On the topic of shoes...

[Gopherbassist]

I've needed some new shoes for about two months now, and today I had some free time, so I went shopping for shoes. I went to about four stores, and every pair of shoes seemed to have soles not made of rubber, but of rubberized plasic. Basically something that would give no traction at all and seemed like it would wear out in a matter of months.

There were a couple pairs of expensive running shoes that had real rubber soles, but my expirience with running shoes is that they too fall apart pretty quickly if you do more than just your daily running with them. I couldn't make myself buy expensive shoes with the knowlege that I would spend all that money and not have the shoes for very long.

So, basically, what's up with shoes? When did this change happen and why did it happen? Also, there were a few pairs of shoes I saw with foamy soles, where did that come from?

[DwaynieAD]

reebok classics my friend

[MatticusMania]

My Pumas have rubber soles. I wear Chucks a lot, abut havent bought a pair in years, are their soles still rubber?

[Jimbob Jones]

Converse will last about 18 months if you wear them every day, the tops wear out before the soles. I think I'm on my fourth pair since I started wearing them!

I'm pretty sure the soles are rubber; they give plenty of traction when you need it. They're great for roadying in!

[echoSE7EN]

Ecco - pure heaven on my feet.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by Jimbob Jones

Converse will last about 18 months if you wear them every day, the tops wear out before the soles. I think I'm on my fourth pair since I started wearing them!

I'm pretty sure the soles are rubber; they give plenty of traction when you need it. They're great for roadying in!

Yup, mine always break on the sides, where they would bend with the toes. Without fail.

[DwaynieAD]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Yup, mine always break on the sides, where they would bend with the toes. Without fail.

But they are so cold in the winter, I step on the back of my jeans when I wear them, and they are uncomfortable to walk in for long periods of time. oh and they cost around 45 bucks a pair around here.. just cannot justify buying a third pair

[elgecko]

Leather boots are still in style for manly footwear!

[dj150888]

Get a pair of Doc Marten boots and quit whining!

[DerHoggz]

Chucks last me 6 months tops. They suck.

[SoonerMatt]

Comfortable as ****, real rubber soles, looks great with jeans. I wear boot cuts over them, I'm not one of those "tuck your jeans into your boots" guys.

[hover]

get some real shoes. Fluevogs.

[Stanley Design]

All shoes suck nowadays unless you're spending for really high end. Even England made Docs are like 2.5-3mm leather which isn't as thick as my jacket and they're $230 Can.

I have a pair of Carhartts that I really like, they ARE made in China, but to really high quality.

http://carhartt.liquifire.com/carhar...%5B350%5D&sink

Very comfortable, warm, well built, instantly forms to your foot. Hooked laces for fast tying.

[MJ5150]

What are you going to be doing in the shoes mostly? Are they specific for a certain sport, job, etc?

-Mike

[dj150888]

Originally Posted by SoonerMatt

Comfortable as ****, real rubber soles, looks great with jeans. I wear boot cuts over them, I'm not one of those "tuck your jeans into your boots" guys.

Where the hell can I get some of those?!

[DRafalske]

Www.merrell.com

You're welcome.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Originally Posted by dj150888

Get a pair of Doc Marten boots and quit whining!

They do do great shoes


I've got a pair of New Balance trainers that have the foam style sole, but with a thinish layer of rubber, they've lasted pretty well over the last 18 months but are starting to wear through now.

Originally Posted by Stanley Design

All shoes suck nowadays unless you're spending for really high end. Even England made Docs are like 2.5-3mm leather which isn't as thick as my jacket and they're $230 Can.

You could always buy an Asian made pair of DMs and save some cash, they are still well made.

I'll have to see how thick the leather on my pair is, the English ones are thicker than the Asian ones tho. But even then, the leather is certainly thick and hard enough to last

Final note on DMs, I don't know if you can get them over the pond, but they do sell "For Life" DMs, that are a little bit more expensive (Asian made, but thicker/heavier leather and about the price of an English pair), but they have a lifetime repair-or-replace warranty (with no extra costs).

[Horny Toad]

I've always been a fan of these:

[hover]

Originally Posted by Horny Toad

It's a MAJOR AWARD!

[chi-town_mike]

Chuck Taylors last me a long time. Just take care of them and throw them in the wash once in a while.