I regret to say...I am done with suede shoes

[srlclark]

Yeah, I'll be in London - where I was brought up - so I thought I'd try on some Loake and see which ones work for me. The two sets of shoes I need to try on are black cap toes and chukkas, so I'm going to try the Aldwych, Rothschild, Churchill, and Outlaw for the former, and the Pimlico and Kempton for the latter. I love brogues, so I'll also take a look at the Buckingham and the Strand. I should get neither of them now, but I visit my family about once a year, so I want to try them on and bear them in mind for the future.

Nice boots! I especially like the color #8/burgundy Viberg. The natural waxed one is also pretty cool.

You said you're going to check out Loake, right? There was this post earlier today on r/goodyearwelt.

https://www.reddit.com/r/goodyearwel..._1880_aldwych/
https://i.imgur.com/LvJttLZ.jpg

Thought they looked pretty nice. Only thing that has kept me from purchasing from Loake, besides the lack of need of anything they make, is that they aren't close by in case I have issues with my pair like fit, and I'd be on the hook for returns.

Here's albums of the pairs you asked for:

Viberg Service Boot in Natural Waxed Flesh
http://imgur.com/a/PfAMi

Viberg Service Boot in Black Horsehide
http://imgur.com/a/5Mcmq

Viberg Service Boot in Color #8
http://imgur.com/a/4TJBd

Gustin White-Green Lowtop
http://imgur.com/a/7S6bQ

[devastitis]

well...no, I'll never go suede. They scuff way to easily. Look like hell only after a month or so. Cant take a typical shoe polish - ever. I live in Seattle. So, there's enough drawbacks right there to not justify it. Your mileage may vary.

That's odd. Take a typical shoe polish? You don't do polish on suede.. Scuffs go away with a good brushing. Any basic stains will go away with an eraser, brush, and shampoo. Also, waterproofing will keep them from absorbing any moisture you may face in Seattle. The only reason to not get suede is if you don't like the suede style.

[devastitis]

Very nice collection! I see you are a big fan of boots, as well as of suede. The only overlaps between us are the walnut Strands and the bourbon Daltons. I've love to see close up photos of the Gustin and the Vibergs, when you get a moment.

I've been on sabbatical this year, so away from home and with only a few of my shoes, but I'm moving back next weekend and will try to post mine then. The notable ones are:

Allen Edmonds Strand in walnut
Allen Edmonds McGregor in oxblood
Allen Edmonds Kenilworth in dark brown
Allen Edmonds Dalton in bourbon
Allen Edmonds McTavish in dublin cognac
Allen Edmonds Neumok in olive
J. Crew Kenton short-wing blucher in navy suede
Florsheim Marlton (leather/suede balmoral full brogue wingtip) in cognac (between a light and a medium brown)
Banana Republic Owen (grey suede buck)
Banana Republic Caden (dark brown suede buck)

As for sneakers:
Banana Republic Jacob (dark grey wool)
Adidas Samba in brown (leather/canvas stripes)
Adidas Samba in dark blue (also leather/canvas stripes)

I have a few beaters, too, including my black cap toe from Stacey Adams, which I don't think I've worn since 2014 (and some cheap loafers and boat shoes for summer). Given that I don't have a white sneaker, I guess that makes three shoes I should get this summer or fall: the chukka boot I was talking about yesterday, a new black cap toe, and a white sneaker in either leather or canvas. I'd probably go with leather for white and get a lighter grey for a canvas sneaker, as I think it's easier to clean leather sneakers than canvas and more important to keep white clean. I threw out my old pure canvas sneaker - a blue Timberland - this weekend.

You said you're going to check out Loake, right? There was this post earlier today on r/goodyearwelt.

https://www.reddit.com/r/goodyearwel..._1880_aldwych/
https://i.imgur.com/LvJttLZ.jpg

Thought they looked pretty nice. Only thing that has kept me from purchasing from Loake, besides the lack of need of anything they make, is that they aren't close by in case I have issues with my pair like fit, and I'd be on the hook for returns.

