Resolable, rebuildable work shoe

**riser4** · 03-25-2018, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by Flyoverland Captive

Don’t overlook Doc Martins. Durable and comfy, without looking like fucking loafers.

They're great. If they fit your foot. So you must have some seriously narrow feet.

**doebedoe** · 03-25-2018, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by RShea

Just have to look for the stiching around the leather shoe for a good cobbler to be able to at least half sole them and of course put new heels on them. Maybe will not last for 10 or more years but then it also depends on how well you keep the uppers polished and cared for. As mentioned wearing the same pair of shoes every day for a few years will be worst than having even just 2 pairs to rotate and give the shoe a chance to dry out and air out.

Keep in mind many companies use a false welt (like J & Murphy oftern) -- so while they look like they are stitched construction, they are in fact glued. These are no different to resole than another glued construction shoe. Which isn't to say they can't be resoled, but they are not resoleable and rebuilded in the same since as White's.

And good point -- buy at least 2 pairs. They'll last longer with a day of rest and breathign with shoe trees.

**iceman** · 03-25-2018, 03:29 PM

Samuel Hubbard are resolable and supposed to be crazy comfortable. The company was apparently founded by the same people who started Rockport and then sold it to Timberland. They waited out their non-compete and then got back into it.

**RShea** · 03-25-2018, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by doebedoe

Keep in mind many companies use a false welt (like J & Murphy oftern) -- so while they look like they are stitched construction, they are in fact glued. These are no different to resole than another glued construction shoe. Which isn't to say they can't be resoled, but they are not resoleable and rebuilded in the same since as White's.

And good point -- buy at least 2 pairs. They'll last longer with a day of rest and breathign with shoe trees.

It also depends on the cobbler and their skills. For awhile there was not a good cobbler in the area. The 2 old Italians that were taught the craft properly and had all the proper tools and equipment are now dead and last pair I tried to get half soled were at Korean or Asian shop that operated for a very short time and did not compare at all. There is a newer shop now that has opened and I should take a pair in to give the new shop guy a try.

**shroom** · 03-25-2018, 03:56 PM

i’ve bought quite a few red wing seconds from the rack for < $150 and had good luck. lots of good recs already; lots of non-household names have a solid GYW MiM line if you do the research. closeouts or ebay on the good stuff from trask, eastland, etc can yield some super high quality if MSRP on some Truman’s isn’t an option.

**iceman** · 03-25-2018, 04:28 PM

Where's Old Larry when we really need him?

**MakersTeleMark** · 03-25-2018, 04:41 PM

http://www.limmerboot.com/walker.html

**Meadow Skipper** · 03-25-2018, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by doebedoe

Keep in mind many companies use a false welt (like J & Murphy oftern) -- so while they look like they are stitched construction, they are in fact glued. These are no different to resole than another glued construction shoe. Which isn't to say they can't be resoled, but they are not resoleable and rebuilded in the same since as White's.

No shit? That seems...kinda fucked.

**doebedoe** · 03-25-2018, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by Meadow Skipper

No shit? That seems...kinda fucked.

No shit. There are probably more false welt shoes sold than welted shoes.

Here's a good example. Notice the top stiches per inch doesn't match the bottom. https://www.johnstonmurphy.com/conar...ian%20Calfskin

They noticeably don't have "Goodyear welt" in the copy unlike the higher end J&Ms. Notice the stitches per inch match on top and bottom. https://www.johnstonmurphy.com/melto...lfskin#start=2

**Cruiser** · 03-25-2018, 06:11 PM

Tried on a pair of simple but nice Chippewa suede oxfords the other day and thought they'd be tits if you could suffer through the break in period. Really sturdy soles and very nice uppers.

**Meadow Skipper** · 03-25-2018, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by doebedoe

No shit. There are probably more false welt shoes sold than welted shoes.

Here's a good example. Notice the top stiches per inch doesn't match the bottom. https://www.johnstonmurphy.com/conar...ian%20Calfskin

They noticeably don't have "Goodyear welt" in the copy unlike the higher end J&Ms. Notice the stitches per inch match on top and bottom. https://www.johnstonmurphy.com/melto...lfskin#start=2

Too bad, that's not a bad looking shoe...if you like that sort of thing.

**RShea** · 03-25-2018, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by doebedoe

No shit. There are probably more false welt shoes sold than welted shoes.

