Show us your new shoes

[toastyhamster]

Thanks, and very helpful around the acrylic. It wasn't clear from the web pictures that it was high shine, but live and learn. I actually prefer something that is hard wearing and waterproof, I tend to be fairly hard on shoes (give me a choice between a couple (or a dozen at rush hour)) underground stops and I'd be walking every time, regardless of weather.

I might buy another different pair next time they get stock but I can't see me getting a shoe habit (honest). I reckon later this week there might be a "my feet are killing me, what idiot recommended these" post on the way.

[grumbledoak]

toastyhamster said:

I might buy another different pair next time they get stock but I can't see me getting a shoe habit (honest). I reckon later this week there might be a "my feet are killing me, what idiot recommended these" post on the way.

Shoes like these won't "break in" before your feet do. So it is quite important you get them the right shape. The "last" number is the code on the inside of the tongue. You can really only find "your number" by trial and error. Good luck.

[LordGrover]

toastyhamster said:

Some "TK Maxx" Barker Oxfords arrived today, can't see a Made in India stamp. Why the hell don't they lace them properly?

Provides the opportunity to experiment a little... click.

[g3org3y]

FreeLitres said:

Enjoy your new shoes. Welcome to the slippery slope of the Goodyear welt!

The highshine leather you have there is hardwearing and waterproof but is quite stiff and may take a long time to break in.

Also, don't bother wasting time trying to polish or condition them. The shine is created by the application of a thin, permanent layer of acrylic (plastic) applied over the leather surface before the shoe factory gets it. It's almost like a patent leather if you are familiar with that. The top layer prevents any products from getting through to the leather. I have one old pair of Barkers in a high shine leather which still gets some wears on very wet days.

For future reference, most people prefer shoes made from calf leather which can be polished up and is a bit more flexible, if a little more fragile.

I have a pair of Loakes with highshine leather. Stiff as a stiff thing to start with, used to really dig into my ankles. Now I'd say they are probably one of the most comfortable pairs of my formal shoes.



The issue I have with them are the scratches. Really struggling to sort them/fill them in.



Tried Saphir Renovatrice but didn't really do much. Any suggestions chaps?

[So]

g3org3y said:

I have a pair of Loakes with highshine leather. Stiff as a stiff thing to start with, used to really dig into my ankles. Now I'd say they are probably one of the most comfortable pairs of my formal shoes.



The issue I have with them are the scratches. Really struggling to sort them/fill them in.



Tried Saphir Renovatrice but didn't really do much. Any suggestions chaps?

Out of interest, where on your ankles were they biting? I find Loakes dig in on the inside of the ankle, just in front of the bone.

[g3org3y]

So said:

Out of interest, where on your ankles were they biting? I find Loakes dig in on the inside of the ankle, just in front of the bone.

Lower border, outer ankle, both sides.

Took a while for them to soften up. I remember even wearing two pairs of socks to give a little bit of extra 'cushioning' for a period of time.

One morning, put them on and they were perfect. Genuine night and day difference.

[Goaty Bill 2]

g3org3y said:

So said:

Out of interest, where on your ankles were they biting? I find Loakes dig in on the inside of the ankle, just in front of the bone.

Lower border, outer ankle, both sides.

Took a while for them to soften up. I remember even wearing two pairs of socks to give a little bit of extra 'cushioning' for a period of time.

One morning, put them on and they were perfect. Genuine night and day difference.

I get this with shoes occasionally.
First time was also with a pair of Loakes.
It's always my right ankle, if not both, usually just the right.
It can happen with any maker.

In my experience/opinion, it's not worth the pain.
I will try a different pair of the same style, but after a third pair, I just move along to another style, or out the door.
It is often worth mixing pairs of shoes (same style/model obviously) in the shop with RTW.
Manufacturing variances will sometimes allow you to find a perfect/better fit for both feet that way.

[InductionRoar]

g3org3y said:

I have a pair of Loakes with highshine leather. Stiff as a stiff thing to start with, used to really dig into my ankles. Now I'd say they are probably one of the most comfortable pairs of my formal shoes.

