The ultimate penny loafers - does it exist?

[norMD]

Here are 3 Norwegian cobblers that are able to resole.

Dagestad, but he only accept shoes bought in his store.

Rezapur.no

Skomaker våge. Specializes in red wing and Norwegian Alfa boots. But has several pics/movies of dress shoes that he has refurbished. He is also able to resole with JR leather, regarded as the best.

You asked for the ultimate penny loafer. To most guys here that would be the Alden lhs or edward Green picadilly. The suggestions you have been given are in the bang-for-your-buck category and a good place to start if you are used to sebago/bass.

 

[Betelgeuse]

One of the upsides of buying higher quality shoes (e.g., those made with a Goodyear welted or Blake stitched sole) is that you can resole the shoes. And the uppers will likely be made with full grain leather (although these two aspects don't always go hand in hand, they mostly do). Quality leather tends to look better over time, so long as you take care of it. They develop a really rich looking patina. New shoes often don't have the same charm. Old shoes can look really good, which is why it's worth paying that premium.

This.

Regarding the question of if it is worth paying a higher price for a better shoe, IMO, absolutely. And much has to do with the comment quoted above. But if you're not convinced it's worth it... that's a whole other story. Some member here can give a lecture on how they could be worth it and still not convince you.

 

[jmiller123]

Another option would be Sid Mashburn loafers. I have a pair in both suede and leather, both very high quality. Half the sole is rubber so they are really comfortable as well. Retail is $500 but I got both of mine on sale, which should happen 2x a year.

 

[Blake Stitched Blues]

Hi. Im from Norway.

I'm not so convinced on wether its worth buying any better letter versions than corrected grain. As I said, I do have one pair in Nubuck. In my experience, the corrected grain holds up for a bout two years pretty well before it starts breaking down. And it feels just as good. But the point is, they all last only two-three years anyway. So its a question of cost over time. Is it worth buying a pair of 750 dollar loafers, if they are going to wear out in two years anyway?

That's why Im asking about the soles. Are any of these other brands differentiating themselves with better quality soles that never gets holes in them?

This place really excels at the most long-winded, convoluted answers and upselling newbs on expensive shoos that they don't need and/or want. All leather soles will eventually develop holes and need to be replaced. This is why smart people buy shoes with thin, elegant rubber soles or use some form of sole protector. As far as hilariously outdated ideas go, naked leather soles on shoos is up there with smearing wax on cotton jackets in 2021 to make them waterproof.

Have a cobbler fit a thin rubber topy on your leather soles and call it a day. Replace when worn and you'll never need to resole them. If you see anyone rambling about rubber 'preventing the shoe from breathing' immediately put them on mute. That person is either an idiot or an African grey parrot with a Styleforum account.

 

[norMD]

How are you a Norwegian asking about the ultimate penny loafer when Aurlands is on your doorstep?

Anyway, this place really excels at the most long-winded, convoluted answers and upselling newbs on expensive shoos that they don't need and/or want. All leather soles will eventually develop holes and need to be replaced. This is why smart people buy shoes with thin, elegant rubber soles or use some form of sole protector.

Have a cobbler fit a thin rubber topy on your leather soles and call it a day. Replace when worn and you'll never need to resole them. If you see anyone rambling about rubber 'preventing the shoe from breathing' immediately put them on mute. That person is either an idiot or an African grey parrot with a Styleforum account.

This may sound strange, but Aurlands are not common in Norway and very few stores stock their shoes. They have been more visible lately. Up until recently they only did cemented shoes. They are now doing Blake stitch, and the Word is that they have some Norwegian welts on the way. Still they are expensive with a retail of 3500 nok, 400 USD.

Covid-19 has also hit aurlands hard. This spring all employees were put on leave as no cruise tourists are visiting the Norwegian fjords and the village of Aurland.

Hopefully they will not go bankrupt.

 

[dieworkwear]

This place really excels at the most long-winded, convoluted answers and upselling newbs on expensive shoos that they don't need and/or want. All leather soles will eventually develop holes and need to be replaced. This is why smart people buy shoes with thin, elegant rubber soles or use some form of sole protector. As far as hilariously outdated ideas go, naked leather soles on shoos is up there with smearing wax on cotton jackets in 2021 to make them waterproof.

Have a cobbler fit a thin rubber topy on your leather soles and call it a day. Replace when worn and you'll never need to resole them. If you see anyone rambling about rubber 'preventing the shoe from breathing' immediately put them on mute. That person is either an idiot or an African grey parrot with a Styleforum account.