Here's a good example. Notice the top stiches per inch doesn't match the bottom. https://www.johnstonmurphy.com/conar...ian%20Calfskin

They noticeably don't have "Goodyear welt" in the copy unlike the higher end J&Ms. Notice the stitches per inch match on top and bottom. https://www.johnstonmurphy.com/melto...lfskin#start=2

That first shoe link clearly states Rubber sole and heel - so there is no way to resole or easy way to half sole a rubber sole shoe...

Nothing wrong with having a rubber sole shoe in the quiver for winter or rainy days. Saves having to either wear rubber galoshes or over shoes...

**Mazderati** · 03-25-2018, 07:27 PM

Shoes with resoleable rubber are a thing. Dainite is probably the biggest name.

**doebedoe** · 03-25-2018, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by RShea

That first shoe link clearly states Rubber sole and heel - so there is no way to resole or easy way to half sole a rubber sole shoe...

Nothing wrong with having a rubber sole shoe in the quiver for winter or rainy days. Saves having to either wear rubber galoshes or over shoes...

Um... maybe not half sole. But resoling rubber soles is par for the course. See most resoleable work boots -- Vibram makes a number of soles for use in such patterns. Red Wings heritages commonly have rubber soles. As do Danners. As do a ton of British goodyear welted shoes cause it rains a lot there.

**DBdude** · 03-25-2018, 07:42 PM

i wear trask shoes with a vibram sole and dansko professional clogs

**RShea** · 03-25-2018, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by doebedoe

Um... maybe not half sole. But resoling rubber soles is par for the course. See most resoleable work boots -- Vibram makes a number of soles for use in such patterns. Red Wings heritages commonly have rubber soles. As do Danners. As do a ton of British goodyear welted shoes cause it rains a lot there.

My earlier first post above mentions Vibram soles- stitched on, the shoes he linked I am pretty sure were just molded rubber sole- glued on to the upper part of the shoe to look like a better made stitched multiple part or layered sole.

**VTeton** · 03-25-2018, 08:29 PM

Theres plenty of rich old dudes dying and their $500+ shoes and up on EBay. Start a search for used Allen Edmonds or whatever you want and score a few pairs for $50 each.

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**retirwntm** · 03-26-2018, 02:49 PM

Someone said something about Alden? Mine weren’t boot but they were nice Vibram soles and I had them redone for $200 or so. Great shoes. I like red wings as well so far but the soles suck in snow and ice.

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**doebedoe** · 03-26-2018, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by mtnwriter

Someone said something about Alden? Mine weren’t boot but they were nice Vibram soles and I had them redone for $200 or so. Great shoes. I like red wings as well so far but the soles suck in snow and ice.

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Some soles suck in snow. But Red Wing uses dozens of different soles across their products. The Vibram mini-lug soles are great in the snow. Neocork soles suck in the snow but last a thousand fucking years.

**evdog** · 03-26-2018, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by XXX-er

I had a pair of Blundstones which I wore for 13 yrs, the rubber started to chunk off the soles but the uppers were definatley still ok

Did not know about the warranty, but I got mine re-soled last year. Hadn't worn them for a few years and the old soles were chunking off. Now they're good again. They're around 20 yrs old.

For work I mostly wear Rockports. They're cheap, comfortable, look ok and most importantly fit my feet really well. I keep one black pair and one tan. They last me 2-3 years.

**JaytaeMoney** · 03-26-2018, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by mtnwriter

Someone said something about Alden? Mine weren’t boot but they were nice Vibram soles and I had them redone for $200 or so. Great shoes. I like red wings as well so far but the soles suck in snow and ice.

You want these: https://www.zappos.com/p/red-wing-he...8/color/191375

**MagnificentUnicorn** · 03-26-2018, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by DJSapp

I picked up some thorogood's. very, very comfy

Most underrated and unknown shoe company around. My made in USA 6" moc toe wedges are the bomb. Super comfy and durable. For the office types one of these would be good- http://www.weinbrennerusa.com/dspNav...cfm?rootid=168

**iceman** · 03-26-2018, 04:52 PM

^^I love companies like that, I wish I needed shoes.

I have a couple pairs of Gorilla Boots, they are bomber, stylee and union-made in PA, I dig them a lot. http://gorillausa.com

They don't make regular shoes though.