Proper leather shoes

Yeah I get you, I try and minimize my plastic footprint... but when it comes to shoes, leather soles are a no go for me. Plastic/rubber soled shoes can be as easily redone as leather given the right construction. I need the comfort of cushioning as well since much of my transport is perambulation.

Bought these worn Wolverine Apprentice 4 years ago in a charity shop in Wood Green, London for £8 and I've had, I guess, 600 wears out of them. And that's in all sorts of shoite conditions. I dubbin them occasionally and spit and polish and buff for 'smarter' days. Resoled twice and due another soon. The lining is just beginning to fail. I'll miss them when they're gone but that's not going to be anytime soon.

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They’re lovely.

I did the same with a manky pair of Kickers, £5 plus the same postage on eBay, spent a day cleaning them up and I’ve lived in them every weekend for two years now. The wife’s not so keen on them though and got me a pair of DM shoe/boots for Christmas, they’re superb but I still love my Kickers.

I've got mates (and a wife) who wouldn't know how to clean up leather shoes n boots. And they'd never ever repair. I've got kids too who pretty much only wear trainers. I'm an expert at trainer refurb. Could be a business opportunity!

I've found that the solution to big galumphing teenager who destroys all known footwear is army surplus German para boots.

You've been able to convince a teen to buy something that you recommended?

No.

He wanted another pair of DMs, but I bought the para boots on eBay anyway, and when they arrived, he decided that he liked them!

Haha. I feel your frustration.....mine has just sacked her second driving instructor. She's not happy because, get this......

....they keep telling her what to do.

Well, you all are very lucky to have me around then, as a career childfree person I have loads of expertise to pass on for very competitive prices.

Before I sling these on eBay, anyone on here interested. Both size 8, not tress included

Meermin Single Monkstrap
Brown Suede
£30

Alden 99024
Plain Toe Blucher
£80

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Got (IMO) some lovely Trickers Bourton's in the Herring sale. Right shoe fits perfectly: snug but not tight, with just a little of the expected heel rub that is inevitable with this kind of shoe when new.

My left foot is a little less happy: due to a collapsed arch and a bit of over-pronation, I'm getting quite a lot of rub on my small toe. I have off-the-peg full-foot orthotics but they are overkill in these shoes, which have decent arch support in the footbed, so I'm looking for suggestions for just a bit of arch-lift for the left side. Has anyone resolved a similar issue with a particular product?

You can use something like this to build up the arch a little; I used something similar many years ago after breaking my ankle:

https://www.boots.com/health-pharmacy/medicines-treatments/footcare/insoles-cushioning/boots-pharmaceuticals-self-adhesive-thick-padding-1-sheet-10115049

Polished wood ie wedding venue floors / dance floors is fucking lethal with leather soles!

Just gotta walk like Poirot

Great for your Strictly spins

Anyone got any experience with the Barbour footwear? Looking at some suede chukkas in the sale, but there's not much info on sole construction etc...

Cheap and cheerful.

you have confirmed my fears... many thanks

I mean, just don't expect too much and they'll be fine.

Great for falling on your arse at a ceilidh

I have a pair of Lottusse pebble grain derby shoes that still came from the factory in Mallorca. The leather is lovely and soft but I’m kinda concerned that when polishing them the grain will evolve in some weird sort of patina. Could this actually happen and what should I do to avoid this?

did some browsing around jermyn street.

i liked these https://www.loake.co.uk/product/waverley-black/

maybe a bit boring compared to some on here but they didnt have my size so will wait for then to come in and try on before really saying i loved them...

so pleased with my ebay Church's.

I've been wearing them at work for a few weeks; super comfy and make a satisfying creaking sound when walking.

Feels good I'll bet. Pic in action? Can't remember who bought which shoes.

Those are a perfectly lovely pair of Derby’s - think they’d be a great pair of shoes (depending on suit). I’ve got a pair of the Shannon’s from Church’s which are quite similar.