OMG, Shoes! For Him - Because dudes have feet too

[Pee Cola]

Inspired by this thread. A few of the older posts appear to be sneaker porn, which isn't exactly female-exclusive. As the original thread is now Secret Women's Business, I see a Size 10 (US) gap in the KF discussion market for men to sperg about shoes.

Two of my favourites, these are the only shoes I need (notwithstanding cheap disposable sneakers to mooch around the house in):

Allen Edmonds Park Avenue. Every man needs a pair of these. They're not cheap, but they will last a lifetime if you look after them. If they're good enough for at least four Presidents (Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Dubya), then they're good enough for me. Made in the USA.

R.M. Williams Comfort Craftsman Boots. I'd argue that these are the Australian equivalent to Park Avenues, now made just a few miles from where R.M. Williams started his saddlery in the 1930s. Probably the only shoes in existence that can be worn whilst working on a farm during the week, before giving them a quick polish and wearing them to a wedding or church on the weekend. Another pair of shoes that you buy once and keep forever.

Spoiler: Mild Powerlevelling

When I worked in an corporate environment, I alternated between these and my Park Avenues as my daily shoes. Now that I freelance, these are still my go-to shoes when meeting clients as they look as good with jeans or chinos as they do with a suit. Mine are in this exact colour (Chestnut), which I wear with a matching belt because I'm a grown man that can dress himself.

As for sneakers ... tbh I don't really pay much attention to those anymore. I had a couple pairs of Nike Air Maxes back in the day, but I'm well aware that sneakers are a young man's game. That's one thing that unites Gen X, Millennial and Zoomer dudes.

 

[Looney Troons]

I am a bit of a shoe sperg myself. I won’t take a picture of my collection as most are in boxes, but I own several pairs of Viberg boots. Many would think it insane to pay so much for footwear, but man, these things are quality. They’re very easy to care for and they wear in ways that give them character, similar to raw denim.

Highly recommend Viberg to anyone who wants a pair of dressy boots.

 

[Pee Cola]

I own several pairs of Viberg boots. Many would think it insane to pay so much for footwear, but man, these things are quality. They’re very easy to care for and they wear in ways that give them character, similar to raw denim.

Nice. I've not heard of Viberg before. I'll have to take a look if/when I decide to add a third pair of shoes to my rotation.

I don't know if you had a similar epiphany to me, but it occurred to me one day that I'd spend way less money on shoes over a lifetime by buying an expensive pair of high quality shoes once instead of constantly buying cheap shoes that fall part after a year or two. As long as said expensive shoes are a timeless design and maintained properly over the years, they'll look just as good in 50 years time as they do today.

 

[BSC]

Gonna powerlevel a bit here as well.

Spoiler

I've had many types of jobs in the past, most of them being of the blue-collar, manual labor variety. Specifically I spent about 3 years doing construction (think cranes, big steel beams, that sorta stuff). Anyway, being the cheap asshole that I am, when I first started doing construction I just bought a cheap pair of Walmart boots. Obviously this was a mistake. I'd be completely wrecked at the end of the work day. Sore, throbbing feet, back pain, etc. After a few months I finally wised up and dropped a few hundred $ on a good pair of Red Wings. Oh my god the difference was enormous. I could be at the end of a 12-hour shift and still feel relatively fresh and ready to go. It was like walking on a fucking cloud compared to the cheapo Walmart brand. Not to mention they lasted me for a couple of years (in absolutely hellish conditions too, mind you). Anyway, I'm not a big shoe or boot connoisseur, but the old saying holds true, you get what you pay for.

tl:dr - if you've got to spend all day working on your feet, invest in some good footwear, you won't regret it

 

[CivilianOfTheFandomWars]

If you do physical labor a lot, work or otherwise, a nice pair of steel-toed boots are a fantastic investment. Mine have lasted a very long time, I highly recommend getting some.
In the line of work shoes, crocs are actually great for being on a boat. Good drainage through the holes and they’re made of something that doesn’t get sodden. You will look like an absolute tard, but crocs are actually pretty useful for their intended purpose.

