Are Bostonian or Clarks dressy shoes any good?

[fuzzybabybunny]

i know nothing about dressy / classy shoes. I've worn Croc rip-offs for the past year and also have a pair of beat up New Balance trail runners.

I just bought a pair of Clarks un.Sheridans ($90) and Bostonian Andovers ($60). I MUST have a shoe in extra wide, like 3E or 4E in size 8. How's the quality of Bostonians? The one I got was made in India and with shiny patent leather. Should I expect creases and scratches to ruin the finish, the shoe to fall apart, etc? Should I return them and get something else? Preferably under $150...

 

[The Boston Dangler]

bostonians are nice shoes. 3 pair with nothing bad to say.

 

[sdifox]

I like Clarks, though they wear fast.

 

[spacelord]

My last pair of Bostonians lasted quite a bit longer than other brands I have worn. they stayed looking nice for longer too.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Well, I'm glad that Bostonians still tend to last. The first two results in google for "Bostonian Shoes Quality" say that they suck.

I gotta say though... I checked out some of the $250+ shoes in Nordstrom and they were a LOT nicer than my cheapo Bostonian - nicer leather, more supple, elegant sole, better construction, better design... but nothing in extra wide.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

well yeah, if you compare $80-120 shoes to something twice the price, guess which tends to be better. i have a pretty wide size 12, and they fit well. no pumas for me

 

[lifeobry]

I have a pair of Bostonian loafers. I like them. I think I got them for $50.

 

[JohnOfSheffield]

i know nothing about dressy / classy shoes. I've worn Croc rip-offs for the past year and also have a pair of beat up New Balance trail runners.

I just bought a pair of Clarks un.Sheridans ($90) and Bostonian Andovers ($60). I MUST have a shoe in extra wide, like 3E or 4E in size 8. How's the quality of Bostonians? The one I got was made in India and with shiny patent leather. Should I expect creases and scratches to ruin the finish, the shoe to fall apart, etc? Should I return them and get something else? Preferably under $150...

Proper pair of Londoneers work shoes and some shoe shine will not save you any money but OTOH you'll never have to buy another pair.

Shine them when you need them and you'll be good to go.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Well, I'm glad that Bostonians still tend to last. The first two results in google for "Bostonian Shoes Quality" say that they suck.

I gotta say though... I checked out some of the $250+ shoes in Nordstrom and they were a LOT nicer than my cheapo Bostonian - nicer leather, more supple, elegant sole, better construction, better design... but nothing in extra wide.

Allen Edmonds = availabe in EEE

$225 - $350 Made in America and if you use shoe tree and do not wear them everyday they will last many years.

 

[Meghan54]

Can't speak for Bostonian shoes, but I've had several pair of Clarks. Currently in my 3rd year of a pair of Clarks that are worn almost every day and look great with little sole wear or leather wear.

Also have a pair of Clarks boots that have been dragged through hell and back and in their fourth year of wear, including motorcycle riding, have yet to even have a thread unravel.

Love my Clarks!

 

[shortylickens]

I have a pair of Bostonians for 3 or 4 years. They're nice but not especially comfortable. If I could get away with it I'd wear tactical dress shoes to formal functions.

 

[Uppsala9496]

As mentioned Allen Edmunds are good. I like Ecco as well.

 

[hiromizu]

kinda shabby but they are cheap. if you just need em for the sake of formality, i'd say go for them but if you're getting them for going out, i'd say no.

 

[GregGreen]

I had a pair of Clarks that I wore everyday for several years and they were great until they finally wore out.

I have a pair now and I also like that pair. I have had them a few months and they still look and feel great.

 

[Babbles]

I have a pair of casual Clarks loafers which I love; had them for about five years and they are begining to look rough, but they are stilly comfy.

I bought a couple pair of higher end Clarks dress shoes and they are comfy as heck. Not the nicest looking, but they look decent enough.

 

[Newbian]

Just remember.

Boston cream pie is actually cake.

 

[SSSnail]

Just remember.

Boston cream pie is actually cake.

Cake is a lie.

