A touch OT: Comfy shoes/boots?

[Mungo "Two Sheds" Toadfoot]

Splendid, thanks. I'll go and have a look at cosyfeet.

Si

[Andy Hall]

I also have to take care of my feet.

Ecco do make good products and I have had a few pairs. However....

- The length of the fitting seems a little smaller than shoes of the same size from other manufacturers. I need size 48 in Ecco vs 47 from other manufacturers.

- The width of the fitting varies a lot between style

Have a look at

who sell on line for ideas.

However, I would get them properly fitted.

More recently, I've bought a couple of pairs of Mephisto shoes. They have two ranges (in terms of the insoles, which I find the critical part) that are comfortable for long periods of standing - Air-jet and Mobils). These are anatomically shaped and in the case of Mobils, removable and exchangeable. I can wear these all day, standing with no discomfort at all. Not an inexpensive product, but the manufacturer offers a comprehensive repair and refurbishment service of their own.

[Mungo "Two Sheds" Toadfoot]

Thanks. The first site I looked at said "Price on application"! That's what car dealers say about Bentleys and Lambos. :o)

Si

[Dave Plowman (News)]

If you mean specifically work shoes these tend to have steel toecaps and sole inserts so are by nature heavy - and can never 'mould' to the foot in quite the same way.

I'm on my feet quite a bit and for comfort I don't think you can beat a decent pair of trainers. Sadly, if you don't like wearing them. And by decent you don't need to get a posh brand - Asda etc sell perfectly reasonable ones.

[Andy Hall]

I said that they weren't cheap. IIRC, I paid about $180 a pair for mine in the U.S., which would currently be a little under £100. However, despite being a European product, they are priced lower for the U.S. market. I just found a couple of sites with part of the range and prices appear to be in the £100 - 160 bracket, which is not atypical for good quality shoes; one can pay a great deal more. I went to a specialist shop in the U.S. which had only sensible and comfortable but good quality shoes and spent a couple of hours looking at and trying different products.

Once the fashion look and clinically boring products are taken out, it seems to be the case that price governs comfort and durability. I did try a German make as well (I forget the name, but it had different sole options to provide support in different ways according to feet). These were also comfortable and about 2/3 the price but nowhere near as well made. I figured that considering the cost over time, the sturdier product was the better buy.

[Andy Dingley]

Made in New Hampshire, or China ?

My 15 year old US-made Timberlands are still going. The 3 year olds ones fell apart.

[Mary Fisher]

That's a matter of opinion :-)

Mary

[Mungo "Two Sheds" Toadfoot]

True, true. They're not just for... that place... though.

Si

[gerry]

The ones I buy - tan nubuck - have very hardwearing soles but are prone to becoming stained on top, earily fixed with a run under water and a light brushing. I wouldn't wear them hill walking though as the mud etc would ruin them. Timberland do make a leather upper version that would be more suited to this but again i donot think they are designed as hiking boots. I usually get about 3 years out of a set of Timberlands before they become designated garden boots :) My prefered boot of choice for the hills are Meindl Burma Pro's.

[Dave Liquorice]

Quite a few of the places I work will throw you out, no re-admission, if= you attempt to work in trainers. You are supposed to wear boots with ste= el toe caps, I wear my normal walking boots...

Hum, wouldn't be so sure about Asda trainers are they minor "branded" or= Georgio? Last pair of trainers I bought was a minor brand, general purpose/walking. Must be about two years ago and cost about =A360 are no= w starting to show serious signs of wear and needing replacement. Cheap chinese

[Mary Fisher]

LOL!

Mary

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Oh indeed. I too have protective footwear for where it's needed but wouldn't choose to wear it every day - mainly due to the weight. But then I don't live in the hills. ;-)

[Dave Liquorice]

I was dubious about the cost but =A360 for trainers is still only mid-range,,, They have done well, three years+ (I guessed wrong earlier,= I bought them 22 June 2004) of pretty much daily use. I'd have got through= a good half dozen cheapie pairs in that time.

[Rod]

The shoes were bought just after Timberland started being available here

- about 1988, or so. Nicely sewn, mocassin-based. The boots were from around 1992/3. They got thrown out - I suspect they were not US-made.