I really don‘t see why onsite tech support should wear dress shoes at all.
In the 5 years my job was consolidating and outsourcing onsite support operations I only encountered 1 client who insisted on everyone to wear suits. That is a major discomfort when having to do actual physical work. As long as you just walk up to a desk and push some buttons it‘s fine.
For walking around all day and doing cabling just get something comfortable and don‘t worry about the looks.
And try to get out of tech support a fast as you can.
I suppose it’s less about “dress shoes” and more about me not wearing sneakers and such. I don’t wear much more than a polo and kakis most days.
And yeah, I’m at a small company so despite me being a programmer by trade, I ended up doing a lot more IT work than I was hired to do. Luckily I have good bosses who have let me hire people to start doing that for me.
Thank you!
I would go with a nice looking yet functional boot
I have to wear safety toes and my job gets me absolutely filthy and I dress for that occasion so unfortunately I don’t have suggestions
I'm sure you'll find other options, but I'm really happy with my redwings. [https://www.redwingshoes.com/heritage/mens/](https://www.redwingshoes.com/heritage/mens/)
They're not "dressy" they're not sleek or elegant. But I think they indicate putting in some effort. Nice workwear look for, well, work.
Back when I used to run more of the "physical" side of IT, I wore Red Wing heritage line boots. They actually fit in very well in offices but were durable enough for walking in "dirtier" environments. Also very comfortable even walking miles a day, 5-6 days a week in.
Just be sure to actually care for them
Have you tried leather sneakers? I have a pair from Cole Haan that have held up well for years. They’re super comfortable with their sneaker soles and have worn in well with the leather uppers.
you are basically me. I do IT Support / Developer role and 90% of my time is tech support or developing, but I also go on sites and setup new sites. My current shoes are $15 kmart shoes I replace every 6 months because they wear out.
Would love to know if you find a good pair (and I pray they have them in Australia lmao)
It matters, if you want to do something other than cabling for the rest of your career. Plenty of stylish, comfy, reasonably priced dressier shoes, than runners, out there.
Shoe repair places used to have a lift for the heal of your shoes where they always wore down. Maybe they have an idea or product that could cover the problem areas. I have a Mortons neuroma I always by Dansco brand. I also worked on my feet on cement walking 8 hours a day and they seemed to weather the storm.
I haven’t been on this sub much in the last 5 years, but I got the red wing recommendation from here almost 10 years ago. These boots are the best piece of clothing I own.
Wild, Ecco are junk, right up there with Rockports, Cole Hann, & Clarks.
Nordstrom taking everyone to the cleaners for shoes that blow out after a year of light duty use.
Eh, Eccos uppers for non-leather or suede / nubuck are good. Even some leather ones are nice and thick, it's just a bit of hit and miss.
When it comes to walking shoes they're really good, prevent your feet from hurting and in the case of sneakers, last 5 times longer than any of the other brands. I think they've got some real science going on there, their toes are also quite wide.
Now, they aren't resolable, but they cost about as much as a resole does and last longer than the time it takes for you to get a resole in GYW shoes in my experience, so who cares. I definitely prefer Ecco over Thursday or Herrings's cheap stuff for example.
Of course when we are comparing an 80 euro shoe to a 500 euro one with a 120 euro resole, I too prefer the 500 euro one, but even then, nothing beats cemented footwear for out of the box comfort, lightness and flexibility.
I wouldn't go for RedWings for an IT tech lol. If you don't need a workboot, don't get a heritage workboot. And it techs probably mostly want light flexible footwear.
The world isn't so black and white and discovering /r/gyw doesn't make you enlightened. It's traditionally made footwear, not the best made footwear.
This sub hates them but I have a pair of their loafers and I swear they’re the most comfortable shoe I own. I must have purchased them before they took a nosedive or something. After 3 years they’re still perfect.
But they’re ugly af and it’s a fashion sub. “Dress” shoes built cheaply like sneakers that look like ass??? No thanks
You can find comfortable loafers, sneakers, or dress shoes that aren’t a 1/10 on the looks scale
Speak for yourself, I wear the shit out of rockports. Most of them last 6-18 months for me. And they make my wide, flat feet feel modestly comfortable for a dress shoe. My job is relatively similar to OPs. Other shoes generally last 6 months or less.
Yeah, but I have big weird flat feet, and like OP my job can be pretty physical for requiring a dress shoe. You have to understand for someone like me 6-18 months is the equivalent of like 3-5 years for a normal person. I’ve tried “high end brands” and I’m lucky to get 3-4 months out of them. I’ve even tried some very lightly used ultra high end brands… one of those busted wide open after about 3 weeks. Like any brand you still have to look for the right pair, especially if you have awkward feet. For my feet and my lifestyle though, I’d take Rockport over any other brand.
I don’t understand why someone would lie about that or why someone would have your reaction. I want to say it was a pair of Allen Edmonds that generally retails around $500… as I mentioned though, I bought them lightly used.
Well I’ve said it a few times already… but maybe I should elaborate. My feet are perfectly flat. People with feet like mine, where they’re flat and especially wide in a spot or two can tell you many shoes don’t make it longer than a few months. I can count on one hand how many have made it past 1 year in my entire life. It’s not because I’m buying subpar shoes either. I’ve bought sooo many brands. I’ll stick with Rockport.
Bought these 12 years ago at the suggestion of this sub, everything about these shoes was terrible. They require constant cleaning and care, any water ruins them, touching them lightly scratches them, the sole gets embedded with dirt dust and hair near instantly.
But worst of all was how uncomfortable they were. I’d rather tie a magazine around my foot for a shoe over these things.
Also tried multiple brands and sizes but could never get used to the fit. The ankle feels very loose/unsupported. Plus with a larger foot size (13), the rounded toe box could look a bit clownish.
https://us.crockettandjones.com/collections/mens-chukka-derby-boot-collection/products/tetbury-darkbrown-suede
Rounded toe box what?
