Proper leather shoes

I have a pair of Crocket and Jones loafers, as seen in this image from their site:

They are very slightly too small for me, probably by a half size.

The chap in the shop I bought them from thinks we can "ease" them up a little, can this process go up half a size?

If so/even if so, would someone care to buy these from me for £100 less than they cost me, to account for my having worn them round the office, and outside to buy a sandwhich a couple of times?

I paid £340, so £240 takes them away.

Too small in which direction, on what part of the foot? Half a size is mostly possible without destroying the shoe shape. Suede loafers are pretty flexible, using a shoe stretcher will probably bring them to the right size.

Not sure of the nomenclature here - I'd call it width, but that seems to mean depth in shoe-speak.

Basically, I need a little more room for my toes laterally, the three outside toes, after wearing the shoes for a while, press against the inner face of the shoe.

I did try the half size up originally but when taking a step forward my heal came up and almost out of the shoe, so these are a better fit from that perspective, but the toe issue needs to be resolved.

That's width in my world, and welcome to it, I've worn up to EEEE in shoes.
Half a size shouldn't distort them too much.

Yup, you'll only have issues with a size up. I can't get on with loafers for the same reason. You're better stretching them to fit your toes and stay snug on the heel, or admit defeat with a half size up and extra insole(s).

A few pages back I posted images of the hefty metal shoe stretcher machine, that's the best to use if done properly, but you can buy for yourself a wooden equivalent. Or buy some stretcher spray (basically aerosol full of alcohol) to spray into the shoe followed by either stretching or wearing when your feet are at their largest. Feet swell by the afternoon, and more in the summer.

Hah, I bought them in the morning, and by afternoon they'd rubbed the outside of my toe raw.

I'll take them back to the chap I bought them from - he has a suitably medieval stretching device.

Always buy shoes in the afternoon.

Nice work, sewing the leather by hand or machine?

You might be able to add some shape/rigidity to to stop deformation from your toes in v2 by using a second layer in the beneath the 'toe box' (with a skived edge to stop a ridge forming) if lining them.

A bit of both. I was doing the main trim on the machine, and some of the awkward areas by hand. I've been so busy lately I'd had no time to improve on that first attempt.

In other news I finally grabbed some saddle soap (spray-can foam, not proper tinned stuff) and it's significantly improved the finish on two pairs of soft black oxfords.

The Crockett&Jones Bedfords now have a nice subtle sheen and more of the original calf skin texture showing through, and the un-named vintage pair are smooth and shiny with nice grain.

As neither pair are incredibly high shine, I was happy to put some pressure in to scrub away the old built-up polish, and it paid off. After a few coats of saddle soap the leather was matte and a little tacky as the moisture soaked in to the upper. Shortly after I applied one thin layer of Kiwi parade gloss and gave them a soft brushing over. Nice and smooth shine.

Definitely recommend applying saddle soap now and then to the polishing regime.

I went to Breaking Away a walking boot fitter today. A 1 hour interview process and measuring before 4 boots were suggested and one hiking shoe too.

I got a pair of Altberg Tethera boots and some Aku Arriba walking shoes along with proper walking socks and orthotic insoles.

1 Attachment

Tk maxx in Covent Garden has tricker's stow boots in 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5 for £150 today. Super nice, a few colours - they've got several pairs in the smaller sizes but only 2 in 9.5 and 1 in 9.

https://goo.gl/photos/sARu7vH1MFRwf5gu

https://goo.gl/photos/2MrntQ7QD3L3KRDm6

Bargain!!

Nice. The full rubber rand is great for protecting against scrapes on scree or moraine fields - I wish my Asolos had them as they are pretty scuffed after 3 years, and have developed some suede-like patches from crampon-strap-rub too.

How do the shoes feel? I started hiking in trail runners couple of years ago and except for big off-track mountain routes, or winter, I wear them all the time. However one issue is durability - been through two pairs already (Montrail and Salomon... can't remember the models). The second issue is that neither pair were very stiff, so they twist/curl around my foot on sidles or thin edges (grasping the heel in one hand and the toe in thge other, with a little effort i can twist the shoe so the sole is facing skyward). So I am looking for something sturdier and stiffer.

