Looking to "grow up" in regards to my shoes

ryanjoachim

So, I've reached the point in my life where I realize that skater shoes just aren't going to work as my only shoe.

I've been looking online at lace-less loafers (Hush Puppies for instance) and I like the style...but I'm not sure how comfortable and durable they are for feet my size (I wear 14w or 15 cause of my fat feet).

Anyone have experience with this type of shoe?

tonyb

Check out stores that you can feel the shoe for quality,comfort. Your size is going to be special order so not too many will have a physical pair on hand to try on.

nooshinjohn

I swear by Clark's... great shoe that wears forever and comfortable as a tennis shoe.

AsSiMiLaTeD

I've been through them all, and at the end of the day now I only buy 3 brands of shoes:

Allen Edmonds (dress and business casual)
Ecco (business casual and casual)
Brooks (tennis shoes)

I've been through Clarks, Johnston & Murphy, Florsheim, Hush Puppies, Steve madden, Bostonian, Cole & haun, Kennth Cole, and a ton more. I've spent ALOT of money over the past ten years or so trying to find shoes that fit me well before settling on my brands of choice.

They're not the cheapest options out there (each pair of my Allen Edmonds ran me at least a couple hundred bucks and I don't have a pair of Ecco under $130), but I'm a firm believer that shoes and mattresses are two things that you shouldn't skimp on.

SolidSqual

Clarks are great.

If you have the money, Cole Haan is the rich man's Clarks.

Brooks are an unbelievable running shoe that changed my life. The pain in my knees and ankles is gone.

ryanjoachim

That's the hardest part about shoes for me...no one ever has them in stock. That makes it almost impossible to gauge their comfortableness or fit.

mhardy6647

Might not be grown up enough, but I wear Merrell Mocs nearly all the time; wonderful shoes and (barely) adequate for Business Casual.
Phenomenally comfortable, reasonably long wearing and they're even reasonably waterproof (though not sold as such).
http://www.merrell.com/US/en-us/Product.mvc.aspx/7074M/5414/Mens/Jungle-Moc

YMMV, of cours.

zingo

I wear Merrell shoes at home and leather loafers at work.

kevhed72

Stick with your Vanns...who cares what people think.

cnh

Merrell is a good suggestion. I would also take a look at some men's shoes in the New Balance collection. They're comfortable and NB has a lot of bigger sizes--in a way they have more of those than most. Might be worth a look online.

14-15? You must be, what? 6' 4"-6' 6". Got to be pretty tall to have a foot that big.

A friend of mine wears a size 15 at 6" 4 1/2".

Good luck!

cnh

rromeo923

I used to wear Vans and I now wear Merrells.

exalted512

I have a set similar to these:http://www.endless.com/dp/B002OHE4TK/188-9264526-9419326?ie=UTF8&creative=395033&suppressRedirect=1&linkCode=asn&tag=googlecom09c9_endless-20&creativeASIN=B002OHE4TK&ref_=asc_df_B002OHE4TK1891363

I like them a lot.
-Cody

newrival

I went through the snowboarder/grown up transition (clothes-wise, still havent fully grown up) a few years back and bed stu makes some great footwear. Also, gravis makes some transitional stuff that looks grown up but you can still jump on your longboard after work. JD Fisk and J. Shoes are nice too. tons of modern style and nicely constructed. My J. Shoes Portlands have gotten put through the ringer this winter and have performed admirably. Merrels are super comfy if youre looking to dress it down. Vibram soles are the best out there.

cnh

Don't know if these would do. But they're slip-on, suede, and available in 14 and 15 4E. Maybe not dressy enough?

http://www.newbalance.com/products/MWM756/

or

http://www.shopnewbalance.com/men/shoes/casuals-and-dress/casuals/MCR942BR


cnh

mdaudioguy

There's really no need to grow up. Wear whatever the F&*% you want. I work with a guy who wears Crocs with white socks to work. Never mind. But seriously, wear whatever the F%# you want. If wearing whatever you think are "grown up" shoes is going to make you feel good, go for it. Knock your socks off.

