With shorts? Fisherman's sandals.

 

I'm tired of this snow and ice here in the Midwest, so I find myself daydreaming about Summer.

What's your go to summer shoe, specifically with shorts?

I was thinking a beefroll penny from Rancourt, but it's a little dressier than I'm used to in summer. Can anyone speak to Rancourt's quality in maybe a boat shoe?

Thanks.

Handsewns are your friend. I wear boat shoes, bluchers and canoe mocs all summer with some canvas CVOs thrown in every now and then. If you feel like a penny is too formal, you can try a blucher (Rancourt calls it a Ranger Moc, I think) or a canoe moc. Same penny profile but with a camp sole and laces, in both instances. Alternatively, you can get a beefroll penny with a camp or boat sole to cut down on the formality, but I don't think these hybrids are as versatile as the classics. WRT Rancourt, you have nothing to fear quality or service-wise. For many on the forum, a boat shoe is a knock-around shoe that will get destroyed in a season and will probably try to dissuade you from getting an expensive version like Rancourt's, but if you like them and you have the funds, you won't be disappointed in them (or anything else Rancourt makes).

 

Can't go wrong with Sperrys or some New Balance

 

Hard line and Trad thrifter have it right.

My go to summer shoe has been the Jack Purcell for 24 years now.

Bucks and saddles also work great. Bit loafers as well, but if you think pennies are too dressy you may want to leave those alone

Another canvas option that I like are supergas. They come in a multitude of colors.

 

Birkenstocks!!

 

Birkenstocks!!

Oh gawd! Here we go again!

 

^^ I love my Birkenstocks. I also think they are among the ugliest footwear ever devised by man.

 

I've been interested in these for a while now as a middle ground between the dressy leather-soled shoe and a more casual boat shoe or moc. Thoughts?

 

I am totally unable to understand why anyone would buy OTR shoes that cost more than . It just baffles me.

 

Handsewns are your friend. I wear boat shoes, bluchers and canoe mocs all summer with some canvas CVOs thrown in every now and then. If you feel like a penny is too formal, you can try a blucher (Rancourt calls it a Ranger Moc, I think) or a canoe moc. Same penny profile but with a camp sole and laces, in both instances. Alternatively, you can get a beefroll penny with a camp or boat sole to cut down on the formality, but I don't think these hybrids are as versatile as the classics. WRT Rancourt, you have nothing to fear quality or service-wise. For many on the forum, a boat shoe is a knock-around shoe that will get destroyed in a season and will probably try to dissuade you from getting an expensive version like Rancourt's, but if you like them and you have the funds, you won't be disappointed in them (or anything else Rancourt makes).

I've been eyeing the CVO stripers this winter - what color(s) do you wear? I've especially been eyeing the grey ones, don't know why. I know white would be most classic.

 

I rather like the look of a loafer with shorts in the Summer, but I can understand why it may take some time to get comfortable wearing that.

I prefer to simply beat up my Sperrys and replace as needed. I personally wouldn't invest too much in a boat shoe.

Have you considered a driving moc? It's a little less formal than a beefroll loafer, but still keeps the idea of it. I may invest in a pair myself in the next few months...

 

I am totally unable to understand why anyone would buy OTR shoes that cost more than . It just baffles me.

Russell makes great boots and the quality is unparalleled on most of their footwear, but style-wise I think their casual shoes tend to miss the mark. Either they're the wrong shape or come with the wrong sole (and the right one isn't among the choices), while Rancourt consistently gets the details right and have a MTM program as well. I'd never pay the BB markup but it's nice when they go on sale.

 

I've been eyeing the CVO stripers this winter - what color(s) do you wear? I've especially been eyeing the grey ones, don't know why. I know white would be most classic.

I have a pair in blue and I'll probably add a pair of the plain white Sperry's. Rawhide laces are a must, IMO. Greg sounds like a versatile color as well.

