Branded Leather Shoes

[hst]

$30+ for vibram soles seem about right.

[PeeCeeBee]

There is a shop just few shops away from hobby link at Far East. I tried not bad.....best is while waiting, can go hobby link and get poisoned.

Yes i tried that place too. Cost me about $30 or slightly more for a thin piece of vibram sole.

[KuchingKu]

Where do you guys go to for adding the additional sole? I normally go to the one at basement of OUB centre...not bad but not sure what brand do they use.

There is a shop just few shops away from hobby link at Far East. I tried not bad.....best is while waiting, can go hobby link and get poisoned.

[patrickmaniac]

Mr mint have a lot of outlets but is not the cheapest.
The vibram cost from 30 to 50 depending on the type u choose.

I did mine at tangling mall and plaza sing.

Where do you guys go to for adding the additional sole? I normally go to the one at basement of OUB centre...not bad but not sure what brand do they use.

[stektan]

Where do you guys go to for adding the additional sole? I normally go to the one at basement of OUB centre...not bad but not sure what brand do they use.

[hst]

I have vibram or equivalent on most of my leather sole shoes. Not an issue at all. I would, however, suggest that choose rubber soles that are thin. Vibram is a good brand to use (this is from my experience and I have no associations with the brand).

I think the store assistant want you to wear out the shoe faster so that you will buy another pair!
Most of the folks I know who have leather sole have vibrams on them and they make the shoes better in terms if comfort, grip and to some extent shock absorption.

"affects overall construction of the shoe"...Do you think a piece of 2mm thick rubber/ plastic would do that?
Lol....


Cheers!

[patrickmaniac]

+1 for John lobb but settled for church instead. Better fit for me.

Great list. I would add Alden, Crockett and Jones, Edward Green and John Lobb. It may be worthwhile to build this thread up at some point to discuss the merits of these different brands. As these brands are at quite different price points, it is not easy to do an apple-to-apple comparison.

[patrickmaniac]

I think the store assistant want you to wear out the shoe faster so that you will buy another pair!
Most of the folks I know who have leather sole have vibrams on them and they make the shoes better in terms if comfort, grip and to some extent shock absorption.

"affects overall construction of the shoe"...Do you think a piece of 2mm thick rubber/ plastic would do that?
Lol....


Cheers!

No, my Tods has the oxford look with laces but the shoe is rubber - can't really tell from the top view. Yes, wooden and leather soles tend to wear off faster and many people do put additional rubber sole for friction and protection. But the Ferragamo store assistant has actually recommend me not to do that as it "affects the overall construction and hence design and comfort of the shoe".

[stektan]

Are your Tods the slip on type without lace? My only pair of rubber sole work shoes is from Regal. And it's probably the only pair of black working shoes i have. But i kind of prefer the leather sole type of working shoes although some of them makes pretty annoying noise when you walk haha.

One thing i notice that leather sole working shoes tends to wear off faster at the ball area and some of us will add a vibram protection on the sole even before they start wearing them.

Just wondering, what is the max budget folks here would pay for shoes? Be it business / casual /sneakers /sandals?

No, my Tods has the oxford look with laces but the shoe is rubber - can't really tell from the top view. Yes, wooden and leather soles tend to wear off faster and many people do put additional rubber sole for friction and protection. But the Ferragamo store assistant has actually recommend me not to do that as it "affects the overall construction and hence design and comfort of the shoe".

[PeeCeeBee]

Great discussion thread! The Tods which I am wearing is actually a business shoe with a rubber shoe, driving style - which means the rear curves back so that it is easier when you drive. I find this a great everyday wear especially if you drive and do not need a formal leather shoe with the traditional wooden sole. Love my Bally casual shoe as well.

Are your Tods the slip on type without lace? My only pair of rubber sole work shoes is from Regal. And it's probably the only pair of black working shoes i have. But i kind of prefer the leather sole type of working shoes although some of them makes pretty annoying noise when you walk haha.

