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English Shoe Durability in Practice

bhall41

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Originally Posted by Ich_Dien
Made by C&J.

Thank you for clarifying. I had assumed Alden given they were cordovan.
 

bhall41

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Originally Posted by upnorth
Well, you've spent two years on SF in vain.

I suspect the reason they passed under my radar is because they are Ralph Lauren, for the reason I mention in my previous past.
 

bhall41

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Originally Posted by NOBD
Great avatar, bhall.

Cheers, it's the album cover for Small Change by Tom Waits
 

NOBD

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Originally Posted by bhall41
Cheers, it's the album cover for Small Change by Tom Waits

I know, I know. Hence...
 

bhall41

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Originally Posted by NOBD
I know, I know. Hence...

facepalm.gif
smile.gif
 

upnorth

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Originally Posted by bhall41
I suspect the reason they passed under my radar is because they are Ralph Lauren, for the reason I mention in my previous past.

No worries mate, written in jest. Those are indeed made by Crockett. Unfortunately, they do not have a similar pair in their range.
 

ktrp

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I have a pair of AEs from 6 years ago that have been resoled twice, and are due again.

I would hazard a guess that the number thrown out earlier - perhaps 200 wearings - is about right for me. Uppers are still in excellent condition. The lining at the heel is quite worn, and I need to see about getting it fixed.

I think you see a big durability difference between $150 and $300 shoes, I don't know if $300 to $900 changes as much.
 

bhall41

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Originally Posted by upnorth
No worries mate, written in jest. Those are indeed made by Crockett. Unfortunately, they do not have a similar pair in their range.
Yes, it's a shame.
 

Beaune Head

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For what it's worth, I've got three pairs of Church's that are still in good shape after ~20 years. Ballys, Ferragamos, and Guccis are long gone...
 

cimabue

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The sole leather on the English shoes I own is definitely inferior to Alden's sole leather. Quality control in general, however, tilts to the English. Alden has some sloppy stitching going on, for which there is just no excuse.
 

upnorth

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Originally Posted by cimabue
The sole leather on the English shoes I own is definitely inferior to Alden's sole leather. Quality control in general, however, tilts to the English. Alden has some sloppy stitching going on, for which there is just no excuse.

What are some of the English shoes you have? Were the Alden's you own shell cordovan? The last I heard, those were using JR soles.
 

cimabue

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Originally Posted by upnorth
What are some of the English shoes you have? Were the Alden's you own shell cordovan? The last I heard, those were using JR soles.
Church's mostly, a pair of Cheaney, Loake and C&J. The English soles sand down and are "spongy" whereas the Aldens (shell) become very hard and resistant with use. Of course they'll wear down, too, but not nearly as fast. Pure observation, not bias.
 

NORE

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I've found the rubber toplift inserts on my English shoes to be far more durable than any other shoe I've owned, save for Magnanni which is equally durable. Not sure what the difference is but my local cobbler has asked many times when I'm in there with a pair of my wife's shoes why I haven't brought any of my shoes in a while (over a year). I used to be in there like every other week getting combination toplifts (Vibram/leather) made in Italy which would wear down super fast. I guess it's a racket.
 

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