Brogues with long tasseled laces??

[Barb T]

In researching ghillie brogues, I have read so many complaints about how uncomfortable they are.

Honestly? The ghillie brogues that I wear with my band uniform are one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I've ever owned and have been since the day I took them out of the box. I march miles and miles in them every summer.

I bought a fairly expensive pair, with leather lining, composite soles, and metal heel taps (I've worn them so much that I wore through the metal heel taps entirely about 5 years ago....). I bought them years ago from what is now Lothian Bagpipe Supply, and I'm pretty sure that they still carry the kind I bought (http://www.lothianbagpipesupplies.co...hillie-brogue/). They weren't cheap, but they are really comfortable.

I also bought them big enough so that I could wear a thin pair of sneaker socks inside my kilt hose. The latter does two things - it helps make the shoes more comfortable, and it keeps the kilt hose from wearing so fast at the heels and toes. Both are good things.

So, for people who've never worn ghillie brogues, it's not a foregone conclusion that they will be uncomfortable.

[Katia]

I honestly don't find them that uncomfortable. But, I am wearing two pairs of socks with them (kilt hose, and regular socks underneath that-- both to protect the hose, and because I have narrow feet so the extra socks help the shoes fit), so I'm well padded in there. Plus, they were my band-issue shoes, so who knows how many people broke them in before I got them.

[Randy McIntosh]

I also find my brogues very comfortable. I have both the ones with the heal taps and another with leather sole. Both not cheap
Shoes is the one place you should not skimp...buy the best you can.

If you find them too hard on your, you can always put the gel insoles inside them.

Take care of your feet and they will take care of you.