 

[LegendKiller]

I wouldn't touch Bostonian or Clarks with a 10' pole. Spend a bit more, buy an Allen Edmonds shoe, you'll have it for life and provided you don't wear it in the salt/slush, polish them once in a while, they'll last for life. And, as said above, they are made in the USA.

You can get AE's for under 200 at different websites like Yoox, Shoebuy, 6pm...etc.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

I'll echo the Clarks sentiment: They last a long time. I'm on my 3rd pair of these over the course of nearly 13 years.

 

[alkemyst]

i know nothing about dressy / classy shoes. I've worn Croc rip-offs for the past year and also have a pair of beat up New Balance trail runners.

I just bought a pair of Clarks un.Sheridans ($90) and Bostonian Andovers ($60). I MUST have a shoe in extra wide, like 3E or 4E in size 8. How's the quality of Bostonians? The one I got was made in India and with shiny patent leather. Should I expect creases and scratches to ruin the finish, the shoe to fall apart, etc? Should I return them and get something else? Preferably under $150...

if you are trying to impress it's going to be hard under $150 today. My last set of dress shoes were Johnston and Murphy's back in the late 90's...I don't wear them much, but had them re-soled a few times when I did. Still excellent condition. I paid about that price 10 years ago through a 'deal of the day' type thing.

I wear Clarks XTR's daily now. Comfortable, but scuff and wear down quick...still cheap to replace and they look nice.

Clarks are very ergonomic shoes, they support widths.

What are you looking your shoes to really do though?

 

[LegendKiller]

if you are trying to impress it's going to be hard under $150 today. My last set of dress shoes were Johnston and Murphy's back in the late 90's...I don't wear them much, but had them re-soled a few times when I did. Still excellent condition. I paid about that price 10 years ago through a 'deal of the day' type thing.

I wear Clarks XTR's daily now. Comfortable, but scuff and wear down quick...still cheap to replace and they look nice.

Clarks are very ergonomic shoes, they support widths.

What are you looking your shoes to really do though?

JMs of a decade ago aren't the JMs of today. Their quality has fallen tremendously.

 

[LegendKiller]

I'll echo the Clarks sentiment: They last a long time. I'm on my 3rd pair of these over the course of nearly 13 years.

This is what I am pointing out above. I have a coworker who has had AE's for 25 years, worn 2+ times per week, heavy walking in NYC. They look almost new (some scuffs, scrapes...etc).

If you want disposable shit-shoes, buy mall shoes. If you want something that will wear well and even look better than new (good leather ages well) in the coming years, spend a bit more and buy AEs.

 

[alkemyst]

I wouldn't touch Bostonian or Clarks with a 10' pole. Spend a bit more, buy an Allen Edmonds shoe, you'll have it for life and provided you don't wear it in the salt/slush, polish them once in a while, they'll last for life. And, as said above, they are made in the USA.

You can get AE's for under 200 at different websites like Yoox, Shoebuy, 6pm...etc.

I personally think the AE's are the Johnston and Murphy's of yesteryear in today's market.

I knew when J&M was selling their stock to department stores a decade ago, something would have to give (either J&M pulling out or the dept. stores forcing economy).

My pair are a prime example of how a dress shoe should be made.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

This is what I am pointing out above. I have a coworker who has had AE's for 25 years, worn 2+ times per week, heavy walking in NYC. They look almost new (some scuffs, scrapes...etc).

If you want disposable shit-shoes, buy mall shoes. If you want something that will wear well and even look better than new (good leather ages well) in the coming years, spend a bit more and buy AEs.

Those Clarks of mine were worn 5 to 6 days a week, 10 hours per day on average, mostly standing, and have been heavily abused. By comparison, I destroyed a pair of Rockports in less than 6 months.

 

[LegendKiller]

I personally think the AE's are the Johnston and Murphy's of yesteryear in today's market.

I knew when J&M was selling their stock to department stores a decade ago, something would have to give (either J&M pulling out or the dept. stores forcing economy).

My pair are a prime example of how a dress shoe should be made.

I would agree. I hope AE retains their quality. I don't see them selling out, but who knows. After that we've got Alden for good US made shoes.