Florsheim vs Rockport...shoe debate...

[LegendKiller]

I received a nice pair of rockports and was apppalled by the quality. Black leather shoes that looked like hell after not even a year of casual wear to an office environment. The leather quality is terrible and is so scuffed up and discolored, one would think I went hiking with them. Even shoe polish only lasts a week or so before the leather discolorations begin showing. In addition, the sole had worn through and I had them resoled. Who resoles shoes that are not even a year old? I've never had a crappier pair of shoes...

The problem with cheap shoes is that they use corrected grain leather, effectively sanding the leather down and then applying a huge quantity of shoe polish. That dries the leather out and quickly fades/discolors them. I good quality shoe can be polished a few times when new, including cream, and then only be maintenance polished. I polished my AEs quite a bit when I got them and now only every couple months.

As far as them being 5x as expensive, sure, but they'll last 5x as long even with resoling every other year. Not to mention its better for the environment, employs Americans and look a hell of a lot better.

I know a way to get AEs a lot cheaper directly from AE itself. PM me if you want to know...

They also run occasional sales, need to get on their mailing list.

 

[NetWareHead]

The problem with cheap shoes is that they use corrected grain leather, effectively sanding the leather down and then applying a huge quantity of shoe polish. That dries the leather out and quickly fades/discolors them. I good quality shoe can be polished a few times when new, including cream, and then only be maintenance polished. I polished my AEs quite a bit when I got them and now only every couple months.

As far as them being 5x as expensive, sure, but they'll last 5x as long even with resoling every other year. Not to mention its better for the environment, employs Americans and look a hell of a lot better.

I know a way to get AEs a lot cheaper directly from AE itself. PM me if you want to know...

They also run occasional sales, need to get on their mailing list.

Pretty sure you are right about the leather manufacturing process. The shoes start out as black but then fade into gray at certain key places. After a week or two after polishing, I'm wearing black and gray multicolored shoes. Im glad I didn't pay for them and received as a gift...

 

[Zen0]

I received a nice pair of rockports and was apppalled by the quality. Black leather shoes that looked like hell after not even a year of casual wear to an office environment. The leather quality is terrible and is so scuffed up and discolored, one would think I went hiking with them. Even shoe polish only lasts a week or so before the leather discolorations begin showing. In addition, the sole had worn through and I had them resoled. Who resoles shoes that are not even a year old? I've never had a crappier pair of shoes...

Mine lasts two years from daily work wear. The ones I don't wear daily of course last longer.

 

[Zen0]

The problem with cheap shoes is that they use corrected grain leather, effectively sanding the leather down and then applying a huge quantity of shoe polish. That dries the leather out and quickly fades/discolors them. I good quality shoe can be polished a few times when new, including cream, and then only be maintenance polished. I polished my AEs quite a bit when I got them and now only every couple months.

As far as them being 5x as expensive, sure, but they'll last 5x as long even with resoling every other year. Not to mention its better for the environment, employs Americans and look a hell of a lot better.

I know a way to get AEs a lot cheaper directly from AE itself. PM me if you want to know...

They also run occasional sales, need to get on their mailing list.

How so? I just go to their store on Newbury St here in Boston.

 

[Gibson486]

How so? I just go to their store on Newbury St here in Boston.

yeah, i was on Newbury St yesterday, went in and walked right out after i saw the price of the shoes.

 

[Gibson486]

Thanks everyone. I took all advice. I ended up with these...

http://www.florsheim.com/shop/style/18431.html

found a pair for $65.

I could not bring myself to spend more than $80 on shoes....

 

[WaTaGuMp]

My Johnston and Murphy Runnell's are the most comfortable shoe I have ever bought, they even beat my eccos I had back in the days.

 

[BoomerD]

I've never owned Rockports. I tried on a couple of pairs in the 90's, didn't like the fit or quality, never tried them again.

I've owned some Florsheims over the years. They USED to be decent shoes...then they moved their manufacturing to China...and they're now just overpriced junk shoes.

I LIKE Allen Edmonds shoes. A bit pricey, but I don't believe in buying cheap shoes. My feet are worth the extra cost. Unfortunately, AE shoes just don't fit quite right. There's no AE store anywhere close, so I don't have the opportunity to try on multiple styles...but occasionally, one of the "better" shoe stores will have one or two AE styles.
I started wearing Finn Comfort shoes about 6 years ago. Like most European shoes, they don't come in a variety of widths, but they fit my overly wide "flintstone feet" very well. The arch support system they use takes a bit of getting used to, but once you do, you'll wonder why the other companies don't use it. It's great.

