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The NEVERENDING Footwear Thread...

zman

zman

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Hey, did a search, didn't see anything of the sort. So I decided to start one.

Shoes.
Everyone wears them. Everyone needs them. Some kill for them.
What I need is a good versatile shoe that will allow me comfort and style for work and weekend. I was thinking something good for outside and in.

I looked at Keen, and they seem to be good for what I need, but they are expensive. Are they a good shoe and worth it (i.e. durable?), or would I be falling into the Yuppie/Urban Outdoorsperson trend (and therefore should go shopping at Whole Foods, begin subscribing to Outside magazine and vote for corporate-backed Democrats while driving my brand-new XTerra? :-c:-x)

Let me know if I am pissing away some money here...
 
Hmmm....

If I have to wear shoes I like Clark's shoes the best but Munro is pretty good as well. Frankly though I am a barefoot kinda gal.
 
I haven't heard of Keen's :-$

Here, a lot of guys wear Vans, Timberland hiking sneakers, Dansko clogs (really, they do), and Teva's and those closed toe sandals

A lot of us ladies wear Dansko's, Born, Teva's, Reefs, Birkenstocks (not me), hiking sandals that are waterproof from Columbia or The North Face and then dressy shoes like anyone else - and everyone has wellies and Sorel's in Maine
 
From March to October, when I'm not at work, I'm in my tevas. I'm sure I look like a relic from 1997, but I adore them none the less.

The rest of the year, I'm in my retired running sneakers.
 
I'm almost positive mskis had a thread about shoes some time ago......

I wear 3-4 inch heels (pumps or sandals) during the week. Fridays, I'll wear a dressy sport shoe or a pair of Converse (depending on what I'm wearing and what's on my calendar for the day). I don't wear athletic shoes like running sneakers or cross-trainers unless I'm exercising. For total comfort (at home and during the weekend), I'll wear Crocs flip-flops.
 
A pair of Sketchers for work:



A pair of New Balance's for home (and Fridays):

 
Hands DOWN Ecco’s. They are a bit more than most other brands, but the leather is heat fused to a polyurethane blend sole. They are also designed to provide maximum support for the arch and curvature of your foot, including the little area between where your toes meet your shoe.

The nice part is living in CO, if you spend any time out side, with a pair of Ecco’s you will find that they maintain their comfort because polyurethane has a colder freezing point than rubber.

I have the Track II round toe, the Delta Walker shoes, the Black Wingtips, and a pair of sandals from this company. Hands down the most comfortable shoe brand I have ever owned.

http://www.eccousa.com/

*And yes, I think that Dave Ramsey would approve... as long as it is in your budget and you pay cash. Negotiate with the sales person. You might get a deal!
 
Just to get this out of the way...

What are these shoes of which you speak?:-D
 
I currently have a pair of WalMart/Dr. Shoals (or however you spell it) walking shoes on. Ratty and ragged, but good mileage for $20.

I'm waiting to take my old work boots (Pro Warringtons) up to get resoled. I wore them thin, but they're quality boots and really comfy. $40 to fix 'em beats $200 for a new pair.

Got a pair of 8" boots (about $80 new) that are shot to heck and in reserve status for snowstorms, etc.

I also have a cheapo $25 pair of WalMart boots (uncomfortable as hell) which are in reserve reserve status. And a pair of Sketchers sneaks, which are ok for walking around in, but not much else. Bad alignment for my feet and knees.

Soon, I will be going out to invest in a proper pair of running shoes. You only get one set of feet and one set of knees, so you gotta make 'em feel good and last long.

I so badly wanted to be angry at my friend Sam, when she had no money for gas in her car but spent $150-200 on boots. But I would have done the same thing, so oh well. Do as I say, not as I do!
 
Bubba said:
What are these shoes of which you speak?:-D
Click to expand...
Being from Georgia you aren't expected to know these sorts of things. ;-)


I used to be a sucker for nice shoes, but moving on to a more casual office I now find myself in either my casual Clark's, everyday Birkenstock's, or bike shoes. The formal shoes get brought out for events sometimes, but i really don't attend many of those at all anymore.
 
I'm wearing a pair of Keen's right now! I got them on sale at REI for less than $60, so it wasn't too steep. This is the second pair I have owned. The last pair did get trashed a lot quicker than I expected (the leather, while supple, was a bit too thin and began to rip around the heel) but I also put them to the test. I am trying to baby this pair. They are immensely comfortable. http://www.keenfootwear.com/

Some of the best shoes I have owned are:

Earth Shoes (http://www.earth.us/) - despite their early hippie rep, they make some nice casual dress shoes. These are the other pair I wear to work, but are also rugged enough to wear other times.