I had a bit of a chuckle at 'proper hiking socks'; very middle class annual weekend in the peak district! I have always used cheap plain wool socks from any old shop, but then again I seem to be resistant to blisters.

I need to break in the boots, so just short walks and wearing around the house. They are remarkably comfortable. I think this is because "Dave the shoe" is an old school boot fitter, I had been there for over an hour having measurements and detailed questions before we even looked at new shoes and boots. The whole process was the best part of 3 hours. He also assesses what you intend to do so will ensure they are fit for purpose as well as fit you.

Altberg come in various widths as well so he was able to ensure they were not going to affect my toes. The Altbergs boots are very stiff, the Aku shoes less so. The socks are separate liners and outers, some for summer, some for winter.

Having had a "boot fit" it is like a bike fit, one of those things that seems mad until you have had it done. The fit costs about £40 but is well worth it. His brother has had the equivalent Altberg boots for over 10 years and he also instructs about how to clean them properly inside (to clean out the pores of the breathable membrane) and outside too.

The shoes are super comfortable. He was honest and says the shoes will last about 2 years due to more synthetic materials and less durable construction.

No 7 in a corner?

Well good to hear about the shoes, that's twice the lifespan I'm getting. If I see them in a shop I'll give them the twist-test.

Regarding cleaning I give them a scrub every time I wear them, and wash the insides out until the water runs clear (which can take a disgustingly long time). I used to apply Grangers G-wax when water stopped beading on them, a thin coat helped to soak in with a hairdryer - but they are now so abraded that water never really beads, so I just do it occasionally.

They definitely won't last ten years though - boots really suffer if they're saturated with water then freeze overnight (especially so if you defrost them over the stove).

The boot fitting sounds like great value. I only wear the boots in winter now which is very varied and stop-start (kick steps, rest, scramble a bit, crampons on, crampons off, rest again, kick more steps and so on). In my experience it's the long-distance hikes that really beat up your feet, and moreso on flatter terrain, I suppose it is the repetitive movements. I wear the trail runners for this sort of thing anyway.

Check out the Hiking, Scrambling, Climbing and Mountaineering thread.

His cleaning regime is to fill the boots with water and a cap of nikwax or graingers breathable fabric cleaner, gently agitate and leave them to stand for an hour or so. This will clean out anything from the inside of the lining membrane (helping to preserve its breathable qualities) and also remove grit that has got inside. Then tip the fluid out, if your boots have a lot of synthetic material then use this solution on the outside to clean them too. If leather just wipe off the mud with a damp cloth.

Before the outside has dried (wether leather or synthetic), reproof with a breathable fabric proofing agent (if they are synthetic on the outside) or with a leather nourishing cream.

Stolen from a website that organises long walks

"If you live in England, here is the best boot-fitter available:
'Dave The Boot': -
Breaking Away
28 Holywell Hill
St Albans
AL1 1BX
01727 833586

It is essential that people book a boot fitting in advance with Dave as he has a long waiting list. He will not sell boots to people if he knows they are going to receive heavy use within 2 weeks of purchase, as they will not have been worn in properly. He adheres strictly to a boot fitter's code of practice."

https://www.facebook.com/BreakingAwayBoots/posts

Didn't see any I'm afraid, but I was looking for 12s....!

fill the boots with water and a cap of nikwax or graingers breathable fabric cleaner

That's a good tip. Mine are goretex lined but this has almost certainly broken by now.

that's twice the lifespan I'm getting.

Is that for trail running shoes?

I'm quite surprised as my Meindls are hitting their 10th birthday and other than some slight cracking on the crease of the left boot they're going strong ... although they were pretty sedentary for years 3 to 8 :|

Yes for the trail runners. The damage is all from abrasion on the sides. They aren't designed for multi-day backpacking trips which are usually a bit scrambly, so I'm not complaining.

I do wear them probably 30-40 hours a month spring-autumn. Boots 15-25 hours a month in winter. At a guess.

Right, so I have just received a pair of Meermin black oxfords. Size 9.5UK and I can barely get the fecking things on my feet. Does anyone want first refusal to buy them off me sans the £35 round trip postage that it will cost me to return them?

Say a square £100?

Yeah, I'll go for them please / dibs / PM'd / what next?

I should add that I am in Bethnal Green, London.