A reader question:
Dear Muffy,
Happy New Year, and thank you for all the wonderful content you provide. I wear camp mocs much of the year here in Virginia, but need something a bit more substantial and weather proof for the occasional cold, wet weather. I have considered Chelsey boots, but not sure I’m a boot guy, and I prefer shoes with laces. The LL Bean Men's Bucksport Shoes, Plain Toe is a possible option, but I’d prefer something a little more refined. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
I love my Clarks Wallabees - classic 1970's styling!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Charles. I am considering Wallabees. I had forgotten about them until my college-age daughters both started wearing them. Not sure how they learned about them. My concern is the tread and how they would hold up in wet weather.
DeleteAlden plan toe blucher in Chromexcel, Alden all weather walker, Alden 3 eye camp moc blucher, Rancourt Camden derby or Dunnage blucher, or Quoddy Maliseet or blucher. The Alden 3 eye camp moc is, I believe, fairly new and is getting great reviews from the people I know who have purchased it. Wallabees are a great ,and very comfortable, recommendation, but they would not be ideal in wet weather.
ReplyDeleteI second all these options. The Aldens can't be beat, of course. But the Rancourts will give you most of the quality at about half the price. For what it's worth, I find the Clarks Wallabee to be a bit outré for a grown man---although fine for a young woman. I have a pair of Clarks Original Desert Boots. I love them, but they are very casual. They're great for knocking around on Saturday morning in a flannel shirt and a chore coat. But I would not wear them with a sport coat or blazer. Happy shopping.
DeleteI’d recommend a Derby/blucher shoe or boot, in thick calf or grain, with a commando sole for grip and strength. They are available from quality British manufacturers such as Tricker's, Crockett & Jones and Cheaney. Loake and Barker have cheaper alternatives. They are bargains to found online in the January sales, factory shops and retailers’ sites.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I would suggest looking for a derby/blucher shoe with "veldt shoe" or "veldtschoen" construction. These typically have some layer of rubber in the sole for moisture penetration, the upper turned out (not tucked under) and stitched to the sole, for shedding water, and a bellows tongue, to prevent moisture penetration. I have a twenty year old pair from Shipton and Heneage, and I went one further and treated the uppers with sno-seal for waterproofing. I wear them in central Virginia for exactly the same reasons as the OP. Keep in mind that most English made country shoes (like a veldt shoe) are made on a larger last to accommodate a thick country sock. If you plan to wear them with thin city socks, you may want to go down half a size.
DeleteParaboot - Michael; Alden Chukka - Chromexcel.
ReplyDeleteGokey Sauvage Oxford is nice and sturdy shoe and can be made very water resistant with beeswax or neatsfoot oil. It is made in the USA. Gooey also has hiker and chuka boots that might help keep the weather out.
ReplyDeleteOAK STREET BIT MOCS
ReplyDelete