*starts with comment about long convoluted answer*

*gives long convoluted reply about applying topys*

 

[dauster]

*starts with comment about long convoluted answer*

*gives long convoluted reply about applying topys*

that's why I love it here always worth a chuckle

 

[MrCat]

My short answer:

sounds like the OP is looking for the ultimate sole material, not the ultimate loafer.

I second adding a Topy or thin Vibram rubber sole. On a pair a wingtips that I've had for ten years, the Topy has been replaced once, and the leather soles are in fine condition. (Granted, they're worn in a rotation.) As an added bonus, you get much more grip. After sliding out last winter on a dry day in Florence, I was fully convinced.

 

[dieworkwear]

I've never been quite convinced of Topys. In my area, it costs about $75 for a full resole and $25 for a Topy. I found that I wear through Topys much faster than a full sole, so the cost ends up being about the same.

The upside is that replacing Topys comes with less risk and damage than a full resole. The downside is that, I think, Topys are a bit ugly. But admittedly, few people will notice them in real life.

 

[OlafG]

Skomaker våge. Specializes in red wing and Norwegian Alfa boots. But has several pics/movies of dress shoes that he has refurbished. He is also able to resole with JR leather, regarded as the best.

He resoled my Wolverine 1k's and did an amazing job.

 

[Blake Stitched Blues]

I've never been quite convinced of Topys. In my area, it costs about $75 for a full resole and $25 for a Topy. I found that I wear through Topys much faster than a full sole, so the cost ends up being about the same.

The upside is that replacing Topys comes with less risk and damage than a full resole. The downside is that, I think, Topys are a bit ugly. But admittedly, few people will notice them in real life.

Aesthetics are subjective but I think most people would agree that a (new) leather sole looks better. I still prefer the neat, clean look of a topy over the chewed-up look that leather soles take on once worn.

The extra grip is nice too. I'm not one for flirting with quadriplegia or the frisson of danger provided by wearing leather soles in the rain or on tiles/hardwoord floors.

 

[Waldo Jeffers]

If you want to wear penny loafers and have maximum longevity in ****** weather get something like this

they are somewhat hideous but you are making a compromise for practicality over style

I would personally just wear a boot rather than deal with this but if you are committed to the loafer in all conditions this is what you need

Loafers

Based in Lewiston, Maine, Rancourt and Company crafts handmade, custom leather shoes for men and women, from loafers, boots, and boat shoes to moccasins.

www.rancourtandcompany.com

 

[Mercurio]

From the Cheaney thread:

As a "nostalgic" craving from my student days, even though at that time they were Dexter, an iconic brand that unfortunately disappeared several years ago, I finally bought the DORKING II model by Cheaney, GYW beef roll Penny Loafers with a “strange” green Itshide sole.

I found “200" last, designed for this type of loafer, particularly comfortable: fit with my feet is perfect, which is not easy because they are thin, with a low instep and little volume. As usual for me with the Cheaney lasts, I went down half a size from what I use in other brands, without this having meant feeling narrow or tight.

I wanted to replace some Bass Weejungs that I ended up giving away because their poor quality: some time ago I would have considered them "normal", but to the extent that you learn and know, the differences with a quality footwear jump to light.

Some pictures from my cell phone just to illustrate:

On my feet:

 

[jaywhyy]

Topys last just as long as single leather soles, from my experience. My shoes with topys are worn more than the ones with leather soles, and have less toe wear, for whatever its worth.

As far as the ultimate penny, Alden LHS, Lobb Lopez, JM Weston 180 are always gonna be the top 3.

 

[JFWR]

This place really excels at the most long-winded, convoluted answers and upselling newbs on expensive shoos that they don't need and/or want. All leather soles will eventually develop holes and need to be replaced. This is why smart people buy shoes with thin, elegant rubber soles or use some form of sole protector. As far as hilariously outdated ideas go, naked leather soles on shoos is up there with smearing wax on cotton jackets in 2021 to make them waterproof.

Have a cobbler fit a thin rubber topy on your leather soles and call it a day. Replace when worn and you'll never need to resole them. If you see anyone rambling about rubber 'preventing the shoe from breathing' immediately put them on mute. That person is either an idiot or an African grey parrot with a Styleforum account.

Outdated?

Many men prefer leather soles for the comfort and superior aesthetic. The only downside to a leather sole is that they can be slippery on wet stone.

Frankly, I'd much rather a nice pair of leather soles than any other option on anything other than a snow boot.