Proper leather shoes

The classic mountain ones? Are they super warm too? They look like they’re a deep winter only style of boot.

Asolo, La Sportiva and Scarpa all run narrow, Altberg come in 5 widths but lightweight might be a different issue

I have https://global.danner.com/mountain-light-black.html and pretty much wear them every day of the year. Never felt like they were too warm.

Bit left-field - but Vivobarefoot Trackers?

Hanwag tashi - made in Germany, unlined (or leather lined, no GTX thankfully). Soft Yak leather. I've a used pair in size 8.5 uk if thats useful. I'd keep them and do love them but conceded on my last 8 mile walk in them they are the littlest bit too tight for me so I bought something else. Like these but used obvs:

https://www.outdoorgear.co.uk/Hanwag-Tashi-Yak-Leather-Double-Stitched-Boots-sku11181801.asp

Dolomite, lots of difference colours, I find them too narrow
https://www.dolomite.it/gb/en/products/dol-lifestyle-men-footwear-high-top

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I have these. Can recommend.

Ha ha. We have similar tastes I feel @kboy They're bloody lovely and light and if I saw a cheaper pair size UK 9/9.5 I'd snap them up. Meantime I bought a pair of Filson Uplander which are super-comfortable if a different breed entirely

I love my Vivo Barefoot boots. I did two Munros in full Winter conditions in them last year, no problems.

Take a bit of getting used to though

I’m into these in terms of style but they’re a bit heavy

They do a mountain light.
I don't remember what model mine are, but they are gore tex lined and therefore a bit warm sometimes.
Not trainers, but more of a year round boot than deep winter imo.

Quick question re how smart shoes are supposed to fit. I'm finding the online advice utterly confusing (i.e. - MUST have a snug heel fit with no slipping, but also you want to be able to fit a finger inbetween the heel and shoe to ensure not to small/tight). I have bought a pair recommended above (and I like them very much) but I wear this sort of shoe so rarely I have no idea on what the fit should be. I can get the finger between the heel and that then feels very snug. When wearing them clearly they are not trainer-snug and there is what I would describe as a very mild bit of slipping/movement on each step. I'd say they were comfortable, but I've never spent this much on a pair of shoes and obviously I want them to be perfect. Any thoughts/input very welcome from regular proper shoe wearers...

Cheers

Sounds like they might be a bit too big.

I find that usually the shoes which end up being the most comfortable start off being tight and a bit uncomfortable, hence the need to "break in" and stretch the leather.

I’ve got really awkward feet. Normally wear a size 10 but consistently get heel blisters. Mistakenly bought some size 11 recently and zero blisters.

I also used to lace my shoes way too tight so have loosened off and again much improved.

No expert here but I read that shoes, especially with decent leather inside, will have a little slippage in the heel until your foot has permanently indented the insole to it’s shape. This happens less often with synthetic liners as they tend to be more grippy from the start.

The soles also get more flexible with time, then you slip less. Or you do the bend your new expensive shoes brutally a few times thing, then it goes quicker.
On snugness I go with snug around the heel, ok. Too short, crushing toes, not ok.

Keep wearing them inside and when sat down, just having your warm feet in them will start to help. From your description they sound about right but clearly hard to say for sure

Thanks all, really helpful. Much appreciated.

People who know about jm westons - is this a size 7? The seller is claiming it’s definitely an 8 but I’m not sure I believe them

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Edit: They’re a ‘JMW 7’ but in my experience Weston size large so likely a uk 8 - if they’re suede they tend to stretch to be a little larger still…

Hi All,

I'm just in the start up phase but will be looking to import from South Africa in the traditional "Vellie" style of shoe, which is a desert boot.

I'd love some feedback on the attached and please feel free to share price point suggestions as well.

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Picked up a pair of Clark’s for nostalgic summer kicking about… they seem to have improved the construction and laces on these since my last pair a decade ago…

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My initial thoughts are that given the unconventional look / finish to the uppers I would imagine you'd have quite a niche customer base.

Do you have more info on materials / construction etc?

The Clarks desert boot is the bench mark for price I guess so what differentiates them to make them cheaper / more expensive?

Have you specifically taken your desert boots to a desert?

(PS - which colour are they? Cola suede?)

Sandpit at Crystal Palace Park, that’s a dog poo in front of his left foot.