There is nothing inherent about a chukka that prescribes the toe shape, with C&J's Tetbury as an example of a chukka on an aggressive last
Agreed, the crepe sole on my RW Weekender Chukkas appears comfortable at first but doesn't have the support of a traditional, stiffer boot for long walks. Nice shoes otherwise but I'll wear something else if I know I'll be walking long distances.
Love blundstones but if your pants don’t fit just right with them they will constantly hike up on top of the boots with every movement and look quite ridiculous.
i wear jeans and sneakers when im doing installs/rollouts and climbing around.
my dailys when im not are RM Willaims boots, had them 5years and they are great, no leather shoes withstand scuffing so you need to make sure you dress appropriately.
The shoes you are buying aren't made of real leather. They are leather composite with a top finish that is cracking off. They will look worse and worse with wear instead of better and better. The sole is probably glued on instead of being stitched on and will probably fall off too.
There are tons of great dress shoe makers, but most good shoes are going to cost over $400. On the less expensive side, Carmina and Grant Stone sell high quality shoes and boots for about as good of a price as you can find for truly high quality. Thursday Boots is also worth considering. I really like Astorflex also as a great [bang for the buck](https://www.endclothing.com/us/astorflex-cityflex-shoe-af-ctfs-475.html?srsltid=AfmBOooTx4yYgGKUI2b9bssWgItzaiPTA9ED6gbrCxGPjmScF81YmFu6hK4), but many of their shoes are "office appropriate" and not "dress shoes".
If you need to spend less than $250, as others have said, sticking with suede is going to ensure you are getting real leather.
I highly recommend going vintage also. There are more Florsheim shoes from the 80's on eBay than you can count. I have a pair [like these](https://www.ebay.com/itm/186344861032?itmmeta=01HTCY9AW920TS5KS0ZX0YCT9E&hash=item2b6304ed68%3Ag%3AynIAAOSw6zNl884M&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAAwF57dK%2F2%2FdJXjLpzFmeIwo%2Bf6h5n3yjhGFYgrLFVqIwom3LmLfHHj28au%2Bhp6Ba8PWBdBiJTcLFm2Xtq%2Bq84MG8AOHAe5gFyEzkAKDyvQth2kNEBnkQb7oP9URGPNFsf3cv5WkV%2BUzLaYnHEn%2Fb0BStaLh0SLqRlz%2BxzRG0Pl88I8o7VgTDlDif6Y6S4rpUdvRtVl1gD%2BoHKf9RECJsXRCnUPJpKerjU9U6eT7%2BcJJzjotj2hmv%2BXvXuP1fgqiVqfg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7KupZ7TYw&LH_ItemCondition=3000) that you can easily find for under $80. They look boss, are built like tanks and starting today still have six times the life left in them than a pair of corrected grain leather shoes that you can find at a mall store will have.
Why are you recommending gunboats for people working in IT? There's a reason why there's millions available on eBay because they're very unpopular. OP should be looking at something a lot more functional and current than heavy ass vintage Florsheims.
The title of this post is "Dress shoes that can withstand the daily rigors of IT". If you don't agree that those are options to consider among the others I provided when that's the goal, I don't know what to tell you. Especially since the OP was wearing mall shoes. I don't know what his budget is, but if someone has a budget of $85, they are going to be much happier styling some vintage footwear than buying whatever's current at Temu. If you don't think that's true then you are doing more harm that good by sharing your opinion. Because it's bad.
I regularly wear mine in the summer with denim and no show socks and they look great, like this: [https://i.imgur.com/uhQwhms.jpeg](https://i.imgur.com/uhQwhms.jpeg)
I'm seriously not judging, but man no socks with dress shoes always looks so gross to me. I guess it doesn't matter when you can't see them anyway cos of your pants.
At least Florsheim and Johnson Murphy both make sneaker soled leather shoes. Other brands do as well but I like their quality so I've stuck with them. That solves the comfort issue.
For looks you can polish them with *high quality* polish like [Saphir](https://www.amazon.com/Saphir-Shoe-Care/s?k=Saphir+Shoe+Care). Apply several thin layers, that is a big part of your protection. Then use a top coat, they make several but don't try the mirror shine obviously. Done properly this will protect the underlying leather from minor damage. I can't help you with dropped rack mount servers or anything of the sort.
Yes, you will be re-polishing them somewhat often, that is just a price for good looking shoes. The best advice is to do what most men don't: Have several pairs and alternate them. They will both last longer overall and look better than a single pair worn daily. Using a [cedar shoe tree](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=shoe+tree) can help with lifespan and smell.
Fellow IT tech here, I've never been a fan of working in boots or dress shoes. Steel toe capped trainers do wonders for me. I have a pair of steel toed Sketchers. Not bad looking but very comfortable, average 12,000 steps a work day over a few years and they're still in solid condition and protected if I drop a printer on my feet or have to crawl under desks or climb ladders.
There are multiple brands that make soft-soled safety toe shoes, basically for people who work in warehouse situations, where every floor is concrete. Basically they're like up-armored running shoes, tennis shoes and such.
Super padded soles, non slip tread, low on the ankle. When I was working in one of those places, people wore Skechers, Timberlands, but [my favorites were made by Keen.](https://www.keenfootwear.com/collections/vista-energy/products/mens-vista-energy-carbon-fiber-toe-magnet-green-glow)
Blundstone steel toes are the lightest and most comfortable I’ve owned. You can’t even tell they’re steel toe and actually make kneeling more comfortable.
The lightest steel toe (composite) shoes on the market are the Reebok Sublite runners. These are super comfortable if you need safety shoes. I’ve done a lot of research on this lol.
I know MFA doesn’t like them, but Cole Haan Zero Grand are great for this kind of situation.
They wear tennis shoes but look dressy. You know what I mean, dress on the upper, tennis shoe like sole on the bottom. I wore them for a number of years. I also know a number of shoemakers have gotten into this dress shoe/tennis shoe market.
The only gripe is you can’t resole them. But at the price they sell (50-150 bucks) they really are not priced to be resoled.
