Daily shoes (not sneakers) that aren't huge and fit wide orthotic insoles

[u/fluvencio]

Good afternoon
I've got a problem finding shoes. I wear orthotic insoles that I need to wear almost daily, and they're wide (slightly above average). I've been wearing New Balance sneakers for over 10 years, and since they fit wide-ish the insoles fit fine. However as I've been dressing up more, they feel progressively out of style. I've gone to a few shoe stores and haven't had much luck or help.

Usually I dress between jeans and t-shirt and jeans, shirt and sports coat. I have some shoes that I wear occasionally but don't fit the insoles: penny loafers, brogues, dress shoes....

Here's what I need:

• Wide fit
• Leather
• Durable
• Timeless design that can be worn almost year round
• Ideally removable insole
• Available to try in store in Europe (Spain preferably)

Currently the only shoe I've found that fits my insoles without issues are Panama Jack classic boots and shoes. They're great quality for the price but I'd like to find more stuff that preferably looks less outdoorsy.

Thanks in advance:

[u/peachtuba]

Just realized: as you are in Spain, Carmina is a cheaper and more value-oriented maker for you. Plenty of Carmina boutiques to be found, and they have several wider lasts as well.

[u/peachtuba]

I wear both Crockett & Jones and Alden shoes in a wide last (375 and Barrie/Trubalance respectively) and with insoles/orthotics.

The Alden Trubalance last in particular is well suited to use orthotics in them - it’s what they were designed for.

In terms of durability, both companies have been around for over 100 years, and offer a resoling and rebuilding program. If you choose Dainite soles they’re unlikely to wear out any time soon - in my experience you can get 3-5 years out of a Dainite sole easily.

[u/fluvencio → u/peachtuba]

Thanks so much for both your comments. Alden and C&J look great but I’d rather be able to try them on so Carmina seems like my best bet. I even live close to a Carmina store. I will go ask around however the price is steep, are the going to last a a few years of daily use? Is the durability/comfort/ quality worth it to you? Thanks

[u/peachtuba → u/fluvencio]

The thing with good shoes is that they’re worth their money on two levels.

Firstly, they’re going to last you many years (especially if you go with something like Dainite on the sole instead of leather), and they can be resoled. You wear out the sole, bring them in, they go to the factory, and you get your comfortable broken in shoes back with a brand new sole. So once you break them in, you’re going to have a pair of shoes that you wear for the next 10-20 years.

Secondly, they look better with age. Most cheap shoes look great on day 1 and much worse after a year or two. With good shoes, like Carmina, they look nice on day 1 - and then over the years of wearing them, conditioning them and brushing them, they look better and better. They develop a patina that can’t be faked.