Shoes

Re: Shoes

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 12:44:40 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]Take a comfortable walking shoe, give it a funny-looking appearance with weird patchy bits, label it "approach shoe" and you have an instant selling point: the unspoken suggestion that the wearer will be off soon to climb a mountain. Rather like the beastly but highly successful "trainers": I'd guess at least 99% of people who wear the things have not the slightest intention of training for anything.[/quote] At risk of prolonging the agony over this I have to say that my first acquaintance with an approach shoe was climbing Kilimanjaro which lends itself, as a demanding trek but non-technical climb, as the perfect habitat for this type of shoe. I would say that I have never found a walking shoe as comfortable as an approach shoe and I'm sure it is due to the cross-over with a trail-running shoe which is much more ergonomically lasted and supportive around the foot and arch. Incidentally I don't wear trainers for running I wear running shoes. Now you could argue that a running shoe is a trainer with weird patchy bits labelled as a running shoe and have an instant selling point: the unspoken suggestion that the wearer will be off soon to run a marathon. But then I would have a similar counter-argument that a running shoe is much more supportive than a trainer......this is getting too silly, I must get a life. Now for something completely different.

Re: Shoes

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 12:06:36 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

'Approach shoes are used by mountaineers to approach the main climb before the need for their climbing boots. By possessing properties akin to a cross between trail running and hiking shoes they are an alternative, comfortable shoe for scrambling or trekking on less demanding terrain which doesn't require a stiff and fully supportive climbing boot yet are suitable for all day urban use especially when travelling in areas where there may be variations in under-foot conditions'. This is nothing of course compared with the demands of the consulting room.

(Sounds like advertising spiel doesn't it but I made it all up - I reckon I could get a job in marketing)!

[/quote]

I reckon you could.

Take a comfortable walking shoe, give it a funny-looking appearance with weird patchy bits, label it "approach shoe" and you have an instant selling point: the unspoken suggestion that the wearer will be off soon to climb a mountain. Rather like the beastly but highly successful "trainers": I'd guess at least 99% of people who wear the things have not the slightest intention of training for anything.

Grump grump grump.

Re: Shoes

James Laidlaw — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 11:31:22 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]

Approach shoes? What do you do when leaving the client, take them off?

Or maybe they have steel toecaps and high ankles, to help you approach the Yorkshire Terrier?

[/quote] I was waiting for someone to make a similar sarcastic comment enquiry and am surprised it did not come earlier so full points to you Evelyn.

(Sounds like advertising spiel doesn't it but I made it all up - I reckon I could get a job in marketing)!

[/quote]

First thing that came to mind is around 3:40 in this video, although the whole thing is brilliant.

www.youtube.com/watch

Re: Shoes

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 09:23:43 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]

Approach shoes? What do you do when leaving the client, take them off?

Or maybe they have steel toecaps and high ankles, to help you approach the Yorkshire Terrier?

[/quote] I was waiting for someone to make a similar sarcastic comment enquiry and am surprised it did not come earlier so full points to you Evelyn.

(Sounds like advertising spiel doesn't it but I made it all up - I reckon I could get a job in marketing)!

Re: Shoes

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 18:27:34 GMT

Approach shoes? What do you do when leaving the client, take them off?

Or maybe they have steel toecaps and high ankles, to help you approach the Yorkshire Terrier?

Re: Shoes

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 18:18:48 GMT

[quote user="Anthony Dennison"]

Went out and invested in some Karrimor approach shoes this weekend. Can't believe what I've been missing out on, so much more comfortable!

[/quote] Told you so! Another joins the converted.we will soon rule the world.

Re: Shoes

Anthony Dennison — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 18:01:25 GMT

Went out and invested in some Karrimor approach shoes this weekend. Can't believe what I've been missing out on, so much more comfortable!

Re: Shoes

Sarah Keir — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 18:14:00 GMT

To my great relief, I've finally found a pair that fit! I wore my Scarpa approach shoes today and got a telling off! And they were clean!