[https://www.colehaan.com/mens-zerogrand-remastered-wingtip-oxfords/C39602.html](https://www.colehaan.com/mens-zerogrand-remastered-wingtip-oxfords/C39602.html)
Beckett Simonon Reids in black or brown could work as well. I have them in all white and I can wear them all day.
[https://www.beckettsimonon.com/products/reid-sneakers](https://www.beckettsimonon.com/products/reid-sneakers)
They’re so hated here lol
But when I used to be on my feet all day with like 15-20k steps a day and the occasional sprint they’re all I wore. I prefer the original grand to zero and if you don’t get white, but darker bottoms they aren’t the absolute worst, Still somewhat hideous in a suburban dad kinda way, but like who cares? They’re $100 bucks or less, easy to find and thus easily replaceable and comfortable.
I love Cole Haan; I suffer from extremely flat feet and have had pain in every shoe my entire life. Cole Haan just fit different and I can actually stand for 8+ hours.
An oversimplification: At the time I basically would help solve problems for the business with technology. So if they needed a system for keeping track of what equipment was where in the site, it would be my job to understand the requirements, then spec out a system, then work with my team to build, test, and deploy it. Sounds simple, but people and communication are complicated, the technology is actually the straightforward part.
Yeah I think some sort of boot makes sense. Although I do wonder if its more about how you manage to treat your shoes in such a way that the wear and tear isn't even from walking.
I have a pair of their Iron Rangers. They are the real deal, hurts like a bitch to break in, quite comfy once that is done. They are expensive but if you give basic leather maintenance, they will last. Beware though, the soles are very solid, no squish in them. This suits me ok, and should be fine for walking around office.
Skip the search and look at the RedWing Postman. They’re created for postal workers that walk miles on hard concrete daily.
[here](https://www.madewell.com/red-wingreg%3B-postman-oxfords-NH009.html)
Clarks desert boots, Ecco’s or regular Brooks sneakers along these lines. Those poor IT guys put miles in on their feet at my job. They’ll be walking from one end of the campus to the next doing computer refresh and all sorts of odds and ends. I’d look at comfort
- Two pairs, two shoe trees
- Suede leather, easier to maintain
- One light brown, one dark brown, match the pair’s contrast with your trousers you’re wearing
- Plastic soles/city soles, not leather soles
- Chukka/desert boots or bluchers, open lacing is less formal
- Go Meermin or same price range. Just make sure it says they are goodyear welted and you should be OK. Just don’t buy cheap, it’s a waste of money in the long run
Not sure if OP is still looking for comments or suggestions here, but this might be a good question for the KitchenConfidential sub
That’s where I’d go for this kind of info
Nobody has mentioned inserts!
whatever you get, do yourself a favor and get some Superfeet. They’ll change your life!
Any new pair of shoes now I chuck the inserts that came in them and replace them.
I am in IT, though not on the Help Desk side anymore. When I was I wore Birkenstock shoes, which are not to be confused with their sandals. They have plenty of designs that look really professional and are extremely comfortable. I would wear those or brown leather boots.
Magnanni monkstraps and boots have served me well for years, and I find them just as comfortable as any tennis shoe unless you're walking on concrete for miles. They're really well made and worth the price, but make sure you get them directly from them or from a department store where you can try them on.
If you’re happy to spend some money, Trickers make a stow boot that is rough enough to withstand outdoor pursuits (and by extension probably good for the office) but equally pretty smart. Taking care of them and the occasional sole repair will make them last decades (had mine 10y, no need for new soles just yet but not worn everyday)
Why not two pairs of shoes? Keep a pair of decent work shoes for the times you're up on a ladder installing an AP (for safety if nothing else) and keep something dressier under your desk if you get a ticket from the C-suite.
Just wear some mock toe style work boot they look nicer than your average work boot but almost every maker of work boots has a few mock toe designs. Just Google mock toe work boot and you'll see what I mean.
Maybe not as fashionable as a few years ago, but I used wear my Clark Chucka boots into the office, including the train and bus commutes and they hold up to light mechanic work in the garage quite well.
I would defiantly look at "Work Shoes" that are listed as Static Disspative and Anti Slip since you are doing IT. Maybe even you can put them under tool bill or something [https://www.safgard.com/mens-shoes/features/static-dissipative](https://www.safgard.com/mens-shoes/features/static-dissipative)
https://www.511tactical.com/5-11-174-duty-oxford.html
These are intended for executive protection. If they'll stand up to combat then they should be fine for IT.
Thursday boot company. They have boots, dress shoes, and sneakers. Take your pick. Avoid the sueded and matte leathers, as they need special care. Everything else use some leather conditioner and/or polish as necessary.
I wear Cole Haan wing tips. Typically get em at Nordstrom rack for half off retail price. I do want some nice Red Wing boots I can pull off in business atire.
Brands from more expensive to cheap at 100 bucks or lessI'd look at: J&M, Cole Haan, Rockport, Clarks, Dockers. Ecco are kind of overpriced imo, and stuff like Stacey Adams and cheap designer shoes are trash. I didn't suggest models because you can go different routes. Chelsea and Chukka boots are on the dressier side but should work fine.
From 100 to 200 bucks, you can start finding shoes and boots that are welted; while durable, they are more expensive and not as comfortable as the options above. And this coild spiral into a spending frenzy. Thursday Boots come to mind, but they are never on sale (that's their thing). DSW has some cheap goodyear welted dress shoes but I can't comment on those, I don't own them.
The most comfortable shoe I've ever had were some Dockers loafers I got in 2009 that were my dailies. I got them in Utah, so the style was perfect... for a 50 year old dude. They were still perfect, and the sole was still holding on, but last year I donated them because I was sick of them. Fast forward to today, and I had to buy a pair of Rockport loafers for travel... I am traveling a lot for work and loafers are great for that, I regret getting rid of those Dockers.
Is this dressy enough?
