shoes

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

I turned 41 this month, and have decided to stop dressing like I'm either:
a) about to hit the Appalachian trail

or

b) about to head to my job at starbucks on my skateboard

So, I've been upgrading the wardrobe, including my footwear.

Do any of you have a pair of Alden's?

I got myself a pair of captoe balmorals by Allen Edmunds, but they are too formal for work and everyday wear. I'm considering these:

http://unionmadegoods.com/product/alden-natoma-dover-in-dark-brown-eclipse-29373/

Though I waited too long and they are out of my size... but something like it.

Anyone wearing Alden or Allen Edmunds? I want some hand crafted made in the US shoes that I can be buried in someday.

STPHNSN23 · Guest

i've always wanted a pair of aldens, but i wasn't able to justify the price last time i was shopping. i stuck with cole haans fwiw.

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

I started a savings account for them... I should have enough to make a purchase at the end of the summer.

Little at a time...

eeven73 · Posted: Jun 17, 2014 6:43 am Post subject:

That store sure is proud of its goods Shocked

jt09 · Ladies Man Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 22083 City: Austin

i'm too hard on shoes to ever spend $500 on a pair.

i just go to dsw and try and find something that was originally priced $150-200 that i can get for $70-120.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

As I am standing all day now, comfort is key. I'm rocking some J&M shoes now, they have been pretty damn good so far. Enough to where I will likely pick up another pair or 2 soon to replace some aging Borns.

Any other suggestions similar in style, comfort & price to J&M?

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

Being hard on shoes though might be a reason to buy a longer lasting, fully recraftable shoe.

jt09 · Ladies Man Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 22083 City: Austin

uh, no. i scuff the toes and occasionally get help from a dog who eats soles. between the two of us, it's stupid to spend $500+ on a pair of shoes only to turn around and spend more money to fix what we destroy.

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 10056 City: Edmond

Those are more than I want to spend, and I'm not real interested in recraftable shoes.

I have found I really like the Born brand, and I'm now on my second pair of those.

goofyboy · Posted: Jun 17, 2014 10:28 am Post subject:

I still rock a pair of 5 hole low top Doc Martins. I hate dress shoes. I only wear them when I absolutely have too, which is rare. I wear my boots (ostrich skin) with my suit.

jason_ssr · Posted: Jun 17, 2014 10:29 am Post subject:

I'm in the same boat as JT. I am really rough on work\everyday shoes. Maybe recraftable is the way to go. I have been on my "Made in the USA" kick for a while now. I usually get a year out of $100 pair of shoes. I would need to get over 5 years out of a $500 pair, and that just seems so unrealistic in my world. maybe I'm wrong.

eeven73 · Posted: Jun 17, 2014 10:38 am Post subject:

You are not wrong.

$500 shoes will not last 5 years of regular wear. It is luxury and will have maintence cost as well. Frankly probably 50-100 annually to keep in tip top shape with regular wear shoes.

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

People on men's style forum claim to have gotten a decade out of alden and allen edmunds shoes, with several recraftings.

Take that fwiw though...

I got 7 years out of a pair of 300dollar boots I wore every day including motorcycle riding in all kinds of weather. Had them resoled once before the leather just gave out.

Well, I'mma keep saving and purchase something in the fall. I'll come back in 5 years and let you know if I was right about this too.

bjeremi · Soul Rider Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 433 City: Owasso

I've got three pairs of shoes for the office.

Some Ralph Lauren Sandersons. Really like them and I am incredibly hard on the heals. They have made it through three re-crafting's on the heal at the cost of about $20 a time. Great shoes and wear well. (4 years on these shoes)

Allen Edmonds cap toes (might be similar to yours).

Last pair is some Salvatore Ferragamo loafers. Great shoe and might be what you are looking for when it comes to a less dressy look. However, doesn't fit your made in USA criteria. They have had the heals replaced once and are holding up great.

My biggest advice would be to use shoe trees as often as you can.

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

I started using shoe trees after I bought my wolverine 1000 miles, which I hate.

I also have a pair of chippewa rough-out service boots that I use trees in, and my allen edmunds.

Everyone recommends shoe trees, so I use them, but I'm not sure they will make much of a difference. But for a fraction of the cost of the shoe, why not just use them, I figured.