Monday 21 September 2009

Out of step

I had my desert boots resoled not so long ago. I was quite pleased with the price: £18. Though the boots themselves only cost £14 originally it was worth it because they're the right shape (a bit stubby toed). It may be tantamount to heresy in some circles but I don't really like Clark's desert boots: they're too elongated. Another good thing about having them resoled (rather than just buying a new pair for less) was that the cobbler, at my request, sheared the heel off leaving just a flat sole, which I consider correct. But the main thing is: I like getting things mended. Apart from the heel on the left boot they were still in dead good nick and had developed a characterful patina.

I can't stand shoes with plastic soles or big chunks of plastic embedded into the sole. For a start they look terrible. I suppose it's a bit more durable than leather or foam or whatever but once they're worn away, that's it - the whole shoe has to go. So it's hard not to be cynical about the manufacturers' motives for this hideous development. My sole of choice is crepe but it's got a lot harder to find places that'll do it. According to one cobbler I spoke to crepe is too messy - it melts all over their machines. Another place quoted me the outrageous price of sixty quid.

5 comments:

  1. hoes are difficult, especially if you want odd shoes. I bought a pair of fantastic shoes once but with no good soles. They were quite sheep, flip flop like. So, I re soled them for a high price butI still don’t use them; they don’t have any real use. Why did I buy them in the first place, I wondered.
    I don’t know, but they looked very much like 60’s Morocco.

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  2. commited Desert Booter here also!!! Although I'ma wuss, and it's getting to that time of year when I will stop wearing them mostly... I have to walk in about a mile to work in the morning, and if it's raining the whole walk that's a pair well n truly naffed up!

    a 'two hole' man i presume???

    P

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  3. Ande - your shoes sound like classic holiday shoes. But not much good for the city. I remember a time when a friend from the north came to visit me in London. We met up with another friend who had also been living in London for a while and he and I were both wearing sandals. Our visiting friend was appalled at this display of southern decadence. In my defence: it was a very sunny day. And we were going to the park.

    Piley - Hello, very glad to see you here. Too true on the weather front. If there's one thing worse than work, it's work with sodden feet. And yes, you presume right.

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  4. I'm a desert boot fan also, and sadly I've neglected to wear them this summer and now you're making me think it might be too late. Damnit!

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  5. The English climate is not a happy one for desert boot wearers in any season. I'll chance it most of the time in my regular boots, but my Hudson's only come out for very special occasions.

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