Show us your new shoes

Show us your new shoes

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El Cid

13 posts

125 months

Thursday 22nd January 2015
quotequote all
arun1uk said:
Eleven said:
I've done it. It worked OK.

The plus side is it protects the shoe, also you have added grip.

The negative is that if you do only the sole, you're altering the geometry of the shoe slightly. This could theoretically make them different to wear and may provide the supplier with an excuse to decline a return if the shoe becomes faulty.

On balance, I'd probably do it again if I could be bothered.
Cheers for the thoughts. Maybe to be sure, I'll resole the shoe including the heel, reducing the change of any arguments with supplier.
Including the heel will not make any difference. The retailer can refuse to honour any warranty if you add soles or heels to the product. Leather soles should be worn several times in dry weather first. This allows the grit to penetrate the leather having the effect of reinforcing it. If you wear leather soles immediately in wet conditions the leather goes spongy, slippery,will not last as long and will allow water to penetrate quicker. REMEMBER Leather shoes are NOT waterproof! Wear them a while and then get rubber soles attached.It's the best option.

FreeLitres

6,039 posts

176 months

Thursday 22nd January 2015
quotequote all
arun1uk said:
What is everyone's view on resoling shoes as soon as you buy them? Most quality shoes have leather soles and my friend suggests that he gets a rubber sole on them as soon as he buys them. Not only does it give extra grip, but it also prolongs the life of the leather sole.

Thoughts?

Just got some burgundy Sweeney Brogues and want to make sure I prolong their life
Careful with your terminology there.

On a proper Goodyear welted shoe, "resoling" means cutting through all the stitching and removing all of the old sole. I think it would not be worth doing that to a brand new leather sole.

I think what you are after is a stick-on sole to cover the leather. This is often referred to as a Topy, which is one of the main brands of soles used.

PROs of a Topy on leather sole
Better grip, especially in the wet
Much less wear
Cheap! (Under £20 fitted)
If worn out, easy and cheap to replace

CONs of a Topy on leather sole
Don't look/feel as nice as traditional leather
Changes the balance of the shoe
May strain the uppers as sole will flex differently
Some say they may trap moisture in the leather sole??

On balance, I have just decided to get them fitted to my Church's, as the leather was wearing incredibly quickly when wet and I was finding that I wouldn't wear them at all if there was even a slight change of rain. I'm pleased with the results! The cobbler did a great job of rounding the edges so you can't see them from the side.




Eleven

26,271 posts

221 months

Friday 23rd January 2015
quotequote all
FreeLitres said:
Careful with your terminology there.

On a proper Goodyear welted shoe, "resoling" means cutting through all the stitching and removing all of the old sole. I think it would not be worth doing that to a brand new leather sole.

I think what you are after is a stick-on sole to cover the leather. This is often referred to as a Topy, which is one of the main brands of soles used.

PROs of a Topy on leather sole
Better grip, especially in the wet
Much less wear
Cheap! (Under £20 fitted)
If worn out, easy and cheap to replace

CONs of a Topy on leather sole
Don't look/feel as nice as traditional leather
Changes the balance of the shoe
May strain the uppers as sole will flex differently
Some say they may trap moisture in the leather sole??

On balance, I have just decided to get them fitted to my Church's, as the leather was wearing incredibly quickly when wet and I was finding that I wouldn't wear them at all if there was even a slight change of rain. I'm pleased with the results! The cobbler did a great job of rounding the edges so you can't see them from the side.



Nice shoes. What model are they?

Eleven

26,271 posts

221 months

Friday 23rd January 2015
quotequote all

What is Church's quality like now?

I had some about 15 years ago and they were rubbish. They were uncomfortable, the uppers broke in differently and eventually one of them holed between sole and upper.

They went back to Church's for a refund and I haven't bought Church's since. I may have been unlucky but the quality of the shoes and service was not in line with the firm's reputation and the price of the shoes.


Tidybeard

539 posts

188 months

Friday 23rd January 2015
quotequote all
FreeLitres said:
Careful with your terminology there.

On a proper Goodyear welted shoe, "resoling" means cutting through all the stitching and removing all of the old sole. I think it would not be worth doing that to a brand new leather sole.

I think what you are after is a stick-on sole to cover the leather. This is often referred to as a Topy, which is one of the main brands of soles used.

PROs of a Topy on leather sole
Better grip, especially in the wet
Much less wear
Cheap! (Under £20 fitted)
If worn out, easy and cheap to replace

CONs of a Topy on leather sole
Don't look/feel as nice as traditional leather
Changes the balance of the shoe
May strain the uppers as sole will flex differently
Some say they may trap moisture in the leather sole??

