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.
DeleteThank you.
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.
DeleteGot Cheney (or some brand like that?) brogue lace boots in dark brown/red (?) color.
DeleteHad the original soles replaced with heavier commando soles. Thick leather, well made in UK.
I’ve used them for 10 years or so, here in Finland. Almost every day. Summer +25 C, slush 0 C and - today - winter -25 C in snow (with wool socks).
They go well with grey flannels, chinos and jeans. I use them in town and country, street and hiking trail. They go well with anything except with a formal suit.
Fantastic boots like no other. Still looking great after heavy use and wear. Not water-proof but will do fine in most conditions.
Don’t know about Virginia US but here they are the best boots one can have.
Thank you.
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
ReplyDeleteClarks, or Aldens!
ReplyDeleteLimmer Boots makes 'The Oxford'...superb craftsmanship and quality.
ReplyDeleteBass wejuns (penny loafers)
ReplyDeleteI can not find these in the Pittsburgh area so I have to get them online. I looked numerous places and they do not carry them in stock. I do not like getting things to wear without trying them on.
DeleteOn a similar note: our paper is not going to publish a hard copy. They are just having available an online daily. Do others not like reading "a paper" online and would rather a hard copy? Maybe this should be a separate topic. I find it hard to find an old fashion new paper. Maybe I am just an old fogey that is why I like reading books instead of a Kindle.
I too live in Virginia and have been wearing a Chelsea boot this winter for the first time when the camp Mocs from Quoddy are too informal and Crocket and Jones are too formal. Chelsea boots pair well with Cordings corduroy pants. A bit Hoorah Henry though.
DeleteAs far as print newspapers are concerned , I can find a local paper in my town but not a print national paper anymore. Barnes and Noble even stopped supplying them. Now one of my favorite vacation activities is to find a proper print paper every day.
JM, VA
I never read a newspaper online, I only ever read a hard copy. They are still available in the here UK (for old fogeys like me!)
DeleteHow the heck did we get on newspapers, and I didn't know you could get a printed paper now. The Baltimore Sun just canceled their printed paper. Any rate, do you like the classic dirty buck? I have inside information for you - Rancourt is bringing back their classic dirty buck in March. I can't wait. Do you think you can last that long? They still produce their white bucks - so now you have your whole year planned out for you - no more shoe decisions......
ReplyDeleteBig fan of the Timberland Authentic 3-Eye Lug Handsewn Boat Shoe. Great lug sole for when there’s a little snow on the ground. Just requires some water-resistant treatment for the leather.
ReplyDelete