Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
Looking for a good all-around shoe that can be worn with jeans, khakis, and "near dress" slacks that are comfortable enough to walk around European cities, including cobblestone sidewalks and occasional dirt/gravel paths in any weather.
Ecco Gore-Tex Track shoes were PERFECT for this, but their quality has gone way down hill since pandemic, with numerous recent reports of them unexpectedly failing with the sole separating from the shoe.
My last Eccos are worn out after 6 good years and am struggling hard to find a worthy replacement. Carrying on airplanes, I don't have space for multiple pairs, and need one good all around pair of shoes. Can spend in the $300s if needed, but don't need to.
Ecco Gore-Tex Track shoes were PERFECT for this, but their quality has gone way down hill since pandemic, with numerous recent reports of them unexpectedly failing with the sole separating from the shoe.
My last Eccos are worn out after 6 good years and am struggling hard to find a worthy replacement. Carrying on airplanes, I don't have space for multiple pairs, and need one good all around pair of shoes. Can spend in the $300s if needed, but don't need to.
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Re: Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
This is really personal. I would never wear anything close to dress shoes with jeans, nor would I consider anything made by Ecco anything close to be8ng able to wear with my nicer trousers.
But for the purposes that you describe, I have very nice sneakers such as those made by Greats, or alternatively I wear some nice Horween shell cordovan boots.
But for the purposes that you describe, I have very nice sneakers such as those made by Greats, or alternatively I wear some nice Horween shell cordovan boots.
Re: Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
Scotch grain texture hides day to day wear and rubber soles needed for traction and against watersoak. Boot shapes are more versatile.
Something like the Loake Aquarius (its even in the name).
No casual shoe is waterproof however. Only functional/sport ones like hiking or rain boots are.
Something like the Loake Aquarius (its even in the name).
No casual shoe is waterproof however. Only functional/sport ones like hiking or rain boots are.
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Re: Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
You have shoes that last six years of daily use and you consider the quality as not what they used to be!? I cycle through my shoes once a year. After a year of wearing them, I buy a new pair and the old ones get converted to my grub shoes that I wear when doing lawn work or going someplace muddy. After the following year, they go in the trash or get donated. I consider a form of foot health to rotate through shoes before the cushioning gets completely compressed and the fabric stretches out so they become loose. The only exception to this are specialty shoes like hiking or sports where they only get worn on occasions and not on a daily use. Those I might get six to ten years out of before upgrading.
Along the lines of your question, I currently own a pair of solid black Sketchers that I use as dress/walking shoes when needing something other than colored sneakers. I wear them with suits to jeans and are my traveling shoes. They wouldn't be waterproof but I have other specialty shoes for those situations. I don't find waterproof shoes comfortable for everyday use as they are too warm to wear all the time.
Re: Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
You are an American traveling to Europe?
Cowboy boots!
Cowboy boots!
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Re: Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
I'd give Eccos another shot. There are also Samuel Hubbard which are very light and comfortable.OldSport wrote: ↑Sun Oct 27, 2024 10:42 pm My last Eccos are worn out after 6 good years and am struggling hard to find a worthy replacement. Carrying on airplanes, I don't have space for multiple pairs, and need one good all around pair of shoes. Can spend in the $300s if needed, but don't need to.
I've owned lots of dress shoes from reasonably priced ones to extremely expensive ones. I'll only wear traditional dress shoes with a suit now. They are just too uncomfortable and too delicate. Now that sportier looking dress shoes like Ecco's and Cole Haan are more acceptable in a business casual wardrobe, my feet are much happier.
Re: Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
Johnston Murphy has a number of "comfortable, dressy, casual, waterproof" shoes.
They use a neoprene bootie construction. Some are less "golfy" than others.
They are nice shoes that meet OP's four requirements for a mens shoe. Good for carry on only general travel to Europe, not good for alpine hiking or traversing a bog.
They use a neoprene bootie construction. Some are less "golfy" than others.
They are nice shoes that meet OP's four requirements for a mens shoe. Good for carry on only general travel to Europe, not good for alpine hiking or traversing a bog.