 

[Gibson486]

I've never owned Rockports. I tried on a couple of pairs in the 90's, didn't like the fit or quality, never tried them again.

I've owned some Florsheims over the years. They USED to be decent shoes...then they moved their manufacturing to China...and they're now just overpriced junk shoes.

I LIKE Allen Edmonds shoes. A bit pricey, but I don't believe in buying cheap shoes. My feet are worth the extra cost. Unfortunately, AE shoes just don't fit quite right. There's no AE store anywhere close, so I don't have the opportunity to try on multiple styles...but occasionally, one of the "better" shoe stores will have one or two AE styles.
I started wearing Finn Comfort shoes about 6 years ago. Like most European shoes, they don't come in a variety of widths, but they fit my overly wide "flintstone feet" very well. The arch support system they use takes a bit of getting used to, but once you do, you'll wonder why the other companies don't use it. It's great.

I am the same way....but right now, my wallet cannot support it. Otherwise, I would have just bought Allen Edmonds.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Good on the Florsheim, superior to Rockport.

Don't let people give you too much shit, if you like them that's all that matters.

People tend to not pay attention to that he specifically asked about Rockport vs. Florsheim.

And Allen Edmonds are fine, but a bit reserved for my tastes. And they have plenty of shoes not made in the US (which people like to tout...).

Dexter shoes are made in the USA too...

Buy what you want, don't bother pleasing Internet ruffians.

I have everything from some $2 Crocs to $1100 Ralph Lauren's and don't care who makes it or where as long as I am happy with it.

 

[BurnItDwn]

I like my Rockports.

With Gym shoes, I wear size 12 4E or 11.5 5E wide.

These at size 12 wide fit me really well, and they don't get worn out too quickly. Most shoes tend to wear out at the back of the heals. The only part of rockports that tend to wear out for me is the foam inserts, so I just stuck some replacement ones that I got for like $10.

So, I'll say rockports, they are durable, wide, and comfortable.

 

[Gibson486]

Good on the Florsheim, superior to Rockport.

Don't let people give you too much shit, if you like them that's all that matters.

People tend to not pay attention to that he specifically asked about Rockport vs. Florsheim.

And Allen Edmonds are fine, but a bit reserved for my tastes. And they have plenty of shoes not made in the US (which people like to tout...).

Dexter shoes are made in the USA too...

Buy what you want, don't bother pleasing Internet ruffians.

I have everything from some $2 Crocs to $1100 Ralph Lauren's and don't care who makes it or where as long as I am happy with it.

LOL....I am glad someone noticed....

I guess have grown accustomed to people on message boards not answering a question. It did not bother me that even though the title of the thread was "Rockport vs. Florsheim...shoe debate" and the first thread said "no other brand exists", yet I still get people mentioning other brands.

 

[BoomerD]

LOL....I am glad someone noticed....

I guess have grown accustomed to people on message boards not answering a question. It did not bother me that even though the title of the thread was "Rockport vs. Florsheim...shoe debate" and the first thread said "no other brand exists", yet I still get people mentioning other brands.

That'd be because you're comparing two inferior brands. It's our responsibility to recommend better quality products to those seeking information...

 

[LegendKiller]

Good on the Florsheim, superior to Rockport.

Don't let people give you too much shit, if you like them that's all that matters.

People tend to not pay attention to that he specifically asked about Rockport vs. Florsheim.

And Allen Edmonds are fine, but a bit reserved for my tastes. And they have plenty of shoes not made in the US (which people like to tout...).

Dexter shoes are made in the USA too...

Buy what you want, don't bother pleasing Internet ruffians.

I have everything from some $2 Crocs to $1100 Ralph Lauren's and don't care who makes it or where as long as I am happy with it.

The vast majority of AEs shoes are made in the US. Glad they are a "bit reserved", don't need clown toes or anything like that.

 

[edro]

I buy whatever black dress shoes look good and are on sale when I need a new pair.
I am not brand loyal.

 

[Gattopardo]

Hello,
I'm reopening this thread because I'd like to buy a pair of Florsheim but I don't know how that particular make fits. Does anyone own both Rockport and Florsheim shoes and can give a comparison?

(Unfortunately I can't find them in local stores and I'll have to order abroad).

Thanks.