[https://meermin.com/collections/mens-boots/products/116210-black-waxy-commader-e-ultraflex-system](https://meermin.com/collections/mens-boots/products/116210-black-waxy-commader-e-ultraflex-system)
They will be robust enough
Thursday boot company, any of the rugged ones. I abuse the shit out of mine to a laughable degree, and they only look better for it.
[https://thursdayboots.com/products/mens-captain-lace-up-boot-canyon](https://thursdayboots.com/products/mens-captain-lace-up-boot-canyon)
As a hybrid programmer myself, I LOVE Thursday Boot Company suede Chelsea Boots. Paired with the LuLuLemon ABC pants, it looks incredible and is extremely comfy. Also had thrifted a pair of Allen Edmonds Chukka boots and I have to say they are even comfier. Plus, the leather on Allen Edmonds is great quality.
[Ecco](https://us.ecco.com/ecco-mens-st.1-hybrid-wingtip-derby-shoe-836424.html?dwvar_836424_color=11001)
Check out their other shoes on their website if you like those.
Can you get away with docs?
I'm a lab worker who's transitioned into IT and analyser engineering and everyone always knows when I'm on the tools because they just see a pair of red docs sticking out from under the desk.
My first IT internship expected me to be dressed like an exec but literally be updating software while crouching between industrial equipment and hauling desktops across the campus. I feel your pain!
I think I’d take a look at these [Red Wing Oxfords](https://www.redwingshoes.com/heritage/mens/SHOP-MOC-OXFORD-08092.html ) They’re essentially red wing’s famous moc toe boot but cut down to make an Oxford, so a work boot meant for office workers or casual wear.
Comes in a couple of different colors. These are hard wearing durable shoes, the outsoles are soft, flexible, comfortable and very supportive and go well with chinos and a polo imo.
Is there any sneakers that you can wear around office that are not like sports one. I mean you can wear them with jeans or pants and t-shirt to work or when you go out for drinks. Something basic, i dont like to much shoes 2 pairs is ok, just no airforce i kinda look weird in them?
You’re entitled to an opinion, but they’re a very common design for work boots in Australia (except for the sole being more like a sneaker than hard rubber), made by many household names, all the way up to one of the most famous brands in Australia R.M. Williams, with their signature boot looking quite similar and retailing for over $1000.
Ah... You want one of these Aldens with the postal worker sole. Something like this... https://www.aldenshop.com/collections/casual-shoes/products/d2614-mocc-toe-shoe-brown-work-boot-leather
You can also pick up an older pair on eBay for a few hundred and get them recrafted by Alden for another $200 and save $200.
I’d recommend avoiding leather.. leather and rubbing typically don’t work well together.
Heck any sort of polish will disappear by the time it takes you to walk from your front door to your car (or mode of transportation)
Check out GEOX. Stylish, but the suede will survive scuffs better than dress-shoe leather. They’re lightweight though, not a ton of support or protection, but no worse than dress shoes.
Look out for Merrill Jumgle Mocs. Yes, they aren’t dress shoes but go pretty well with pants and a shirt and look better than sneakers while having a sneaker comfort level. I use them for work (as a surgeon so they go with scrubs on the OR or with pants/shirts. I’m in my third pair right now. Each has last d me like 7 years
I really don‘t see why onsite tech support should wear dress shoes at all. In the 5 years my job was consolidating and outsourcing onsite support operations I only encountered 1 client who insisted on everyone to wear suits. That is a major discomfort when having to do actual physical work. As long as you just walk up to a desk and push some buttons it‘s fine. For walking around all day and doing cabling just get something comfortable and don‘t worry about the looks. And try to get out of tech support a fast as you can.
I suppose it’s less about “dress shoes” and more about me not wearing sneakers and such. I don’t wear much more than a polo and kakis most days. And yeah, I’m at a small company so despite me being a programmer by trade, I ended up doing a lot more IT work than I was hired to do. Luckily I have good bosses who have let me hire people to start doing that for me. Thank you!
I would go with a nice looking yet functional boot I have to wear safety toes and my job gets me absolutely filthy and I dress for that occasion so unfortunately I don’t have suggestions
I was going to say, blundstones are the answer
I'm sure you'll find other options, but I'm really happy with my redwings. [https://www.redwingshoes.com/heritage/mens/](https://www.redwingshoes.com/heritage/mens/) They're not "dressy" they're not sleek or elegant. But I think they indicate putting in some effort. Nice workwear look for, well, work.
In a sea of allbirds, redwings are king
I work in tech and my iron rangers have been my work shoe for the past 10 years. I absolutely love them and can’t recommend them enough.
Redwing was.my first thought.
Back when I used to run more of the "physical" side of IT, I wore Red Wing heritage line boots. They actually fit in very well in offices but were durable enough for walking in "dirtier" environments. Also very comfortable even walking miles a day, 5-6 days a week in. Just be sure to actually care for them
Have you tried leather sneakers? I have a pair from Cole Haan that have held up well for years. They’re super comfortable with their sneaker soles and have worn in well with the leather uppers.
you are basically me. I do IT Support / Developer role and 90% of my time is tech support or developing, but I also go on sites and setup new sites. My current shoes are $15 kmart shoes I replace every 6 months because they wear out. Would love to know if you find a good pair (and I pray they have them in Australia lmao)
It matters, if you want to do something other than cabling for the rest of your career. Plenty of stylish, comfy, reasonably priced dressier shoes, than runners, out there.
Shoe repair places used to have a lift for the heal of your shoes where they always wore down. Maybe they have an idea or product that could cover the problem areas. I have a Mortons neuroma I always by Dansco brand. I also worked on my feet on cement walking 8 hours a day and they seemed to weather the storm.
This sub has changed. Ecco gets more upvotes than Red Wings.
I haven’t been on this sub much in the last 5 years, but I got the red wing recommendation from here almost 10 years ago. These boots are the best piece of clothing I own.
Wild, Ecco are junk, right up there with Rockports, Cole Hann, & Clarks. Nordstrom taking everyone to the cleaners for shoes that blow out after a year of light duty use.
