Everyday Shoes

[Sanders]

So i attend a small private fairly conservative school, we have to wear dress shoes to class everyday, the problem is walking on all that cement everyday wore through the sole of my dress shoes and very fast, what i was looking for was either some shoes or a type of sole that prevented this or some sort of answer, my price range i think would be around the 50-60 range as of right now....

[Marbelizer]

Im not sure of the price, but I had to get my boots done in the military when wore through. I had vibram soles put on the bottom of them and they were confortable and lasted.

I would check around and see what the price is to get them put on. I cant see it being too expensive.

[Cuttingboard]

I'm not sure what kind of shoe $50-60 will buy...meaning, you'll continue to wear through them because of the cheap leather and rubber soles and may end up buying 3-4 pairs of shoes. You could buy 2 pairs of shoes and alternate them, they'll last longer.

[tgarza]

Dr. Martens

[The Mick]

Dr. Martens

+1 exactly what I was going to say.

[Sanders]

how much would a tough pair of fairly nice dress shoes cost? what are some of those brands? i will definately look into Dr. Marten's i've heard my dad mention doc martens before.... hmm haha

[Doc4]

I'm not sure what kind of shoe $50-60 will buy...meaning, you'll continue to wear through them because of the cheap leather and rubber soles and may end up buying 3-4 pairs of shoes. You could buy 2 pairs of shoes and alternate them, they'll last longer.

+1 on $60 not buying much of a shoe.

That said, if that's all you have to work with ... so be it. :sad:

You can get a rubber half-sole put on the leather sole by a decent cobbler (shoe repair guy) for probably $20 or so, and it'll greatly improve the lifespan of your soles.

Otherwise, look for shoes with rubber soles. I don't mean rubber like athletic shoes or Doc Martens (which can't make a 'dressy' looking shoe IMHO) but a hard rubber "Dainite" sole that you can find on many of the better-made English shoes.

expensive examples:

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=523&Product_Id=1412572&Parent_Id=522&default_color=OAK&sort_by=&sectioncolor=&sectionsize=
http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=523&Product_Id=997242&Parent_Id=522&default_color=BLACK&sort_by=&sectioncolor=&sectionsize=

[Sanders]

well i'd rather buy one or two shoes through college than 6 or so, so i will look into those more expensive soles, and just better quality, thanks for pointing me in a good direction!

[Rudy Vey]

Allen Edmonds makes a series with Vibram soles, I think they are called "business casual". I believe that a good shoe, like an AE, is in the long run cheaper than a cheap shoe and much better for your feet as well. A shoe like this can be totally re-crafted. I have several pairs that are 10-15 years old and were re-crafted, they come back and look nearly new.

[OldSaw]

Allen Edmonds makes a series with Vibram soles, I think they are called "business casual". I believe that a good shoe, like an AE, is in the long run cheaper than a cheap shoe and much better for your feet as well. A shoe like this can be totally re-crafted. I have several pairs that are 10-15 years old and were re-crafted, they come back and look nearly new.

I have a pair of these and they are very well made, but very expensive. I think mine were close to $300, which I bought at the factory store. The soles are very durable and should easily last several years with proper care of the leather uppers.

For a college student, I would check out Marshals for something cheap. Also check the auction sites for Allen Edmonds. Even a used pair would be a great find if they are in good shape.

[Not A Nice Person]

Bump it up a notch and get Rockports.

Easy on your feet and long lasting, and they make dressy/Oxford styles.

NANP™

[moshulu]

I would say that the best advice has already been given: get your shoes re-soled as needed, and take good care of the uppers.

A shoe salesman once explained to me that moisture (from your feet) is what destroys dress shoes the most. His advice was to have (at least) two pairs of shoes, and to wear each for only a few days, letting the others dry out. To him, that meant leaving them in an open space for a day or two, then inserting cedar shoe trees. For the uppers: a good cream to keep them from drying out (not in the water sense) and cracking.

None of the above is going to be compatible with a 60 dollar budget, I' m afraid. In terms of brand, I tend to think that Rockports have declined in quality in recent years. I prefer Ecco for "beater" dress shoes, where the name of the game is ARCH SUPPORT, not price.