 

Russell makes great boots and the quality is unparalleled on most of their footwear, but style-wise I think their casual shoes tend to miss the mark. Either they're the wrong shape or come with the wrong sole (and the right one isn't among the choices), while Rancourt consistently gets the details right and have a MTM program as well. I'd never pay the BB markup but it's nice when they go on sale.

Ah, you obviously are a man of more refined taste than I. I don't see much difference. Must be my Italian peasant genetics . . .

 

Or penny loafers. Bottom line: loafers.

 

Espadrilles, boat shoes, and of course loafers. Bits, tassels and pennies. And driving shoes. As a Florida resident I live for summer shoes.

 

Or penny loafers. Bottom line: loafers.

Not so into the wholecut loafers, but those other two are just freakin gorgeous.

 

Ah, you obviously are a man of more refined taste than I. I don't see much difference. Must be my Italian peasant genetics . . .

Honestly, I'm not real sold on my Russell Moc penny loafers. The calf leather doesn't seem to be great quality, the stitching is a little shoddy in places, and the vibram dress soles are less attractive than I expected.

Website picture:

Actual pictures:

I dunno, maybe I'm overreacting, but that stitching on the straps seems slapdash, the soles seem more obviously synthetic, and that calf leather doesn't seem to be aging or creasing well for less than ten or fifteen wears. I'd assumed I was being overly critical when I got them and that those issues would quickly go away after a little wear helped disguise them, but they really haven't. I might send them back to Russell and see what they have to say.

 

Espadrilles, boat shoes, and of course loafers. Bits, tassels and pennies. And driving shoes. As a Florida resident I live for summer shoes.

I still don't understand how people are able to wear driving shoes outdoors and walk around in them. I had a pair once and, besides having no support, the little rubber nubbins on the bottom were nearly worn off after a month of wear. I feel like you may as well be wearing soft sole mocs.

 

I still don't understand how people are able to wear driving shoes outdoors and walk around in them. I had a pair once and, besides having no support, the little rubber nubbins on the bottom were nearly worn off after a month of wear. I feel like you may as well be wearing soft sole mocs.

Eh, I'm not going to argue. They aren't the most practical thing, but I find them comfortable. Plus they fit my lifestyle! :cool2: (I liked the yellow cool guy icon better)

 

Sperrys AOs. I tried Toms last summer and wore them out almost immediately (plus they were relatively hot), so I stayed with Sperrys.

 

I still don't understand how people are able to wear driving shoes outdoors and walk around in them. I had a pair once and, besides having no support, the little rubber nubbins on the bottom were nearly worn off after a month of wear. I feel like you may as well be wearing soft sole mocs.

Hm, I guess I will save my driving moc money and put it towards a pair of unlined penny loafers.

 

I have a pair of boat shoes and a ranger mocc, both from Rancourt, that I alternate between most days for casual wear and an Alden unlined suede chukka for use with chinos or jeans.

 

I know they don't make them like they used to, but I was looking at LL Bean mocs since they are on the cheaper side. Thoughts?

https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/11575?feat=512905-GN2&page=men-s-handsewn-moccasins-blucher-moc - $79

https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/46112?feat=512905-GN2&page=men-s-casco-bay-boat-mocs - $69

Would love to spring for a pair of Russells or Rancourt, but I am trying to be more budget conscious.

 

I know they don't make them like they used to, but I was looking at LL Bean mocs since they are on the cheaper side. Thoughts?

https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/11575?feat=512905-GN2&page=men-s-handsewn-moccasins-blucher-moc - $79

https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/46112?feat=512905-GN2&page=men-s-casco-bay-boat-mocs - $69

Would love to spring for a pair of Russells or Rancourt, but I am trying to be more budget conscious.

I have no experience with the LL Bean ones but I've heard that their quality is still pretty good, especially for the price and if you take into account their customer service and willingness to accept returns for just about any reason.

If I didn't have my Rancourts and price were more of an issue for me, I'd be interested in the LL Bean Signature Mocs. I personally like the contrasting in color between the soles and the uppers.