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Re: Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
Why not go with Ecco again? I have a pair that I wear with both wool dress slacks to work and with denim. Mine are a bit heavy so I wouldn’t want to walk for miles in them.
Re: Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
Ecco were also my go to shoe for trips to Europe. I would get the boot cut black goretex shoes. They were very comfortable and worked with jeans and slacks as well. It also allowed me to bring only one shoe since I never check bags on trips.
Not sure about the current quality since my last pair wore out a few years ago and my travels have been more limited.
Unfortunately the style/shoe I had been using for about 20 years does not appear to sold any longer.
Not sure about the current quality since my last pair wore out a few years ago and my travels have been more limited.
Unfortunately the style/shoe I had been using for about 20 years does not appear to sold any longer.
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Re: Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
Doc Marten's. Something like these:
https://www.drmartens.com/us/en/8053-cr ... p/11849201
https://www.drmartens.com/us/en/8053-cr ... p/11849201
Re: Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
Allbirds Mizzles.
I'm recently returned from five weeks in Europe, with new Mizzles.
They kept my feet warm and dry when it was cold and wet. They kept my feet cool when it was hot. They were super comfy, easy to wear all day, and required no break-in. They did not slide on wet cobblestones, and they were worthy on the trails. Very lightweight and perfect for travel.
Mizzles is Allbird's magic moisture-resistant fabric, available in various attractive stylings. I bought mine directly from Allbirds.
Re: Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
Rockport Margin Oxfords are a very comfortable men's causal business shoe.
https://www.amazon.com/Rockport-Mens-Ma ... 000LPMTGC/
https://www.amazon.com/Rockport-Mens-Ma ... 000LPMTGC/
"Everything in Moderation, including Moderation"
Re: Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
If a shoe COULD be dressy/casual/waterproof and comfortable, I'd go with:
https://www.brooksrunning.com/en_us/men ... 10430.html
Pick the all black color. It would work for most scenarios. Goretex, but still quite light and comfortable. I have a pair in the Ghost 15.
Dressy and comfortable are oxy you know what I mean.
https://www.brooksrunning.com/en_us/men ... 10430.html
Pick the all black color. It would work for most scenarios. Goretex, but still quite light and comfortable. I have a pair in the Ghost 15.
Dressy and comfortable are oxy you know what I mean.
Re: Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
The Rockport Margin Oxfords are a very comfortable men's causal business shoe, seem to be an exception. It won't pass as a dress shoe, but it will easly pass as good enough for dress.
Real leather sole Dress shoes are never comfortable and come in limited widths.
"Everything in Moderation, including Moderation"
Re: Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
All over the place, from black running shoes to golf shoes to hiking shoes to pleather business shoes.
Hopefully OP has some ideas.
Hopefully OP has some ideas.
Re: Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
Thanks for the comments. The Johnston & Murphy looks comfy, but most of their waterproof shoes have white or off white soles which are a bit more casual that what I'm looking for.
This is exactly that type of thing I'm looking for:
https://us.ecco.com/product/ecco-turn/5 ... lsrc=aw.ds
Would that be good enough to walk around NYC in the winter or would you get something else if you were taking only 1 set. Good enough to wear to shows and nicer dinners? (normal nicer dinner reservation places, but not the crazy elite Michelin Star or fine dining jacket only places).
This is exactly that type of thing I'm looking for:
https://us.ecco.com/product/ecco-turn/5 ... lsrc=aw.ds
Would that be good enough to walk around NYC in the winter or would you get something else if you were taking only 1 set. Good enough to wear to shows and nicer dinners? (normal nicer dinner reservation places, but not the crazy elite Michelin Star or fine dining jacket only places).
