Proper leather shoes

Sounds like we might have the same pair - don't suppose you ever got them resoled? Mine are now fucking useless if there's a bit of rain about, which is really embarassing when people look down as you slip about and see you're wearing FUCKING WALKING BOOTS FROM THE 50s.

Anyone interested in a pair of Oliver Spencer x Solovair black grain Gibson shoes in a 9? I’ve only worn them 4-5 times, they’re just a bit too narrow for my oddly wide feet but they are lovely shoes with very comfy soles. There’s a photo of the model here pending me taking pics of the shoes I have:
https://oliverspencer.co.uk/blogs/journal/oliver-spencer-x-solovair-new-styles-for-autumn

How much are you after for them?

I paid £170 for them at Oliver Spencer, so hopefully £100 seems reasonable?

Damn, that is very reasonable. Let me try and find a size chart to see if I can squeeze into them. I’m usually a 9.5 bur fingers crossed!

Are they essentially an Oliver Spencer DM?

Solovair were the original UK manufacturers of DMs when production first started here in the 60s.

I'll try this here. Are Bludstone worth the £££. I want some boots, this style i suppose, but don't want them to be shite you know.

I had a pair a long time ago. They are fairly robust work boots. Cheap leather and moulded sole.

There's nothing wrong with them for what they are, hard to say if they are worth the price. They are in a bit of a grey area, quite a bit cheaper than bench made boots but more than generic site boots which look fairly similar and cost £40-£80.

There are much better made Australian style boots that are still made there, check out Redback, Rossi, even Jim Green from SA makes a very robust one called the Stockman.

I love my blundstones and I’ve had a lot of boots. Up to bespoke hand stitched, gyw, all of it. They fit a nice niche of near sneaker like comfort (but not quite) and reasonably smart. They are about a million miles more comfortable than anything with a solid sole and the sole can be replaced with a bit of effort.

too many variables there, in style I'm sure you could live in them and have them as your identity, - or have them be the best shoding for specific situations, ground work, etc. It looks like they really know what they're doing and could be the best thing you ever buy

There's a pair of JM Weston 180s in black leather for £60 in the Oxfam in Chiswick. Size 6D, but would fit a 7/7.5 I think

Thanks all on the Bludstone replies. I think Redback are probably what my head is telling me to buy but, that clear sole is bloody awful. What's the sizing like on Bludstone, I go for a 46.

that clear sole is bloody awful

Yeah, there are some things that .. only a few people can carry off, . That clear sole is not a problem, but I'd rather the blundstone

I havent had them resoled yet. Just trying to think if I had a similar mishap in the rain last winter...quite possibly.

I got some new loake boots that seem right lenght wise, but that are killing me roughly where my foot is at its widest. Am I doing the right thing if I get one of these off AliExpress?
And if I do, is there anything else I should do to the leather before I put it the gadget in and crank it up? Like, do I apply some kind of cream or something to make the leather more responsive to manipulation?

Take them to a cobbler

As @kboy says, take them to a cobbler, they use some kind of spray to soften the leather before putting them on a stretcher, my local guys charge £10 and if they don’t fit right after the first go they’ll keep doing it until they do for no extra charge 👍🏻

In other news after a short break I finished these - bit rushed towards the end as I want to get going on another pair and need these for a mates wedding in a few weeks (I’ve got to properly finish the stick on lug sole and re wax and set the edges again, as you see by the glue residue, but that can wait). Next time I’ll use a thicker leather for the upper as these are super soft, very lightweight - basically posh navy blue Norwegian welted Dr Martens… ah well…

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Amazing effort 🏆

Amazing work, these look fantastic

I don't know if these count as proper, but I'm looking for some shoes similar to these - round toe, chunky sole, nothing too precious as they will probably be getting wet a lot (Edinburgh). Ideally cheaper too. Any suggestions?

https://www.timberland.co.uk/en-gb/p/men-10029/britton-road-lace-up-waterproof-shoe-for-men-in-black-TB0A69T9W02

Just got a pair of Deerskin Chelsea Boots today. Must be the most instantly comfy pair of shoes if ever had. The leather feels so supple does this mean they're going to be more prone to going out of shape or looking tired more quickly than Calfskin? They'll have shoe trees in them but any special care required? They're quite nice so I'd really like to keep them that way

Any recommendations for cobblers around SE23 or Southwark who would do a decent job of resoling a pair of fracap boots?