To Boot, Adam Derrick shoes

[amemovox]

First of all, I am a bit older than most of you on this Forum. Just wanted your thoughts on these shoes. I picked them up the other night. Dark brown suede, casual, athletically inspired shoe from Adam Derrick founder of To Boot New York.

These shoes are a dark chocolate brown with red leather interior. They appear to be well made. I am in my mid 50's and will not try to emulate guys in their 20's or 30's. Frankly, most guys my age dress like old men.

The fact these shoes were suede, sleek and modern persuaded me to buy them.
Seems that the stores are full of sale priced Cole Haan, Diesel, Steven Madden and other casual sneaker type shoes.

Let me know your gut level, candid responses to these shoes. Thanks

 

[mack11211]

I'm nearly 15 years your junior and sort of like them.

On these boards, people get into the details of construction of dress shoes, but the construction of this sort of shoe matters less, as you are unlikely to have the resoled, etc.

One style issue for me is the contrasting stitch patterns in the toe box, which is trying to be cool but not quite making it.

 

[kronik]

Originally Posted by mack11211

One style issue for me is the contrasting stitch patterns in the toe box, which is trying to be cool but not quite making it.

This is my main reason for disliking the shoes - they criss-crossing seems to break up the "neatness" of the design, if you will.

 

[Arethusa]

I don't like them. They strike me distinctly as the kind of sneaker a cobbler would make if he had never seen a sneaker.

Admittedly, you're at least two and a half times older than me, but I don't think that should necessarily stop you from wearing stuff like slimmer jeans and modern sneakers. It depends greatly on how you wear it and what your style is like. That may not be what you want, of course, and that's alright, but these, in particular, do not sit well with me.

 

[Analog]

I think the shoes have a sleek silhouette, like a lot of ToBoot footwear I've seen. I think its more important to see the kind of outfit/look your going to be wearing them with.

 

[DNW]

I have a pair from Puma that is very similar. I normally use them for driving or just kicking about town with jeans. So, I like them because they're sporty, but don't look like a pair of sneakers. I don't know how you plan to wear them, but I think they'll go great with jeans or really casual clothing.

 

[mack11211]

Originally Posted by Arethusa

I don't like them. They strike me distinctly as the kind of sneaker a cobbler would make if he had never seen a sneaker.

Admittedly, you're at least two and a half times older than me, but I don't think that should necessarily stop you from wearing stuff like slimmer jeans and modern sneakers. It depends greatly on how you wear it and what your style is like. That may not be what you want, of course, and that's alright, but these, in particular, do not sit well with me.

I think they are a particular fusion of sneaker and trad shoe style that came up in Italy about 10 years ago, influenced perhaps by some other athletic shoes like bicyling shoes.

The basic style is good, and widely worn, at least by non-youth. For some cleaner versions of the style, check the Certo and Sutor Mantelassi models on Virtual Clothes Horse.

 

[Arethusa]

I saw those on VCH once. Scared the hell out of me.

 

[minya]

They look like bowling shoes (and like Steve Maddens). Completely unappealing.

You'd be a lot better served by some more classic sneakers imho.

 

[DNW]

Originally Posted by minya

They look like bowling shoes (and like Steve Maddens). Completely unappealing.

You'd be a lot better served by some more classic sneakers imho.

Actually, I think they're modeled after old cycling shoes. Old school man, before sneakers were sneakers.

 

[minhi]

Originally Posted by DarkNWorn

Actually, I think they're modeled after old cycling shoes. Old school man, before sneakers were sneakers.

i have a pair of sidi touring cycling shoes (imagine road cycling shoes, just with a basic sole and much more relaxed, low tech styling) that look very similiar to these. i like them, the slim look of the puma speed cats in a shoe that looks more comfortable.

i think they're too casual (even for business casual) but they're a good break from the tsubo (which i think are ugly) or even onitsuka (which i kind of like, have a pair).

how much did they cost?

 

[rach2jlc]

I like them and think that they'll look great with jeans. Off your feet, posed and set in the middle of a photograph, they look a lot more dramatic than they would whenever anywould would look down at them while being worn under a pair of jeans. At that level, I think they'd look nice, subtle, and decidedly sleek. They remind me of some of my Jil Sander Pumas.