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Choosing the right soles for leather shoes
Often praised as the preferred choice of the true shoe connoisseur, leather soles are the epitome of elegance and class. But it won’t have escaped your notice that much of the footwear made by Bexley has soles made of rubber, a resistant, durable material that has carved out a niche for itself in the dress shoe market.
So, rubber sole or leather sole, which one should you choose? Let’s take a closer look at the difference, and at the advantages of each finish.
Shoes with leather soles
Incredibly elegant, and highly appreciated by purists, leather soles feel superlatively good on your feet: their feel, their smoothness, the sound they make... But their qualities are much more than merely a question of style.
Leather soles offer two significant advantages compared with other materials: comfort and breathability. Leather is a natural material that allows air to circulate, letting your feet breathe. It also helps to get rid of any moisture caused by perspiration and improves heat regulation.
Leather soles are therefore perfect for summer wear, whether at work or at play. They naturally adapt to the shape of your foot, so your shoes just get more comfortable as the days go by, gradually fitting more and more closely to your instep to deliver unparalleled, bespoke support.
Leather soles
Traditional and sophisticated, outsoles made entirely from leather are perfect for wearing with the very smartest outfits. They won’t just add style to your suits and chinos, they’re also just perfect for moving smoothly and gracefully across the dance floor! Which makes them the obvious choice for weddings and other ceremonies or festive occasions. But that doesn’t mean you have to keep leather soles for those times when you want to “dress up” – they can just as easily be worn at any time with jeans, for a more casual look. They’re easy to replace too, and deliver elegant, unostentatious, English style.
Soles with pre-fitted sole protectors
However, there is one little disadvantage that leather soles do have: they don’t have much grip, particularly when you’re walking on city pavements! That’s why the Bexley range includes many models of leather soled shoe that feature pre-fitted, non-slip sole protectors. Offering a happy medium between the comfort of natural leather and the stability of rubber soles, leather soles with non-slip pads are the perfect mid-season option. The leather part ensures the sole’s breathability, while the rubber part means you won’t be slipping around in wet weather. The pads will also protect your leather soles and their classy seams from wear and moisture. The perfect compromise if you want to remain elegant whatever the circumstances!
Shoes with natural rubber soles
Originally associated more with sportswear, rubber soles are no longer confined to the great outdoors. Lugged or smart, Bexley rubber soles contain a high percentage of natural rubber and guarantee both maximum grip and long term resistance. They are all suited to both wet weather and extreme cold, as well as being shock-absorbent, very light and really comfortable to walk in.
Smart rubber soles
Rubber soles and good quality shoes are not mutually exclusive – quite the opposite, in fact! Although rubber soles were originally the preserve of casual shoes and sportswear models, they have since made their mark in the world of dress shoes. Derby shoes, Oxfords, boots and loafers: if they have rubber soles you can wear them summer and winter long, thanks to rubber’s ability to keep water out and insulate your feet from the cold. They’re non-slip too, so you can walk with confidence even in the rain or on wet pavements.
Lugged rubber soles
Lugged rubber soles will add a country look to all your formal footwear. They’re most often seen on rugged, casual chic style shoes: Chelsea boots, Derbies, and so on. They offer a peerless grip and faux-pas free transition from the town to the country. They’re worn most of all in the winter, or when it rains.
Studded and one-piece soles
You can’t really talk about rubber soles without mentioning studded soles, the must-have look for your summer driving moccasins! Wrapping around the back of the heel slightly, studded soles are popular both because they’re lightweight and because they are so comfortable they seem to massage the sole of the foot. Some loafers have one-piece rubber soles, which are just as light and, above all, totally non-slip.