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Re: Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
I don't know how much quality will play into the OP's preference, but I personally have not found the quality of Rockports very impressive, and am actually reading this thread specifically in anticipation of replacing my current pair. What I currently have is apparently considered a "chukka" style "boot," which I selected for hopefully better protection in wet weather than the oxford style of my previous several pairs of work/casual shoes. I think the first pair was called "Weather or Not" and I don't remember the model name of the second pair of chukkas. They initially met the expectations for weather resistance.wwhan wrote: ↑Mon Oct 28, 2024 2:26 pm Rockport Margin Oxfords are a very comfortable men's causal business shoe.
https://www.amazon.com/Rockport-Mens-Ma ... 000LPMTGC/
However, the soles started to crack through on the first pair a little bit shy of one year, which I noticed when my socks started getting soaked just walking from the parking lot to the office. My use is about 75% office, 10% factory environment (inspections and similar work), 15% general casual use. I generally don't wear them for the evenings and weekends. It seems like I'm getting shorter life than I usually get from tennis shoes for lighter duty use, from a heavier, less comfortable shoe.
Fortunately, they sent another pair of a similar (original was out of stock) since they were still under warranty. I think these are around a year of use now, too. No cracking and they're keeping the water out so far, but the soles are wearing rather thin, and I'm skeptical I will get more than another 6 months out of them. Something about the lace eyelets shredded the first set of laces in about 6 months - far faster than I've experienced with any other shoe in my life. A sturdier set of laces is holding up better so far.
The uppers seem to be in decent shape, so I am curious about the possibility of resoling them, but from some initial searching, it sounds like that isn't very practical for the way these shoes are built.
Re: Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
Water gets in shoes through opening in the upper, or the seam interface between the upper and the soles.iamlucky13 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 28, 2024 7:23 pm I don't know how much quality will play into the OP's preference, but I personally have not found the quality of Rockports very impressive, and am actually reading this thread specifically in anticipation of replacing my current pair. What I currently have is apparently considered a "chukka" style "boot," which I selected for hopefully better protection in wet weather than the oxford style of my previous several pairs of work/casual shoes. I think the first pair was called "Weather or Not" and I don't remember the model name of the second pair of chukkas. They initially met the expectations for weather resistance.
However, the soles started to crack through on the first pair a little bit shy of one year, which I noticed when my socks started getting soaked just walking from the parking lot to the office. My use is about 75% office, 10% factory environment (inspections and similar work), 15% general casual use. I generally don't wear them for the evenings and weekends. It seems like I'm getting shorter life than I usually get from tennis shoes for lighter duty use, from a heavier, less comfortable shoe.
Fortunately, they sent another pair of a similar (original was out of stock) since they were still under warranty. I think these are around a year of use now, too. No cracking and they're keeping the water out so far, but the soles are wearing rather thin, and I'm skeptical I will get more than another 6 months out of them. Something about the lace eyelets shredded the first set of laces in about 6 months - far faster than I've experienced with any other shoe in my life. A sturdier set of laces is holding up better so far.
The uppers seem to be in decent shape, so I am curious about the possibility of resoling them, but from some initial searching, it sounds like that isn't very practical for the way these shoes are built.
It's quite impossible for them to seep through the soles. Chukka soles are traditionally a thick chunk of flexible rubber ("gum sole"), and wont crack unless you freeze cycle them or something. And if they crack, then your shoe will basically have fallen apart. They can also be traditional rubber, but thats also quite impervious to water ingress. Or if they're made of leather, then they're never meant to be weatherproof.
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Re: Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
I still have two pairs of ECCO Trak II shoes that are great for walking that I have worn as my only shoes on European trips with hills and ankle-twisting cobblestones, the Acropolis, rain, snow, etc. That said, they are more clunky than dressy and having to deal with laces on the plane or maybe at TSA checkpoints is not convenient. So I went looking for reviews of slip-ons with good support. Found what seemed to me a very thorough and thoughtfully written review in T+L that recommended Vessi Everyday Move Slip-ons. https://www.travelandleisure.com/style/ ... es-for-menOldSport wrote: ↑Sun Oct 27, 2024 10:42 pm Looking for a good all-around shoe that can be worn with jeans, khakis, and "near dress" slacks that are comfortable enough to walk around European cities, including cobblestone sidewalks and occasional dirt/gravel paths in any weather.
Ecco Gore-Tex Track shoes were PERFECT for this, but their quality has gone way down hill since pandemic, with numerous recent reports of them unexpectedly failing with the sole separating from the shoe.
