with a longer boot.

Speaking of a longer boot definitely nothing wrong with smooth leather on 8 or 10 eyelet boot.

Can do both as well, especially when you consider no one will see the top of it. Something along these lines. Dark brown on dark brown. I also love that the hardware is also dark. Keep everything muted.

And if you kept them on smooth calf.. Which I'd also suggest.. In a slightly darker color.

@dieworkwear TBH, I only really wear dark brown and black shoes. I have a couple of pairs of tan, but they don't really get that much wear. It just takes a bit too much coordination]

Certainly agree with that. Dark brown, dark burgundy, and black.. Hard to mess that up.

 

[aj2603]

I am considering to order split-toe boots for the coming winter, smething like below
View attachment 1260571
Currently torn between leather choices, museum calf or Russian calf or Janus calf, any suggestions?

i have something similar made MTO by Sagara..

 

[dieworkwear]

This is a good example of the shape that I don't think works for split toes. Too sleek and nearly symmetrical. It looks like an internet browser tab.

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

This is a good example of the shape that I don't think works for split toes. Too sleek and nearly symmetrical. It looks like an internet browser tab.


View attachment 1262860

A split toe on a refined last is the equivalent of putting a tough guy in a tux and taking him to a state dinner.

 

[dauster]

I feel like you guys are low- key hating on my recent suggestions but you guys might have a point still love the sleek split toes!!!! Sorry! A few examples attached !!! One of these days I will actually commit to one and then I can judge from experience until then I am just judging from Instagram.

A split toe on a refined last is the equivalent of putting a tough guy in a tux and taking him to a state dinner.

e

 

[dieworkwear]

I think a sleek shape can sometimes work, but it depends on the specific last. Some, when combined with a split toe, just looks very internet-y. It's like super sleek work boots

Of the photos you posted, I dig the first. The Hiro is OK too.

Not into the chukka and really not feeling the red shoes

My first pair of shoes from Templeman are sleek-ish (pictured below). My StCs are also sleek ish. But I think there has to be a certain shape to sleek split toes. Otherwise, it looks like a pizza slice.

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

I feel like you guys are low- key hating on my recent suggestions but you guys might have a point still love the sleek split toes!!!! Sorry! A few examples attached !!! One of these days I will actually commit to one and then I can judge from experience until then I am just judging from Instagram.

Preference rather than hating I would suggest.

To me, it is like a bearded man with one of those huge beer bellies who loves wearing berets with an ascot. I just can not bring myself to wear that. I can't bring myself to wear a rugged split toe with a pointy toe or triangular last.

Plus berets with ascots feels like I should always be uttering
"sacre bleu"

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

i have something similar made MTO by Sagara..

View attachment 1260991 View attachment 1260992 View attachment 1260993 View attachment 1260994 View attachment 1260995 View attachment 1260996 View attachment 1260997

Incidently, you made an excellent choice here. Good sleekness with a rugged sole. No pizza slices there! ?

 

[OrlandoMo]

I would say all things being equal, the Janus leather. It is much more versatile. It can be dressed up or down. You can easily get three seasons from it, so long as you keep it dark. So, obviously I am agreeing with your comment concerning a dark brown color. In this case I would be a dark suede.

@dieworkwear provides great insight pertaining to a lighter color attracting the attention towards your feet. A dark color keeps everything muted, and can pass for something more than a country boot.

I would say though that I always associate Janus leather with a chukka, but it can probably work with a longer boot.

Speaking of a longer boot definitely nothing wrong with smooth leather on 8 or 10 eyelet boot.

Can do both as well, especially when you consider no one will see the top of it. Something along these lines. Dark brown on dark brown. I also love that the hardware is also dark. Keep everything muted.

View attachment 1260968

And if you kept them on smooth calf.. Which I'd also suggest.. In a slightly darker color.

View attachment 1260979

View attachment 1260980

View attachment 1261081

@dieworkwear TBH, I only really wear dark brown and black shoes. I have a couple of pairs of tan, but they don't really get that much wear. It just takes a bit too much coordination]

Certainly agree with that. Dark brown, dark burgundy, and black.. Hard to mess that up.

First ones are sick

 

[winghus]

I think a sleek shape can sometimes work, but it depends on the specific last. Some, when combined with a split toe, just looks very internet-y. It's like super sleek work boots

Of the photos you posted, I dig the first. The Hiro is OK too.

Not into the chukka and really not feeling the red shoes

My first pair of shoes from Templeman are sleek-ish (pictured below). My StCs are also sleek ish. But I think there has to be a certain shape to sleek split toes. Otherwise, it looks like a pizza slice.

View attachment 1263076

How do you feel about the G&G Thorpe?