If you're not committed to black, I recently bought these and can recommend them (but if your feet are slightly narrow, go 1/2 size down). They're lightweight, very comfortable, and dress up and down.

 

As Dublin is one of the great cities of the world, I trust most, if not all UK shoes are available. I counted 29 different models on the Pediwear site and and this is by no means a complete catalog of what is available. If you have already tried the Islington and like the fit as well as like the leather there is no reason not to get them. On the other hand, if the fit is not just right, I recommend you spend a day trying on as many as you can; the reason being that as they have no laces to tighten or loosen you only have the buckle and holes to work with and thus you can not adjust them to the exactly width of your foot the same way you can adjust a laced shoe.

While StevenRG has suggested a fine shoe, it is Italian, (thinner sole etc.), and not as sturdy as a UK shoe, an important factor if you will wear it often.

 

A recent change of job has resulted in more air travel. I like to travel as lightly as the dictates of good presentation will permit, and if only travelling for 2-3 days generally take only the pair of shoes I wear on the plane.

I cannot bring myself to subject my better shoes to more than one consecutive day's wear - especially as travelling with shoe trees is such a nuisance -

I read something on this forum last year, don't know which thread or who posted it. Instead of travelling with heavy wooden shoe-trees, which could also get mistaken for Nunchuks by inept airport security. Just stuff the shoes with socks and underpants, so they'll still keep their shape and wont get squashed.

 

As Dublin is one of the great cities of the world, I trust most, if not all UK shoes are available.

You'd think, but, in fact, it's very hard to find decent shoes in Dublin. A few places do Church and Cheaney - though at eye-watering prices, and, at the other end, a few places do Loake Design etc. But I don't know of anywhere that stocks the 1881 Loakes, for example.

StevenRG - I like that shoe, and have had excellent experiences with Magnanni in the past. While I'm not committed to black and would prefer brown, this might be a tiny bit flash. Though it may grow on me...
Thanks gentlemen

 

Somehow the loafer seems redolent of middle aged Americans in poorly fitting suits, who have long since sacrificed style to comfort.

Will Boehlke ( A Suitable Wardrobe) is a middle-aged American in well-fitting suits who wears bespoke loafers in as stylish a manner as would be a credit to any of us.

However, I think the monkstrap is not a bad solution, although the side-gusseted slip-on (Will also wears these) may be the best solution as it is easier to take off and put on than a monkstrap. I've used both monkstraps and loafers for travel and prefer monkstraps because they provide more arch support and for me are more comfortable for some of the interminable connecting walkways imposed on the long-suffering traveller. (Heathrow and Frankfurt anyone?). They also strike an appropriate chord of relaxed formality if dining with colleagues or customers in the evening. The problem I have with loafers is finding the right balance between comfort and secure fit - I'm inclined to think that if any shoe justifies the bespoke treatment, it may be the loafer.

One tip, get the leather soles topied. Some of those shiny airport floors can be lethal and it can be heartbreaking to hear the crash of a decent bottle of vintage whiskey on the floor as one of your shoes attempts an anticipatory take-off.

I wear a twenty-five-year-old pair of topied Church Westbury's which are holding up better than I am, and when they eventually answer the call to the great cordwainer in the sky, I plan to try a pair of side-gussets. Of if the fairy godmother in charge of bonuses should decree, bespoke loafers.

 

I have developed the habit of traveling with my second-tier suits and shoes, if only to spare the good stuff the wear and tear of travel. And I only wear slipons for travel given the security procedures. Sort of a shame. Only the judges and juries of the SDNY see me dressed at my best.

 

I travel extensively and here is my routine. If I am out for two or three days I wear the same pair of shoes. At night I stuff them with three arm lengths of toilet paper, each. I use a roll aboard Hartman bag that has room for an extra suit and the balance of my kit including running shoes which go with me everywhere. I can fit in another pair of shoes with trees if I need to, though it is getting tight at that point. With the roll aboard the weight doesn't much matter.

I find that monks are a bad travel choice. If you cross your feet under the seat you are likely to have the buckle scrape the outside of the opposite shoe. I have several pairs which bear these scars and most of them can be chaulked up to air travel.

Air travel is hell on clothes and especially on shoes and briefcases. The designers of the airplane interiors make sure to have exposed bolts or other sharp edges to cut your leather in unexpected places. That notwithstanding I never wear "beater" shoes for travel or otherwise. Presumably you put up with the hassle and humiliation of modern air travel to make more money than you would otherwise, so at the very least you have more money for shoes. I am of the opinion that given the attire of most on the planes it is better to be as well dressed, as expensively dressed, as possible to stave off, at least for a very little bit, the total collapse of civilization.

 

I am of the opinion that given the attire of most on the planes it is better to be as well dressed, as expensively dressed, as possible to stave off, at least for a very little bit, the total collapse of civilization.

With the exception as marked I agree with you. The identification of dressing well with dressing expensively isnot one that I would care so categorically to make.

The insights are valuable however.