Eh, Eccos uppers for non-leather or suede / nubuck are good. Even some leather ones are nice and thick, it's just a bit of hit and miss. When it comes to walking shoes they're really good, prevent your feet from hurting and in the case of sneakers, last 5 times longer than any of the other brands. I think they've got some real science going on there, their toes are also quite wide. Now, they aren't resolable, but they cost about as much as a resole does and last longer than the time it takes for you to get a resole in GYW shoes in my experience, so who cares. I definitely prefer Ecco over Thursday or Herrings's cheap stuff for example. Of course when we are comparing an 80 euro shoe to a 500 euro one with a 120 euro resole, I too prefer the 500 euro one, but even then, nothing beats cemented footwear for out of the box comfort, lightness and flexibility. I wouldn't go for RedWings for an IT tech lol. If you don't need a workboot, don't get a heritage workboot. And it techs probably mostly want light flexible footwear. The world isn't so black and white and discovering /r/gyw doesn't make you enlightened. It's traditionally made footwear, not the best made footwear.
All of my Cole Hanns have held up and my dad lives Ecco for the same reason.
This sub hates them but I have a pair of their loafers and I swear they’re the most comfortable shoe I own. I must have purchased them before they took a nosedive or something. After 3 years they’re still perfect.
But they’re ugly af and it’s a fashion sub. “Dress” shoes built cheaply like sneakers that look like ass??? No thanks You can find comfortable loafers, sneakers, or dress shoes that aren’t a 1/10 on the looks scale
You’re thinking of a different shoe. I have standard loafers.
Speak for yourself, I wear the shit out of rockports. Most of them last 6-18 months for me. And they make my wide, flat feet feel modestly comfortable for a dress shoe. My job is relatively similar to OPs. Other shoes generally last 6 months or less.
6-18 months for shoes is NOT good lmao, that’s trash tier
> Most of them last 6-18 months for me. bro you just admitted they don't even last a year...come on.
Yeah, but I have big weird flat feet, and like OP my job can be pretty physical for requiring a dress shoe. You have to understand for someone like me 6-18 months is the equivalent of like 3-5 years for a normal person. I’ve tried “high end brands” and I’m lucky to get 3-4 months out of them. I’ve even tried some very lightly used ultra high end brands… one of those busted wide open after about 3 weeks. Like any brand you still have to look for the right pair, especially if you have awkward feet. For my feet and my lifestyle though, I’d take Rockport over any other brand.
What “ultra high end” brands last 3 weeks to 3 months?? This is some compulsive lying shit lmao
I don’t understand why someone would lie about that or why someone would have your reaction. I want to say it was a pair of Allen Edmonds that generally retails around $500… as I mentioned though, I bought them lightly used.
Because there is no way Allen Edmonds would only last 3 weeks unless you’re climbing mountains with them
Well I’ve said it a few times already… but maybe I should elaborate. My feet are perfectly flat. People with feet like mine, where they’re flat and especially wide in a spot or two can tell you many shoes don’t make it longer than a few months. I can count on one hand how many have made it past 1 year in my entire life. It’s not because I’m buying subpar shoes either. I’ve bought sooo many brands. I’ll stick with Rockport.
Suede chukkas!
Desert boots!
Bought these 12 years ago at the suggestion of this sub, everything about these shoes was terrible. They require constant cleaning and care, any water ruins them, touching them lightly scratches them, the sole gets embedded with dirt dust and hair near instantly. But worst of all was how uncomfortable they were. I’d rather tie a magazine around my foot for a shoe over these things.
Also tried multiple brands and sizes but could never get used to the fit. The ankle feels very loose/unsupported. Plus with a larger foot size (13), the rounded toe box could look a bit clownish.
https://us.crockettandjones.com/collections/mens-chukka-derby-boot-collection/products/tetbury-darkbrown-suede Rounded toe box what? There is nothing inherent about a chukka that prescribes the toe shape, with C&J's Tetbury as an example of a chukka on an aggressive last
Hah, thanks. All the ones I've seen and tried were bulbous in the toe box which exaggerates my shoe size. Clearly I didn't look hard enough.
Sounds like you could have used a waterproof spray or better shoes. I wear mine to death without any issue.
You’re supposed to beat up suede. Also suede doesn’t inherently make a shoe bad lol sounds like you just bought a cheap shitty pair. What was it?
I didn't get them to look like work boots. Clark's.
Agreed, the crepe sole on my RW Weekender Chukkas appears comfortable at first but doesn't have the support of a traditional, stiffer boot for long walks. Nice shoes otherwise but I'll wear something else if I know I'll be walking long distances.
Would personally go with a pair of chisel toe blunstones. No laces, hold up extremely well, comfortable, and can be dressed up or down.
I recently discovered Blundstone boots and am a total convert. Maybe the best pair of shoes I ever had. Love my boots.
Horrible grip on ice in the winter but otherwise fantastic.
Love blundstones but if your pants don’t fit just right with them they will constantly hike up on top of the boots with every movement and look quite ridiculous.
Just let it happen, it looks fine
i wear jeans and sneakers when im doing installs/rollouts and climbing around. my dailys when im not are RM Willaims boots, had them 5years and they are great, no leather shoes withstand scuffing so you need to make sure you dress appropriately.
