Shoes Deffo made for walking, my best ever.

jonbeeza

jonbeeza

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The best shoes I have ever owned, I have worn them most days. Can't believe how well they have they have served me. I must have had them about five years, that is a record for me.
They are Clarks slip on loafers, the most comfy shoe I have ever worn.

I bought them from Clarks Cheshire Oaks, and they were on offer.

But they have finally been worn out, they are now letting water in. Really going to miss them, really lovely to walk in.

If only my shoes could talk, and say all the places I have been, and all the people I have met. Just thinking, probably best they can't talk lol. Oh and I know, shoes do have tongues:).
 
Have you checked with Clark's?
Some of their shoe styles have been on sale for decades.
Worth a look.

I bought a pair of their boots a couple of months ago, and they are so great I've bought a second pair which will sit in the box until needed (with the leather treated now and again to keep it supple).
 
I've got a pair of Hush Puppies which are about 10 years old, although I stopped wearing them regularly as there are small splits in the soles but they are soooooo comfortable, I can't bring myself to throw them away.

They're a size too small as they didn't have them in a size 13 but they've stretched a fair bit, never had a pair of shoes come close to how comfortable they are, not too dissimilar in appearance to your pair of Clarks TBH.
 
viv1969 said:
Have you checked with Clark's?
Some of their shoe styles have been on sale for decades.
Worth a look.

I bought a pair of their boots a couple of months ago, and they are so great I've bought a second pair which will sit in the box until needed (with the leather treated now and again to keep it supple).
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I have seen similar shoes on Clarks website, or at least they look the same. I will certainly check out another pair, possibly in another colour though. otherwise people will be thinking, I have been wearing the same shoes for nearly ten years lol.
 
Russ77 said:
I've got a pair of Hush Puppies which are about 10 years old, although I stopped wearing them regularly as there are small splits in the soles but they are soooooo comfortable, I can't bring myself to throw them away.

They're a size too small as they didn't have them in a size 13 but they've stretched a fair bit, never had a pair of shoes come close to how comfortable they are, not too dissimilar in appearance to your pair of Clarks TBH.
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It is just the soles have gone, with all the walking. The overall shoes are still good, no splitting of the leather, and stitching is still intact.

Shoes are outside waiting to go into the bin. I will have to throw them soon, otherwise I may end up bringing them back in :).
 
jonbeeza said:
It is just the soles have gone, with all the walking. The overall shoes are still good, no splitting of the leather, and stitching is still intact.

Shoes are outside waiting to go into the bin. I will have to throw them soon, otherwise I may end up bringing them back in :).
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A good cobbler will re-sole them.
 
viv1969 said:
A good cobbler will re-sole them.
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I would be better off, buying a new pair. Only cost me £20 in a Clarks deal, at their Cheshire Oaks branch. Going again soon, as they often have good deals on. Usually buy three pairs, and get the third pair for a fiver, or something like that.
 
viv1969 said:
A good cobbler will re-sole them.
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Indeed.

For work, I wear a particular style of Loakes that I find very comfortable. I have 2 pairs on rotation, which have been resoled and reheeled multiple times - the uppers are fine.
I even bought a third pair as they discontinued the style - they're sitting in a box awaiting their duty.

Loake also offer a complete overhaul service if you send the shoes back to their factory. I haven't taken them up on this yet but I might try it with my boots next Spring (going to need them for a few months...)

Throwing away shoes that still have life in them (especially a comfortable favourite pair) seems a terrible shame.
 
Llamaman said:
Indeed.

For work, I wear a particular style of Loakes that I find very comfortable. I have 2 pairs on rotation, which have been resoled and reheeled multiple times - the uppers are fine.
I even bought a third pair as they discontinued the style - they're sitting in a box awaiting their duty.

Loake also offer a complete overhaul service if you send the shoes back to their factory. I haven't taken them up on this yet but I might try it with my boots next Spring (going to need them for a few months...)

Throwing away shoes that still have life in them (especially a comfortable favourite pair) seems a terrible shame.
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They are not yet in the bin, still time to salvage them :).
 
Russ77 said:
I've got a pair of Hush Puppies which are about 10 years old, although I stopped wearing them regularly as there are small splits in the soles but they are soooooo comfortable, I can't bring myself to throw them away.

They're a size too small as they didn't have them in a size 13 but they've stretched a fair bit, never had a pair of shoes come close to how comfortable they are, not too dissimilar in appearance to your pair of Clarks TBH.
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Hush Puppy Desert Boots are one of my favourite; nice waxed brown leather. Was my favourite when I had to travel for work to some interesting warm countries. Absolutely brilliant on rocky dusty surfaces.

When I'm wearing a suit I swear by 'van Bommel' or 'van Lier' leather soled shoes. My oldest pair is now 26 years old and been back to the factory only twice. They come back like new. Similar to my Barbour wax coat, been back twice and returned like new.

