Shoe spending

[FL shaver]

I went shoe shopping today, so it's been on my mind... Thanks for listening!

I generally spend $40-$80 for my shoes. I find it hard to justify spending anything approaching, never mind over, $100 for a pair of shoes. I have a pair of black loafers (Bass Monroe IIs) or a pair of black bluchers from Bass when I wear black wool pants. I have a pair of brown loafers from Bass to wear with khakis. I picked up a new pair of Monroe IIs today to replace a similar brown loafer I had for a couple of years. The problem I have with shoes is that I am rough on them. I am moving all day. I wedge the heel quickly. The soles wear. I scuff the toe when I get down on the floor. I walk on gravel, concrete, and asphalt. Bass are relatively cheap shoes and I can easily justify getting a new pair every 12 months. I have a pair of cordovan Sebago handsewns I got for less than $100, too, but I see the same wear with them as the cheaper rubber soled Bass shoe I usually buy. I don't wear them often, but the sole and heel are worn to the point that they need work. I imagine wearing out a pair of AE shoes just as rapidly. Then I'd be left with replacing or restoring for over $100.

I almost picked up a pair of J. Crew desert boots (suede Macalisters) a couple months ago as they were very comfortable, but the best deal was almost $100.

Is there a better option than just replacing these cheaper shoes on a frequent basis? I do wonder about possibly finding a more comfortable option without reverting to sneakers.

 

[Doc4]

I find it hard to justify spending anything approaching, never mind over, $100 for a pair of shoes.

The problem I have with shoes is that I am rough on them. I am moving all day. I wedge the heel quickly. The soles wear. I scuff the toe when I get down on the floor. I walk on gravel, concrete, and asphalt.

Is there a better option than just replacing these cheaper shoes on a frequent basis?

Okay, I'll give this a try ...

IF you buy a pair of goodyear-welted shoes ... now, we don't have to be talking $400-$800 English shoes, or even the lesser (but highly regarded by many of our American members) Alden and Allen-Edmonds ... just decentgoodyear-welted shoes ... you can get a pair of Vibram half-soles on them in short order, and they'll last for quite a while. Then, when the soles are wearing out eventually, or the heels wearing out ... you take them to a local cobbler (the guy you found to put the Vibram half-soles on in the first place) and hey-presto ... they are repaired and good to go.

No, you don't have to send them off to the factory for recrafting ... that's the "Cadillac option" ... if all you want is a quality, serviceable repair. Let's say you buy a pair for $200 ... maybe you get some Allen-Edmonds seconds ... with proper care and re-soling with a local cobbler, I defy you to wear these out within the year. In fact, I fully expect that over their natural life ... assuming of course that you care for them properly ... you will either save money compared to your frequent "disposable shoe" purchases, or at least be so close that you won't mind the slight added expense, in light of the much finer shoes you get to put on your feet every day.

If you want to try it "on the cheap", get a second-hand pair, get past the "ick" factor, get those Vibram soles on them, and give 'em "heck".

 

[FL shaver]

Sounds like a good option between disposables and high end shoes. The uppers of these cheaper shoes are in good shape when I ditch them due to sole wear. I actually hate to toss them, but the sole wear makes them uncomfortable. I probably hang on to them at the expense of my feet, knees, and hips!

 

[FL shaver]

I'm researching shoe construction now, and like most topics here, I fear I'm going to end up making a large initial investment...

 

[MichaeltheRomanHistorian]

I share your cautious nature with regard to spending and there are other options out there. Vibrams/Topying (like Doc4 says) is one way and you can go a long ways with even 2 pairs of $100 dress shoes (or even your current options). I would normally be very parsimonious myself but I can often spend 4-8 hours on my feet lecturing or walking or whatever during the day and I find that I spoil myself with shoes. I don't think every man needs English dress shoes or even Allen Edmonds or Aldens (just ignore my collection of mostly English shoes with a handful of AEs) as I have a pair or two of beater Florsheims ($60 at Nordstrom Rack) which have been half-soled and I've gotten 3 years out of them for total of $60 + $50 for a half-sole. You could even get the plastic or metal toe/heel taps to help extend the life of your heels and the tips of your soles.

I don't see why that can't be done with your current shoes since you say the uppers stay in good condition and you otherwise seem happy with them.

 

[Patman27]

Also, try some leather food or mink oil on the leather. The conditioning make a world of difference, even on scuffed areas.

 

[Allegrabene]

Okay, I'll give this a try ...

IF you buy a pair of goodyear-welted shoes ... now, we don't have to be talking $400-$800 English shoes, or even the lesser (but highly regarded by many of our American members) Alden and Allen-Edmonds ... just decentgoodyear-welted shoes ... you can get a pair of Vibram half-soles on them in short order, and they'll last for quite a while. Then, when the soles are wearing out eventually, or the heels wearing out ... you take them to a local cobbler (the guy you found to put the Vibram half-soles on in the first place) and hey-presto ... they are repaired and good to go.

No, you don't have to send them off to the factory for recrafting ... that's the "Cadillac option" ... if all you want is a quality, serviceable repair. Let's say you buy a pair for $200 ... maybe you get some Allen-Edmonds seconds ... with proper care and re-soling with a local cobbler, I defy you to wear these out within the year. In fact, I fully expect that over their natural life ... assuming of course that you care for them properly ... you will either save money compared to your frequent "disposable shoe" purchases, or at least be so close that you won't mind the slight added expense, in light of the much finer shoes you get to put on your feet every day.

