Walking Forum

Main Boards => Gear => Topic started by: RogerA on 15:50:53, 10/09/18

Title: Smart walking shoes (are Brashers worth it - is there something better?)
Post by: RogerA on 15:50:53, 10/09/18
This may be a silly thing, but I'm going out to buy myself some new work shoes - normally I buy fairly standard clarks black leather shoes and wear with a suit.

As I'm trying to get out and walk during my lunchtimes I was wondering whether there was something a little more sturdy but still smart enough for the office. This is I know somewhat ridiculous - theres no reason not to go for a stroll on tarmac pavements and paved pathways in the shoes I typically buy. I did however see an advert for brashers:
https://www.millets.co.uk/footwear/250743-brasher-mens-country-classic-walking-shoe-brown.html (https://www.millets.co.uk/footwear/250743-brasher-mens-country-classic-walking-shoe-brown.html)
and that got me thinking. These however are brown and I dont really know whether they're just shoes and nothing but shoes but just sold alongside walking boots.

Does anyone have any ideas?



Title: Re: Smart walking shoes (are Brashers worth it - is there something better?)
Post by: Mel on 16:22:01, 10/09/18
They look like walking shoes to me (the sole pattern gives it away – a “normal” leather shoe would have a fairly smooth sole in comparison).


For my lunchtime pavement pounding, I just keep a pair of black trainers at work and change into those.  My feet appreciate the change of scenery too  :)
Title: Re: Smart walking shoes (are Brashers worth it - is there something better?)
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 19:56:09, 10/09/18
The Brasher shoes have been available for many years, and if you can get some at the right price, they would make a great casual office shoe, and are suitable for walking in as well.
I can remember Cotswolds Rock Bottom in Bettws Y Coed, having numerous pairs of Brasher Shoes a few years ago.
They were very well made, and were styled like a normal office shoe, except they had a more rugged outdoors sole.

If you can buy them at the right price, (Certainly not £120)  :o  then they would be a a great purchase, and if their as comfortable as their boots, you cannot go far wrong.
Title: Re: Smart walking shoes (are Brashers worth it - is there something better?)
Post by: gunwharfman on 10:18:15, 11/09/18
My wife has a pair of Mephisto's, had them for years, so confortable as well.
Title: Re: Smart walking shoes (are Brashers worth it - is there something better?)
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 11:50:35, 11/09/18
Now your talking, their not cheap, but there is no denying the quality and comfort of Mephisto footwear.
Until i actually looked at their website, i thought they were an Italian company, but the company was founded in France back in 1965.

If your budget will stretch to such high quality foot wear, they make great sense, as the quality of manufacture is stunning.


I suppose you get what you pay for in the long run, as i recon a pair of Mephisto shoes may last twice as long as something costing less, so paying good money may make sense.



Title: Re: Smart walking shoes (are Brashers worth it - is there something better?)
Post by: RogerA on 14:30:52, 11/09/18
Now your talking, their not cheap,
I looked at their website and almost choked on my cup of tea ...
Title: Re: Smart walking shoes (are Brashers worth it - is there something better?)
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 14:49:22, 11/09/18
I agree, their not at the bargain end of the market, but the materials used, are very high quality, and that is represented in the price.
If you think Mophistos are pricey, check out a pair of Churches.
I wear Churches shoes, and the shoe will virtually last you a lifetime, as the quality of the leather in manufacture is one of the best available here in the Uk.


They are actually hand made and stitched, with only a machine needed to cut the leather, the rest is all done by hand.


A certain Mr Bond, in Ian Flemings novels, wore Churches.

There are one or two bespoke Italian companies who make shoes for the Pope, and have a shop in Milan, and if you have to ask, you probably cannot afford them, as they are custom fitted to the customers own preference and foot size and shape.