Clarks styles are too wide for me as no decent laced pairs, Ecco were even wider. The pair I've just bought are Reiker from an independant shoe shop (rare as hen's teeth!).

Re: Shoes

tess — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 22:37:02 GMT

I have these. Really comfy and have lasted well. Several people at work wear them.

http://www.clarks.co.uk/p/20351366

Re: Shoes

J G Wray — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 15:41:08 GMT

DMs for life - resistant to "chemicals" and generally being "soiled". www.drmartensforlife.com

JGW

Re: Shoes

Utlendigur — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 13:11:44 GMT

[quote user="Rob Reid"]I think the most important thing though is to find a brand and style you are comfortable with and try and stick to this.[/quote]

Couldn't agree more. I'm just getting to the end of my supply of Hi-Tec leather walking boots, bought in bulk on-line at £24 each (usually £80-90), last for ages and very comfortable, and above all removes the hassle of actually having to go shopping. The size of the package (4 pairs) did cause some ammusement at work when it was delivered though

Re: Shoes

Hannah Wynne Richards — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 11:21:53 GMT

Malcolm Now I know why you're anti Royalty-it's the green wellies

Wynne

Re: Shoes

Martin Atkinson — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:44:46 GMT

[quote user="Malcolm Ness"]While my current sartorial choices are not at the same level of pretension as Gerry's, even 45+ years later, I struggle with the idea of wearing plastic Clogs because of their Sunnysan ancestry and Wellies must, absolutely must, be black.[/quote] Again, I see you as an approach shoe aficionado Malcolm.

Re: Shoes

Malcolm Ness — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:39:59 GMT

I went to infant school in a marginal part of Tyneside in the early sixties. There wasn't a lot of money about and consequently the most common footwear at my school was wellies in the winter and Sunnysan Sandals in the summer. For those of you too young or too well-off to have never heard of Sunnysan Sandals, they were inexpensive plastic "shoes" featuring multiple perforations for ventilation and an attractive plastic buckled strap for closure - they were available in a range of solid, primary colours - a kind of forerunner to the now ubiquitous clogs. Posh folk probably thought of them as beach-wear. "Good" wellies were black - the wearing of coloured or pattered wellies was frowned upon - such things were obviously cheap and nasty and probably came from Hong Kong or China and even the relatively impoverished have standards. Not all my classmates could afford separate summer and winter footwear and while the discomfort associated with the wearing of Sunnysans in the snow drew some sympathy, the presence of "welly marks" in the summer always led to derision. Welly marks, for the uninitiated are the two red rings that appear around the legs when wearing wellies with short trousers/skirts during the warmer summer weather.

While my current sartorial choices are not at the same level of pretension as Gerry's, even 45+ years later, I struggle with the idea of wearing plastic Clogs because of their Sunnysan ancestry and Wellies must, absolutely must, be black.

Re: Shoes

Rob Reid — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:14:45 GMT

For small animal I favour a more trainer-style shoe, I find these give me more support and comfort. Plenty of brands do smart versions - Merrell and Salomon for example have already been mentioned. I'm on my 3rd pair of Skechers now and quite like these, a pair will generally last me a couple of years.

I think the most important thing though is to find a brand and style you are comfortable with and try and stick to this. Everyone is different, so different brands suit different shapes of foot and we are all unique! Also be prepared to look at custom insoles and gel inserts if you suffer from arch or heel pain.

Re: Shoes

Clive Ansell — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:14:37 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

Clive, somehow I don't see you wearing shiny black shoes, certainly more a Scarpa man!. Have you tried wearing the Vibram five fingers for running? I suspect the Keen sandal would not have a stiff enough sole for serious cycling and doesn't quite give the right image!!