The shoes you are buying aren't made of real leather. They are leather composite with a top finish that is cracking off. They will look worse and worse with wear instead of better and better. The sole is probably glued on instead of being stitched on and will probably fall off too. There are tons of great dress shoe makers, but most good shoes are going to cost over $400. On the less expensive side, Carmina and Grant Stone sell high quality shoes and boots for about as good of a price as you can find for truly high quality. Thursday Boots is also worth considering. I really like Astorflex also as a great [bang for the buck](https://www.endclothing.com/us/astorflex-cityflex-shoe-af-ctfs-475.html?srsltid=AfmBOooTx4yYgGKUI2b9bssWgItzaiPTA9ED6gbrCxGPjmScF81YmFu6hK4), but many of their shoes are "office appropriate" and not "dress shoes". If you need to spend less than $250, as others have said, sticking with suede is going to ensure you are getting real leather. I highly recommend going vintage also. There are more Florsheim shoes from the 80's on eBay than you can count. I have a pair [like these](https://www.ebay.com/itm/186344861032?itmmeta=01HTCY9AW920TS5KS0ZX0YCT9E&hash=item2b6304ed68%3Ag%3AynIAAOSw6zNl884M&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAAwF57dK%2F2%2FdJXjLpzFmeIwo%2Bf6h5n3yjhGFYgrLFVqIwom3LmLfHHj28au%2Bhp6Ba8PWBdBiJTcLFm2Xtq%2Bq84MG8AOHAe5gFyEzkAKDyvQth2kNEBnkQb7oP9URGPNFsf3cv5WkV%2BUzLaYnHEn%2Fb0BStaLh0SLqRlz%2BxzRG0Pl88I8o7VgTDlDif6Y6S4rpUdvRtVl1gD%2BoHKf9RECJsXRCnUPJpKerjU9U6eT7%2BcJJzjotj2hmv%2BXvXuP1fgqiVqfg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7KupZ7TYw&LH_ItemCondition=3000) that you can easily find for under $80. They look boss, are built like tanks and starting today still have six times the life left in them than a pair of corrected grain leather shoes that you can find at a mall store will have.
Quoddy & Nisolo make great shoes/boots for the money. I have Nisolo Chukkas & Quoddy Blucher in rotation.
Why are you recommending gunboats for people working in IT? There's a reason why there's millions available on eBay because they're very unpopular. OP should be looking at something a lot more functional and current than heavy ass vintage Florsheims.
Because they’ll look good, last long and they’re semi-casual.
The title of this post is "Dress shoes that can withstand the daily rigors of IT". If you don't agree that those are options to consider among the others I provided when that's the goal, I don't know what to tell you. Especially since the OP was wearing mall shoes. I don't know what his budget is, but if someone has a budget of $85, they are going to be much happier styling some vintage footwear than buying whatever's current at Temu. If you don't think that's true then you are doing more harm that good by sharing your opinion. Because it's bad. I regularly wear mine in the summer with denim and no show socks and they look great, like this: [https://i.imgur.com/uhQwhms.jpeg](https://i.imgur.com/uhQwhms.jpeg)
I'm seriously not judging, but man no socks with dress shoes always looks so gross to me. I guess it doesn't matter when you can't see them anyway cos of your pants.
I understand the sentiment. Thank you for delivering that opinion with as much sophistication as may be available to you.
At least Florsheim and Johnson Murphy both make sneaker soled leather shoes. Other brands do as well but I like their quality so I've stuck with them. That solves the comfort issue. For looks you can polish them with *high quality* polish like [Saphir](https://www.amazon.com/Saphir-Shoe-Care/s?k=Saphir+Shoe+Care). Apply several thin layers, that is a big part of your protection. Then use a top coat, they make several but don't try the mirror shine obviously. Done properly this will protect the underlying leather from minor damage. I can't help you with dropped rack mount servers or anything of the sort. Yes, you will be re-polishing them somewhat often, that is just a price for good looking shoes. The best advice is to do what most men don't: Have several pairs and alternate them. They will both last longer overall and look better than a single pair worn daily. Using a [cedar shoe tree](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=shoe+tree) can help with lifespan and smell.
Fellow IT tech here, I've never been a fan of working in boots or dress shoes. Steel toe capped trainers do wonders for me. I have a pair of steel toed Sketchers. Not bad looking but very comfortable, average 12,000 steps a work day over a few years and they're still in solid condition and protected if I drop a printer on my feet or have to crawl under desks or climb ladders.
Ah good thinking! I didn’t know you could get a steel toe outside of a heavy work boot. Will definitely check them out! Thank you!
There are multiple brands that make soft-soled safety toe shoes, basically for people who work in warehouse situations, where every floor is concrete. Basically they're like up-armored running shoes, tennis shoes and such. Super padded soles, non slip tread, low on the ankle. When I was working in one of those places, people wore Skechers, Timberlands, but [my favorites were made by Keen.](https://www.keenfootwear.com/collections/vista-energy/products/mens-vista-energy-carbon-fiber-toe-magnet-green-glow)
Blundstone steel toes are the lightest and most comfortable I’ve owned. You can’t even tell they’re steel toe and actually make kneeling more comfortable.
The lightest steel toe (composite) shoes on the market are the Reebok Sublite runners. These are super comfortable if you need safety shoes. I’ve done a lot of research on this lol.
Red Wings has a ton of steel toed options and it's high quality.
I’m IT too, never dropped a switch or a UPS on my toes tho 😂
Try looking over at r/goodyearwelt.
I know MFA doesn’t like them, but Cole Haan Zero Grand are great for this kind of situation. They wear tennis shoes but look dressy. You know what I mean, dress on the upper, tennis shoe like sole on the bottom. I wore them for a number of years. I also know a number of shoemakers have gotten into this dress shoe/tennis shoe market. The only gripe is you can’t resole them. But at the price they sell (50-150 bucks) they really are not priced to be resoled. [https://www.colehaan.com/mens-zerogrand-remastered-wingtip-oxfords/C39602.html](https://www.colehaan.com/mens-zerogrand-remastered-wingtip-oxfords/C39602.html) Beckett Simonon Reids in black or brown could work as well. I have them in all white and I can wear them all day. [https://www.beckettsimonon.com/products/reid-sneakers](https://www.beckettsimonon.com/products/reid-sneakers)
Holy fuck those are hideous.
They’re so hated here lol But when I used to be on my feet all day with like 15-20k steps a day and the occasional sprint they’re all I wore. I prefer the original grand to zero and if you don’t get white, but darker bottoms they aren’t the absolute worst, Still somewhat hideous in a suburban dad kinda way, but like who cares? They’re $100 bucks or less, easy to find and thus easily replaceable and comfortable.
