From the Mailbag: Thoughts on adding rubber to leather sole shoes?
Shoes pictured above – The Allen Edmonds Weybridge. Currently unavailable.
I just picked up a pair of the Allen Edmonds Strand that you’d highlighted in your article on the Nordstrom Sale. I’ve got a pair of Park Avenues
that I’ve had for years (refurbished twice), so I knew they’d be a solid bet.
I also have two pairs of loafers that I’ve had the rubber catspaws added to the bottom to extend the life of the sole before having to send them in for re-soling. So far they seem to be helping ward off the too-frequent intervals at which I have to get my leather-soled shoes repaired.
I haven’t put them on my AE’s, but expect I will this time around. Ever have anyone mention rubber soles on the site? Or heard of a downside to using them? They don’t seem to add any bulk to the outline of the shoe, and so far I’ve been pretty happy with them.
– Ryan
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Topys, Cat’s Paws, and Vibram sole protectors are all basically the same thing. They’re a rubbery sheet that a cobbler (the fellas who work on shoes, not the tasty dessert) can apply to the bottom of leather sole shoes in order to make them more durable. Leather soles wear away and will eventually need to be replaced. These act as an extra barrier between your leather soles and the sandpaper like paved roads we walk every day. Damn Romans.
A good sign of a quality shoe is a leather sole (there are certainly exceptions), and the fact that they require more maintenance is sort of what you’re buying into.
Yet it’s completely understandable that some want to protect their investment. And congrats to Ryan for investing in a pair of Strands, but here’s why I’m thinking he should skip the extra protection:
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Some things are just meant to be enjoyed to the fullest.
Your thoughts on adding rubber sole protectors to leather sole shoes? Do you think those extra scrapes on a leather sole add character? Or are they ugly, messy and wreck the look? Leave it all in the comments section below.
The picture says it all. If you want rubber on the bottom of your shoes, buy rubber-soled shoes. Nothing wrong with that.
I immediately thought of the car protection! I’m with you on that one!
A bug shield is functional, but ruins the aesthetic of the car.
A sole protector is functional, and generally won’t be seen when you’re wearing the shoe.
Is there another reason to avoid using sole protectors?
perfect illustration. well done.
It’s amazing, actually, how often the soles of our shoes are visible in public (especially when sitting at a tall bar stool).
How often do most of you have to replace your leather soles?
Wow, Joe. ‘Nuff said. Great analogy.
I’ve added them to one pair of Italian made cap toed balmorals that I have. I typically don’t add them to my shoes but after a few wears I decided that the leather soles on those shoes were too thin and would wear too quickly. I wouldn’t put them on all my shoes, but I wouldn’t rule them out as a possibility either should I need them.
Honestly, I didn’t read this article. I didn’t have to read it. The headline matched with the photo of the Ferrari summed it all up for me.
I think the analogy is not correct. It should be the same exact car except the tires are different. Nobody could see it, but it makes the difference when it rains. The car without the rain tire would slip when there’s water and gone into accident, the other car with the rubber sole will reach the destination safely.
Basically the rubber sole cannot be seen and nobody including me would actually pay attention to. But it makes it worth it especially if you’ve experience falling because of some water or certain slippery tiles. It saves you embarrassment and actually make the shoe last longer.
I think there are a few other reasons. They’re not free, and if you don’t grind through leather soles, they’re probably not worth the cost of getting them put on. Also, there are a few brands out there that offer re-crafting services (like AE) who won’t always work on a shoe if a sole protector has been put on. Sometimes they will, sometimes they won’t.
I see what you’re saying, but I can honestly say I’ve never slipped and fell on a wet surface with leather soles. That is, after they’ve been worn and scuffed a few times. Nothing like carpet surfing those first few days with new kicks and almost tearing your groin.
I would not put sole protectors on my Alden and AE shoes. Slipping has not been a problem for me, at least not after the first day.
