That's what these shoes should have looked like all along. Firstly, allow me to correct some of my misused terminology from the original post discussing these shoes.(thanks to Derek Guy for his recent informative glossary of shoe terminology at Put This On) I mentioned the importance of leather linings, but what I really meant was leather insoles. These shoes are in fact unlined, which is a major reason why they are so comfortable worn without socks. It was the insoles that were made of an awful, sweat-producing, stink-absorbing synthetic.
Acting on the sound advice of reader Mr. Midwester, I purchased two pair of Pedag insoles. They're made of soft pig skin leather, with a odor fighting carbon layer underneath. I bought mine a bit big an trimmed the ends, to ensure a snug fit. They are soft and comfortable, and after a full days wear in warm weather, did not make my feet sweat too much or stink. This one simple fix has upped the game for these shoes. As I said before, the leather and construction are of very good quality, despite perhaps their overseas provenance. The only drawback was the insoles, cheapening the shoe and rendering them practically unwearable. Problem solved. Frankly, I don;t know why Eastland wouldn't just produce the shoes with an insole like this in the first place. The shoes just seem more "right" now.
At $12.87/ pair on Amazon, these are definitely worth every penny. I bought two pair, the second of which will go in a pair of Chuck Taylor's as soon as I purchase them. Converse used to use a cotton insole in the old days, and I had no problems. Years back they switched to a synthetic, and the stink became unmanageable, and I haven't bought a new pair in years as a result. These Pedag insoles just changed that.
An easy upgrade and improvement, knowing about these can open up options in shoes you might not knew you had.
p.s. new stuff in the Shop.
Thanks to you and Mr Midwester for the advice. I just bought a pair of Eastland loafers and will follow you recommendations.
ReplyDeleteI knew leather insoles were available. Sorry I didn't mention it.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if carbon layers can be trained to fight anything, not just odours. Certainly we should not be afraid to unleash them on anything 'of overseas provenance'. Bloody foreigners.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, in spite of your strictures on leather quality, etc.,I consider,from experience, that the Bean moc is a much better shape and colour than the Eastlands thing (from what I can see on your blog: nasty square toe shape, rather vulgar caramel hue).
But you must form your own opinion.
I didn't know lighter shades of brown were considered vulgar, but then again, I am a prole at heart.
ReplyDeleteWhen did the colour (see how snobby I am?) caramel (pronounced "carmel) become rather vulgar?
ReplyDeleteThere are some cases in which caramel-colored shoes would be just perfect. Not vulgar at all. Of course, I'm a girl.
ReplyDeleteArg.
I'm afraid that Ferdie is right; caramel is acceptable as pudding but not really as footwear.
ReplyDeleteNot acceptable? In a world where people go to funerals in tennis shirts? Calm down, guys, really.
ReplyDeleteNot in my world. Surely you made that last bit up, Wardrobe.
ReplyDeleteI only wish I made it up, Ben. Please don't pretend that you never noticed that people generally don't dress well until I said it.
ReplyDeleteSorry, but that is truly appalling. Clearly I lead a more sheltered existence than I had thought. Dessert coloured shoes do pale into insignificance in comparison, I admit. Though, of course, I would never choose to wear them myself.
ReplyDeleteThere is a vast gulf, an abyss, even, between 'not generally dressing well' and 'wearing a tennis shirt to a funeral' that I had believed unbridged. But you have shattered my illusion. O tempora, O mores.....
ReplyDeleteFor the record, I wear a dark suit, white shirt and quiet tie to a funeral. I wear these shoes in the back yard with shorts while cooking on the grill. Context.
ReplyDeleteAnybody try these in a pair of boat shoes?
ReplyDeleteSome people absolutize their tastes as a rule of class. One might prefer a darker brown than caramel, some the opposite, some both, but neither are wrong, I think. Its called preference, and they are all legit colours, it's not like they are blue, which is not a bad color, but it's a different context and says a much different message. These are shades.
ReplyDeleteIMO, boat shoes look best sockless: see Pedag Summer washable cotton terry insoles. http://www.amazon.com/Pedag-196-Washable-Barefoot-Womens/dp/B001G0NSV6/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1398047819&sr=1-1&keywords=pedag+summer
ReplyDelete