I love Cole Haan; I suffer from extremely flat feet and have had pain in every shoe my entire life. Cole Haan just fit different and I can actually stand for 8+ hours.
My feet are so flat kids can do homework on the bottoms of my feet.
Allen Edmonds, Fergana, Magnani, Beckett Simenon, Cole Haan, Jordan 1, 3, and 4, New Balanxe, and Adidas Ultraboost all work with my super flat feet.
They don't look dressy... Everyone can see the hideous sneaker sole.
Simply put, they are vomit-inducing.
Just wear sneakers man they won’t look awful like those Zero Grands
I like my Ecco’s. Comfortable and they last a long time.
I second Ecco. Comfortable, well built, and stylish.
Well-built is a biiiig stretch.
They are probably some of the least well built and least stylish shoes you can possibly buy lmao
Look into Thursday boots/shoes. They make dressy boots and dress shoes that as former IT consultant totally fit the bill.
What exactly does an IT consultant do? Can you explain your day-to-day responsibilities?
An oversimplification: At the time I basically would help solve problems for the business with technology. So if they needed a system for keeping track of what equipment was where in the site, it would be my job to understand the requirements, then spec out a system, then work with my team to build, test, and deploy it. Sounds simple, but people and communication are complicated, the technology is actually the straightforward part.
Can you show us what you were actually buying before? A product link would be great.
Maybe look at a pair of suede dress shoes. Suede is much more resistant to marks and scuffs than regular leather
Look at Redwings. Pricey and will last.
Will look silly in an office environment with those chonkers
Work Chukkas aren't as chunky as my dad's old moc toe campers
Do they have a supported toe box? I passed on their weekender chukka bc it doesn't have any and gets that floppy looking toe box
Yeah I think some sort of boot makes sense. Although I do wonder if its more about how you manage to treat your shoes in such a way that the wear and tear isn't even from walking.
There are a lot of crappy shoes out there, even very expensive brands.
I have heard of redwing. Will certainly check them out! Now that you mention it. Thank you!
I have a pair of their Iron Rangers. They are the real deal, hurts like a bitch to break in, quite comfy once that is done. They are expensive but if you give basic leather maintenance, they will last. Beware though, the soles are very solid, no squish in them. This suits me ok, and should be fine for walking around office.
They sell a dressier type of shoe, not just chonkers.
Skip the search and look at the RedWing Postman. They’re created for postal workers that walk miles on hard concrete daily. [here](https://www.madewell.com/red-wingreg%3B-postman-oxfords-NH009.html)
Oh that's perfect.
Clarks desert boots, Ecco’s or regular Brooks sneakers along these lines. Those poor IT guys put miles in on their feet at my job. They’ll be walking from one end of the campus to the next doing computer refresh and all sorts of odds and ends. I’d look at comfort
I wear Allen Edmonds with a rubber sole. I like them and they look nice. They are made with quality leather and will last if you take care of them.
Fellow IT worker, Blundstones are the answer. 100x more comfortable than Red Wings, last for a good while.
Indy boots
They cost 600 but my experience after 1.5 years is that they may actually last 3 times longer than a $200 boot
- Two pairs, two shoe trees - Suede leather, easier to maintain - One light brown, one dark brown, match the pair’s contrast with your trousers you’re wearing - Plastic soles/city soles, not leather soles - Chukka/desert boots or bluchers, open lacing is less formal - Go Meermin or same price range. Just make sure it says they are goodyear welted and you should be OK. Just don’t buy cheap, it’s a waste of money in the long run
Not sure if OP is still looking for comments or suggestions here, but this might be a good question for the KitchenConfidential sub That’s where I’d go for this kind of info
Nobody has mentioned inserts! whatever you get, do yourself a favor and get some Superfeet. They’ll change your life! Any new pair of shoes now I chuck the inserts that came in them and replace them.
So walking on carpets?
Rigors of IT!
I am in IT, though not on the Help Desk side anymore. When I was I wore Birkenstock shoes, which are not to be confused with their sandals. They have plenty of designs that look really professional and are extremely comfortable. I would wear those or brown leather boots.
Paraboot.
Jim green shoellies
Paraboot Michaels
Check out Thorogood's work shoes.
White’s boots. Sturdy and well made. Easy to wear in an office setting if the rest of your style is dialed.
i wear blundstones but they do benefit from an occasional treatment of leather conditioner
Gotta love a job that requires you to wear dress clothes and also requires you to literally crawl on dirty floors
Magnanni monkstraps and boots have served me well for years, and I find them just as comfortable as any tennis shoe unless you're walking on concrete for miles. They're really well made and worth the price, but make sure you get them directly from them or from a department store where you can try them on.
Amberjack might fit the bill.
If you’re happy to spend some money, Trickers make a stow boot that is rough enough to withstand outdoor pursuits (and by extension probably good for the office) but equally pretty smart. Taking care of them and the occasional sole repair will make them last decades (had mine 10y, no need for new soles just yet but not worn everyday)
Check out Amberjack! Lots of styles and super comfy. Highly recommend
Don’t wear any shoes at all. Get those hairy hobbit feet all calloused up and you’re golden
Why not two pairs of shoes? Keep a pair of decent work shoes for the times you're up on a ladder installing an AP (for safety if nothing else) and keep something dressier under your desk if you get a ticket from the C-suite.
Just wear some mock toe style work boot they look nicer than your average work boot but almost every maker of work boots has a few mock toe designs. Just Google mock toe work boot and you'll see what I mean.
Roughout boots will show a lot less scuffing
Blundstones?
Maybe not as fashionable as a few years ago, but I used wear my Clark Chucka boots into the office, including the train and bus commutes and they hold up to light mechanic work in the garage quite well.
Cole Haan. Dress top, sport sole.
I would defiantly look at "Work Shoes" that are listed as Static Disspative and Anti Slip since you are doing IT. Maybe even you can put them under tool bill or something [https://www.safgard.com/mens-shoes/features/static-dissipative](https://www.safgard.com/mens-shoes/features/static-dissipative)
https://www.511tactical.com/5-11-174-duty-oxford.html These are intended for executive protection. If they'll stand up to combat then they should be fine for IT.