One thing i notice that leather sole working shoes tends to wear off faster at the ball area and some of us will add a vibram protection on the sole even before they start wearing them.

Just wondering, what is the max budget folks here would pay for shoes? Be it business / casual /sneakers /sandals?

[stektan]

Great discussion thread! The Tods which I am wearing is actually a business shoe with a rubber shoe, driving style - which means the rear curves back so that it is easier when you drive. I find this a great everyday wear especially if you drive and do not need a formal leather shoe with the traditional wooden sole. Love my Bally casual shoe as well.

[PeeCeeBee]

How many of you buy business shoes with rubber sole? What is your reason for choosing rubber over the traditional leather sole?

[tanwill]

I have the same experience on ECCO shoes... the sole went 'gaping crocodile'.
As for Geox, always shop there but somehow never manage to buy any..... just dont quite like the fit.

Current owns a Bally business boots, super comfy !

Guys needs to own a Bally.....at least 1 pair once in your lifetime ! You will not regret it !

[hst]

Great list. I would add Alden, Crockett and Jones, Edward Green and John Lobb. It may be worthwhile to build this thread up at some point to discuss the merits of these different brands. As these brands are at quite different price points, it is not easy to do an apple-to-apple comparison.

Seriously expensive.

It actually depends on what kind of shoes one is looking at. Office wear or casual and of course one's budget.

I would spend more on 1 pair than buy several pairs which doesn't last. E.g, most under $200 shoes are using cement construction (i.e glued soles), although some branded one with astronomical prices are also cemented. The ones with welted soles (i.e stitched, so technically it will never perform crocodile) are more expensive ranging from $300 to 4 figures. The ones available here are either from US or UK with some European brand thrown in.

Some of my favorites (some not available here):
1. Ferragamo - Solid leather and construction, wait for Isetan sale, good discount
2. Church's - Isetan and Taka do carry some models. Church's in ION Orchard has more extensive range. Solid shoes.
3. Trickers - Solid UK brand similar in quality with Crockett & Jones. Can buy from Pediwear or Herring Shoes online.
4. Carmina (Spanish, ordered from HK, Armory)
5. Magnanni, good value for money (available in Taka) - MOST RECOMMENDED.
6. Johnston & murphy (basic US shoes, available in Isetan and Taka), very traditional & dated office shoes
7. Cole Haan (some category as Johnston) but dated designs
8. Giano (Tangs), someone mentioned this, quirky look but comfy
9. Allen Edmonds (same category as Johnston, bought it from Ebay)
10. Stefanobi - Bought from a bro to test it. I think they do shoes for Berluti. Not available here I think.
11. Regal - Available in Taka but I don't own any. I think they looks good. Much cheaper to buy in Japan.
12. Bally - Very very nice shoes, but I haven't own one....yet.


Casual shoes:
1. Tods - Very comfy driver shoes & boots.
2. Prada - They own Church's, superb construction. Pricey though
3. Red Wings - Indestructible. I have a pair which is 15yrs old with steel toe and still wearing it. Get the flat soles ones.
4. Camper - Dont buy here, get it in UK or Europe. much cheaper
5. Gucci - An impulse buy. But good quality nonetheless
6. Lecoq & some Nikes

Sum up, I think our stores offer very limited choices and seriously overpriced. If you are confident about your sizes, better to get from US/UK online stores. I don't think I will ever get a Berluti, it just looks too flashy and I can't afford it anyway.

There are some really good shoes on discount, such as Santoni in Isetan or Taka. Nice shape and construction.

End of the day, the shoes must fit you, both feet and wallet.

[1248614]

btw, i had bad experience wearing ECCO shoes... the sole went 'gaping crocodile' on me!

super malu... luckily i was returning from biz trip then...

i swear off ECCO... it was not even an old pair, or very worn out... plus I pasted glue at a cobbler before twice on that pair... never again man...