Which of these (a list of stores) offer decent shoes? If any?

[newn]

So you remember my other thread about the dress shirts. Now it's time for boots! And then I'm likely to move onto other pieces of clothing. But let's not derail, shall we?

Here's the store list, let me know if any of these make quality shoes for men, and if there's any specifics (like only X type of shoes), please mention that as well:

1. Aldo
2. Alikante
3. Chester
4. Crocs
5. Deitchmann
6. Divo
7. Ecco
8. Elegant Line
9. Este
10. Fam Club
11. Geox
12. Reno
13. Salamander
14. Tamaris
15. Clarks
16. Hogl
17. A&G
18. Mango Touch
19. NS King
20. Lloyd
21. Rieker
22. Verus
23. TJ Collection

In case all of them suck, let me know about the "good" brands that would actually be comfortable to wear. Note that I live in Europe, a less developed country.

EDIT:

Found a few more brands:

1. Cardinal
2. Bugatti
3. Vegabond
4. Armani Jeans
5. La Conte Paris
6. Diesel
7. Guess
8. Camper
9. Tommy Hilfiger
10. Miomio

 

[newn]

Oh, forgot to add some info on what I need them for. So here goes:

I'd be walking a lot in them, even as much as 2-4 miles non-stop, or even more. We have 3-4 months long winters here, but I'd probably buy other shoes that are warmer because it's -20C outside during the winters. So these mainly would be for the other 8-9 months, so sunny and rainy days at 5-30C.

Looking for comfort and quality dress shoes that would go with a button-down/jeans or non-suit pants and sometimes a blazer (business casual, I like the more professional approach/looks). Not gonna wear a suit yet.

 

[YRR92]

1. Not really. You know that saying, "better to have one pair of good shoes than four pairs of bad?" Aldo makes the bad shoes in that analogy.
4. F*** no. Never ever. Ever. Worse than Vibram Five-Fingers, which at least tend to attract people who know cool facts about ley lines.
7. Supposed to be good walking shoes, but ugly.
15. Not really decent shoes. Wallabees are great, but the Padmore & Barnes version is supposedly nicer. Desert boots are good, but cheapish.

This is an American forum, so American brands get a lot of coverage, but I think it would be easier to find good shoes in parts of Europe than in the US. I'd be surprised if you couldn't find a place that carries one of the English brands, if you insist on trying on in store, and I think you'd have a much easier time than an American of ordering from an EU or UK online retailer.

 

[RSS]

Good Lord, I must get out more. There is not one name on that list I recognize.

 

[newn]

In that case, did a bit more digging, here's what I found:

1. Vagabond
2. Bronx
3. Lacoste
4. Lorenzo
5. Zazza
6. Wawa
7. Timberland
8. Gino Rossi

 

[cbfn]

All of those are to a certain degree typical bad leather, glued-soled, square-toed shoes which are not highly liked in here. If you want good quality shoes for a decent price I would look at:

1) Loake's 1880-line
2) Herring shoes, made in england only
3) Carmina
4) C&J
5) Meermin (excellent quality/price, average CS, long waiting time)
6) Septième Largeur
7) Vass
8) Cheaney
9) Alfred Sargent
+ Some I don't remember at this time.

Good Lord, I must get out more. There is not one name on that list I recognize.

That's actually a good sign. I, sadly, do recognise some of them.

 

[newn]



All of those are to a certain degree typical bad leather, glued-soled, square-toed shoes which are not highly liked in here. If you want good quality shoes for a decent price I would look at:

1) Loake's 1880-line
2) Herring shoes, made in england only
3) Carmina
4) C&J
5) Meermin (excellent quality/price, average CS, long waiting time)
6) Septième Largeur
7) Vass
8) Cheaney
9) Alfred Sargent
+ Some I don't remember at this time.
That's actually a good sign. I, sadly, do recognise some of them.

So far, could not find a single store selling these brands.

Don't think buying a shoe online is the same as buying a shirt online, and I'm still gonna visit Suit Supply instead and try some of their shirts instead.

 

[cbfn]

Price, quality and accesability; pick two. Depending on where you live, some of the brands; Loake and C&J in particular, should be possible to find in a store. However, buying shoes online is not as difficult as someone makes it. I have bought at least 10 pairs online over the years I've been here, and every single one fits well; it all comes down to how much time you spend reading up on different last widths and the brands sizing with regards to others.

I live in Norway where clothing is very overpriced, resulting in me having my shirts and pants made to measurement in India (luxire) with far better quality in both craftmanship and fabric to a fraction of the price, and my shoes order through internet.

