If you’re a first time buyer or even a seasoned buyer of fine leather shoes there is no doubt you have had a debate with yourself about what type of sole you should get. There are many different varieties that all have their own benefits and disadvantages. This is what we will be discussing today. A well-made Goodyear welted shoe/boot is traditionally constructed with leather soles. But in recent years however, popularity of other materials have started to grow.
Leather Soles
No one can argue with the elegance a leather sole brings to a shoe. The natural composition of the leather also means the footwear is very breathable making them excellent for warmer weather. People also find leather soles comfortable as they mould to ones’ foot making them more comfortable with wear. So what are the disadvantages? They are slippery, very slippery. It takes a few outings to rough the leather down so it offers you some grip. However, in wet weather they can still be quite the menace.
Barker Leather Sole
Stud Rubber Soles
Arguably the most versatile of the various soles, the stud rubber sole offers great durability and grip. They are made so they look no thicker than a standard leather sole making them well suited for formal use. In my humble opinion, it is hard to find a disadvantage of a stud rubber sole. I guess one could say they don’t have the same elegance of a leather sole.
De Winter Stud Rubber Soles
Commando Rubber Soles
The ultimate rubber sole, the commando sole is superb for country walks and uneven terrain. Made with a heavily cleated tread that offers a superb grip. The sole is thicker than a stud rubber sole giving them a country appearance and as a result feels and looks heavier. A disadvantage of a commando sole in my opinion would be that they are prone to having small stones caught between their treads, which one inevitably walks around their home. However, this can be simply fixed by either brushing the soles or taking the shoes off before entering your abode.
Loake Commando Rubber Soles
½ Rubber Stitched Sole
A combination of two excellent soles. The ½ stitched sole has both the benefits of a leather and the durability of rubber. These sole maintain a slim profile so are perfect for formal use. What’s great about these soles is you can either buy them straight from the shop or if your current leather soles are showing some wear they can these as a replacement. Just have you cobbler attach a 1/2 stitched sole for instant improvement in durability and grip. At Bradshaw and Lloyd we offer a repairs service that can do this for you.
Loake 1/2 Stitched Rubber Soles
