Submitted by CanadianAviator94 t3_zuij46 in BuyItForLife
Hey everyone! I'm looking for a pair of dress shoes that are super durable, I wear them for work every day I need them to be comfortable and durable. So far I've had no luck finding anything that will last.
Update: Thank you everyone for your replies! I'll head to the shoe store to check out the brands you guys suggested, cheers!
That's a great idea! I never thought of doing that! Cheers bud.
It’s better to rotate dress shoes (don’t wear them two days in a row). What’s your job like (desk, stand, etc.) and what’s your budget?
I love my Allen Edmonds Park Avenues.
Thank you for the reply! I am a pilot, so a mix of walking, sitting, and being exposed to salt and other chemicals. I can spend up at $350.
Oak Street Bootmakers have been awesome. They too quite a bit to break them in because they are true leather shoes but I love them and I have 2 pairs now and they’re the only brand I buy. I will be buying a pair each year
Have they held up well for you?
Yes they have done great. They are very high quality
If flats or low heels are your thing, French Soles hold up well. But they are expensive unless you can find them on sale.
Perfect! I'll look that up. Thank you.
I have a pair of ecco that are great. Another plus is no steel shank, but composite, so I can clear the mags at work wo removing my shoes.
That would be perfect for me. Do you find them comfortable?
They are comfortable, but also a removable insole, so I use Sole brand inserts bc I have 1 collapsed arch. The trick I found to ensure there is no metal in the shoe is to bring a decent magnet with you shoe shopping. If you have any old speakers layering around, just dismantle one and salvage the magnet.
Good luck, and Happy Holidays.
I've had my Doc Marten 1461 shoes for 25 years. They require a good polish every now and then but are otherwise dependable.
When I bought them, I worked a 40hr/wk office job, was attending Uni, and worked a 20hr/week retail job. They are still the most comfortable shoes ever.
They're also great all weather shoes.
I was thinking of Docs, but I wasn't quite sure on the quality/durability, Ill be checking them out now!
On the all weather front, when o bought mine, I did some type of scotchguard treatment on them but never have since so you might ask about that.
I have friends that have had their Docs so long they had the soles redone but the upper is still good to go. One guy is on the spectrum and bounds when he walks so had uneven wear.
There are very few things I consider BIFL and Docs are #1 or #2 on that list. The other contender is the 1970s Tupperware colander my mother had that I still use regularly.
I’ve had great luck with Trickers from the UK and Paraboot from France for a casual dress/formal daily wear.
Both are resoleable.
FWIW I’m 240lbs and walk a lot so I’m hard on my shoes
Thank you so much!
Expensive, but I have had a pair of Gucci Jordaan loafers for 5 years and they still look new. I’ve pounded the pavement with them. For a couple of years they were my daily workhorse.
No need to break in, fit and comfort was perfect right away. Gucci has a repair service and they’ll send and assess for free. They also have a bespoke service if you really want to splurge and get something custom to you. Don’t see myself needing another loafer for at least the next 10 years but I suspect a lifetime.
That sounds like a perfect fit, cheers bud!
I asked in /r/mensfashion and got turned into Allen Edmonds. My oldest pair is going on 11 years with two resoles and still look great. They are spendy, but compared to going through dress shoes every six months, I've probably saved a grand or more by now.
That would be perfect, thank you!
Try Allbirds shoes. They are made of wool and sustainable materials in the sole and insert. You can get a variety of colors and they are really comfortable. You would think the wool would not be durable enough, but I've had one pair I've worn almost every day for months now, and no holes yet. Wool is sustainable and doesn't require killing a bunch of animals to make leather.
Allen Edmonds, made right here in wisconsin. Buy a couple of pairs to rotate, use the trees religiously. I have been resolving a pair for about 20 years of use.
Cole Haan shoes are comfortable and last years
Give Alden a look.. the are made in the US
Try r/goodyearwelt. They'll echo what others have said about cycling, so expect to buy at least two pairs if the intention is daily use
Scary-Ad5147 t1_j1jzhsk wrote
don’t wear any leather dress shoe every day. the leather needs time to shrink back. it leads to stretched shoes that are uncomfortable and fall apart. if you get 3 pair of the same quality shoes and rotate every 3 days they’ll last far longer than 3 pairs back to back.