More important than trying to eke a little more time out of your soles is avoiding salt burn in the winter. Far more devastating. I generally switch to a pair of Bates oxfords which I spray with a silicon weather guard. Works for me and keeps my shell cordovan shoes from getting destroyed.
What about heel ant toe taps?
What about heel ant toe taps?
Was just torn on this.
I wore a new pair of leather sole shoes around for about 2-3 weeks without any sole guards. The problem was that, walking 2miles a day + inclement weather = completely destroyed soles. The water damage in particular is bad. While often avoidable, there are going to be times you just get caught in a storm.
Also, I agree that the car analogy is a bad one. You can’t see the sole protectors on nice shoes unless you are sitting with your feet up.
The thing that bothers me is – why did I buy shoes with leather soles if I just cover them with rubber? Seems like I should have just bought a pair of blake-stitched rubber sole shoes.
Of course, I could always just tear off the sole protector and be back to leather, and that’s a hell of a lot more refurbishable.
Hmmm…
The car analogy isn’t limited to just how it looks. Sometimes, it’s better to have fun with something and accept the damages of use, than be over protective of it. I.E. Cameron’s Dad’s convertible in Ferris Bueller.
Now, your situation that you described, if your’e really tearing through soles that quickly, then that’s one where I’d personally say go for the extra protection. Or, snag a pair of those Florsheim Gaffney lug soles for the trip to and from work, then change upon arrival.
I saw the phrase “carpet surfing” and my mind went straight into the gutter.
I believe “carpet munching” is the phrase you are looking for but yes, it is always a pleasure to dine at the Y. Well, not always…
For the record, I literally facepalmed just now.
I fall with leather soles. I’m pretty pro rubber.
This was a concern in the back of my mind–whether using the rubber soles would cause trouble when it came time to refurbish the shoes, but since they just glue onto the sole I’m not sure why they would interfere with resoling or refurbishing. My AE soles get worn out before the rest of the shoe is even close to needing refurbishing, too, and AE doesn’t offer re-soling without the rest of the refurbishment package, which seems like overkill. It’s hard to enjoy them to the fullest when they’re in the shop for a month more than once a year…
I actually don’t care as much about whether soles are leather vs. rubber as long as the sole isn’t clunky (I’m looking at you, Ecco) and probably most importantly, as I’ve learned recently, that the soles are stitched on instead of glued. We’d had some exceptionally heavy downpours in these parts last year and it gave me an ugly surprise when a not-cheap pair of Johnston and Murphy’s committed self-disassembly as I was walking home from work–the glue had just lost hold completely. The guy at the shoe repair place actually laughed when I showed them to him.
I had a pair of rubber-soled Santoni’s (also currently on sale at Nordstrom’s, although more expensive than the AE’s) that lasted me for years–if you don’t mind the price tag they were definitely durable.
I agree with Joe for all the aforementioned reasons, and additionally, a few more reasons to keep your leather rubber free:1) The sound of your walk.
2) It was mentioned before, but taps greatly extend the longevity of your shoes
3) Dancing – leather shoes are a relic of a bygone era where we actually had social functions. If you go to social functions (like weddings) that involve dancing, you’ll look a whole lot more graceful with your leather shoes gliding gracefully across the dancefloor
I own a few pairs of Magnanni’s and to me they’re like beautiful art. I had them rubber soled just to maintain that beauty. I’d rather spend $ 15.00 on the rubber soles once than keep spending money to have the shoe resoled.
I wouldn’t do the rubber soles. If I buy a fantastic leather-soled shoe, I want to feel and enjoy the leather, even if it is due for quick replacement. I suggest you get a different pair of shoes for the long walk if you want to protect the leather.
they got food at the Y?
Well yeah, I know “carpet surfing” (in that sense of the word “carpet”) isn’t a real thing, but I wonder what people would come up with on urbandictionary.com
The picture answered all my questions.
A picture is worth a thousands word.