If you are attending a conservative school in Ankeny, Iowa, then you are headed for a life where you will be on your feet a lot, and will not be rolling in luxury. Surely there is some conventional wisdom on the shoe question. Ask around, even the faculty, to learn how others have solved this problem. And good luck!

[Bayamontate]

+1 exactly what I was going to say.

Word!

[Crazy Dave]

Bump it up a notch and get Rockports.

Easy on your feet and long lasting, and they make dressy/Oxford styles.

NANP™

+1 on Rockports. That is what I have been wearing for years. If you catch a sale, you could even get them in your price range.

Another trick is to check the clearance rack at very expensive shoe stores. When they want to get rid of something, they want it out fast, so they mark it low. The local Johnson and Murphy store often has $50 and $60 clearances, for shoes that are well over $100 reatail.

Dave

[82R100]

Bump it up a notch and get Rockports.

Easy on your feet and long lasting, and they make dressy/Oxford styles.

NANP™

+1 on Rockports and (improbably enough) you can get them online from zappos.com (http://www.zappos.com/rockport) . The Zappos experience is remarkably convenient and painless and particularly worthwhile if you don't have much in the way of transportation or worthwhile retailers nearby.

- Chris

[BrianL]

Marshalls has Deerstags for about $30 or so a pair. Buy two pair and alternate. I work in a warehouse with concrete floors and the shoes are very comfortable. They have rubber soles and leather uppers, I am currently wearing the plain toe and I saw they have a cap toe. I also like the Rockports and there may be a outlet store in your area.

[gaj90027]

Clarks makes great shoes and you can find them on clearance at Marshalls now and then as well. They are the most comfortable casual dress shoes I have ever owned, I actually have 2 pairs now. Bought 1 pair at DSW for $80 and got another pair at Marshall's for $30.00 :biggrin:

They are also available on zappos.com

[strat1117]

Bump it up a notch and get Rockports.

Easy on your feet and long lasting, and they make dressy/Oxford styles.

This makes the most sense to me. You will end up saving money in the long run by buying better, longer lasting shoes, and Rockports are a perfect choice.

[OldSaw]

I love my Eccos, but they are not what I call dress shoes and they cost about three times the budgeted amount. I think Marshal's is your best bet. You may have to make several visits as the stock changes, but you should be able to find something that will get you by for sixty bucks.

[marvin100]

Ecco makes dress shoes & they can be obtained for less than $100 if you shop around and online. I have bought a few pairs that way and wear them to work every day while my Rockports gather dust. Compared to Ecco, other brands' shoes are just too heavy, clunky, or stiff. Great shoes.

[Kouros]

You can find great $50 shoes in a Timberland factory outlet if you are near one.

[ProphetNoir]

Dr. Martens

This
For what you can spend go to Zappos and browse for a sale or clearance price on some Docs.

[Luc]

Dr. Martens

+1

Good and tough!

[Doc4]

+1 on $60 not buying much of a shoe.

That said, if that's all you have to work with ... so be it. :sad:

You can get a rubber half-sole put on the leather sole by a decent cobbler (shoe repair guy) for probably $20 or so, and it'll greatly improve the lifespan of your soles.

Otherwise, look for shoes with rubber soles. I don't mean rubber like athletic shoes or Doc Martens (which can't make a 'dressy' looking shoe IMHO) but a hard rubber "Dainite" sole that you can find on many of the better-made English shoes.

expensive examples:

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=523&Product_Id=1412572&Parent_Id=522&default_color=OAK&sort_by=&sectioncolor=&sectionsize=
http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=523&Product_Id=997242&Parent_Id=522&default_color=BLACK&sort_by=&sectioncolor=&sectionsize=

see if these fit you ...

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,18891_Trickers-Handmade-Wingtip-Derby-Shoes-Brogue-Welted-For-Men.html

[cfriend]

I came in here with "Sperry's" on the tongue, then realized it wasn't a "what is your everyday show" thread.

[Ponce]

Dr. Martens

+37. Good, comfortable, affordable footwear that don't bad either. Yes, apparently their quality did suffer a bit when moving production from the UK, but they still seem very good.

