First pair of quality shoes?

[Hexenmeister]

As a part of my attempt at simplifying my life, I've been on an effort to have fewer clothes of higher quality. Part of this is shoes, so I've been looking into getting a pair or two (eventually) of quality oxfords. You know the kind, you can wear the hell out of 'em, get them re-soled and wear the hell out of 'em again for a good decade, if not longer.

From what I've been seeing, leather soles seems to be the best bet, but I have a couple of questions about that.

First, can you get them wet? I don't intend to go swimming with them, but when it rains or I have no choice but to cross a puddle, will that ruin the soles? In my mind, leather absorbs water, which is bad for shoes.

Second, what are some good sources for such shoes at a price that won't blow an entire month's wages? I was looking at some Fryes online, and they look good, and run around $200 +/- $20, on average.

 

[Tomasso]

First, can you get them wet? I don't intend to go swimming with them, but when it rains or I have no choice but to cross a puddle, will that ruin the soles? In my mind, leather absorbs water, which is bad for shoes.

Quality shoes can take a fair amount of inclement weather as long as they're properly cared for (polished, treed, rested at least 48 hours between wearings, etc..) pre and post abuse. But I would still recommend the use of rubbers on those inclement days. Another option is to install a sole protector like Topy to greatly extend sole life and limit the need for periodic r resoling.

Second, what are some good sources for such shoes at a price that won't blow an entire month's wages? I was looking at some Fryes online, and they look good, and run around $200 +/- $20, on average.

IMO, Allen Edmonds on eBay and Brooks Brothers' Peals on clearance (patience required) are the best deals out there, at your pricepoint.

 

[Edward]

For the most part, the better shoes I've had tend to be leather soles, and that's what I prefer. The first time they go in to be reheeled, I always have a rubber sole protector added over the sole also. I am planning for the coming Winter to pick up a couple of pairs of quality shoes with rubber soles. These are better in extremes of wet, no doubt about it - leather (with no rubber layer over it) will soak up the damp. Doesn't harm the shoes if treated properly, as suggested in posts above, but it can feel just a touch.... icky and cold while being worn! Good quality shoes with rubber soles are indeed out there, they're just less common on the high street in my experience (at least in relation to traditional style shoes...).

IMO, a reasonable alternative can be a man-made sole - I have a pair of M&S boots with a man made sole that has the look of leather and a similar feel to wear, but is non-absorbant when it comes to damp....

 

[Tomasso]

Doesn't harm the shoes if treated properly, as suggested in posts above, but it can feel just a touch.... icky and cold while being worn! .

There are few things worse than getting your shoes soaked through to your skin without being able to remove them and no change of shoes/socks available. True torture!


Also, a little rubber on the sole helps prevent.....

 

[WineGuy]

Second, what are some good sources for such shoes at a price that won't blow an entire month's wages? I was looking at some Fryes online, and they look good, and run around $200 +/- $20, on average.

I've built a great wardrobe of the following shoes, all purchased on ebay at between 5-20% of their original retail price. Don't be afraid to buy used, I like getting shoes broken in:

Bally - easily the softest leather of the shoes I've won, traditional styles
Santoni - more modern and more likely to find man made soles
Ferragamo - typically longer narrower cut. Firm leather
Fratelli Rossetti - also very soft leather, great value
Churches - Very narrow cut, very rigid leather despite being hand made

Overall I like Bally's the most. There are winterizing treatments you can apply to leather soles to prevent them from soaking up water.

 

[Hexenmeister]

Oye, these prices make me queasy. I know there's a reason for the price of handmade quality, but still. I'm going to have to keep researching ebay.

Any tips for buying shoes on ebay, especially pre-owned?

 

[Corky]

I own plenty of pairs of Frye's boots, but...

I own plenty of pairs of Frye's boots, but I have never considered them to be of the same quality of the Peals, the Allen Edmonds, or the Church shoes.

Also, I want to weigh in against the notion of wearing used shoes.

If the previous owner had perfect feet or if the shoes are lightly worn, you might be fine. But those shoes will have the break-in pattern and will be somewhat molded to the foot imprint of the previous user. If he had less than perfect feet, you are likely to be inheriting his problems by literally walking in his shoes.