Looking for comfortable footwear and hose.

[joshuawray17]

Greetings to all,

I was wondering what advice I could get concerning comfortable footwear and hose.

I'm presently wearing Gaelic Themes kilt hose; because, it was all I could find in charcoal (what my pipe band wears). Unfortunately, for me and the kilt hose, I have sprinter's/runner's calves, so the hose tend to be very tight on my legs. I am wondering if there are any affordable kilt hose in this color from another manufacturer.

I also get a bit pinched by my piper brogues. The are tolerable for the first couple of hours, but then they really start to make me uncomfortable. Again, these are also Gaelic Themes merchandise. I'm not trashing this brand, but I am looking for something that fits me a bit better. I need a pair of brogues that look sharp, but will allow me to stand for 10-16hrs when needed.

Any help is appreciated.

-Josh

[MacGumerait]

You might try the link below for hose . They are a lighter weight hose that breathe well and not overly expensive and in several colors . I have ordered two pair in the past and have been pleased .

Notice that they don't offer a shoe size or calve size on the order page .

However , once you place the order , they contact you and ask for shoe size and they ask if you have normal calves size or large calves size . I know it's a bit weird that they don't ask this up front , but they do ask .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pipers-Kilt-...item35c43663fa

Hope this helps .

Cheers , Mike

[Blupiper]

Josh:

I can commiserate with you on wearing the brogues for hours on end. There is a product out there called Ghillilators, which I have heard good things about. They are a ghillie brogue made with a synthetic polymer, similar to what you find in Crocs. If you google Ghillilators, you can find their website. They are getting good reviews from pipers about their comfort and that they can be worn on long parade days with great comfort. Apparently, they are also light-weight, another plus. All this being said, I don't own a pair and am only passing on what I have heard. Ordering them from the Ghillalators site can get you a pair for around $50 USD.

JMB

[joshuawray17]

Josh:

I can commiserate with you on wearing the brogues for hours on end. There is a product out there called Ghillilators, which I have heard good things about. They are a ghillie brogue made with a synthetic polymer, similar to what you find in Crocs. If you google Ghillilators, you can find their website. They are getting good reviews from pipers about their comfort and that they can be worn on long parade days with great comfort. Apparently, they are also light-weight, another plus. All this being said, I don't own a pair and am only passing on what I have heard. Ordering them from the Ghillalators site can get you a pair for around $50 USD.

JMB

I do have a pair of the Ghillilators of which you speak. They are comfy and lightweight; however, they are not really supportive and can 'go a bit flat' throughout the day. Also, they don't really hold a shine that is often required when presenting as part of a band.

I really wish that a company like Merrell or Asics would make Brogues that a piper could use, but alas, this is just a wish that will never likely see reality. I was curious if there are other companies producing comfy leather brogues that I might try to see if they are worthwhile.

-Josh

[California Highlander]

I do have a pair of the Ghillilators of which you speak. They are comfy and lightweight; however, they are not really supportive and can 'go a bit flat' throughout the day. Also, they don't really hold a shine that is often required when presenting as part of a band.

I really wish that a company like Merrell or Asics would make Brogues that a piper could use, but alas, this is just a wish that will never likely see reality. I was curious if there are other companies producing comfy leather brogues that I might try to see if they are worthwhile.

-Josh

rockport-wingtip.jpg

Rockport makes something broguish as a wingtip. Rockport makes pretty comfortable "walking" shoes. They tend to lack style sometimes. However, I have not worn a brogue/wingtip styles. Here are three:

http://www.rockport.com/essential-de...t=22&q=wingtip

http://www.rockport.com/rocsports-li...tbsnwing_black

http://www.rockport.com/total-motion...nwingtip_black

[joshuawray17]

Rockport makes something broguish as a wingtip. Rockport makes pretty comfortable "walking" shoes. They tend to lack style sometimes. However, I have not worn a brogue/wingtip styles. Here are three:

I hadn't thought about Rockport. They have an outlet just up the road from me as well.

Thank's for the tip on wingtips.

-Josh

[1oldsarge]

I've done OK with this vendor:

http://stores.ebay.com/WB-SOCKS/KILT..._sid=126023946

[StevieR]

I bought a pair of army surplus brogues as issued to Highland and Ghurka regiments. They are all leather and came with steel tips on the heels and toes. I had them re heeled and soled with rubber. "Robust" is the way I would describe them and they took some breaking in, but now they are exceptionally comfy. I also wear them with a suit and have had no problems with very long days and lots of pavement pounding. You should get a new pair on eBay for about 45 quid, but might have to wait a bit for your size to appear.

[James Hood]

10-16 hours is nuts!

However, personal combination which has worked best:

Rockports best walking shoes, liberally broken in
Dr Scoll's gel insert insoles fitted by a shoemaker
Thin surgeon's quality support hose below kilt hose
Kilt hose over support hose

Get off your feet whenever possible
Hydrate with water and electrolytes only

Best of fortune.