[Roman414]

I don't think there is such a thing as "starter" shoes. If you are going to be on your feet in them for hours a day, you want good quality. I don't know the brands the other guys have mentioned, but I have had a pair of Florsheim's for maybe thirty years. I have replaced the heels a couple of times, that is all. If you take reasonable care of them...put trees in them when you are not wearing them, keep a coat of polish on them...they last pretty much a lifetime. And classic designs never go out of style.

[LeverTime]

Another option is to go used. Other than my running sneakers and my gardening boots, I wear Allen Edmonds exclusively. I bought every pair used, and never paid more than $20. If you have the time to dig through eBay listings you can find quality shoes that don't need anything more than a little polishing.

[Roman414]

You got me thinking about shoes. Man's greatest invention, possibly. The most basic and reliable form of transportation. Shoes let you travel over sharp rocks, hot sidewalks in the summer, keep your feet warm in winter. You will never have to clean dog poop from between your toes if you have shoes. Your shoes will take you out of a bad relationship. If you are threatened, shoes give you options...you can kick your attacker or run away from him...shoes will serve you faithfully either way.
These are my shoes. There are millions like them, but these are MY shoes...

[Ponce]

You got me thinking about shoes. Man's greatest invention, possibly. The most basic and reliable form of transportation. Shoes let you travel over sharp rocks, hot sidewalks in the summer, keep your feet warm in winter. You will never have to clean dog poop from between your toes if you have shoes. Your shoes will take you out of a bad relationship. If you are threatened, shoes give you options...you can kick your attacker or run away from him...shoes will serve you faithfully either way.
These are my shoes. There are millions like them, but these are MY shoes...

Great post! I never leave home without 'em. To all the flip flop wearing savages (who are admittedly probably not reading the haberdashery subsection of a wet shaving forum), your ill advised choice of footwear does not offer all of the options that shoes do.

[Crazy Dave]

Another option is to go used. Other than my running sneakers and my gardening boots, I wear Allen Edmonds exclusively. I bought every pair used, and never paid more than $20. If you have the time to dig through eBay listings you can find quality shoes that don't need anything more than a little polishing.

I have done this for Bali and Johnson and Murphy. If you know were to look, you can find "used" shoes that have never been worn and you will pay $10-$20 for a $300 or more shoe!

Dave

[Sanders]

Another option is to go used. Other than my running sneakers and my gardening boots, I wear Allen Edmonds exclusively. I bought every pair used, and never paid more than $20. If you have the time to dig through eBay listings you can find quality shoes that don't need anything more than a little polishing.
this is actually exactly what i ended up doing, i found a pair on ebay for 25 bucks or so and bought them, the only thing is i hope they fit, thanks for the great advice guys! love this site

[WhosYerBob]

$50-$60 bucks is only good enough for junk shoes here in my neighborhood. The better stuff is $90 and up for quality leather, craftsmanship, longevity and comfort.

Another option is to attach metal or plastic heel taps; they really slow down heel wear, but they add additional noise when walking.

[Wendy]

Bump it up a notch and get Rockports.


Agreed. Rockport makes a great long lasting shoe and they never seem to go out of style.

[VR6ofpain]

Do you have a Nordstrom Rack near you? You can get top quality shoes on the cheap. You see stuff like Allen Edmonds. I picked up a great pair of To Book NY (Adam Derrick) penny loafers a while back. They are super comfortable, very well made in Italy, and cost only $80. I like them as they are a little more current with a squared toe. Here is a photo of them:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/vr6ofpain/ToBoot.jpg

[MrMoJoe]

Ecco makes dress shoes & they can be obtained for less than $100 if you shop around and online. I have bought a few pairs that way and wear them to work every day while my Rockports gather dust. Compared to Ecco, other brands' shoes are just too heavy, clunky, or stiff. Great shoes.

+1
Eccos are the best - pricey, perhaps; but when you factor in how long they last, they are not that expensive; they last twice as long as any other shoe I've had. I bought two pair (two different styles) for work and alternated every couple of days. That was over 3 years ago and they still look good, feel great, and the soles still have tread. I've had Rockport, Clarks, and Doc Martens, and Ecco beats them all hands down.

Zappos is a great online vendor: http://www.zappos.com/mens-ecco