Proper leather shoes

ah, I've 11s shame.

Whilst looking for something moc toe I came across these nicely worn in Thorogoods on eBay, took a punt and they fit great, Happy Christmas me.

1 Attachment

Nice

Do these soles look stupid?

https://www.clarksoutlet.co.uk/p/261194947?cm_mmc=DISP_RETARGET-_-Criteo-_-Display-_-Feed&tmcampid=110&tmad=c&tmplaceref=Criteo&tmclickref=Display

Or is it better to look like a Geography teacher for another £12?

https://www.clarksoutlet.co.uk/p/261202017

Devil and deep blue sea there

May look like Cornish pasties but Clarkes are so comfy.

Personally, my feet are fucked so comfort is king. Go with whatever sustains you over long distances or time spent standing around.

I have a pair of these and I saw some the other day with a commando sole - could I get mine resoled and where?

Yes and lots of places, but why would you? Pop stick-a-soles over the leather sole and they’ll be fine in most weather. Do you need puddles and mud?

I would send them back to trickers, they won’t touch them for a refurb if you get a cobbler to do it for you. They can put on a itshide or Vibram sole.

There are commando soles on eBay if you go down the stick on route - it will be much cheaper but I’ve never tried it.

I picked them up cheap and was taken with them on a commando sole - currently they sit unused in a box.

@jv cheers buddy I'll pop Trickers a note and see what they say

I get how (Dainite) golf and commando soles are great for British weather, but still love a good leather sole even if it has a SAS on top.

Ok, 245 pages of doubtlessly interesting information here but could I please just be lazy and ask everyone what brand of shoes are worth looking at on ebay etc? Church's, loakes, paul smith? What else? Am (possibly) after a few pairs of used but quality formal-ish shoes. I know nothing. Looking to get slightly clued up.

Definitely recommend reading through this thread to get clued up: https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/180983

Barker?

I'd not bother with Paul Smith - they size weirdly and are 'fashion'

I know you've said formal shoes but while I'm here I thought I'd share my typical eBay/ sale hunting list -
Alden - 'merican, spenny, good for boots
Alfred Sargent - beware the box toe shapes that haven't come back in style yet...
Church's - bit fuddy/old man for me but well respected by many
Crockett and Jones - imo the best, I'll have a pair of Grasmere for life
Cheaney - widely available, deals/bargains to be had, sub brand of Church's
Grenson - had a rebrand a few years ago and some models look great, others a bit meh
Loakes - great value, beware some of the 'Loake Design' models with a thin sole look a bit jones
Lof and Tung - new name to me, look good, not seen in the flesh though
RM Williams - Austrailan boots, super comfortable laceless boots...
Sanders (Sanders and Son) - great chukka/creepers but you can't resole them :(
Trickers - tidy brogues

Others -
Edward Green - too 'fine' for me
John Lobb - as above but even more spenny... nice
JM Western - french, nice but normally too rich for me, nice wholecuts
Meermin - spanish, look good - not seen in the flesh

I also search for the other key words, Dainite, bench made, welted, itshide, cordovan, wholecut etc with a size filter to see what else pops up...

loakes

Probably the best value of the decent shoes. Focus your search there. iirc there are Indian made versions which tend to be cheaper.

The most comfortable leather shoes I own are Grenson with blake soles. Don't have them with me so can't tell you the last no. Although Grenson are now looked down on since they went all fashiony and outsourced production without reducing the price.

Trickers, crockett and jones, barker are worth adding to the list. Lobb too I guess - but they will be £££s and I'm guessing if you're looking on ebay you weren't planning on spending >£500 for some used shoes.

Meermin - spanish, look good - not seen in the flesh

Have a pair which I am very happy with - excellent value for money and they seem to sell their seconds on ebay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/goodyearshoes/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=

One other thing to consider, as well as ebay it's worth keeping an eye on TK Maxx, they get some pretty decent stuff in.

mattyc has given an excellent rundown.

To that list I'd add Bexely if you're after new, cheap, decent leather shoes. Not quite on par with the others listed, but if you're after a couple of pairs of work shoes then they are great for the money. Their boots are very good though.

https://www.bexley.com/Bexley/en/r/dress_shoes

I have two pairs of the boot version, one pair with commando soles the other the dainite. Both work well but are prone to clogging up with mud (the commando more difficult clean but was surprised at how much gets stuck into the dainite dimples).

I've bought too many pairs of the Loake 1880 off Ebay, they are always the same size and quality, but my goodness, they take some running in. Cut my heels to smithereens.

I find this with Loakes. Any tips or do you just brave the pain? I keep giving up and switching back to some comfy Clarks.

Get sports tape, tape your heels, it’s the only thing that helps with me.

cheers, these look cool - https://www.bexley.com/Bexley/en/p/dress_shoes/petergommecityii?pointure=44&tarification=PROMO&pageReferrer=MYBASKET&coloris=chocolat
I'd been thinking of finding some brown wholecuts and putting a commando sole on them but these might scratch that itch... maybe