Here's albums of the pairs you asked for:

Viberg Service Boot in Natural Waxed Flesh
http://imgur.com/a/PfAMi

Viberg Service Boot in Black Horsehide
http://imgur.com/a/5Mcmq

Viberg Service Boot in Color #8
http://imgur.com/a/4TJBd

Gustin White-Green Lowtop
http://imgur.com/a/7S6bQ

[Jim Giddings]

well...no, I'll never go suede. They scuff way to easily. Look like hell only after a month or so. Cant take a typical shoe polish - ever. I live in Seattle. So, there's enough drawbacks right there to not justify it. Your mileage may vary.

[srlclark]

Very nice collection! I see you are a big fan of boots, as well as of suede. The only overlaps between us are the walnut Strands and the bourbon Daltons. I've love to see close up photos of the Gustin and the Vibergs, when you get a moment.

I've been on sabbatical this year, so away from home and with only a few of my shoes, but I'm moving back next weekend and will try to post mine then. The notable ones are:

Allen Edmonds Strand in walnut
Allen Edmonds McGregor in oxblood
Allen Edmonds Kenilworth in dark brown
Allen Edmonds Dalton in bourbon
Allen Edmonds McTavish in dublin cognac
Allen Edmonds Neumok in olive
J. Crew Kenton short-wing blucher in navy suede
Florsheim Marlton (leather/suede balmoral full brogue wingtip) in cognac (between a light and a medium brown)
Banana Republic Owen (grey suede buck)
Banana Republic Caden (dark brown suede buck)

As for sneakers:
Banana Republic Jacob (dark grey wool)
Adidas Samba in brown (leather/canvas stripes)
Adidas Samba in dark blue (also leather/canvas stripes)

I have a few beaters, too, including my black cap toe from Stacey Adams, which I don't think I've worn since 2014 (and some cheap loafers and boat shoes for summer). Given that I don't have a white sneaker, I guess that makes three shoes I should get this summer or fall: the chukka boot I was talking about yesterday, a new black cap toe, and a white sneaker in either leather or canvas. I'd probably go with leather for white and get a lighter grey for a canvas sneaker, as I think it's easier to clean leather sneakers than canvas and more important to keep white clean. I threw out my old pure canvas sneaker - a blue Timberland - this weekend.

Sure, this is pretty much all the notable ones. I also have individual shots of these, so if you'd like a closeup of any of them, just ask.

Album: http://imgur.com/a/i7wF6

Right side top to bottom:
Alden George Boots in Hunting Green Suede
Alden for ePaulet Ironside Indys in Earth Chamois
Alden for Jcrew Wingtip Boot in Hunting Green Suede
Tricker's x Superdenim Cordovan Boot in Black
Alden for Jcrew Cap-Toe Cordovan Boot in Color #8
Viberg Service Boot in Natural Waxed Flesh
Viberg Service Boot in Black Horsehide
Viberg Service Boot in Color #8

Left side bottom to top:
Allen Edmonds Dalton Boot in Bourbon
Allen Edmonds Strand in Walnut
Allen Edmonds Park Avenue in Merlot
Allen Edmonds for Brooks Brothers Park Avenue in Black
Allen Edmonds Mora 2.0 in Bourbon
Alden for Brooks Brothers Tan Suede Boot
Alden for Jcrew Bluchers in Snuff Suede
Alden for Jcrew Flex-Toe Chukka in Snuff Suede
SuitSupply Dark Brown Double Monk Strap
Nike Lebron XIII
Nike for Jcrew Killshot 2
Gustin White-Green Lowtop

+ my bad weather beaters: http://i.imgur.com/GTr52I4.jpg?1
Red Wing for Jcrew 6" Classic Moc-Toe Boot

[drzenitram]

I think of suede as a casual leather in all ways - casual in appearance, casual in maintaining, casual in "acceptable" wear. I buy suede in styles that I like and I wear it casually. I spray them a couple times a year to help keep stains off, I brush them once a month or so, but I expect them to show signs of wear and I think that adds to their character. Similarly to the way a pair of RW Iron Rangers looks better after a few months or even years of wear, I expect and enjoy that suede has its own way of wearing. I guess I just think of it as "country leather". It's supposed to look like that(in my opinion!).