Naot (http://www.naot.com/index.html) - made in Israel and are amazingly well crafted, but upwards of $100 (I noticed on the website that the current line is a bit ugly IMO, but worth a look). Still, they lasted five years of pretty continuous wear. Like Birkenstocks, they have a cork sole that conforms to your foot's shape over time.

I am a bit obsessed with shoes, not because I have a fetish (that's a different issue...:-$), but because I used to have a lot of lower back problems. I read some article a while back about the best shoes and the consensus was that a wide toe box and a low heel are the best for posture and general walking around. Since I started buying decent shoes (fitting this criteria), my back problems have virtually disappeared.

Also, check out Sierra Trading Post for good deals on shoes (http://www.sierratradingpost.com/Shoes-and-Boots.html). They sell a lot of outdoor gear, some regular clothing, and a buttload of shoes. Sometimes there are some amazing deals. They have a good return policy, but if you're really serious, you can go to a store to get fitted for a shoe you like that STP has in stock and then just order it online.
 
My favourite new shoe is my pair of alden indy's I picked up in the spring. expensive and worth every penny, wish I could have afforded the cordovan model. I should have them the rest of my life.

http://www.aldenshop.com/DrawOneShoe.asp?CategoryID=109

Other good shoes I wear allen edmonds, dacks and harrt.

For beater shoes, New Balance, Blackspot and a pair of converse jack purcells. Would love to find a source for made in teh usa vintage chucks and purcells.

Also have irkenstocks for around the house and post ride.

If you know your size anddon't mind web surfing check out sierratradingpost.com for really good prices on footwear.
 
As long as they are comfy, who cares whether they match the outfit or not??

I love Naturalizer and LizFlex. For sportswear give me Reebok every time (I'm almost flatfooted, and their shoes just fit right).
 
In a pair of Crocs at the moment (May Janes) with various summer Jibbitz. The other half and I wear our Disney Crocs out and about doing stuff on the weekends. Dress shoes I love my Naturalizers.

Often wear Tevas when we go to Disney or on other LONG walks

Winter some nice tall black leather boots and Im a happy girl

* I hate to shoe shop so not very girly that way*
 
Work: Bostonians
Running: Asics Flash and Nike Free 5.0
Chillin: DC shoes
Loungin: Crocs
 
Work:

a pair of finest Next (high street shop) boots, £44. Had the same 'model' for my last 3 pairs of work shoes.

Casual:

Currently rotating the following -

- Virtually indestructible white Adidas Stan Smith w/ green velcro straps

- Adidas World Cup '66, brown with yellow stripes

- Onitsuka Tigers (Asics fashion brand), yellow with blue stripes/streaks

- 2 pairs H&M flip-flops/thongs

Retro trainers/sneakers are a bit of minor fetish for me
 
I...uh...share the same taste in shoes as...M'skis...weird.;-)

My Eccos are made in Denmark though (sorry NH).

Also really really like Fluevog shoes.
 
I was a cheaper the better person until my feet started hurting all the time.
I have a pair of Borne sandels and two pairs of Clarks for summer.
Not sure what I am going to wear this winter.
I am just about ready to get rid of all my old cheap shoes. Well thinking about it anyway.
 
Mark me down as another Ecco fan. I only have one pair, but they are very comfortable and right on the border between casual and work-appropriate. For that reason, they've seen a lot of use in the last two years and still look good.

For lounging at home, it's usually Crocs, some Keen flip-flops, or some sweet Reef flip-flops with a bottle opener mounted in the sole. The Reefs are the weapon of choice for backyard grillin' n' drinkin', for obvious reasons, but don't see any indoor wear out of respect for the wood floors. :-D

Our office is pretty liberal with the casual Friday dress code. I am currently wearing my number-one favorite, my Chaco sandals. :h:
 
Really, too many shoes to choose from!

Being the girly-girl that I am, I have a pair of shoes in almost every style and color. Must coordinate, you know! :p

But, for the most part it's usually a pair of drugstore foam flipflops for in the house, my beloved Nike Athenas for running and the absolute 'binky' in my closet is a pair of pale pink Lily Pulitzer flats that I am wearing the daylights out of. Got them for a song and a dance on eBay. :) In fact, just bought a nice pair of sexy black sandals on eBay this week. Ten bucks with shipping. Sweeeeeet!
 
ummmmmm...........I usually go for the "Buy One, Get One Half Off special at PayLess". Two pairs of shoes, $35. I'm usually sitting in my office for the majority of the day, so I don't really care what's on my feet and I'm sure as hell not trying to impress anyone.