 

[DumbDude42]

i have one pair of general purpose shoes and one pair of heavier boots for rain and winter
any more than that is for wimminz and feggits tbh

edit: not counting work shoes of course, got a pair of butt ugly crocs that i use in the hospital

 

[Pee Cola]

In the line of work shoes, crocs are actually great for being on a boat. Good drainage through the holes and they’re made of something that doesn’t get sodden. You will look like an absolute tard, but crocs are actually pretty useful for their intended purpose.

Crocs don't look any more exceptional than boat shoes, and they seem a heck of a lot more fit for purpose.

 

[Richard Harrow]

If you do physical labor a lot, work or otherwise, a nice pair of steel-toed boots are a fantastic investment. Mine have lasted a very long time, I highly recommend getting some.
In the line of work shoes, crocs are actually great for being on a boat. Good drainage through the holes and they’re made of something that doesn’t get sodden. You will look like an absolute tard, but crocs are actually pretty useful for their intended purpose.

For the steel-toed stuff I've always recommended anything by Danner or Georgia Boot Co. Boots I've bought from these companies have lasted years with rigorous use.

 

[Autumnal Equinox]

I have three pairs I use semi-regularly. Pair of standard black dress shoes for my job. Pair of steel toed work boots for when I need to do physical labor projects, and sneakers for when I'm just out and about. Nothing fancy. Never got into the idea of shoe collecting. Nobody will do more than give a cursory glance at my feet if that, shoes are more of a fashion statement for women.

 

[Pee Cola]

I have three pairs I use semi-regularly. Pair of standard black dress shoes for my job. Pair of steel toed work boots for when I need to do physical labor projects, and sneakers for when I'm just out and about. Nothing fancy.

Three pairs is a good number to own. Maybe four, depending on what you do for a living. Five or more pairs and it becomes more of a lifestyle choice than fulfilling a need IMHO. Not a criticism; if anyone wants to own five or more pairs then you do you.

A decent pair of steel toed boots is all I'm lacking at the moment. Probably a worthwhile addition to the tool cupboard, as they're the sort of thing I should be wearing when working in the yard or on one of my cars/motorcycles.

 

[Autumnal Equinox]

A decent pair of steel toed boots is all I'm lacking at the moment. Probably a worthwhile addition to the tool cupboard, as they're the sort of thing I should be wearing when working in the yard or on one of my cars/motorcycles.

Dakota WorkPro is what I have. They'll run you about $90 (at a brick and mortar store at least) but well worth the price. Durable as hell, and they don't feel like you're wearing blocks of cement on your feet. If you're looking for a pair I'd recommend these.

 

[The Fifth Waltz]

I'm a biological woman and wear men's sneakers because my feets are size 14 in women's.

Here's some of the shoes I own

Someone cut into my Jeremy Scott Wings with a blade. I'm still salty about it.

 

[B. F. Bugleberry]

My fire boots made by some dying Italian guy. They've seen some shit.

 

[CatParty]

 

[Diabeetus]

View attachment 1179784View attachment 1179785

 

[Cactus Wings]

Dear god do I hate these kind of shoes. Absolutely every insufferable "I'm actually really adult for a 25-year old" wears them, and every single non-shoes fashion brand has their own version of them. They are the new fedora. It's as if people rather buy into these models for their implied reputation instead of like, supportive sportswear sneakers or anything meant to actually benefit your feet besides keeping them one layer from stepping in dog shit.

 

[Doctor Placebo]

Never 4get the People's Army of Vietnam's weird ass canvas sneakers.

 

[Return of the Freaker]

 

[The Empirical Bogey]

My casual shoes

 

[Pee Cola]

Dear god do I hate these kind of shoes. Absolutely every insufferable "I'm actually really adult for a 25-year old" wears them, and every single non-shoes fashion brand has their own version of them. They are the new fedora. It's as if people rather buy into these models for their implied reputation instead of like, supportive sportswear sneakers or anything meant to actually benefit your feet besides keeping them one layer from stepping in dog shit.

If it makes you feel any better, Aussies tend to like their RMs (and similar Chelsea style boots) with a bit of patina that suggests they've seen some sort of working life. Any bloke with RMs that look as though they've never been anywhere near a farm/vineyard tends to be viewed with suspicion.