[devastitis]

You do seem to have a good collection. Would you mind either showing us a photo of the whole collection or, if it's easier, listing the whole of your leather and suede collection. You have six pairs of suede shoes, right? I'm going to guess you have a larger number of leather ones?

Sure, this is pretty much all the notable ones. I also have individual shots of these, so if you'd like a closeup of any of them, just ask.

Album: http://imgur.com/a/i7wF6

Right side top to bottom:
Alden George Boots in Hunting Green Suede
Alden for ePaulet Ironside Indys in Earth Chamois
Alden for Jcrew Wingtip Boot in Hunting Green Suede
Tricker's x Superdenim Cordovan Boot in Black
Alden for Jcrew Cap-Toe Cordovan Boot in Color #8
Viberg Service Boot in Natural Waxed Flesh
Viberg Service Boot in Black Horsehide
Viberg Service Boot in Color #8

Left side bottom to top:
Allen Edmonds Dalton Boot in Bourbon
Allen Edmonds Strand in Walnut
Allen Edmonds Park Avenue in Merlot
Allen Edmonds for Brooks Brothers Park Avenue in Black
Allen Edmonds Mora 2.0 in Bourbon
Alden for Brooks Brothers Tan Suede Boot
Alden for Jcrew Bluchers in Snuff Suede
Alden for Jcrew Flex-Toe Chukka in Snuff Suede
SuitSupply Dark Brown Double Monk Strap
Nike Lebron XIII
Nike for Jcrew Killshot 2
Gustin White-Green Lowtop

+ my bad weather beaters: http://i.imgur.com/GTr52I4.jpg?1
Red Wing for Jcrew 6" Classic Moc-Toe Boot

[srlclark]

You do seem to have a good collection. Would you mind either showing us a photo of the whole collection or, if it's easier, listing the whole of your leather and suede collection. You have six pairs of suede shoes, right? I'm going to guess you have a larger number of leather ones?

These are very new photos, except the SuitSupply double monk pic which is about 3 months old. 3 out of the 6 in the album are brand new, unworn, and shoe treed. The George Boots were worn once, so are basically new. The Brooks Brothers Tan Suede Boots were bought in December, and worn about 30 times since then, but I put it through a full suede clean a few months ago, so they look new. The SuitSupply double monks were worn about 10 times, and I need to put it through a full suede clean.

[devastitis]

That's quite a collection. Are those old photos? How often do wear them? Do you spend a lot of time on maintenance? They look almost brand new.

These are very new photos, except the SuitSupply double monk pic which is about 3 months old. 3 out of the 6 in the album are brand new, unworn, and shoe treed. The George Boots were worn once, so are basically new. The Brooks Brothers Tan Suede Boots were bought in December, and worn about 30 times since then, but I put it through a full suede clean a few months ago, so they look new. The SuitSupply double monks were worn about 10 times, and I need to put it through a full suede clean.

[theplayerking]

Here's an album of mine.

That's quite a collection. Are those old photos? How often do wear them? Do you spend a lot of time on maintenance? They look almost brand new.

[srlclark]

They are both nice shoes! I definitely prefer the tan color, which is I think nearer to Loake's brown suede than to its tan suede. I agree that the dark brown - which is, I think, a bit darker even than Loake's dark brown suede, although some photos of the Loake make it seem equally dark - would be better with dark suits, but I'd probably not be looking to wear these chukkas with anything more formal than a blazer and dress pants. I wear a suit to work about once a week, but when I do I often wear a medium-grey suit or a light-grey suit, as I also prefer lighter colors and as I work in a university and so don't have a strict dress code. I usually match those grey suits with my walnut Strands/oxblood McGregors/brown Kenilworths and may start wearing them with the bourbon Daltons I got recently.