Mephisto is a high end shoe manufacturer, reflected in their price, but in this instance, they represent fair value for the quality of the goods being purchased.
Title: Re: Smart walking shoes (are Brashers worth it - is there something better?)
Post by: gunwharfman on 17:06:30, 11/09/18
My wife bought her Mephisos before they were expensive. Firms like this 'choose' their market and advertise accordingly. I do not accept this idea that 'you get what you pay for' but obviously a lot of people do. I've bought expensive stuff and much of it has been good but I've never been convinced that because of their price they are better than everything else.

I read the other day that another expensive brand burns their unwanted stock to keep the price up! I think its called capitalism in action. I bet there are really good shoes out there at a fraction of the price, just waiting to be snapped up. My problem would be, where would I start looking? I think I would start at Millets or Mountain Warehouse first and then look around at other outlets for what I wanted.
Title: Re: Smart walking shoes (are Brashers worth it - is there something better?)
Post by: pauldawes on 20:02:56, 11/09/18
I agree, their not at the bargain end of the market, but the materials used, are very high quality, and that is represented in the price.
If you think Mophistos are pricey, check out a pair of Churches.
I wear Churches shoes, and the shoe will virtually last you a lifetime, as the quality of the leather in manufacture is one of the best available here in the Uk.


They are actually hand made and stitched, with only a machine needed to cut the leather, the rest is all done by hand.


A certain Mr Bond, in Ian Flemings novels, wore Churches.

There are one or two bespoke Italian companies who make shoes for the Pope, and have a shop in Milan, and if you have to ask, you probably cannot afford them, as they are custom fitted to the customers own preference and foot size and shape.

Mephisto is a high end shoe manufacturer, reflected in their price, but in this instance, they represent fair value for the quality of the goods being purchased.


My mate was left a pair of Churches in his dads will, Top class shoes...a good friend was a consultant in shoe industry, and he rated them.
Title: Re: Smart walking shoes (are Brashers worth it - is there something better?)
Post by: jimbob on 21:25:38, 11/09/18

My mate was left a pair of Churches in his dads will, Top class shoes...a good friend was a consultant in shoe industry, and he rated them.
You kinda have to hope they had the same size feet :D
Title: Re: Smart walking shoes (are Brashers worth it - is there something better?)
Post by: pauldawes on 06:34:26, 12/09/18
You kinda have to hope they had the same size feet :D


They did, which is why he got them rather than his brother...although the two of them joke that he had an op on his feet to bring that about.
Title: Re: Smart walking shoes (are Brashers worth it - is there something better?)
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 11:53:51, 12/09/18
The brand that decided to burn their stock, rather than reduce it, were Burberry.
It was a sad day when Burberry closed their factory premises in Treorchy, in the Rhondda Valley a few years ago.
It had been there for close on thirty or so years, and employed a sizeable number of the local population.

They had a small shop outlet in the factory, that was open to the public, where they sold seconds, or items with defects.

A gorgeous Burrbery raincoat, was yours for £100, and their polo styled sweat shirts, a £5 each.

I still have four of them, one is still in its plastic wrapping, and i cannot see anything wrong with it.


Why Burrbery have decided to destroy clothing rather than sell it at a reduced cost, makes little sense, when they have reduced their clothing in the past.


Total snobbery, as they could easily have removed all the labelling, and still made money on the items.

Ive worn the raincoat a few times, and recently on a visit to their Cheshire Oaks outlet, the polo shirts are £79.

It was the only place in the entire South Wales Valleys, where Japanese and German tourists almost outnumbered the locals.

A real sad day when the factory closed.
Title: Re: Smart walking shoes (are Brashers worth it - is there something better?)
Post by: sussamb on 12:14:52, 12/09/18
I still have four of them, one is still in its plastic wrapping, and i cannot see anything wrong with it.


Is there anything you don't have in a plastic wrapping  :-\
Title: Re: Smart walking shoes (are Brashers worth it - is there something better?)
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 17:49:31, 17/09/18
The Brasher shoes are for sale in Bettws Y Coed, for £69, quite a saving over the £120.
Really nice looking things as well, and for £69, they represented good value.

