Am also looking for sneakers to get for the following seasons:
- grey ones for summer
- black ones for spring/autumn
But I’m virtually clueless when it comes to fashion + they should be available in the EU
I’ve been enjoying my Vivo barefoot shoes. But obviously they’re only really good if you like having a thin sole on the shoe. They have a repair service though so that’s one of the reasons I recommend them.
I just switched to these last summer. Took about a month to relearn how to walk, but they’ve held up better than any other shoe in my life. One of my pairs is a single continuous piece of rubber from the top of the heel to my toe on the bottom, so there’s no way for the heel to wear out, which is usually the first thing to fail in a shoe.
I haven’t tried out “barefoot” shoes, since I imagine it would be sensorically weird/unfamiliar to me.
But if I ever do, I’ll look into Vivo ones first
I hadn’t tried them until I went to one of their shops last year to try them on. I didn’t really expect to like them, but wanted to give it a go and was pleasantly surprised. They are now my favourite, most comfortable shoes (although sometimes I wish they had a slightly thicker sole). It is worth noting that the insole they come with didn’t last very well though (it started to crumple up in the shoe and became uncomfortable) so I replaced it with a cheap regular insole I found online and it made them even more comfortable (a bit more cushioning but still a wide toe box and flexible shoe).
They’ve been getting worse and worse imo.
My first pair lasted 3 years (Tracker FG) before the sole cracked and unglued itself. My second 2 from the same issue.
My third pair (Magna FG) has lasted less than a year. The lugs on the sole have gone and I’m probably going to wear through them.
Not to mention the colours have gone absolutely mental. I don’t want a yellow sole. Or a green boot.
Altberg make shoes, I’ve not tried them but if the quality is similar to their boots they will be great.
Although they’re not technically in the EU any more since they’re made in the UK.
Not OP, but thanks for the suggestion, seems like they might be a good choice for wide fitting walking boots and the like, and they’ve got plenty of outdoor shops listed in the UK as stockists
On the made in the UK note though, seems like many of their boots are manufactured in a factory in Italy?
Common projects wear in very well and last forever for many years in my experience
edit: I haven’t actually had them forever
I needed expensive custom orthotics. Of course making a costly medical modification to flimsy shoes is a terrible idea. The orthotic maker gave me this advice: buy leather shoes and make sure the inside is also leather. It was great advice because when the interior heal of the shoe is some kind of fabric it’s not long before the material forms a hole and the plastic skeleton is exposed.
I found some ugly tennis shoes (didn’t care); had 3 stripes (i think that’s Adidas). They were all leather inside and outside except the sole. They lasted like over a decade. The outer sole was the first to wear out. I can probably have them resoled.
But in general, if you go into a place that makes medical orthotics they will have the advice you’re after, and perhaps have specific recommendations.
Theoretically there is just one material more durable than leather: aramid (aka Kevlar™). Not sure if anyone is on the ball with making aramid shoes though.
The mention of kevlar made me curious. I went looking and found these: https://www.naglev.com/product/unico-men/
I can’t recommend them personally because I’ve never worn them, but they look interesting. They seem to emphasize replaceability for their wearing components and durability for the rest.
I hope someone else who has experience with them will chime in. I’d like to know what they think.
I’ve not tried the brand myself (but am planning to) and I’m conscious it’s an expensive option, but I’ve heard Goral shoes have good repairability, as they are resole-able. Made in England if that matters to you. But without having tried them myself, it’s hard for me to give a full recommendation.