The issue I have with them are the scratches. Really struggling to sort them/fill them in.

Tried Saphir Renovatrice but didn't really do much. Any suggestions chaps?

I would say you are stuck with them, sadly. If you were to look at the grain side of the leather you would find it is the same colour as the scratches or lighter. The coating will be dark brown and the scratches have removed that, revealing the lighter colour underneath. I imagine there is still a small layer of the coating left where the scratches are preventing any pigment taking.

[So]

InductionRoar said:

g3org3y said:

I have a pair of Loakes with highshine leather. Stiff as a stiff thing to start with, used to really dig into my ankles. Now I'd say they are probably one of the most comfortable pairs of my formal shoes.

The issue I have with them are the scratches. Really struggling to sort them/fill them in.

Tried Saphir Renovatrice but didn't really do much. Any suggestions chaps?

I would say you are stuck with them, sadly. If you were to look at the grain side of the leather you would find it is the same colour as the scratches or lighter. The coating will be dark brown and the scratches have removed that, revealing the lighter colour underneath. I imagine there is still a small layer of the coating left where the scratches are preventing any pigment taking.

I have some of this for tidying up furniture. In all seriousness, it may work on shoes with a coat of wax over the top.

[LordGrover]

g3org3y said:

I have a pair of Loakes with highshine leather. Stiff as a stiff thing to start with, used to really dig into my ankles. Now I'd say they are probably one of the most comfortable pairs of my formal shoes.



The issue I have with them are the scratches. Really struggling to sort them/fill them in.



Tried Saphir Renovatrice but didn't really do much. Any suggestions chaps?

Patina.

[InductionRoar]

So said:

InductionRoar said:

g3org3y said:

I have a pair of Loakes with highshine leather. Stiff as a stiff thing to start with, used to really dig into my ankles. Now I'd say they are probably one of the most comfortable pairs of my formal shoes.

The issue I have with them are the scratches. Really struggling to sort them/fill them in.

Tried Saphir Renovatrice but didn't really do much. Any suggestions chaps?

I would say you are stuck with them, sadly. If you were to look at the grain side of the leather you would find it is the same colour as the scratches or lighter. The coating will be dark brown and the scratches have removed that, revealing the lighter colour underneath. I imagine there is still a small layer of the coating left where the scratches are preventing any pigment taking.

I have some of this for tidying up furniture. In all seriousness, it may work on shoes with a coat of wax over the top.

Would you recommend buffing it off with this?

[Goaty Bill 2]

It would certainly add some 'patina'

[Blown2CV]

those scratches seem to be exposing far lighter coloured material just under the surface. They kind of look like they've bee painted. Not sure I'd be happy with that.

[g3org3y]

dumab said:

LordGrover said:

Patina.

Yep. You need more scratches.

On it.

[Goaty Bill 2]

When I was a young'un our new boots got broken in by the rest of the crew stepping all over them;


Shiny new boots are for greenhorns.

[InductionRoar]

Goaty Bill 2 said:

When I was a young'un our new boots got broken in by the rest of the crew stepping all over them;


Shiny new boots are for greenhorns.

If you spent your younger days wearing those, I can see why in later life you favour the more flamboyant spectator-style shoes. I think I would feel the need to jazz my feet up after wearing those for any length of time.

[So]

I am in need of some new shoes today.

They're to go with a navy suit and white shirt. What about these?

[glasgow mega snake]

brown and white don't look right. I think that's one of the rules of thumb. maybe.

[So]

glasgow mega snake said:

brown and white don't look right. I think that's one of the rules of thumb. maybe.

I am wearing a white shirt, not trousers. Though now you come to mention it...

[g3org3y]

So said:

I am in need of some new shoes today.

They're to go with a navy suit and white shirt. What about these?

I think they would work well. Certainly a more continental look than the traditional 'no brown in town' look espoused by the black oxfords crowd.