newrival

I'm pretty sure he's saying he WANTS to wear something different and looking for suggestions

Syndil

Growing up means owning more than just one or two pair of shoes. I have a dozen or so that I wear regularly. But if you want a comfortable loafer that can go both business and casual, can't beat Born IMO. They are absolutely the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned, even more comfortable than my running shoes. Can't speak to how well they make them in your size, however. You've got some clodhoppers.

http://www.bornshoes.com/ViewAll.aspx?GenderID=4&CategoryID=0

Actually it looks like the largest size they make is 14M, so they may not work for you. Guess I should have checked that first.

tonyb

Born...I believe thats owned by the old tennis star, Bjorn. Maybe Johnny Mac should offer up a competeing brand.

Actually, I love Bjorn, one of the few players with class up the wazoo.

Syndil

Actually Bjorn has his own line of clothing and shoes, at www.bjornborg.com . Looks like he phoned that one in, just slapping his name on some stuff. The shoes look tacky IMO.

gdb

Got $$$ Custom made may be the way to go. Or not.

jbooker82

kevhed72 wrote: »

Stick with your Vanns...who cares what people think.

Yep.

I wear Vans, Etnies, DC, and Air Walk's

Willow

For work I have 3 pairs of Kenneth Cole New York Dress Boots. Love them. I bought one pair to wear with my wedding tux (10.5 yrs ago) They still look great. My casual shoes are either Lacoste (velcro) or Penguin.

newrival

Willow wrote: »

My casual shoes are either Lacoste (velcro) or Penguin.

I love Penguin's new line of shoes, although haven't bought any. Their fall/winter line of casual clothes is super comfortable, especially for the price.

ryanjoachim

cnh wrote: »

Merrell is a good suggestion. I would also take a look at some men's shoes in the New Balance collection. They're comfortable and NB has a lot of bigger sizes--in a way they have more of those than most. Might be worth a look online.

14-15? You must be, what? 6' 4"-6' 6". Got to be pretty tall to have a foot that big.

A friend of mine wears a size 15 at 6" 4 1/2".

Good luck!

cnh

Unfortunately, no. I'm 5'11"...

ryanjoachim

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I'm hitting the malls and such this weekend, so maybe I'll be able to get a better idea of what it is I want.

timalan

I've become I die hard fan of Terra Plana's Vivo Barefoot line. Very close to being barefoot, and they are crazy comfortable. They have a few models that are office professional -- I always feel like I am cheating wearing them around, because they are so comfortable. I've got one pair I can comfortably wear with a suit. List prices are mid-range ($120-$160), but you can find online sales for 50-60% off at times, and that's when I pick them up. Totally amazing shoes.

After that, I'd second recommendations for Cohl Haans (nicer Marshalls/TJMaxx will often have them for $50-$80), Clarks and Born as the most comfortable dressier shoes made.

Shizelbs

Johnston and Murphy

tonyb

Hmmm.....just wondering if you need to "grow up" as you say, on the shoes, are you still wearing those bikini briefs from High School ? We can also throw out some suggestions for big boy briefs too.:cheesygrin:

ryanjoachim

tonyb wrote: »

Hmmm.....just wondering if you need to "grow up" as you say, on the shoes, are you still wearing those bikini briefs from High School ? We can also throw out some suggestions for big boy briefs too.:cheesygrin:

Luckily, I have several girl friends who have been more than happy to help me reinvent my wardrobe.

I've basically worn the exact same kind of outfit since high school (2001)...baggy jeans (not sagging, just too big), basic logo t-shirt, and skater shoes.

Now I've got some nice blue jeans, button-up shirts, and decent sweater. And that's just to start.

gdb

wrote:

Luckily, I have several girl friends
.

I'll bet you do with that shoe size !

ryanjoachim

gdb wrote: »

I'll bet you do with that shoe size !

Rofl...if only that old adage was true.