Sanders Braemar Brogue

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Does anyone wear Sanders Braemar brogues? I quite like the look of them. Truthfully I've never been a fan of ghillie brogues. I like the look of a full grain brogue. I think they were supplied to the highland regiments for many years. They must be comfy but look like they take some time to break in.

https://www.sanders-uk.com/shop-c12/...20/braemar-p51

[Tobus]

I have a pair and love them. I'll post a pic tomorrow since this site isn't friendly to phone pic uploads.

They do need to break in like any traditional leather shoe. But they're well made and become very comfortable the more they're worn.

(I tried to upload but just get a link to it)

20221214_183011.jpg

[piperalpha]

I have a pair and love them. I'll post a pic tomorrow since this site isn't friendly to phone pic uploads.

They do need to break in like any traditional leather shoe. But they're well made and become very comfortable the more they're worn.

(I tried to upload but just get a link to it)

20221214_183011.jpg

Thanks Tobus. Yours look great.

[Troglodyte]

I have been wearing the same pair for about 15 years, at least twice a week, and I know of others who have had theirs for much longer.

Being army issue, they have to comply with fairly strict specifictions, and they meet those very well. The leather sole is usually given an additional leather sole for 'active service' which I have seen fitted with nails also, but this would be too much for normal civilian wear.

I have found that having a protective rubber sole pasted to the normal-finish leather sole provides a huge amount of protection, and this can be replaced in a matter of minutes as a while-you-wait service by any high street shoe repair shop. The rubber sole takes all the wear (saving the leather) and gives a valuable amount of water-proofing to the sole - so no wasted days of alowing the shoes to dry if you have been in wet conditions.

They are not cheap, but you get what you pay for - and the good traditional construction allows for re-soling by the factory if you ever need it.

They are tough and stiff when new, but soon form to your foot with wear. Mine were agreeably comfortable from the very first, and have now becoome a pleasure to wear - not only with the kilt.

Sizing seems to be fairly exact, so you could find there is not so much excess room at the toe that you might expect. If you have the option, try them on for size and fit with your normal kilt-hose before you buy, as they are close fitting and lace up tight.

Sanders also make a regimental version of the ghillie brogue, which is the same tough, grain-leather construction, and come ready-fitted with the additional protective rubber sole and metal toe and heel pieces. These are somewhat smarter than the Braemar and are much more business-like and robust than most ghillie brogues now available.

Both styles will polish up to a beautiful parade shine, and both stand up well to being worn on the hills and high tops if my own 'field trials' are anything to go by, but the long laces of the ghillies tend to catch on the heather. Using short laces would cure this instantly.

In short, they are well worth buying, and will be money well spent. They are the only 'proper' kilt-shoe I would recommend.

[Tobus]

I have been wearing the same pair for about 15 years, at least twice a week, and I know of others who have had theirs for much longer.

I don't wear the kilt that often - just a few times a year - but I do wear my Sanders brogues regularly to the office. I hadn't thought about how long I've had them, but it's been about 13 years. Wearing them regularly goes a long way towards breaking them in, keeping them actively formed to my feet, flexing the leather regularly, which I think is important for long-term comfort. I keep shoe trees in them when not being worn.

I have found that having a protective rubber sole pasted to the normal-finish leather sole provides a huge amount of protection, and this can be replaced in a matter of minutes as a while-you-wait service by any high street shoe repair shop. The rubber sole takes all the wear (saving the leather) and gives a valuable amount of water-proofing to the sole - so no wasted days of alowing the shoes to dry if you have been in wet conditions.

I do wish I had done this with mine. As can be seen from my photo in my first reply, the leather soles have taken some abuse from walking around in wet conditions and on crushed granite footpaths that are so typical in my area at the venues where Highland Games and festivals are held. I need to find a decent cobbler in my area and enquire as to whether it's too late to add a rubber sole on top of the slightly damaged leather sole. But at least with the leather in this condition, it isn't so slippery! Nothing is worse than trying to walk around in a brand-new pair of leather-soled shoes that are slick like walking on ice.

Sizing seems to be fairly exact, so you could find there is not so much excess room at the toe that you might expect. If you have the option, try them on for size and fit with your normal kilt-hose before you buy, as they are close fitting and lace up tight.

I'll also add that these tend to be a narrower fit than other shoes I have. I don't have particularly wide feet, so it actually helps them fit better than others in my case. But those with wide feet may need to ask them for options. As the construction is a true Oxford style (closed lacing), it's not very forgiving when it comes to lacing fit-up as opposed to a Blucher or Derby style with open lacing.

In short, they are well worth buying, and will be money well spent. They are the only 'proper' kilt-shoe I would recommend.

I quite agree. There are other shoes I wear with the kilt, but if I had to pick one pair that I would consider the most versatile and traditional/correct shoe, it would be these. I use them for daywear as well as evening wear.