My last Eccos are worn out after 6 good years and am struggling hard to find a worthy replacement. Carrying on airplanes, I don't have space for multiple pairs, and need one good all around pair of shoes. Can spend in the $300s if needed, but don't need to.
On the strength of the review I bought a pair online. And I never buy stuff sight-unseen. Well, hardly ever... I was so pleased with them that I bought a second pair. The first pair has become my daily drivers since June 2023. (And yes I am wearing them as I type this! I was skeptical that a slip-on could really give good support while staying on the foot without slipping and causing blisters or worse. But I have had no problems wearing these with medium-weight socks. They do slip a bit if I wear without socks. I haven't really tested the water-proof feature in anything more than light rain. but no issues. This year I took them to Europe and wore them nearly all the time on a trip where I knew I would be going no more than 4 miles per day with relatively light stairs and hills. If I planned a trip with more extensive walking I would still take the ECCO clunkers, and maybe use the Vessi's for "dress."
Note that the pointer above is to an updated version of the article that has changed from the original: there are new choices and Vessi is no longer their top pick, so maybe there are others there more suitable for you.
Walk on!
Re: Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
I have a pair of Vessi Tidal lace ups and will take them to Europe for the first time later this year. Break-in indicates they will be comfortable, although maybe not the best for trail hiking. I guess dressy is subjective but they are a little too tennis-shoey for me to say they are dressy enough for a fine dining establishment. OK for a sidewalk cafe unless one is trying to impress.othermike27 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 29, 2024 6:47 am Found what seemed to me a very thorough and thoughtfully written review in T+L that recommended Vessi Everyday Move Slip-ons. https://www.travelandleisure.com/style/ ... es-for-men
On the strength of the review I bought a pair online. And I never buy stuff sight-unseen. Well, hardly ever... I was so pleased with them that I bought a second pair. The first pair has become my daily drivers since June 2023. (And yes I am wearing them as I type this! 8-) I was skeptical that a slip-on could really give good support while staying on the foot without slipping and causing blisters or worse. But I have had no problems wearing these with medium-weight socks. They do slip a bit if I wear without socks. I haven't really tested the water-proof feature in anything more than light rain. but no issues. This year I took them to Europe and wore them nearly all the time on a trip where I knew I would be going no more than 4 miles per day with relatively light stairs and hills.
Re: Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
https://www.zappos.com/p/mens-rockport- ... /color/360
I’ve had a pair of these for almost ten years and they’re just now needing replacement. I would never wear them with dress trousers but they look great with jeans, chinos, and corduroy trousers. I have read of a decline in Rockport’s quality but have no recent experience to base that on.
These are to me the perfect travel shoe. Hearty, waterproof, can dress up or down. I’ve worn them on many puddle-filled cobblestone streets on a handful of European trips and my feet always remained dry and comfortable.
I’ve had a pair of these for almost ten years and they’re just now needing replacement. I would never wear them with dress trousers but they look great with jeans, chinos, and corduroy trousers. I have read of a decline in Rockport’s quality but have no recent experience to base that on.
These are to me the perfect travel shoe. Hearty, waterproof, can dress up or down. I’ve worn them on many puddle-filled cobblestone streets on a handful of European trips and my feet always remained dry and comfortable.
Re: Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
"Comfort" seems to vary quite a lot.
Are we talking 1,500 to 2,000 steps a day "comfort"?
Are we talking 15,000 to 20,000 steps a day "comfort"?
A pair of comfortable dress shoes that you essentially don't walk at all in might be deemed "comfortable". As in your feet don't swear at you as long as you don't move.
Find a comfortable/dressy/casual/waterproof shoe and then walk 15,000 or 20,000 steps. Easy button.
Re: Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
Or people want to hike Mt. Blanc for a week then wipe their shoes with a damp Kleenex and go to a Michelin 3 star restaurant with a wealthy client in Geneva who cares about fashion. It is Bogleheads after all so cannot assume what people want. OP did post a photo of what he is looking for so that should help.bloom2708 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 29, 2024 11:04 am"Comfort" seems to vary quite a lot.