Regarding bits and pieces in unopened plastic wrapping.

My mother is moving house next month, and helping her pack years of acquired loot, ive found two Berghaus fleece jackets, that i forgot i had purchased in Crickhowell back in 1988.

Still have the receipt for one of them, £43 was the going rate back then.

Ive also discovered a pair of Merrell canvas boots, i remember buying in Taunton Leisure in Swansea back in 1991.

I had not forgotten about them, but i had searched high and low for them for years, with little luck.

They were in a top cupboard in a bedroom, behind some clothing.

No damp or mildew, and i am quite exited in wearing those, as they were a bit of a bargain, at £20.

The perfect Carneddau traverse boot.
Title: Re: Smart walking shoes (are Brashers worth it - is there something better?)
Post by: sussamb on 18:18:46, 17/09/18
ive found two Berghaus fleece jackets, that i forgot i had purchased in Crickhowell back in 1988.

Still have the receipt for one of them, £43 was the going rate back then.

Why am I not surprised  :)
Title: Re: Smart walking shoes (are Brashers worth it - is there something better?)
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 18:42:44, 17/09/18
Nothing to be surprised about.
Lots of us no doubt, have bought clothing over the years, some gets more wear than others.
In my case, some clothing that seemed a good idea at the time, got very little wear.

Ive been thinking about those Merrell boots for quite a few years, every time ive had to buy some new footwear.

Their the perfect summer boot, when the weather is dry, and blimey their still like a pair of slippers, having been sitting on a wardrobe top shelf for over 25yrs.

No signs of the sole coming away, which usually happens when the adhesive dries out over the years.

Only issue now, what walk do i Cristen them on ?
Title: Re: Smart walking shoes (are Brashers worth it - is there something better?)
Post by: gunwharfman on 19:39:08, 17/09/18
Up and down your garden, a trip to the pub, go to the supermarket with your wife. Something special like this!
Title: Re: Smart walking shoes (are Brashers worth it - is there something better?)
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 12:57:23, 18/09/18
I recon the full Rhinog traverse will see me in my boots for the first time.
Ive worn them around the house for a few days, and being a soft canvas, their like a pair of soft welcoming slippers, so cosy i do not want to take them off.
In hindsight i think losing them for 27yrs was a bonus, i now have something to look forward to come springtime.
Title: Re: Smart walking shoes (are Brashers worth it - is there something better?)
Post by: tonyk on 20:27:24, 19/09/18


A gorgeous Burrbery raincoat, was yours for £100, and their polo styled sweat shirts, a £5 each.

I still have four of them, one is still in its plastic wrapping, and i cannot see anything wrong with it.







Raincoats or sweat shirts ?


Yes,you are right about Burberry and snobbery.I don't wear the label as I don't want people thinking I am a chav.
Title: Re: Smart walking shoes (are Brashers worth it - is there something better?)
Post by: NeilC on 08:36:21, 21/09/18
This may be a silly thing, but I'm going out to buy myself some new work shoes - normally I buy fairly standard clarks black leather shoes and wear with a suit.

As I'm trying to get out and walk during my lunchtimes I was wondering whether there was something a little more sturdy but still smart enough for the office. This is I know somewhat ridiculous - theres no reason not to go for a stroll on tarmac pavements and paved pathways in the shoes I typically buy. I did however see an advert for brashers:
https://www.millets.co.uk/footwear/250743-brasher-mens-country-classic-walking-shoe-brown.html (https://www.millets.co.uk/footwear/250743-brasher-mens-country-classic-walking-shoe-brown.html)
and that got me thinking. These however are brown and I dont really know whether they're just shoes and nothing but shoes but just sold alongside walking boots.



I wouldn't wear those with a suit myself, unless I was a geography teacher on the verge of retirement  ;)

I'd be more inclined to have proper smart shoes and keep a pair of trainers in  my desk draw to walk in at lunch.