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Re: Durable shoes

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 10:30 am
by George the original one
Necrothread...

I've been buying Merrell slip-ons for about 14 years. Way back then, I was mourning the lack of Velcro shoes because I hate tying shoes (the more arthritic & inflexible you become as you age, the more you don't want to tie shoes). Decent style, but they don't last more than 2-3 years and I would wear them as casual office shoes until appearance sagged and then move them to gardening/hiking shoes. Either the sole wears through or the sole's seam will fail.

Last year I was introduced to Georgia Boot Company's Romeos (slip-on low top boots) when I saw someone wearing them while wading/fishing. Looked into them, but decided they were too boot-like for office wear and not really suitable for summer wading/fishing shoes. However, now that I'm retired, no longer going to an office, and my current pair of Merrells failed, it suddenly made sense to try them. Same price as the Merrells, so little to lose and potentially a lot to gain, but it will be a few years before I know whether they outlast the Merrells.

Re: Durable shoes

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 11:00 am
by enigmaT120
Once I get a pair of running shoes adjusted to be as tight as I can without them hurting the top of my foot, I never untie them. They're just like slippers for me. After their running life span they retire to be work shoes.

Re: Durable shoes

Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 4:23 pm
by polaran
What do all of you use for running shoes? I wear trail runners for everyday school/work wear, plus running about 30 miles per week on rocky trails and backpacking. I currently use Altra lone peaks and love them, particularly since I have a relatively wide forefoot and narrow heels. I switched from boots to trail runners for backpacking about two years ago and don't think I'll ever go back due to the lighter weight, faster drying time, and greater comfort. The biggest downside is cost - last year I wore out 5 pairs of Altras in 2,600 miles of backpacking, plus one additional pair that I wore the other 8 months of the year. Even purchasing the previous year's model on sale it was one of my largest expenses while thru hiking. I won't be doing that kind of mileage again in the near future, but would love to find something that I can run/hike in that doesn't have to be replaced so frequently.

Re: Durable shoes

Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 8:26 pm
by Toska2
Asics Gel Kahana 7 : long lasting heel and sole, wider in the arch way, estimated milelage mostly walking : 1500

Mizuno wave rider : lighter than above asics, curved too early and my little toe rubbed thru the upper, emmw :800

Keen Targhee ii mid : very comfortable, higher heel makes for great walking/hiking but fair jogging. It seems the sole heel block starts 1/4" - 1/2" too soon on the inside. If this is for motion control, it works too well as the rear heel blocks suffer. Mine wore smooth in 100 miles unloaded walking on asphalt. If I seem harsh here it's because I was breaking them in and they show more wear than my three year old Asics. I'm torn buying Keens if the sole is that soft or badly designed.

I alternated until failure. The Altra's look promising.

Re: Durable shoes

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 8:36 am
by Ydobon
Asics Gel Kayano, lots of support.

Re: Durable shoes

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 9:41 am
by henrik
polaran wrote:What do all of you use for running shoes?
There's an earlier thread about this here

Re: Durable shoes

Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2016 7:18 am
by Stahlmann
How about style and ere?
Has anyone found durable shoes in that kind https://goo.gl/images/nRcukV ?

Re: Durable shoes

Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2016 10:10 am
by Toska2

Re: Durable shoes

Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2016 10:53 am
by jacob
@Stahlman - Those $$$$ Church's would last forever as long as you don't walk farther on sidewalk/asphalt than between the building door and the car door. You could have a cobbler glue a rubber sole underneath but that would void Church's resoling efforts. It would also be a bit like buying a Rolls Royce and then welding steel plates on the front bumper.

The strategy I've seen applied is that people use normal cheap sneakers or boots when going to and from work and then switch to their fancy leather-soled wingtips when they get inside.

Re: Durable shoes

Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2016 12:47 pm
by Stahlmann
jacob wrote:@Stahlman - (*) Those $$$$ Church's would last forever as long as you don't walk farther on sidewalk/asphalt than between the building door and the car door. You could have a cobbler glue a rubber sole underneath but that would void Church's resoling efforts. It would also be a bit like buying a Rolls Royce and then welding steel plates on the front bumper.

(**) The strategy I've seen applied is that people use normal cheap sneakers or boots when going to and from work and then switch to their fancy leather-soled wingtips when they get inside.