Does this make me less of a person?:-c
 
I've got two pair of Rockports with the bicycle toe: black and slip-on sienna.

My favorite right now is a pair of Dunham shoes. They're made by New Balance, which is pretty much the only athletic shoe I can find that fits comfortably. These Dunhams are the first casual/dress shoes I've owned that I don't get the urge to kick off during the day.

Two pairs of New Balance athletic shoes: the newest are a 1050 I got about six months ago.

Two pairs of Reef flip flops: one leather and one blue. Reefs are so comfortable and are the reason I never replaced my nasty-ass Birkenstocks.

Two pairs of hiking sandals: one blue addidas and the other brown leather New Balance

One pair of Diesel "bowlers" casual brown leather shoes

I've got two pairs of fancier dress shoes that I pretty much never wear... a shame because they were pretty pricey. I don't have much need for them since I don't regularly wear a suit around here.
 
Suburb Repairman said:
Two pairs of Reef flip flops: one leather and one blue. Reefs are so comfortable and are the reason I never replaced my nasty-ass Birkenstocks.
Click to expand...

I got Reefs with bottle openers in the sole. BEST INVENTION EVER.

I decided I may try to "yuppify" myself and look for some Keens. They have them on discount at the Sierra Trading Post in Cheyenne, WY, an easy drive from my place.
 
I have some dressy Dr. Martens that I've been wearing to work for 6 years. They still look good, but I'd like to get them replaced.. can't seem to find a place where they're sold though.

I bought a pair of Campers recently. They were expensive, but they've broken in nicely and look cool. My office is pretty casual, so I can wear them to work.

Other that than, I like Keens, Brooks for running, Vasque for hiking boots, and Chaco sandals for summertime. I know the Chacos are a little expensive and ugly, but they are so practical.
 
zmanPLAN said:
I got Reefs with bottle openers in the sole. BEST INVENTION EVER.

I decided I may try to "yuppify" myself and look for some Keens. They have them on discount at the Sierra Trading Post in Cheyenne, WY, an easy drive from my place.
Click to expand...

[ot] I'll be impressed when you find a ball cap with a bottle opener integrated into the bottom of the bill--far more sanitary than the bottom of a flip-flop! (A friend of mine stitched a bottle opener into my favorite Texas State University hat for me as a 21st birthday present)[/ot]
 
Suburb Repairman said:
[ot] I'll be impressed when you find a ball cap with a bottle opener integrated into the bottom of the bill--far more sanitary than the bottom of a flip-flop! (A friend of mine stitched a bottle opener into my favorite Texas State University hat for me as a 21st birthday present)[/ot]
Click to expand...

You can't live in fear, buddy. Germs are nothing to be afraid of, watch out for dog poop though...
 
Greenescapist said:
I have some dressy Dr. Martens that I've been wearing to work for 6 years. They still look good, but I'd like to get them replaced.. can't seem to find a place where they're sold though.

.
Click to expand...

I rotate between 2 pairs of Dr. Martens and some Merrell low tops most days. Occasionally pulling out a pair of Sketchers.

The reason I quoted though...

www.zappos.com

That's where my gf got me my last pair of Docs for Christmas. Pretty good pricing, and they have literally everything...
 
Ha....

zmanPLAN said:
You can't live in fear, buddy. Germs are nothing to be afraid of, watch out for dog poop though...
Click to expand...

Easy for you to say.....you could speak for the last 7 days and get more than 3 hours of sleep each night:r::-c;)

But I have to give you credit for eating that pizza I was coughing on all night.....he he he
 
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Suburb Repairman said:
[ot] I'll be impressed when you find a ball cap with a bottle opener integrated into the bottom of the bill--far more sanitary than the bottom of a flip-flop! (A friend of mine stitched a bottle opener into my favorite Texas State University hat for me as a 21st birthday present)[/ot]
Click to expand...

http://www.thesimpsonsshop.com/detail.php?p=24316&SESSID=6aa1e5f2eff72a61ca842fa09d0a262c

http://officialsturgisproducts.com/c/product.php?productid=334&cat=28&page=1

Not Safe For Work, or for viewing around wife/girlfriend, but features relevant product (Yes, men, there IS a baseball cap with bottle opener there!): http://www.getthetopoff.com/

:D
 
to the ladies...

how much would you/have you invested in a pair of tall leather boots?

i've been looking for a new pair of boots and the prices seem to run from $50 for pleather to $800 for donna karan fancy schmancy boots. most of the boots that i'm looking at are running around $150-$200. i'm having a difficult time allowing myself to spend that much money on a pair of boots. but i WANT them. :-\
 
Are you talking discounted to $150-200? Buy it.Or are you talking pay full price $150-200 for a boot. Buy it on sale!