If you want to try it "on the cheap", get a second-hand pair, get past the "ick" factor, get those Vibram soles on them, and give 'em "heck".

Ive done this exact thing with three out of the five pairs of dress shoes I've ever owned. Straight out of college I bought very economical pairs and wore right through them in the course of a year. Bam, that's 75 bucks down the drain, and 75 bucks more to follow. I figured there's got to be a better way. So I hit up the Nordstroms half yearly sale and picked up a pair of $400 dress boots for half price and swore I'd take care of them. For the past 11 years, if my feet weren't in those shoes, shoe trees were. Simple maintenance like regular cleaning and polishing goes a long way as well. Ten years on and I finally had to have them resoled. So instead of spending $50 over ten years = $500, I spent $275 total for a great pair of top quality shoes that I'll have a really long time. I have 3 pairs of shoes like that, where I picked them up at the Nordstroms sale and they have all lasted over 5 years so far and look as good as the day I got them. Just makes more sense to me doing it that way

 

[Cuttingboard]

I cannot comprehend the reasons why people continue to buy disposable shoes.

 

[FL shaver]

Also, try some leather food or mink oil on the leather. The conditioning make a world of difference, even on scuffed areas.

This I routinely do. And I hate tossing the shoe with the upper being in good shape and comfortable.

 

[FL shaver]

I cannot comprehend the reasons why people continue to buy disposable shoes.

I'll be looking for a good opportunity to pick up a decent pair soon!

 

[Cuttingboard]

I'll be looking for a good opportunity to pick up a decent pair soon!

You'll be glad you did...it pays off in the long run.

 

[gaseousclay]

I cannot comprehend the reasons why people continue to buy disposable shoes.

me neither. I used to be that guy a few years ago, and now I refuse to buy garbage shoes.

 

[jpakstis]

I have found that my local cobbler will repair the soles and the heel for about $60. If you get a decent pair of shoes (I would recommend one with full-grain leather and not the "corrected grain" of most low-end shoes), they wear to your feet and it practically feels like you're wearing slippers around town. I now have six pairs of Allen Edmonds and each of them I have picked up for less than $200, either as a factory-second or when they have sales, which they usually do about four times a year. Also, every summer, Nordstrom will sell their AEs (usually their Park Aves and/or Strands - two of their flagship shoes) for less than $200.

 

[Cuttingboard]

me neither. I used to be that guy a few years ago, and now I refuse to buy garbage shoes.

Sadly, me too!

 

[thebikingengineer]

It sounds like you need a pair of dressy-ish boots with how you're using your current shoes. Look at some Redwing Heritage or Wolverine 1000 Mile boots, your feet and your wallet will thank you.

 

[FL shaver]

It sounds like you need a pair of dressy-ish boots with how you're using your current shoes. Look at some Redwing Heritage or Wolverine 1000 Mile boots, your feet and your wallet will thank you.

My only reservation with this suggestion is that I live in Florida. Too hot for boots, though I've seen some great boots on the forum.

 

[FL shaver]

$50. I'll slap some plastic heel taps on and see how long they last. Looking at AE for the next pair. These look good enough and the uppers wear well. My legs will hurt when the heels wedge, though.

 

[thebikingengineer]

My only reservation with this suggestion is that I live in Florida. Too hot for boots, though I've seen some great boots on the forum.

Honestly, that comes down more to the socks you wear. A pair of light wool boot socks will keep your feet quite cool on a hot day. I live in the California Desert and hike in hot weather all the time in a pair of leather Chippewas, my sock choice makes a huge difference in my comfort.

 

[ddillas]

I cannot comprehend the reasons why people continue to buy disposable shoes.

THANK YOU... my feeling exactly. There must be some internal mechanism that as we get older we start to grasp that cheeper is not always better.. A nice pair of cowboy boot, or work boots, or Alden, AE's that can be recrafted is going to do a much better job in the long run tha the n a cheap pair of shoes.... By the way the J.Crew desert boots mentioned are, as far as I can tell, made by Clark's, and the Clark's will cost less! Also having more than one pair of shoes so a rotation can be established is better both for your feet and the leather shoes.

Cheers, Don

 

[Larry C in Texas]

The first thing I would recommend is to not wear the same pair of shoes more than one day in a row. Give them time to dry out between wearings. That's the most important thing I have found in making shoes last. I have several pair that are 8+ years old and still in fine shape. I concur with what others have said about buying better shoes and they will last longer. Bass used to be a good shoe, but this was back when I was in my 20's and I'm nearing 60 now. The last pair I looked at was maybe 10 years ago and they were cheaply made then. +1 on the rubber heel taps. I have done them for years and years and they really help with the heel wear. It's getting harder and harder to find a good cobbler, at least for me. I had one I really liked, but when his heavy-duty sewing machine broke, he quit doing any sewing of soles, and will only glue them on. That was the end of my business to him. I have to drive into Dallas (which is a pain) to get to a good cobbler.

I'm like you as far as boots go. Here in Texas, it's way too hot for boots most of the year.

The initial investment in good shoes is a real wallet killer, but you spend less in the long run, as the other respondees to this thread have so nicely stated.