To sole gaurd or not ?

JamesX · Mar 29, 2011

Never considered the use of protection for my my soles.

Though I have one pair of black Chelsea that have a layer of clear rubber/resin so thin that it is almost invisible applied to the center region of the sole. It came from the store that way.

If I were ever to get any form of protection for my soles that would be the only form I accept. None of the other monstrous method I seen on this forum would be acceptable.

patrickBOOTH · Mar 29, 2011

Originally Posted by makewayhomer

comments like this made me nervous before buying my dainite boots...but I took the plunge, and I personally found them to be much, much better than any smooth soled shoes I owned.

so I dunno maybe different people get used to different things

Yeah, I don't know. I found them really useless in snow or ice. I just have a completely different pair of boots with lug soles for that.

I think the key in having a decent grip with leather soles is to wear them a bunch and get the bottoms scuffed up a bit. The finish that usually comes standard on leather soles is very slippery, however when worn a couple times it is fine and dandy.

Axel Ferguson · Mar 29, 2011

Originally Posted by Fred H.

Axel. I understand you're from Nederland. You can put your finger back in the dyke anytime now.

Oh alright. I'll let you know I'm very happy with my topyed clogs.

DWFII · Mar 29, 2011

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

Yeah, I don't know. I found them really useless in snow or ice. I just have a completely different pair of boots with lug soles for that. I think the key in having a decent grip with leather soles is to wear them a bunch and get the bottoms scuffed up a bit. The finish that usually comes standard on leather soles is very slippery, however when worn a couple times it is fine and dandy.
Leather soles in snow are slippery, but so is anything but a lugged sole like vibram. A slightly worn topy will be just a slippery on snow as leather...maybe moreso.

DWFII · Mar 29, 2011

Originally Posted by Axel Ferguson

Oh alright. I'll let you know I'm very happy with my topyed clogs.

Now that actually makes sense...you're adding a layer of resiliency and protection to a surface that is not only hard (more vulnerable to abrasion) but was never intended to be replaced. Good on you...

makewayhomer · Mar 29, 2011

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

I just have a completely different pair of boots with lug soles for that.
yeah, I wear hiking boots with lug soles for when it's really snowing, but my dress boots with dainite are totally fine for normal winter wear. now, I also have a pair of boots with a smooth rubber sole, and those are useless in the winter. something like the standard Indy boot sole...those are really bad. I can see DWF's point that a worn, smooth topy would be bad on ice. fortunately mine haven't gotten there yet. so if the downside of topy is that it may at one point be worse than leather (but when new, is probably better), I will take that for the longevity + grip on wet pavement benefit. aesthetically they don't bother me at all, it's hardly noticeable really. though for dancing, yes, you certainly want pure leather. anyways, this is all a long way of saying what I said above, which is that I have some shoes with leather soles, some topy'd, some with Dainite, and some with lug vibram. they each have their best purpose, though all of them are fine for basic daily use

Quadcammer · Mar 29, 2011

Originally Posted by Fred H.

Eat my shorts, TG. How many times can YOU get a pair of good shoes resoled? Why should I invest hundreds > thousands on shoes, work them into my regular rotation (~10 pairs), and STILL watch holes appear in the soles within a year? Yes, when a guy walks 35 minutes a day to and from the train there will be wear on his hoofs.

My 1/16" zips don't show from the side and any one who stares at the soles of my shoes risks catching a swift one in the incisors. Care for a closer look?

Do you put plastic covers on your couches, car seats and dining room chairs?

Fred H. · Mar 29, 2011

Originally Posted by Quadcammer

Do you put plastic covers on your couches, car seats and dining room chairs?
No, but I don't GENERALLY walk on them either!

I have NOTHING against you guys who don't want to put these on your shoes. I wish I got the kinda mileage that you do. It's just that IRL no one -- and I mean no one -- notices if you have zips on your soles. HOLES, people notice. The way I wear through the leather I just gotta compromise.

Xenon · Mar 29, 2011

Originally Posted by JamesX

Never considered the use of protection for my my soles.

Though I have one pair of black Chelsea that have a layer of clear rubber/resin so thin that it is almost invisible applied to the center region of the sole. It came from the store that way.

If I were ever to get any form of protection for my soles that would be the only form I accept. None of the other monstrous method I seen on this forum would be acceptable.

protection, you mean like condoms

Actually I have to admit I have never had topy put on any of my shoes. Being a guy that likes to tinker with things I actually use "shoe Goop" to spread a thin even layer of this stuff on the soles upto and around the welt. It is cheap and completely reversible with time and there is no grinding of the leather sole to apply. It dries almost invisible. Most importantly the stuff is actually a solid silicon compound that provides tremendous traction even in extreme cold. Most of you know that many types of rubber become harder with low temp and that the greatest inovation in winter tires was the addiction of silicon compounds.

I will also testify to the slipperyness of certain rubber when worn smooth. I have a pair of old ankle boots that are worn which I could use to go skating

DWFII · Mar 29, 2011

Originally Posted by Fred H.

No, but I don't GENERALLY walk on them either!

I have NOTHING against you guys who don't want to put these on your shoes. I wish I got the kinda mileage that you do. It's just that IRL no one -- and I mean no one -- notices if you have zips on your soles. HOLES, people notice. The way I wear through the leather I just gotta compromise.
Fair enough...Topy isn't gonna hurt your shoes. But, with a fair amount of personal and practical experience, I can't honestly say it really helps all that much, either. Not as far as traction is concerned, nor as far as saving money is concerned. And not if you're buying the quality of shoe that uses quality leather outsoles. But again, you're not doing any damage, either. In any event it's your choice to make.

radicaldog · Mar 29, 2011

Originally Posted by Kuro

perhaps this is a good compromise....especially in nyc where the sidewalks are like someone drop a bomb

Interesting solution. I see it's Corthay. Do any other makers do this? Does anyone know whether it's possible to order something like this from Vass or Carmina?

The Louche · Mar 29, 2011

Originally Posted by Fred H.

Tacky or not, for those of us who are hard on shoes, zips are a god-send. Heels and zips replaced for $55. Soles NEVER need to be replaced.

Agreed. Although I am not as religious about them now that I have a larger rotation. I am only getting them on total workhorse shoes these days, opting only for heel and toe taps on my better shoes.

Quadcammer · Mar 29, 2011

Originally Posted by Fred H.

No, but I don't GENERALLY walk on them either!

I have NOTHING against you guys who don't want to put these on your shoes. I wish I got the kinda mileage that you do. It's just that IRL no one -- and I mean no one -- notices if you have zips on your soles. HOLES, people notice.

The way I wear through the leather I just gotta compromise.

Who are you saving them for?

It can't be the expense, because really, whats $120 every 2 years, or even every year.

I can tell you I'd notice black topys over some nice shoes far faster than a small hole or a worn sole.

lithdoc · Mar 29, 2011

I'm 6'4", ~250 lbs, so my soles and heels wear out quite quicker than they would be for someone more average sized. Anyway, my cobbler suggested to put protective soles on them, and I'm quite happy with the result:

I hope this will last longer.

Lear · Mar 29, 2011

Did these a couple of weeks ago. First time I've had a Topy fitted. I'm sold on the idea. You might see if from behind when a person is walking, going up an escalator etc. Could be noticed if you cross your legs when sitting. But no way is anyone going to see it otherwise. The side profile is really thin. It's not just about the cost. Sending these back to factory could mean a 2 month wait.

To sole gaurd or not ?

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