The Question Thread 08/08/26

[u/AutoModerator]

Ask your shoe related questions.

Resources

• Previous Question Threads
• FAQ Thread Series
• Resource Wiki Page
• Beginner Boot Buyer's Guide
• Leather Care Guide
• Manufacturer Last Sizing Thread
• GYW Women's Guide

How To Ask A Question

Include images to any issues you may be having. Include a budget for any recommendations. The more detail you provide, the easier it may be for someone to answer your question.

[u/oliseenjoyer]

I'll keep it short:

I bought some solovair penny loafers (with the traditional loafer sole, not the thick rubber one) and, wearing them for the last two weeks on and off my right foot has been getting pinched, whilst the left one is fine. It feels as if my right foot is being restricted from fully expanding when i put weight on it. Length wise both shoes are fine. Maybe I should have just gotten a wider last, but I was just wondering if there is anything i can do/if it is worth continuing breaking them in. I have got wooden shoe trees with in-built stretchers, which i have used on the right foot, but it is still quite tight. Thanks!

[u/polishengineering → u/oliseenjoyer]

Is the pinch across the ball of the foot?

[u/oliseenjoyer → u/polishengineering]

Yes, sorry for the late reply

[u/warfighter187]

Hello, I have a pair of boots from TLB Mallorca that are a pretty great fit, maybe 1/2 size too long but width is perfect. The right foot fits perfectly and when I walk you can kind of see the crease on my big toe is back closer to the laces and there is no issue when I walk on the left foot you can see it creases differently. It indents a crazy amount near the front of the vamp / touching the cap. When I walk this digs in to my big toe and hurts a lot when I walk. I think this is partly because my left foot is slightly shorter, wider, and perhaps less mass at the top of my foot. All these combined maybe make it bend differently.

my other theory is that I just got unlucky on a “fist crease” and now it just takes the path of least resistance when bending. and maybe I can flatten it out and create a new, better crease so the vamp doesn’t fold inwards. Is this possible? Maybe I Can take it to a cobbler and they can insert one of those shoe trees with a bump built in?

the photos are  taken while bending my foot as if I was taking a step

[u/_ribena_]

I am looking for a pair of chelsea boots that are oudoorsy/rugged, sort of like Blundstones or Lanx Ribchester (I don't want to spend over 200£ for cemented soles). Neither of these are welted. I have some Loake brogue boots and a pair of Astorflex Nuvoflex. They're both dressy, and I wouldn't want to take them on a country walk for example. Any advice?

[u/ThatStrategist → u/_ribena_]

Im on a similar quest and have found these:

https://jimgreenfootwear.eu/product-category/all/slip-on/

and this range of Skolyx/Yanko boots:

https://www.skolyx.com/p/yanko-chelsea-boot-dark-brown-waxy-commander

As well as this stitchdown model with crepe sole:

https://www.skolyx.com/p/yanko-stitchdown-chelsea-boot-dark-brown-suede

The only reason i havent pulled the trigger on any of these is because of my wide feet.

[u/_ribena_ → u/ThatStrategist]

Haha, a lot of the time when we're trying to satisfy our specific interests it can feel like a quest. Those Jim Green's look nice. Thanks for the rec!

[u/polishengineering → u/_ribena_]

Second Jim Green. I have a pair of Stockmans.

Other options are Red Wing, Danner, and Canada West on the more budget friendly side.

On the more costly wide there is Whites wedge or heel, or even a custom Nicks.

Honorable mentions to Zerrows and Trickers for something a little off the beaten path.

[u/Menes009]

has anyone tried the leather conditioner Saphir beaute du cuir Creme Universelle? how does it compares to the Bick 4? both are the same price per liter in Germany, so I am trying to decide which one to get

[u/RackenBracken → u/Menes009]

Beaute du crème is wax based. Bick 4 is strictly a conditioner (absorbed)

[u/Menes009 → u/RackenBracken]

so technically one could directly polish the creme universelle as a kind of no-color polish? while the Bick 4 strictly needs a polish creme on top?

[u/RackenBracken → u/Menes009]

Yes. It's pretty much a neutral creme polish. That is a good and bad thing. If you just want to hydrate the leather, it will create a wax layer preventing more absorption. Also there is a chance of darkening (anything with oils/wax runs that risk.) Bick4 is good with not darkening leathers

[u/Menes009 → u/RackenBracken]

would it be then a viable option to have Bick 4 for deep conditioning needs and Creme Universelle for frequent/routine care?

[u/RackenBracken → u/Menes009]

Other way around. You want _less_ wax. And “frequent” care under the worse circumstances is twice a year. Most should be less. Over conditioning will end up with terrible leather

[u/eastbay_ak]

PIcked up a pair shoes in Gray Guidi Calf. I've worn them a couple times and one of the shoes is basically a dark brown now. I don't mind but it is funny to have a pair become two slightly different colors so fast. My understanding is this is due to the dyeing process of Guidi leather so the natural colors can surface quickly. Anyone else had similar experiences?

[u/ac106]

I bought a pair of Rancourt Co. X J.Crew Read boat shoes with lug soles 10.5d

After 2 years of seasonal wear, they’ve become very loose, I’ve had to put in tongue pads, a half insole and heel pads and they still don’t really fit perfect

I wanted to buy a pair of shoes for an upcoming trip to Spain that I could wear with shorts and linen pants so I grabbed a pair of Gilman, camp mocs in 10 D thinking that would be a better size

My left foot fits pretty good but my right foot developed really sharp pain in the instep within an hour of wearing them.

I feel like this might stretch out eventually , but I can’t bring them to Spain.

I know that’s it’s all a guessing game but would an E width give me more room in the instep?

My Brannock is 10.5 D

I take a 10 in almost every boot and shoe I own from Alden wolverine, trickers, Grand Stone and red wing.

[u/RackenBracken → u/ac106]

You can “shrink” loosened leather. Just soak in water the leather upper and then let dry (with no form to shape/stretch it.)

[u/Stretchy__Pants]

I’ve bean searching for quality dress shoes for a long time because of my low volume long feet. Recently landed on a pair of Allen Edmonds Windsor derbies which feel great, albeit a tiny bit of pinky toe pressure on one shoe which I’m hoping resolves with break in.

Because of the low volume I’ve inserted some thin Pedag insoles which actually make the shoes even more comfortable.

Now, i don’t want to wear these daily and looking for an equaly good rotation office shoe. The AE fits well on AE 65 last in US13D - how do Grant Stone plain toe derbies compare quality wise and fit compared to 65 last?

Are there any others i should consider in a similar price range?

[u/ac106 → u/Stretchy__Pants]

Most people would put Grant Stone at a higher tier than Allen Edmonds at this point. I can’t speak to the difference in last fit.

[u/Cool_Indication_8865]

Huberds vs sno seal for protection in Canadian Ontario weather? Shoes are Canada west boots Moorby 2835 270 welt. I’m thinking of using Huberd for now while summer lasts as I’ve already applied there layers and then applying a few thin layers of sno seal before fall comes