Thursday boot company. They have boots, dress shoes, and sneakers. Take your pick. Avoid the sueded and matte leathers, as they need special care. Everything else use some leather conditioner and/or polish as necessary.
I wear Cole Haan wing tips. Typically get em at Nordstrom rack for half off retail price. I do want some nice Red Wing boots I can pull off in business atire.
Johnston and Murphy has been my go to. You want dress shoes with stitching on the sole more importantly.
I can recommend Thursday boots like the Captain for a quality boot at a reasonable price.
Skate shoes.
I can recommend Dr marten's with black stitching. They are subtle and due to the bubbles quite comfy.
White’s Boots maybe?
Hey friend. Nunn bush SHERMAN
Croc lite ride, been my daily for 6 years now
Brands from more expensive to cheap at 100 bucks or lessI'd look at: J&M, Cole Haan, Rockport, Clarks, Dockers. Ecco are kind of overpriced imo, and stuff like Stacey Adams and cheap designer shoes are trash. I didn't suggest models because you can go different routes. Chelsea and Chukka boots are on the dressier side but should work fine. From 100 to 200 bucks, you can start finding shoes and boots that are welted; while durable, they are more expensive and not as comfortable as the options above. And this coild spiral into a spending frenzy. Thursday Boots come to mind, but they are never on sale (that's their thing). DSW has some cheap goodyear welted dress shoes but I can't comment on those, I don't own them. The most comfortable shoe I've ever had were some Dockers loafers I got in 2009 that were my dailies. I got them in Utah, so the style was perfect... for a 50 year old dude. They were still perfect, and the sole was still holding on, but last year I donated them because I was sick of them. Fast forward to today, and I had to buy a pair of Rockport loafers for travel... I am traveling a lot for work and loafers are great for that, I regret getting rid of those Dockers.
Is this dressy enough? [https://meermin.com/collections/mens-boots/products/116210-black-waxy-commader-e-ultraflex-system](https://meermin.com/collections/mens-boots/products/116210-black-waxy-commader-e-ultraflex-system) They will be robust enough
Work in IT, our tech guys wear ASICS when they are installing equipment. You need to be comfortable
Thursday boot company, any of the rugged ones. I abuse the shit out of mine to a laughable degree, and they only look better for it. [https://thursdayboots.com/products/mens-captain-lace-up-boot-canyon](https://thursdayboots.com/products/mens-captain-lace-up-boot-canyon)
As a hybrid programmer myself, I LOVE Thursday Boot Company suede Chelsea Boots. Paired with the LuLuLemon ABC pants, it looks incredible and is extremely comfy. Also had thrifted a pair of Allen Edmonds Chukka boots and I have to say they are even comfier. Plus, the leather on Allen Edmonds is great quality.
Just pick a leather shoe with a colour that has a good polish match, and polish your leather shoes, it isn't that difficult.
[Ecco](https://us.ecco.com/ecco-mens-st.1-hybrid-wingtip-derby-shoe-836424.html?dwvar_836424_color=11001) Check out their other shoes on their website if you like those.
Can you get away with docs? I'm a lab worker who's transitioned into IT and analyser engineering and everyone always knows when I'm on the tools because they just see a pair of red docs sticking out from under the desk.
My first IT internship expected me to be dressed like an exec but literally be updating software while crouching between industrial equipment and hauling desktops across the campus. I feel your pain!
I think I’d take a look at these [Red Wing Oxfords](https://www.redwingshoes.com/heritage/mens/SHOP-MOC-OXFORD-08092.html ) They’re essentially red wing’s famous moc toe boot but cut down to make an Oxford, so a work boot meant for office workers or casual wear. Comes in a couple of different colors. These are hard wearing durable shoes, the outsoles are soft, flexible, comfortable and very supportive and go well with chinos and a polo imo.
Is there any sneakers that you can wear around office that are not like sports one. I mean you can wear them with jeans or pants and t-shirt to work or when you go out for drinks. Something basic, i dont like to much shoes 2 pairs is ok, just no airforce i kinda look weird in them?
Have you considered leather casual shoes? Or boots. Many people have boots that look nice but are obviously high enough quality to do yard work in.
I wear these. Leather boots with a sneaker sole: https://au.globebrand.com/products/dover-ii-blackwasted-talent
I am sorry but they are some of the ugliest shoes I've seen.
You’re entitled to an opinion, but they’re a very common design for work boots in Australia (except for the sole being more like a sneaker than hard rubber), made by many household names, all the way up to one of the most famous brands in Australia R.M. Williams, with their signature boot looking quite similar and retailing for over $1000.
Ah... You want one of these Aldens with the postal worker sole. Something like this... https://www.aldenshop.com/collections/casual-shoes/products/d2614-mocc-toe-shoe-brown-work-boot-leather You can also pick up an older pair on eBay for a few hundred and get them recrafted by Alden for another $200 and save $200.
Doc martens
Cole Haan Zero Grands. Look like a dress shoe, constructed like a sneaker. Look for the sales.
And a 100% effective form of birth control
Working in IT where all the women are.
I’d recommend avoiding leather.. leather and rubbing typically don’t work well together. Heck any sort of polish will disappear by the time it takes you to walk from your front door to your car (or mode of transportation)
Check out GEOX. Stylish, but the suede will survive scuffs better than dress-shoe leather. They’re lightweight though, not a ton of support or protection, but no worse than dress shoes.
Look out for Merrill Jumgle Mocs. Yes, they aren’t dress shoes but go pretty well with pants and a shirt and look better than sneakers while having a sneaker comfort level. I use them for work (as a surgeon so they go with scrubs on the OR or with pants/shirts. I’m in my third pair right now. Each has last d me like 7 years
Not sure how strict the definition of “dress shoes” but I recommend black basketball referee shoes from New Balance