My new brogues

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Congratulations. I own several pairs of Allen Edmunds. They are an excellent investment, and will last for decades (I have one pair that I purchased in 1990.) I've used the Vibram brand on all of them for years. On one assignment, the op required I cover ten miles a night (I used a pedometer to check the mileage.) This gave me the opportunity to see how far the the soles would go. The soles lasted 500 miles before I had to take the shoes in for a new set of the soles. The Vibram soles are simple for a cobbler to attach to the leather and can be replaced quickly. As M.o.R. stated, the rubber soles protect the leather underneath (I still have the original leather soles on my shoes.)

The rubber soles I was referring to are at most 1/8 inch thick, and are intended to prevent slipping on damp pavement and the like. The Vibram's are great for out of doors, but some may find them a bit to "chunky" for dress shoes.

[Highlander31]

The rubber soles I was referring to are at most 1/8 inch thick, and are intended to prevent slipping on damp pavement and the like. The Vibram's are great for out of doors, but some may find them a bit to "chunky" for dress shoes.

That is the thickness of the Vibrams I have on my shoes. They are extremely flexible and unnoticeable. They cover the leather sole from the toe to approximately two inches short of the heel (the Allen Edmonds name in the sole is only partially covered.)

Our personnel were expected to wear a well made suit and shoes in order to blend in with our client's level of surroundings in the office (outside the office required the same attention to detail in apparel.) A thick rubber sole would have been a telltale sign of who the team personnel were. Of course, this did make for some interesting fittings with my tailor who preferred I come in before business hours.