(*) - Well, photo was example of desired style. I hoped that somebody created brand of them in which they chose to attain hardcore durability. I have not yet resigned from searchings :D . Anyway I will try trick from the next part of your post :mrgreen:

(**) - really :mrgreen: ?!
When do they change it?
Are there lockers room in corporate America?
Or just in toilet?
Pretty funny example of careerism.

Re: Durable shoes

Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2016 12:50 pm
by jacob
You just keep your business shoes under your desk at work. Switch shoes when you arrive. Switch again when you leave.

Re: Durable shoes

Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2016 1:07 pm
by Stahlmann
jacob wrote:You just keep your business shoes under your desk at work. Switch shoes when you arrive. Switch again when you leave.
Simply as that, haha.
I thought you need to be more stealth in your office.

I have seen that also, but in this particular office people changed shoes to flip-flops :mrgreen:
Any thoughts about this brand?
In my country there is one shop of it.
I think people buy there just for ,,american dream" feeling.

Re: Durable shoes

Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2016 1:58 pm
by Toska2
I bought a few pairs. I like them

The 952 : ~$140, 3000+ miles on tile and industrial smooth cement. Kinda hard insole, doesn't hug the heel so a blister might develop after 3-4 miles of non-stop walking. Still have them. Slick bottom so I used them stocking shelves.

The 608 : $ I don't remember, 6000+ miles on sidewalks and more. I expect another 1500-2000 before a hole develops at the toe creases. I've resoled them when the heel showed 1.5" strip of underlaying foam. The front part of the sole was +1/8" . They are a boot so they are heavy and with wool socks good to about 30°F.

Get the American non heritage boot and it should be a good deal. As for dress shoes, look elsewhere.

Re: Durable shoes

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2016 1:39 pm
by Stahlmann
http://earlyretirementextreme.com/the-l ... r-buy.html
and
http://www.hanwag.de/grunten

jacob's dream is fulfilled now! (they offer black color) :D
I am still looking for my fancy wing-tips (or something that shape: http://imgur.com/gallery/zA2eJ ), but I am aiming at durability so grunten boots are still an option (and they will be easier to get in EU).

Re: Durable shoes

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2016 1:14 pm
by vexed87
Toying with the idea of buying these now that my one of my office shoes have a worn sole: http://www.grenson.com/uk/dylan-mens-ox ... -sole.html

I have a similar, but high gloss pair I keep for best (from wedding), high gloss is not so great for daily office wear! These appear to be the duller kind. No mention of the kind of leather though, maybe I'll drop them an e-mail.

I do the desk swap thing because I wear clipless shoes for cycling.

Re: Durable shoes

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2016 4:54 pm
by Ego
vexed87 wrote:Toying with the idea of buying these now that my one of my office shoes have a worn sole: http://www.grenson.com/uk/dylan-mens-ox ... -sole.html.
Aw crap. Several years ago I found a pair of Grenson's wingtips at the swap meet. They looked good and were comfortable so I wore them for weddings, funerals, interviews and the odd night out. As you can see, I didn't take great care of them. For some odd reason I didn't do a good job of researching them. When you mentioned it, I thought.... hum that looks familiar... I better take a closer look. Yep, they are the Toynbee's. £400.00 :shock:

Damn you! Now I have to sell these. What am I going to wear for Christmas?!

Image

Image

Re: Durable shoes

Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2016 5:59 am
by vexed87
:shock: You don't have to sell them!

Unless you have some similar already? Nice find, in the US too!

Re: Durable shoes

Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2016 5:44 am
by Stahlmann
How do you manage bad odour in long term use of your ,,investment" :D ?
This bugs me the most. I probably will buy these Hangwart.
But I am not convinced. I am afraid that it would be better to buy cheaper boots in nearby future and don't care about odour issue.

(this is serious question)

Re: Durable shoes

Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2016 12:38 pm
by enigmaT120
Minimal BO in general in my case, but I have no idea how I do it unless it's from sweating like crazy pretty often (exercise). I eat enough garlic and onions that I should at least have bad breath.

Re: Durable shoes

Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2016 3:19 pm
by George the original one
Thicker socks changed daily keep odor-causing secretions from permeating footwear. Thinner socks can't absorb as much. Also, shuck your shoes whenever you can so your feet aren't confined as much.