Shoes

[DJ-1701]

It seems getting reliable footwear is getting harder and harder these days. Shoes don't seem to last me half a year now, got some new shoes 4 months ago and they have almost had it. On top of that I usually have to find wide fitting shoes.

 

I was wondering, can anyone out there recommend a good shoe brand that lasts?

[SpuffMonkey]

If you can afford it - try a proper British shoe - there are still a few factories left around here in Northampton - if you catch the sales you can pick up a pair at a fair price

 

Factory Shops ? Northampton shoes

[timbo343]

For what purpose? Work? Walking? General day to day?

 

For work ive got some black dunlop steal toe cap shoes. They have been great and highly recommend them.

 

The other half recommends sketchers, shes always on her feet in NHS and says they are comfy.

[Dos_Box]

I'm a big fan of Clarkes Gore-tex outdoors shoes. Not cheap but I tend to grab a couple of pairs when there's a sale on.

What brand did you currently prefer, if any?

[caffrey]

I liked Dr Martins but they stopped making them in Britain (the ones that they do make in Britain are very expensive) But there are a few suppliers to Dr Martins that still make them (under their own name) e.g. Tredair and Solovair.

[nicholab]

I think it s challenge to get smart, comfortable hardwaring shoes. If style is a little more flexible walking shoes would be an option.

[elsiegee40]

If you can afford it - try a proper British shoe - there are still a few factories left around here in Northampton - if you catch the sales you can pick up a pair at a fair price

 

Factory Shops ? Northampton shoes

 

I have to agree. Mr gee40 usually gets Loake, but also has had Barker and Church

 

He gets them resoled and reheeled at Timpson, but that doesn't seem to happen often, and the shoes seem to last forever.

 

They survive the many, many miles walked as a city commuter who avoids the tube.

[rich_tech]

I find Dr Martins are lovely and comfortable, but the squeak when walking on lots of surfaces is irritating here with the pair I bought.

 

I am a wide size 12 and have the same issue (getting nice shoes in that size can be fun too), in the last two years I have bought boots from Cat/Sketchers which haven't lasted either, whereas a cheap £15 pair of brogues I bought in Asda of all places and wear every day, seem to going on and on and on here to their credit.

[maark]

rockport - seem to last forever

[andyturpie]

rockport - seem to last forever

 

Used to have a couple of pairs of the Umbuwe models in the early 90s - Do they still make them? If not then Timberland or Clarks would be my next options.

[witch]

Tredair are very good and last for ever. Most of the shoe/trainer styled steelies seem pretty good too.

Cat don't last five minutes, nor do Wrangler

[E_G_R2]

Is this the begining of the Shoe Event Horizon????

 

BTW I now go for good quality walking shoes, look like trainers but last for ages

[Oaktech]

Cat don't last five minutes, nor do Wrangler

 

Seconded, I had 5 pairs of Cat steelies. They were £60 a pair retail and I bought them in a bulk deal for £45 a pair and it was like leasing them. For how long they lasted they cost me about £10 a month before they just fell apart.

 

I'm currently wearing Clarks Lair Code and they have been pretty good, this pair are over a year old now, but they are, I think, pair 4 since 2010. I have to put gel insoles in them or my feet just chew up the insides, but with the insoles in they last for ages.

 

I have a pair of dark grey Cheaney Teign 2 shoes but they don't come to work!

[abillybob]

I got sick and tired of changing my shoes the same as you. So I bought some Rockport boots from M and M Direct online (always get a size smaller than what you actually are as they are big!) But they've been great so far 2nd year running nothing wrong with them.. plus they're waterproof and look like smart shoes when you cover up the top of the boot with your trousers

[Andrew_C]

Day to day, Karimore walking "trainers". Last more than a year.

 

Normal school day, Something like this from Jones. Well over a year before I had them soled. OK, they cost a bit more up front, but for the theory, read up on Sam Vimes views on boots!

[casey]

My current work shoes and the previous pair are Dr Martens, I've had my current pair for about 2 years and the previous pair for about 6 years.

They are worn to work every day, I find them very comfortable and hard wearing.

I know they aren't made in the UK but very few are these days. If I can afford it I'll try to buy some UK made Docs next time.

[cpjitservices]

I'm currently donning, A Black pair of Chelsea boots which I've had donkeys years. Not a mark on them.

 

Its hard to find shoes that are as hard wearing, and comfortable.

[crocco_john]

dr martens for work I've got several pairs that have lasted really well and just bought a pair of red wing boots for non work stuff as they look smart and should last for ages and can be resoled / reheeled.

[PrimaryTech]

For the last 3 years I've bought the same shoes, Clarks 'Acre Out' loafers. A pair lasts me a full academic year of trudging around the building plus the odd game of playground football. They're usually around £40 but the last pair I got were £20 in an online sale. A 5 minute wash and polish every week keeps them smart.

[Seb1780]

+1 for "proper" shoes from an established UK maker.

 

I've got a couple of pairs of Loake's and they are approaching a decade old and feel like they are just breaking in! Yes, they did cost a fair bit but when you spread it out over the many years I've had them it's good value for money, and resoling at the manufacturers is about 1/3rd the price of a new pair.

[mole]

DVS Enduro Heir Black/Gunny Nubuck

 

Done

[Norphy]

I have a pair of Merrells which I'm happy with. I'm walking between 3.5-5 miles a day and they've been standing up to that for the last six months with no issues.

[Andrew_C]

As I'm so good to you, I've found the Vimes quote!

 

“The reason that the rich were so rich, Vimes reasoned, was because they managed to spend less money.

 

Take boots, for example. He earned thirty-eight dollars a month plus allowances. A really good pair of leather boots cost fifty dollars. But an affordable pair of boots, which were sort of OK for a season or two and then leaked like hell when the cardboard gave out, cost about ten dollars. Those were the kind of boots Vimes always bought, and wore until the soles were so thin that he could tell where he was in Ankh-Morpork on a foggy night by the feel of the cobbles.

 

But the thing was that good boots lasted for years and years. A man who could afford fifty dollars had a pair of boots that'd still be keeping his feet dry in ten years' time, while the poor man who could only afford cheap boots would have spent a hundred dollars on boots in the same time and would still have wet feet.

 

This was the Captain Samuel Vimes 'Boots' theory of socioeconomic unfairness.”

 

― Terry Pratchett, Men at Arms: The Play

[2ilent8cho]

Last pair of Hugo Boss shoes at £149 a pair lasted me 18 months, just replaced them this month with another pair of them. Before that the Prada shoes at around £400 a pair were extremely comfortable and lasted me over 2 years. All worn more or less everyday.

[hardtailstar]

Last pair of Hugo Boss shoes at £149 a pair lasted me 18 months, just replaced them this month with another pair of them. Before that the Prada shoes at around £400 a pair were extremely comfortable and lasted me over 2 years. All worn more or less everyday.

 

If I was spending that much on shoes I'd want them to last longer.

 

I had a cheap pair of Ben Sherman shoes that lasted me about 4 years of daily use. think I only paid £30...