$45 (USD) Brogues?

[ohiopiper]

I was perusing the J. Higgins site for a couple other things I need (like a new Airstream mouthpiece) and found these. Any thoughts?

http://www.jhiggins.net/sf_proddetai...EBT2LI03UOJ2TH

45 bucks seems like a deal, but not if they're lousy. But being from Higgins, they might be good.

[saxandpipes]

I don't know if I'd call them lousy, but they are according to the description "Simulated leather w/ rubber sole". You would pay more for a leather sole/ steel heel combo. And I guess they are designed for use in pipebands- out in the rain, marching in grass etc.

You get what you pay for, and the price is not high, even for a normal shoe. Ask yourself how long you would expect a shoe that costs 45 bucks to last normally, and you could probably expect the same of this. Not a bad thing, just depends what you are looking for.

(I didn't pay much more for mine, by the way) http://www.mackenziefrain.com/index....gory_id=112962 (this model, but I didn't buy them here). I got them in Scotland for 50 pounds! (a bit more than 45 usd I know, but still very reasonable)

Cheers,

Michael

[denmcdough]

I bought a pair of these brogues just over a year ago. At the time, they did not stipulate "simulated leather." That said, for the price, these shoes aren't that bad. Really! As for comfort, I'd give them a "10!"

The price, when I got mine, was $80.00.

[ForresterModern]

For the same price I got a real leather pair with composite soles in brown tone from Heritage of Scotland. I believe their black version is similarly priced or maybe a wee bit more. I am personally not fond of "simulated leather" for wear and tear or appearences, let alone comfort levels. And HOS is having a sale 15% off the whole store right now, at least for the next few days.

[Tobus]

I am personally not fond of "simulated leather" for wear and tear or appearences

Me either. I've gone through a lot of "simulated leather" shoes in the last 15 years, worn for everyday office attire (being, at the time, convinced that shoes were meant to be disposable, and not having yet experienced the wonders of quality-made shoes). Simulated leather tends to crack at the place where your toes bend, and there's no way to stop it. It's not like real leather, where it can be kept supple via oil or other means. Simulated leather has a plastic sort of exterior, and it just won't take very much repeated bending before it cracks. It will shine up very nicely, though, with any shoe polish.

Of course, if these would only be worn a handful of times each year, maybe they'll last a long time. But if they will be worn regularly, I would expect to be replacing them in the not-too-distant future. So they may be worth the money, depending on what your needs are (in terms of how much use they'll see, and whether you really need to spend a lot of money on them).

[DougC]

Remember...pleather makes your feet sweat. Find a good leather pair and you will be much more comfortable.

[Santa Kona]

I have had a pair of these for 3 years now and they have held up to the beating that I put all of my shoes through. I was looking for the comfort of the rubber soles and these are very comfortable. With that said I also have a pair of real leather one's that I wear to Burns Dinners, Weddings and the like.