6 Men’s Shoes That Are Worth The Money
They say you can’t judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes, which is fair. But how can you be expected to do that when cheap shoes don’t even last the average pub session let alone the stumble home?
If you limit yourself to implementing only one style resolution this year, make it to invest in shoes that’ll actually go the distance. Here are six options worthy of your hard-earned, to get you started on the right foot.
En Brogue
We could go on and on about the versatility of the brogue (no really, we could), but what makes this Scottish export so durable?
Firstly, there’s the punched holes, which were originally designed to allow water to drain from the shoes but soon caught on as a decorative feature. Then there’s the sole: Northamptonshire brands such as Grenson have stayed true to the original anatomy with thick, rain-friendly rubber versions that add traction to the technically sound design.
Grenson Archie Grain Leather Brogues, available at Grenson.
Oxford Material
The oldest known leather shoe was discovered by archaeologists in Armenia in 2010 and is more than 5,500 years old (1,000 years older than the Great Pyramid of Giza). While we can’t be certain whether or not it was a pair of Oxfords, there’s no denying the versatility and durability of this formal silhouette.
An Oxford is defined by its closed lace system (the eyelet tabs are attached under the vamp) and low heel, while the toecap – a common but not essential feature – is stitched to the leather upper for extra reinforcement. A classic pair can be worn countless times to everything from your first job interview to your wedding day.
Herring Charles II Oxfords available at Herring.
Happy New (Good) Year
Most people are familiar with the term ‘Goodyear welt’, but less so with the specifics of it. A welt is a ribbon of leather that runs around the edge of the upper and is used to hold the component parts of the shoe together. Named after inventor Charles Goodyear Jr, who invented the unique construction method in 1871, a Goodyear welt involves running a lockstitch through the upper, insole and welt, while an entirely separate stitch is used to attach the outsole.