On balance, I have just decided to get them fitted to my Church's, as the leather was wearing incredibly quickly when wet and I was finding that I wouldn't wear them at all if there was even a slight change of rain. I'm pleased with the results! The cobbler did a great job of rounding the edges so you can't see them from the side.



You've been on a rapid learning curve Freelitres - good to see another convert to the Church (pun intended) of quality shoes biggrin

Colonial

13,553 posts

204 months

Friday 23rd January 2015
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New runners. Purely for running. Never worn for anything except running.

Asics Gel Nimbus


Eleven

26,271 posts

221 months

Friday 23rd January 2015
quotequote all
Colonial said:
New runners. Purely for running. Never worn for anything except running.

Asics Gel Nimbus

Yes, you should avoid wearing those unless you're running, for several reasons.

Colonial

13,553 posts

204 months

Friday 23rd January 2015
quotequote all
Eleven said:
Yes, you should avoid wearing those unless you're running, for several reasons.
I buy on fit and practicality for running shoes. Don't care about style. They are purely a tool to help me run better.

These were properly fittes. I preferred another pair that were grey and black but they were too cushioned and spongy.

I run 70kms plus a week. So the right shoe for fitment is more important than colour

Edited by Colonial on Friday 23 January 15:19

Rosscow

8,723 posts

162 months

Friday 23rd January 2015
quotequote all
I bought new Ecco walking boots the other week. Biom Terrain in black/green. Gore Tex, Yak leather, etc.

They are bloody lovely - the comfiest walking boots I've ever had (have had several pairs of Brasher's previous to these).

The best bit? £70 in the Ecco outlet shop in Ashford. Great price!


DoubleSix

11,691 posts

175 months

Friday 23rd January 2015
quotequote all
Grabbed a bargain in the Reiss sale £75 down from £189, result...


BrabusMog

20,083 posts

185 months

Friday 23rd January 2015
quotequote all
DoubleSix said:
Grabbed a bargain in the Reiss sale £75 down from £189, result...

I like these!

DoubleSix

11,691 posts

175 months

Friday 23rd January 2015
quotequote all
Cheers

Cant beat a Chukka boot for smart casual duty

FreeLitres

6,039 posts

176 months

Friday 23rd January 2015
quotequote all
Eleven said:
Nice shoes. What model are they?
Thanks!

These are Church's Lanark from their new Flex range. I think it's a good looking shoe and they have a thin layer of padding under the leather lining to make them extra comfortable.
http://www.church-footwear.com/uk/en/collection/me...

The leather soles has supposedly been treated to make them more flexible. I personally think it has made them too soft/absorbent, but I might have been unlucky with the leather on my particular shoes. I'm much happier now the Topy covers are on.

FreeLitres

6,039 posts

176 months

Friday 23rd January 2015
quotequote all
Eleven said:
What is Church's quality like now?

I had some about 15 years ago and they were rubbish. They were uncomfortable, the uppers broke in differently and eventually one of them holed between sole and upper.

They went back to Church's for a refund and I haven't bought Church's since. I may have been unlucky but the quality of the shoes and service was not in line with the firm's reputation and the price of the shoes.
Interesting...

I frequent another forum that talks about shoes in a lot of detail. They say that the quality of Church's have gone down in the last few years since Prada bought them and they say the quality was much better "pre-Prada". So, the ones you had were supposedly from the better quality era.

For me, I'm happy to buy any shoe that looks good and feels right on. I HAVE to physically try them on in a shop though, as most of them arre too high on the sides and dig into my bony ankles!

These Lanarks felt fantastic as soon as I put them on. I can't imagine even a bespoke made to measure pair feeling any better. Although, I would like to find out for sure one day!

Eleven

26,271 posts

221 months

Friday 23rd January 2015
quotequote all
FreeLitres said:
Interesting...

I frequent another forum that talks about shoes in a lot of detail. They say that the quality of Church's have gone down in the last few years since Prada bought them and they say the quality was much better "pre-Prada". So, the ones you had were supposedly from the better quality era.

For me, I'm happy to buy any shoe that looks good and feels right on. I HAVE to physically try them on in a shop though, as most of them arre too high on the sides and dig into my bony ankles!

These Lanarks felt fantastic as soon as I put them on. I can't imagine even a bespoke made to measure pair feeling any better. Although, I would like to find out for sure one day!
How are Churchs perceived in the hierarchy of shoes then? When I was a nipper they were "the best" but I presume Lobb is considered better?

FreeLitres

6,039 posts

176 months

Friday 23rd January 2015
quotequote all
Eleven said:
How are Churchs perceived in the hierarchy of shoes then? When I was a nipper they were "the best" but I presume Lobb is considered better?
Church's still have a big following and they have the biggest "premium" shoe factory in Northampton IIRC.