For dog walking I still use my army boots, weather/water proof and oh so comfortable; 29 years old now and when I polish them they shine like a mirror and I can see my own bogies reflected in them :)
 
I have a pair of Sidi Tecno cycling shoes which I bought in the mid ninieties, and they are still in great shape - apart from the Look plates on the bottom.
You cannot beat a comfortable pair of shoes, particularly if they last a long time. I find it very difficult to throw them out, which is why my OH seems to get involved. My best everyday shoes seem to have been Clarkes or Hush Puppies.
 
I have another pair of Clarks dress shoes, only get worn for special occasions. Looks like I will have to start wearing them as an every day shoe, just they look too smart for every day wear.
 
the only thing that i,m really comfortable in is reebok trainers ,i wear other types trainers ,boots etc but only for the odd day here or there for something specific ,if its really wet in the fields i wear muck boots the neoprene ones ,but i have high instep and high arches so thats what works for me .footwear is always a personal thing
 
the black fox said:
the only thing that i,m really comfortable in is reebok trainers ,i wear other types trainers ,boots etc but only for the odd day here or there for something specific ,if its really wet in the fields i wear muck boots the neoprene ones ,but i have high instep and high arches so thats what works for me .footwear is always a personal thing
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Just been out in the poring rain, good job I remembered I had a pair of wellies. Now on the look out, for a good pair of boots, or possible good strong shoes.
 
jonbeeza said:
It is just the soles have gone, with all the walking. The overall shoes are still good, no splitting of the leather, and stitching is still intact.

Shoes are outside waiting to go into the bin. I will have to throw them soon, otherwise I may end up bringing them back in :).
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Get them re-soled - if they are still in good condition and you really like them, having them re-soled would be a good option...
 
andyred said:
Get them re-soled - if they are still in good condition and you really like them, having them re-soled would be a good option...
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Never had much getting shoes re-soled, the sole always seems to come away, so never bothered with it since...
 
jonbeeza said:
Never had much getting shoes re-soled, the sole always seems to come away, so never bothered with it since...
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Where abouts are you based, my wife uses a local one in Rawtenstall - who she's known since she was a nipper - not had any issues with quality or coming away etc...
 
andyred said:
Where abouts are you based, my wife uses a local one in Rawtenstall - who she's known since she was a nipper - not had any issues with quality or coming away etc...
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Just outside Warrington, about 40 miles away..A little too far to travel, to get my shoes done. My shoes have probably traveled the distance around the world, the amount of use they have had lol.
 
jonbeeza said:
Just outside Warrington, about 40 miles away..A little too far to travel, to get my shoes done. My shoes have probably traveled the distance around the world, the amount of use they have had lol.
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Yes, a little on the far side :)
 
Clarks shoes?
Just checking you are over 60?
 
jonbeeza said:
Just been out in the poring rain, good job I remembered I had a pair of wellies. Now on the look out, for a good pair of boots, or possible good strong shoes.
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You could do a lot worse than Sports Direct (whatever you think of Mike Ashley - I put that to one side), because I bought a pair of waterproof boots from there around seven years ago, and they cost £19.99. I don't like wearing boots, but they are comfortable and they do not let water in. The soles do not slip on icy pavements, and you can hose them off when they get dirty.
 
Mr Bump said:
Clarks shoes?
Just checking you are over 60?
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Clarks do shoes for children too :).

andy700 said:
You could do a lot worse than Sports Direct (whatever you think of Mike Ashley - I put that to one side), because I bought a pair of waterproof boots from there around seven years ago, and they cost £19.99. I don't like wearing boots, but they are comfortable and they do not let water in. The soles do not slip on icy pavements, and you can hose them off when they get dirty.
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Bought a pair of Rockport type boots from them years ago, lasted me just short of a year. Not bought much from them since.
 
Meindl boots - bought 2 pair of them back in Oct 2010 - expensive, but cost per mile walked in them is pretty much nothing... still original heels, I treat one pair like sh*t, don't care what they get covered in - 6 yrs on still fully waterproof, comfier by the day.
 
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Just passing a shoe shop this morning, and had a nosey inside. Spotted a pair of leather steel toe cap shoes, they were on offer. They will do me for walking the dog through the woods, and any other rough terrain stuff. If they do wear in nicely, I may just use them as my every day shoes. Cost less than the price of my last pair of slippers:).
 
Ooooh, I hope less outlay doesn't equate to less quality.
Good luck! :-)
 
viv1969 said:
Ooooh, I hope less outlay doesn't equate to less quality.
Good luck! :)
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Deffo not expecting them to last like the last pair. If I get a good years heavy walking use, I will be happy.
DorsetDude said:
Ideal for if you need to "have a word" with those dog walkers who think hanging a plastic bag full of dog s**t up in the bushes is an acceptable thing to do.
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Caught one person doing that once, they said they were intending to pick it up, on their way back home. Supposed to keep hold of it, until you find a poop bin. Something I always do. Got a new pair of boots covered in muck once, absolutely no need for the sheer laziness of some people.

