Versatile Black Shoes

[Stepping It Up]

I know most will consider this a mistake, but I'm looking for all black or at least black sole shoes for travel and all-around. I've got enough leg length discrepancy to need a lift on one side to even me out, and it never looks good. If the shoe is something other than black the added material will never be a close match. Might get away with just black soles, but I think all black shoes would be best.
Black Wilberts are a decent option, https://www.allenedmonds.com/shoes/c...951-050-D.html
Any other ideas?

[hockeysc23]

Do you want a dress shoe? Sneaker?

[Stepping It Up]

No need for more dress shoes. I'm looking for travel & all around use so sneakers are an option.

[evanparker]

If there was ever a shoe that said 'old boomer fogie' it would be a A.E. Wilbert in Black.

;-)

[wsupjs]

What about all black Allbirds? They'll never be confused for dress shoes, but are more subdued and versatile than most sneakers

With the lifts, their "runner" sneaker would better fit your needs than the "lounger" loafer.

[abh159]

I guess I'm fortunate in that I've not familiar with shoe lifts. I'm assuming by your post that they attach the the bottom of the exterior sole? If so, I think you can definitely find some more stylish and versatile options than the AE Wilbert. Just the name alone of that model (The Wilbert) screams bifocals and metamucil .

Maybe something like this one from Cole Haan: https://www.colehaan.com/grandpro-te...ck/C24138.html

Although in my opinion it's going to be tough to pull off an all black non-dress shoe without looking like a waiter or caterer. If the lifts only come in black, maybe you could look for brown shoes that have a black sole.

[alexd3]

Personally, I would go with an all black chelsea boot. Something like this https://www.jackerwin.com/collection...products/ellis You can definitely wear those with all different types of dress.

Based on your first suggestion, it might seem like you don't want a leather sole so maybe something like https://www.jackerwin.com/collection.../products/jett

[motosacto]

Chelsea boots (above) are a good option.

I would also suggest you consider a sleek black chukka. At the high end you can go for the Crockett and Jones Tetbury. There are a ton of similar options at all price points. I have a pair of Brooks Brothers Peal and Co. Cavalry chukkas (made by Alfred Sargent) in black that I use a lot for travel. They have Dainite soles and are good for winter, air, and other travel situations. They work with business suits or denim.

[Stepping It Up]

Thanks, some decent options. I should consider brown with black sole as well, though I don't see that often.

[mebejoseph]

You might want to consider these Chukka Boots, the owner, because it's a small company, is very responsive to emails. He might be willing to build your lift into the shoe for a small price increase. I don't have his shoes yet, but the belt I purchased is very nice.

I like supporting small US startups and the prices are reasonable as well.

https://www.parkhurstbrand.com/colle...sort_by=manual

[mebejoseph]

You might want to consider these Chukka Boots, the owner, because it's a small company, is very responsive to emails. He might be willing to build your lift into the shoe for a small price increase. I don't have his shoes yet, but the belt I purchased is very nice.

Good year welted, great materials, and you can communicate directly with the owner, unlike Mr. Allen or Mr. Edmonds

I like supporting small US startups and the prices are reasonable as well.

https://www.parkhurstbrand.com/colle...sort_by=manual



Also, don't forget, for about $40 more, you can get AE to customize the sole on many models.

I think these Strandmoks would look great with a black Dainite sole:

https://www.allenedmonds.com/shoes/m...r=5555#start=1

Also these have black soles already:

https://www.allenedmonds.com/shoes/m...r=2820#start=1

These brown leather sneakers have black soles:

https://www.allenedmonds.com/shoes/m...#start=1&sz=72

And a black sneaker with a black sole:

https://www.allenedmonds.com/shoes/m...&start=1&sz=36

You might check out these shoes made by Carlos Santos for Herring. I think both the black and the tan/blue combo come with black soles:

https://www.herringshoes.co.uk/herri...and-navy-suede


https://www.herringshoes.co.uk/herri...ers/black-calf

Also, these Carlos Santos boots--I have a pair and love them--are available in several colors with very dark brown soles:

https://www.herringshoes.co.uk/carlo...uimaraes-grain

[MW858617]

When you say "travel and all around," that could mean so many things. Do you want to wear these shoes to work? In foul weather? To a bar?

Without further insight I'd vote for chelsea boots as well. You can dress them up or down, they can be rugged and waterproofed for bad weather, and with enough time they'll mold to your feet and feel really comfortable to walk around in.

Black Allbirds would be nice too -- they feel like slippers, you can walk around all day in them, and potentially even do some athletic activity in them too.

Or black leather sneakers.

Good luck!

[Perseus]

Doesn't the lift go inside the shoe? How is it so visible?

[Stepping It Up]

Doesn't the lift go inside the shoe? How is it so visible?

They say you can do an inside lift of up to 1/4", though I doubt it, and I need more lift than that. If you've got a spare 1/4" vertical in your shoes, those shoes don't fit right? I can't just buy huge shoes & lift the short leg internally, because then the foot on my long leg will be in a huge empty shoe.
So the shoe for the short leg gets cut open on the sole, colored foam is added across the whole length, glued back on. Foam is visible, a bit porous so even if it was a perfect color match to begin with (it won't be) it'll dirty up at a different rate, and its generally in the vicinity of the other unmodified shoe so it's very noticeable. Its a bit less noticeable the darker the shoe. This is more lift than I need, but here's an example - https://cnetorthopedic.com/
Not the biggest problem in the world, and I've got a lot less knee pain since I finally got a good diagnosis and started modifying shoes. But if possible I'd like to draw attention away from the clown shoe. I've ordered a pair of the all black allbirds, considering chukkas or leather sneakers next.

[Perseus]

A few years ago I found out I have a short leg. It's amazing how even a small difference can cause significant issues.