John Lobb are a good 50% higher priced than Church's and are seen as "better". Even their seconds/factory subs are about £400. One could argue that they are still using the same techniques as the other manufacturers so the price difference could be driven by marketing and perceived luxury. They make a lovely looking shoe though.

I see Church's competing more with Tricker's and Crockett & Jones. C&J premium range of "Handgrade" are edging above Church's in my mind.

People say Tricker's use better quality leather but the linings and styles aren't quite as nice. Trickers are best known for their heavy county-style brogue boots and shoes but they also make a decent dress shoe.

Barker and Loake come in with lower prices but decent quality welted shoes.

I'm a big fan of C&J for being in that sweet spot of price vs quality while not being too flashy.

Everyone is different though.

Eleven

26,271 posts

221 months

Friday 23rd January 2015
quotequote all
FreeLitres said:
Eleven said:
How are Churchs perceived in the hierarchy of shoes then? When I was a nipper they were "the best" but I presume Lobb is considered better?
Church's still have a big following and they have the biggest "premium" shoe factory in Northampton IIRC.

John Lobb are a good 50% higher priced than Church's and are seen as "better". Even their seconds/factory subs are about £400. One could argue that they are still using the same techniques as the other manufacturers so the price difference could be driven by marketing and perceived luxury. They make a lovely looking shoe though.

I see Church's competing more with Tricker's and Crockett & Jones. C&J premium range of "Handgrade" are edging above Church's in my mind.

People say Tricker's use better quality leather but the linings and styles aren't quite as nice. Trickers are best known for their heavy county-style brogue boots and shoes but they also make a decent dress shoe.

Barker and Loake come in with lower prices but decent quality welted shoes.

I'm a big fan of C&J for being in that sweet spot of price vs quality while not being too flashy.

Everyone is different though.
Thanks for the explanation.

I've got some Trickers country shoes that I bought from the factory at a very good discount. They are solidly made and good quality.

I might take a look at Lobb and would love some bespoke ones, however my feet seem to have changed size over the years and I would not want to spend that sort of money on shoes for them not to be a perfect fit forever.

I might revisit Church's too. I love yours above.





Eleven

26,271 posts

221 months

Friday 23rd January 2015
quotequote all
FreeLitres said:
Eleven said:
Nice shoes. What model are they?
Thanks!

These are Church's Lanark from their new Flex range. I think it's a good looking shoe and they have a thin layer of padding under the leather lining to make them extra comfortable.
http://www.church-footwear.com/uk/en/collection/me...

The leather soles has supposedly been treated to make them more flexible. I personally think it has made them too soft/absorbent, but I might have been unlucky with the leather on my particular shoes. I'm much happier now the Topy covers are on.
Yours look a different shape and colour from the ones in the link. Yours look wider toed and more tan.

Eleven

26,271 posts

221 months

Friday 23rd January 2015
quotequote all
Colonial said:
Eleven said:
Yes, you should avoid wearing those unless you're running, for several reasons.
I buy on fit and practicality for running shoes. Don't care about style. They are purely a tool to help me run better.

These were properly fittes. I preferred another pair that were grey and black but they were too cushioned and spongy.

I run 70kms plus a week. So the right shoe for fitment is more important than colour

Edited by Colonial on Friday 23 January 15:19
In all seriousness I totally agree with you. When I was able to run my shoes were horrific colours. Sadly repeated calf injuries have stopped me running and I must now make do with cardio gym equipment.




OllieC

3,816 posts

213 months

Friday 23rd January 2015
quotequote all
FreeLitres said:
Eleven said:
How are Churchs perceived in the hierarchy of shoes then? When I was a nipper they were "the best" but I presume Lobb is considered better?
Church's still have a big following and they have the biggest "premium" shoe factory in Northampton IIRC.

John Lobb are a good 50% higher priced than Church's and are seen as "better". Even their seconds/factory subs are about £400. One could argue that they are still using the same techniques as the other manufacturers so the price difference could be driven by marketing and perceived luxury. They make a lovely looking shoe though.

I see Church's competing more with Tricker's and Crockett & Jones. C&J premium range of "Handgrade" are edging above Church's in my mind.

People say Tricker's use better quality leather but the linings and styles aren't quite as nice. Trickers are best known for their heavy county-style brogue boots and shoes but they also make a decent dress shoe.

Barker and Loake come in with lower prices but decent quality welted shoes.

I'm a big fan of C&J for being in that sweet spot of price vs quality while not being too flashy.

Everyone is different though.
no mention of Edward Green ? best of the (kind of)sensibly priced bunch for me. I am big fan of Cheaney (now independent again and not part of the prada / church setup) and Loake also.
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