I've seen cute boots at piper lime and Boden online.
 
I swear by Red Wings. Great shoes and a great value. Though recently I have found good shoes out of the Cabela's catalog. I have wide feet and squarish toes, so finding shoes that will fit my Fred Flintstone feet is always a problem.
 
I have a pair of Merrell's and Born's for work. Both have nice wide toe box area
For the weekend have:
- a pair of Asic's that I have reglued the soles,
- brand X sneakers bought on sale a year ago for for $17,
- sandals
 
dandy_warhol said:
how much would you/have you invested in a pair of tall leather boots?

i've been looking for a new pair of boots and the prices seem to run from $50 for pleather to $800 for donna karan fancy schmancy boots. most of the boots that i'm looking at are running around $150-$200. i'm having a difficult time allowing myself to spend that much money on a pair of boots. but i WANT them. :-\
Click to expand...

Paid $180 for the last pair which lasted about 5 years of good use. Looking for a new ones this year....probably $150-$200 will be spent. Figure it equals out to about $30-$40 a year which isn't bad.
 
Jen said:
Are you talking discounted to $150-200? Buy it.Or are you talking pay full price $150-200 for a boot. Buy it on sale!

I've seen cute boots at piper lime and Boden online.
Click to expand...

i do my best not to pay full price. but they never have the super duper sales that i crave, like 90% off sales.
 
dandy_warhol said:
how much would you/have you invested in a pair of tall leather boots?

i've been looking for a new pair of boots and the prices seem to run from $50 for pleather to $800 for donna karan fancy schmancy boots. most of the boots that i'm looking at are running around $150-$200. i'm having a difficult time allowing myself to spend that much money on a pair of boots. but i WANT them. :-\
Click to expand...

Just do it, $200 for a piar of shoes is a good price, especially if you intend to wear them for more than one fashion season.

All of my "good" shoes(dress, running, cycling, boots) have cost me more than that.

Don't forget I am a straight male. ;)
 
dandy_warhol said:
how much would you/have you invested in a pair of tall leather boots?

i've been looking for a new pair of boots and the prices seem to run from $50 for pleather to $800 for donna karan fancy schmancy boots. most of the boots that i'm looking at are running around $150-$200. i'm having a difficult time allowing myself to spend that much money on a pair of boots. but i WANT them. :-\
Click to expand...

Try eBay. I won/bought a brand new still in box pair of DKNY boots for $10 and some change. :D
 
zmanPLAN said:
I got Reefs with bottle openers in the sole. BEST INVENTION EVER.

I decided I may try to "yuppify" myself and look for some Keens. They have them on discount at the Sierra Trading Post in Cheyenne, WY, an easy drive from my place.
Click to expand...

I have the same Reef's, Z! Perfect on float trips!! They are my hoosier shoes, my friends make so much fun when I show them the bottle opener on the bottom...
My favorite shoes are my other Reefs, OLD, OLD black flip flops...and of course my Birks...those are the only shows on my feet outside of work...often wear them out as well and of cours I have the millions of dressy heels and such for work...as far as tennis shoes I am a New Balance fan...
 
Big product fan, long-time member at REI. Rockports at the office, Vasque hiking and cross-training, Teva sandals. Only buy when they're on sale unless I've had a blow out. .
 
Wear Rockport XCS's to work or other occasions falling short of suit formal.

I'm shod in whatever brand tennis shoe I can reasonably afford for puttering around the house and on weekends.
 
Bare Foot

Bear's don't wear shoes.

:D

Rockports. Reebok high-tops. No like sandals or flips. Dress shoes when the suit goes on (such as next Thursday). Forgot the brand....some sort of off-brand. Fugly.

Mentioned before: Marriage at Oak Openings Preserve (Wife 2) back in 1973.....green Converse high-tops. I gotta find a pic and scan it. You will be impressed.

Bare Bear
 
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