Good Country Shoes - part 2

[Panache]

As I have been doing more Scottish Country Dancing over the last year I have become aware of how important having good footwear is. Supportive comfortable shoes mean a huge difference in helping one's feet recover from the rigors of SCD. Having need of a good pair of country walking shoes I went down to my local Becks and found this "Un.Bend" model by Clarks from their Unstructured® line

http://www.clarksusa.com/eng/product/un_bend/85012


While not terribly flashy they were quite comfortable and seemed like they would be good both for the long walks my family enjoys on Sundays as well as looking acceptable with highland attire for most casual events.

Yesterday a 5 mile hike/walk in Santa Theresa County Park put them to the test





I'm not sure if they fit the OP's definition of a good country walking show or not but they proved very comfortable. While not terribly exciting looking I think they look fine with highland attire. They had good traction, and while I am generally dubious of claims of "airflow" systems like these supposedly have I do admit my feet felt cool and dry during and after the walk.

They were not cheap and as I have noted they don't really stand out style-wise. However as I get older, I realize that as far as footwear is concerned, comfort and quality is a lot more important than looks or thriftiness.

Cheers

Jamie

[Jack Daw]

In the early part of last year there was a thread about good country shoes for wearing with the kilt. (http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...y-shoes-66456/)

Here's a pair worth considering made of bison skin by HS Trask

I have this very brand shoe, but in a slightly lighter brown and with a toe cap. I love the pair and primarily wear them with my kilts. I have had my pair roughly 20 years and the rubber soles have lasted as well as the bison leather uppers. They are a tough and comfortable pair of shoes. Trask may be difficult to find, but once you purchase a pair, you won't have to get another for quite a while. Thanks for posting this!

[creagdhubh]

I remain firm, and stand behind Loake. Just ordered the Buckingham in tan, brown, and chestnut - all with Loake cedar shoe-trees - got a great deal.

Cheers,

[Peter Crowe]

I remain firm, and stand behind Loake. Just ordered the Buckingham in tan, brown, and chestnut - all with Loake cedar shoe-trees - got a great deal.

Cheers,

I inherited the curse of extra narrow long feet (UK size 11, A fitting) and have found Loake's, Church's, Cheney's, and Rogerson's in Peebles 'Simonside' brogues and dress shoes most suitable for kilt-wear. As to style, given my size I always end up with the finer leather soled model available. I have never been able to find the more rustic derby shoe or brogue such as posted by rir179 with the non-leather sole in a size that fits.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Has anyone had experience with Rockport shoes? I just picked up a pair in my size that look pretty much like this (from their current catalog).


Only mine are a "previously owned" pair, still in great shape. I don't normally look for shoes in thrift stores, but when I saw these for sale for all of fifty cents, I thought it was worth the risk for two quarters (plus the four pennies I had to pay the government).

[mookien]

Has anyone had experience with Rockport shoes? ...

... when I saw these for sale for all of fifty cents, I thought it was worth the risk for two quarters (plus the four pennies I had to pay the government).

Nice looking treads! They should arrest you for stealing!

I own a couple pairs of Rockport walking shoes. They were very comfortable and durable. I say "were", because I grew out before they wore out.

[Jack Daw]

Has anyone had experience with Rockport shoes? I just picked up a pair in my size that look pretty much like this (from their current catalog).


Only mine are a "previously owned" pair, still in great shape. I don't normally look for shoes in thrift stores, but when I saw these for sale for all of fifty cents, I thought it was worth the risk for two quarters (plus the four pennies I had to pay the government).

I hve a pair of Rockports in black wingtips, but the sole looks different than in your photo.

[AKScott]

Has anyone had experience with Rockport shoes?

Registered nurses love Rockports. If they fit good, that is a good shoe. I have kind of an odd foot shape and they don't fit me, but the RN co-workers I got that are comfortable in Rockports, stay comfortable in Rockports.

Not quite the style we usually buy, but most likely a good shoe.

[Tobus]

Has anyone had experience with Rockport shoes? I just picked up a pair in my size that look pretty much like this (from their current catalog).


Only mine are a "previously owned" pair, still in great shape. I don't normally look for shoes in thrift stores, but when I saw these for sale for all of fifty cents, I thought it was worth the risk for two quarters (plus the four pennies I had to pay the government).

I have a pair of Rockports that my wife bought me about 3 years ago. They're very comfortable and have shown little or no wear on the soles. Granted, I only wear them once or twice a week, and mainly to my office. They see only occasional use for outdoors activities like Highland Games, and I would never wear them for true 'country walking', as they simply aren't designed for it.

I wouldn't classify them as a high-quality traditional shoe, since they seem to be built on rubber/polymer soles. I prefer a leather sole with Goodyear welting. So these can't ever be re-soled. They are light-weight shoes with a fairly thin sole, although the quality of the leather tops seems to be pretty decent. I think as long as they are used moderately, and treated with care, they should last quite a while. For what you paid, Matt, I think you did just fine!

[zirrow]

I have a pair of Rockport chukkas. They're pretty decent, in my opinion. They're comfortable, cheap, and haven't fallen apart yet.