But rest assured, I will keep my eyes peeled, and steel toe cap bovver shoes at the ready ;).
 
The most comfortable shoes/boots for me are Blundstones. They're getting harder to find over here so when I saw a pair on offer a few years ago I bought them and put them away.

After 3 years I took them out of the box and started wearing them. I was in someones kitchen just generally pottering about when I realised that everywhere I went I left a trail of heavy black marks. On closer inspection I found lumps of rubber spread across their house, tracing my path whilst I'd been there. Took the shoes off, looked at the sole to find that half of it had disappeared. The rubber had degraded so badly that they were unwearable. I took them into several cobblers and none could resole them. So, after one wear I had to throw them out.

Gutted.
 
I'm terrible for footwear I have a wardrobe full that have been worn once or twice then find uncomfortable. I'm in the process of getting them on eBay they are like new. Doc martens have to be the most uncomfortable shoe ever but they last forever.
 
rjbell said:
I'm terrible for footwear I have a wardrobe full that have been worn once or twice then find uncomfortable. I'm in the process of getting them on eBay they are like new. Doc martens have to be the most uncomfortable shoe ever but they last forever.
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I tend to wear a size 9, after I felt size 8 was a little uncomfortable. Shoe person told me I am a size 8, but says if I feel more comfortable with a 9, then that would be OK. Suppose they would tell me a size 12 was OK, if it got them a sale :).
 
jonbeeza said:
I tend to wear a size 9, after I felt size 8 was a little uncomfortable. Shoe person told me I am a size 8, but says if I feel more comfortable with a 9, then that would be OK. Suppose they would tell me a size 12 was OK, if it got them a sale :).
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Decent salesperson would suggest 8 1/2 :-)
 
jonbeeza said:
I tend to wear a size 9, after I felt size 8 was a little uncomfortable. Shoe person told me I am a size 8, but says if I feel more comfortable with a 9, then that would be OK. Suppose they would tell me a size 12 was OK, if it got them a sale :).
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There are differences in sizes & widths between manufacturers (similar to clothing I guess) but also, as you get older your feet grow/flatten/fatten. I used to wear size 9, but by the time I got in my 50's I found size 10 much more comfortable. (hopefully i'll be in a size 11 when I'm 90 :cool: )
 
viv1969 said:
Decent salesperson would suggest 8 1/2 :)
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I can never seem to see the ones I want in half sizes, and there seems not to be much in the way of half sizes nowadays.

OldCarlos said:
There are differences in sizes & widths between manufacturers (similar to clothing I guess) but also, as you get older your feet grow/flatten/fatten. I used to wear size 9, but by the time I got in my 50's I found size 10 much more comfortable. (hopefully i'll be in a size 11 when I'm 90 :cool: )
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I always like rugged steel toe cap boots,in a size 9. Feels really comfy and surefooted, but they can look too big for me, as I am not that tall :(.
 
jonbeeza said:
I can never seem to see the ones I want in half sizes, and there seems not to be much in the way of half sizes nowadays.
.
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Call yourself a Clark's fan...stalwart of the half size.
 
viv1969 said:
Call yourself a Clark's fan...stalwart of the half size.
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:oops: :$ I get my Clarks from Cheshire Oaks retail outlet, and when I last went years ago, they did not seem to carry the whole range. But just looking on their website now, and they do seem to have a good range of size 8 and a half's in now, and at pretty good prices too.

https://www.clarksoutlet.co.uk/c/all-mens-styles?q=:relevance:size:8.5&text=#

Will have to go and pay another visit I think, spotted a few pairs that I like :banana:.
 
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jonbeeza said:
I can never seem to see the ones I want in half sizes, and there seems not to be much in the way of half sizes nowadays.
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Generally true, unless you're prepared to pay for the more expensive makes. Biggest problem for me is the lack of narrow fittings. Church, Crockett and Jones and a couple of other manufacturers offer them, but only in a couple of styles. I might look into Trickers. Pricey, but not crazy, and they'll make up most of their boots/shoes to order.
 
jonbeeza said:
:oops: :$ I get my Clarks from Cheshire Oaks retail outlet, and when I last went years ago, they did not seem to carry the whole range. But just looking on their website now, and they do seem to have a good range of size 8 and a half's in now, and at pretty good prices too.

https://www.clarksoutlet.co.uk/c/all-mens-styles?q=:relevance:size:8.5&text=#

Will have to go and pay another visit I think, spotted a few pairs that I like :banana:.
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By online and don't forget Quidco as you'll get another 7.5-10% off ;)
 
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