Men's casual Oxford shoe - Alternatives to expensive Timberland?

Buster_Danog

I need to buy some smart casual shoes or possibly even boots, but despite looking around I can't find anything that looks as good as this Timberland shoe. It's £85, and I never really pay more than £40 (usually around £25 max) for footwear. So before I do spend this amount I thought I'd ask here if anyone could think of a good alternative?



I like these because the heel is not massive and bulky like a lot of casual shoes these days. I am tall so could do without extra height. Also, the rubber kind of sole makes them look casual.

I'm open to anything as long as it can be worn with jeans or chinos, and looks stylish - not like Chinese made plastic ones or badly designed shoes or boots with seams running all along the sides.

Any ideas? I always think twice (or more) before spending this amount?

Buster_Danog

Bump - there must be someone who might know a men's shoe similar to this.

meece

Hush Puppies website have a couple of pairs that might suit, around £40-£50? Michigan or Calstock or Rockford?

https://www.hushpuppies.com

Gloomendoom

Sergeant_Troy wrote: »

Bump - there must be someone who might know a men's shoe similar to this.

Sorry, can't help. I have big but narrow feet and I usually end up paying three times that for similar shoes unless I can get them in a sale. £40 seems like a bargain to me, but it's all relative.

Buster_Danog

Thanks guys. Those Hush Puppies look like they are more cheaply made and have that shiny leather look, which is less casual in my eyes.

Yeah, I guess you get what you pay for to some extent, but this time around I just can't see any bargains that even look like those Timberlands for around the £40 mark - I'm having the same problem with boots too.

I heard the Timberland casual shoes did not last too long in terms of wear, but I'll probably buy them anyway. I wish I lived in the US. They seem to have a much better choice.

arbroath_lass

You could try a supermarket.

e.g Tesco have these...

http://www.clothingattesco.com/smart-shoes/icat/mn-smart-shoes/

or Asda...

http://direct.asda.com/george/shoes/men/formal-shoes/D13M1G1C2S3,default,sc.html?psortb1=price&psortd1=1

Armchair23

I think shoes are worth spending money on for reasonable quality. I don't mean silly prices just for a name but for something fairly well made.

If you have a TK Maxx near you and can face taking pot luck you can sometimes find Timberland & Rockports there.

squiggles

matalan have these for 25.00 delivery is 3.50 unless you are near a store.
http://www.matalan.co.uk/fcp/product/fashion-to-buy-online//Soleflex-Atlanta-Lace-Up/30867

Buster_Danog

Thanks for all the links. I suppose I am now realising how much I have been looking around. I can remember being on all those websites, and in Matalan a couple of months back looking at those shoes. I never have much luck with TK Maxx - I'm a size 12.

Armchair23 wrote: »

I think shoes are worth spending money on for reasonable quality. I don't mean silly prices just for a name but for something fairly well made.

I am starting to agree with you. The problem with Timberlands is that I have seen many reviews suggesting they are selling at a high price and getting things made as cheaply as they can. This might not be the case for their most expensive stuff, but the shoe I posted above has some bad reviews - even on their own site.

I might buy them anyway and take a chance that they will last just because I like the look of them that much. But, not before walking along the high street and looking in every shop for something better at that price.

Violetta_2

Have you tried M&S these look similar at £35.

Armchair23

My FIL used to buy shoes from High and Mighty (no idea if they're still going). He said they were really expensive but it was pretty much the only place he went into where he had a choice. He used to find it really depressing just having to but the only size 12 in the shop.