 

[newn]



Price, quality and accesability; pick two. Depending on where you live, some of the brands; Loake and C&J in particular, should be possible to find in a store. However, buying shoes online is not as difficult as someone makes it. I have bought at least 10 pairs online over the years I've been here, and every single one fits well; it all comes down to how much time you spend reading up on different last widths and the brands sizing with regards to others.

I live in Norway where clothing is very overpriced, resulting in me having my shirts and pants made to measurement in India (luxire) with far better quality in both craftmanship and fabric to a fraction of the price, and my shoes order through internet.

Thing is, last time I bought shoes was around 8 years ago. And the shoes were rather cheap. Basically I've no idea what's comfortable for me, I've only read on how it "feels," etc.. So without trying it on, I don't think I can know for sure, I would simple gamble by ordering. And I'm not rich, I'm buying these shoes for a few years until I start making money. I have to walk a few miles to work every morning and back every evening.

 

[cbfn]

Do you not have any high-quality shoe store nearby? It isn't illegal to try on shoes withou buying, a bit immoral, yes, but not illegal. I would presonally try on to find the size you find comfortable and remember the size.

 

[newn]



Do you not have any high-quality shoe store nearby? It isn't illegal to try on shoes withou buying, a bit immoral, yes, but not illegal. I would presonally try on to find the size you find comfortable and remember the size.

I have the stores I've mentioned nearby, so I presume that I do not then.

 

[cbfn]

Outside the big cities, high-quality shoes are usually not found in a store which only sells shoes but in a exclusive clothing store. Note the sizing which is in numbers like 7=41, 8=42 and so on which usually is written inside the shoe or on the shoe box.

 

[newn]



Outside the big cities, high-quality shoes are usually not found in a store which only sells shoes but in a exclusive clothing store. Note the sizing which is in numbers like 7=41, 8=42 and so on which usually is written inside the shoe or on the shoe box.

I live in the capital actually.

But speaking of size, is size the only thing? I mean, back when I was purchasing shoes for me (though of low quality, cost maybe ~$100 back then), I remember trying on various shoes and well - some of them felt horrible, they were really hard, in some my feet couldn't breathe, in some it felt like I couldn't walk more than a mile, some even though were of the "right" size, felt like they were too big or too small for my feet. Some were too tight or too close to the bone on the side of the feet (not sure how it's called), and basically kept bruising it when I was walking around the store department.

I would appreciate a comment on what I just said, mainly that's why I think that it's impossible to order shoes online and be sure that they fit you.

 

[cbfn]

In my experience, shoe sizing among high-quality shoemakers are more consistent than cheaper shoes. However, shoes are built on lasts, wooden forms in the shape of feet, which all have different dimensions. Loake have three main lasts, 026, 024 and the Capital, which all have different measurements. Meermin have their own lasts; Rui, Olfe, Hiro, Ama etc. If you google the maker + last you get more information about which feet they are sculpted to fit; wide, normal or narrow. Some makers also have wider version of their lasts, which are even more specified to get a better fit. Personally, I consistently order size 7 shoes from european shoemakers, which all fit well so far, but I do know some makers varies usually within half a size; if you want to know more about their sizing, google the shoemaker + sizing.

Since you live in a capital, I can almost with 100% certainty say you have high quality shoes within the city.

 

[newn]



In my experience, shoe sizing among high-quality shoemakers are more consistent than cheaper shoes. However, shoes are built on lasts, wooden forms in the shape of feet, which all have different dimensions. Loake have three main lasts, 026, 024 and the Capital, which all have different measurements. Meermin have their own lasts; Rui, Olfe, Hiro, Ama etc. If you google the maker + last you get more information about which feet they are sculpted to fit; wide, normal or narrow. Some makers also have wider version of their lasts, which are even more specified to get a better fit. Personally, I consistently order size 7 shoes from european shoemakers, which all fit well so far, but I do know some makers varies usually within half a size; if you want to know more about their sizing, google the shoemaker + sizing.

Since you live in a capital, I can almost with 100% certainty say you have high quality shoes within the city.

I've named all the stores that are available in my country. If it wasn't there, we don't have it here.

As for the lasts... Well, right now I'm used to walk by putting my feet sideways at first, so a wound wouldn't open after a ~3 miles walk, because my shoes are extremely uncomfortable, they're even a size too big I think. So I can't say which feet I have nor what lasts I need.

Found a few more brands:

1. Cardinal
2. Bugatti
3. Vegabond
4. Armani Jeans
5. La Conte Paris
6. Diesel
7. Guess
8. Camper
9. Tommy Hilfiger
10. Miomio