Quote:
Originally Posted by SebC
I take it you have to get the soles replaced for expensive footwear to have greater longevity than cheap stuff?
I'd like to be convinced that expensive shoes would be a good investment for me, because I'm really harsh on my soles, so if you can explain it in scientific/economic terms that would be really helpful.
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Well, you get a few things. One, you will most likely get full-grain leather. That is, leather from a hide that had no tumours, sores, or imperfections in it. Cheaper shoes are made from hides of this sort. It is called corrected grain, and has often buffed down, and then covered in a sort of lacquer to gloss over to hide the imperfections. Shoes made from corrected grain leather will flake, crinkle, and just generally, look like plastic pieces of garbage. Virtually every shoe from Aldo will be made from garbage leather of this type. It just looks awful.
Meanwhile, shoes made from full grain leather look better with age, and absorb a patina with use that will give them even more class as the years go by.
You also will get Goodyear-welting, a process where the sole is sewn on to the shoe, thus allowing the sole to be replaced. Normally with mid and high-tier shoes, this is all done by hand. Further increasing the quality and detail of the shoe.
The best thing about good men's shoes is that - depending on the brand - the more you pay, the more you see in an exponential increase in quality. Edward Greens (retail around $1000) will be far better than $325 Allen Edmonds. I have 5 pairs of AEs, and they are amazing shoes, but I know that a pair of Edward Greens or John Lobbs could be worn 100 times a year for 40 years. 4000 wears for 1000 bucks is a pretty good deal.
Another even better thing about good men's shoes is that there are literally 1000s of good used pairs on eBay for a fraction of what they cost brand new. Search for pairs like Allen Edmonds, Aldens, Grenson, Crockett & Jones to begin with. You can easily snag a pair of Allen Edmonds for under $100. 4/5 of mine were bought using this method. Stay away from fashion brands like Hugo Boss or John Varvatos. Always go for classic over stylish. Start with a pair of brown cap-toes.
Never ever buy a garbage pair of Aldos again. No one should buy a square-toed shoe ever. The least of your worries will be the sneer that flashes across my face when I pass you on the street.