I don't wear either my navy suit or my charcoal suit all that often.

I think it's just me, but I'm not fond of my medium tan suede boots, which are a mediumish brown, with darker suits, like navy or charcoal. Definitely prefer my dark brown suede double monks instead. But overall versatility, I definitely like the medium brown suede, as I prefer wearing lighter and brighter colors over darker colors.

Brooks Brothers Tan Suede
http://i.imgur.com/yd7GD4Z.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/VymWbex.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/mSHImLc.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/nz8640q.jpg?1

SuitSupply Dark Brown Suede
http://i.imgur.com/aYr7ZCm.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/AvEcOHQ.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/SexUDYB.jpg?1 (appears lighter than it is)

[devastitis]

That makes sense. The only two shoes that I really need at this point are a chukka (chelsea would be fine, too; I basically mean a somewhat casual leather/suede boot) and a formal black balmoral, either a plain toe or a cap toe.

Which color do you prefer out of the dark brown suede of the Pimlico and the medium-brown suede of the Kempton? I can't decide. At least in the photos, I don't like the tan suede version of the Pimlico. Nothing against light-brown suede - I really like the sahara color in J. Crew's Kenton line and can never understand why Joe always recommends boulder instead. But the tan Pimlico doesn't seem very deep to me.

I think it's just me, but I'm not fond of my medium tan suede boots, which are a mediumish brown, with darker suits, like navy or charcoal. Definitely prefer my dark brown suede double monks instead. But overall versatility, I definitely like the medium brown suede, as I prefer wearing lighter and brighter colors over darker colors.

Brooks Brothers Tan Suede
http://i.imgur.com/yd7GD4Z.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/VymWbex.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/mSHImLc.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/nz8640q.jpg?1

SuitSupply Dark Brown Suede
http://i.imgur.com/aYr7ZCm.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/AvEcOHQ.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/SexUDYB.jpg?1 (appears lighter than it is)

[srlclark]

That makes sense. The only two shoes that I really need at this point are a chukka (chelsea would be fine, too; I basically mean a somewhat casual leather/suede boot) and a formal black balmoral, either a plain toe or a cap toe.

Which color do you prefer out of the dark brown suede of the Pimlico and the medium-brown suede of the Kempton? I can't decide. At least in the photos, I don't like the tan suede version of the Pimlico. Nothing against light-brown suede - I really like the sahara color in J. Crew's Kenton line and can never understand why Joe always recommends boulder instead. But the tan Pimlico doesn't seem very deep to me.

Yup, they would be a perfectly good option for you, and for anyone that's open to different brands and looking to buy a full grain leather shoe at that price point. Me, personally, I was never drawn to their full-grain leather offerings. For those, I bought from AE. I was only drawn to Loake by a few people here posting their suede chukkas during a time when I was looking into buying a suede pair, and so those were the only offerings by Loake that piqued my interest. Not anymore though, as I have all the calf leather/suede leather shoes I "need."

[devastitis]

Why? I know that fans of the really expensive British shoemakers say that the leather quality isn't up to par, but wouldn't it be perfectly good enough for me, given that my most expensive shoes are Allen Edmonds?

Yup, they would be a perfectly good option for you, and for anyone that's open to different brands and looking to buy a full grain leather shoe at that price point. Me, personally, I was never drawn to their full-grain leather offerings. For those, I bought from AE. I was only drawn to Loake by a few people here posting their suede chukkas during a time when I was looking into buying a suede pair, and so those were the only offerings by Loake that piqued my interest. Not anymore though, as I have all the calf leather/suede leather shoes I "need."

[srlclark]

For Loake, only the suede chukkas interested me.

Why? I know that fans of the really expensive British shoemakers say that the leather quality isn't up to par, but wouldn't it be perfectly good enough for me, given that my most expensive shoes are Allen Edmonds?