Are we talking 1,500 to 2,000 steps a day "comfort"?
Are we talking 15,000 to 20,000 steps a day "comfort"?
A pair of comfortable dress shoes that you essentially don't walk at all in might be deemed "comfortable". As in your feet don't swear at you as long as you don't move.
Find a comfortable/dressy/casual/waterproof shoe and then walk 15,000 or 20,000 steps. Easy button. :arrow:
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Re: Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
As Red said in The Shawshank Redemption: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVLXI6O9Mi0
Re: Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
Thanks for sharing the Travel and Leisure link.othermike27 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 29, 2024 6:47 amI still have two pairs of ECCO Trak II shoes that are great for walking that I have worn as my only shoes on European trips with hills and ankle-twisting cobblestones, the Acropolis, rain, snow, etc. That said, they are more clunky than dressy and having to deal with laces on the plane or maybe at TSA checkpoints is not convenient. So I went looking for reviews of slip-ons with good support. Found what seemed to me a very thorough and thoughtfully written review in T+L that recommended Vessi Everyday Move Slip-ons. https://www.travelandleisure.com/style/ ... es-for-menOldSport wrote: ↑Sun Oct 27, 2024 10:42 pm Looking for a good all-around shoe that can be worn with jeans, khakis, and "near dress" slacks that are comfortable enough to walk around European cities, including cobblestone sidewalks and occasional dirt/gravel paths in any weather.
Ecco Gore-Tex Track shoes were PERFECT for this, but their quality has gone way down hill since pandemic, with numerous recent reports of them unexpectedly failing with the sole separating from the shoe.
My last Eccos are worn out after 6 good years and am struggling hard to find a worthy replacement. Carrying on airplanes, I don't have space for multiple pairs, and need one good all around pair of shoes. Can spend in the $300s if needed, but don't need to.
On the strength of the review I bought a pair online. And I never buy stuff sight-unseen. Well, hardly ever... I was so pleased with them that I bought a second pair. The first pair has become my daily drivers since June 2023. (And yes I am wearing them as I type this! I was skeptical that a slip-on could really give good support while staying on the foot without slipping and causing blisters or worse. But I have had no problems wearing these with medium-weight socks. They do slip a bit if I wear without socks. I haven't really tested the water-proof feature in anything more than light rain. but no issues. This year I took them to Europe and wore them nearly all the time on a trip where I knew I would be going no more than 4 miles per day with relatively light stairs and hills. If I planned a trip with more extensive walking I would still take the ECCO clunkers, and maybe use the Vessi's for "dress."
Note that the pointer above is to an updated version of the article that has changed from the original: there are new choices and Vessi is no longer their top pick, so maybe there are others there more suitable for you.
Walk on!
One of their recommendations is The Blundstone Thermal Chelsea Boot.
I don't have experience with that brand, but it's similar to my favorite cold weather travel shoe to look good and keep feet warm and dry.
Slip on shoes are convenient for travel and I think they look a little dressier than a sneaker type alternative.
Re: Comfortable Dressy Casual Waterproof Shoe
I've worn the Gore-Tex version of Ecco Street Trays all over European streets for several months. So far, they've held up well on cobblestone streets and on rainy days. They're dressy enough for most European city activity post-pandemic and very comfortable (at least for me, and I have metatarsalgia) - I replaced the stock inserts with Superfeet ones. And Europeans won't think I'm an American (never wear my bulky, hyper-engineered Merrells and Hokas in the city)
Are they a compromise? Yes, nowhere near as elegant as a pair of Horween shell Goodyear-welted leather boots (which I love, by the way but, no, not for long urban walks). And, yes, not for walking 10 miles in torrential rain. But I think you can check off all of OP's boxes.
Are they a compromise? Yes, nowhere near as elegant as a pair of Horween shell Goodyear-welted leather boots (which I love, by the way but, no, not for long urban walks). And, yes, not for walking 10 miles in torrential rain. But I think you can check off all of OP's boxes.