[/quote]

I do wear shoes, as there are still practices out there that get a bit huffy about staff wearing less formal clothing such as outdoor shoes, trainers, jeans, T shirts etc. I did a locum earlier in the year where a shirt and tie (I only own 2, a black one for funerals and a Mr Man Mr Tickle one given to me by my nephew) was mandatory (despite wearing a consulting tunic and clothing not being visible).

I do run in the five fingers, but they take a while to get used to and are only good on smooth or soft surfaces -land on a pebble and it bl**** hurts!

Not convinced about the SPD Keens either, more for leisure cycling.

Re: Shoes

Martin Atkinson — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 09:44:48 GMT

Re: Shoes

Hannah Wynne Richards — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 09:25:57 GMT

Bob Mind you don't brain yourself every time youwalk through a door

Wynne

Re: Shoes

plantagenet — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 08:39:12 GMT

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]I always spend a bit more money and get good quality footwear, more comfortable, fit better and last much longer usually.[/quote]

Not only that but it helps preserve your feet. Having had plantar fasciitis for the first time this year, I'm being doubly careful. It is the most astonishingly painful condition, I thought I'd broken something.

Re: Shoes

Clive Ansell — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 22:34:13 GMT

I always spend a bit more money and get good quality footwear, more comfortable, fit better and last much longer usually.

wearing these at the moment and very happy with them - link

Keen sandals are fantastic, great for casual wear, walking, approach shoes, river crossings, and for operating in, Vibram soles and grip really well in the wet. I see they make a sandal with SPD cleats for cycling which I might try - has anyone else?.

For the outdoors, Scarpa every time. Well made, fit well and really good quality.

Vibram five fingers are good too, I like them for indoor climbing and bouldering.

Re: Shoes

Alison McIntosh — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 22:27:24 GMT

Le chameau wellies are great. Comfy and so far mine have lasted well. They've got a new range out now with a vibram sole. The wellies I had before were rubbish on wet rocks or mud. At the moment I am sporting asda's finest slip on pumps for small animal stuff. I gave up on crocs when I got peed on and all the wee seeped through onto my socks.

Re: Shoes

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 22:24:52 GMT

[quote user="Anthony Dennison"]Not that I do farm work any more, but at uni I always found people with hunters slipped around alot more - the grip wasn't as good[/quote]

That is very true. I have Neoprene Hunters for cold winter and the unlined Nora Dolomite wellies for 10 months of the year - nothing grips like their tractor tread.

Wear 'dealer boots' either with or without a steel toe cap. Easy to pull on and off. Th treads do trap dirt so I can leave a muck trail around the surgery.......

[quote user="Anthony Dennison"]The french make you're thinking of is Le Chameau. Good wellies, not sure how hard wearing they are for working and how well they stand up to FAM30.[/quote]

I have a pair and they are amazing. So comfortable - like wearing slippers. I wear them for walking dog/shooting etc. Wouldn't use them for work. Mine are 2 1/2 years old and like new.

Re: Shoes

Rajat — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 22:11:44 GMT

[quote user="Thomas Ward"]

I'm a small animal only vet, and want some smart but practical shoes for work. My last pair were smart but had thin leather soles which have failed miserably on the occasionally wet floors and heavy use they get from 10hrs + on my feet. What would you all recommend. I am a man, obviously, but if people wish to discuss ladies shoes as well, then I am happy to allow this!

[/quote]

Try Rockport. You can get them at 25-50% of RRP at Amazon. They use Adidas soles and are the most comfortable of all the shoe brands I have owned and you can get them in many a guise, both smart and causual...

Re: Shoes

Richard Larkin — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 21:56:28 GMT

Have worn my RM Williams workboots daily at work for 4 years. Initial outlay bit pricey but never worn more comfortable footwear, and economical in long term. Soon time for a resoling!

Re: Shoes

karen jones — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 21:30:42 GMT

Just discovered hotters brilliant, width fits and half sizes. I have Dunlop wellies for summer and thermal neoprene wellies for winter, like my feet warm and comfortable