yes, very tempting..

1. I would find some way to remove the rubber insoles on the shoes for the following reasons:-
a) It would make it challenging to repair. FYI you can send the shoes back to the factory for full refurbishment if
the rubber insoles were not attached. The re furbishment has several positive effects, ( gives the shoes a new
lease of life, comfortable as it has been broken in, nice patina)

b) the rubber insoles will prevent the shoes ( & your feet ) from breathing. This will result in moisture from the
feet's sweat from drying up properly which may cause the leather to crack

2. To give the shoes some patina, I would suggest that you use black polish on the toes & mid brown for the rest.

I will post pictures of a pair of shoes I did something similar to once I figure out how to post pictures.

Given proper care & the occasional refurbishment, it is not uncommon for these shoes to last 10 + years

How hard would it be to remove the rubber outsole? Just rip them off, send them away for restoration and stick on a new one thereafter.

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Added on July 14, 2010, 10:43 pmI don't think that pair needs any refurbishment. It looks just fine.

This post has been edited by bloke1: Jul 14 2010, 10:43 PM

1. What repair? With the topy's (rubber halfsoles), there is no need for sole repair. Just rip off and glue a new one on.
a) See above.
b) Totally wrong. There is a moisture barrier between the insole and outsole. Church's used to tar the cork, but manufacturers today use glue and the cork layer itself. Otherwise your feet would get wet each time you walk on wet road. This does not happen. (Your feet is kept dry of sweat by the absorptive nature of the insole, which then needs time to dry (upwards, not downwards through the cork and outsole) after wearing.

This post has been edited by kotmj: Jul 14 2010, 10:58 PM

I have an issue with leather soles. Whenever I walk on paved roads, tiny pebbles got stuck onto those leather soles, making funny noises whenever I walk back on polished surfaces. Additional rubber outsole solves the problem.

Besides black polish, "artificial" patina is also achievable through the use of cordovan polish. Although, I would advice you to try that on shoes with good quality leather as I remember reading elsewhere about a gent who 'murdered' his brown Gucci shoes after trying black polish on them to create some patina.

This post has been edited by Fusion[eX]: Jul 14 2010, 10:50 PM

The trick is to apply dark polish only after a significant buildup of same-colour polish. Without the buildup, the leather is thirsty and polish will soak into the leather, making the leather appear splotchy and unevenly-coloured. But with dark polish applied as the last few coats of water polishing, there is no danger of this because it sits on top of the lighter polish and is easily removed. (However, scuffs will remove the patina).

Thanks for sharing-

There is an excellent video on the JM Weston website on shoe shinning and how to achieve the mirror finish on one's shoes.

Are you planning to darken the toes of your shoes as described above?

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Added on July 15, 2010, 11:00 amBy Cordovan Polish , I assume you mean paste wax or Cordovan colored shoe wax ? I

If this is polish for Cordovan leather shoes you are referring to, I would be interested in buying some. Is it available in KL?

This post has been edited by beau: Jul 15 2010, 11:00 AM

Should I get a pair of brogues made in dark brown GOATSKIN!?

No. Sounds scurrilous.

Goatskin's not as tough as calf, but is softer, the shoe sellin' man says.

[img=http://img225.imagevenue.com/loc820/th_44003_L1000822_122_820lo.JPG]

Anyone have shoes made of kangaroo skin? Any comments?

I have a pair of riding gloves made with kangaroo leather and they are very strong but supple, i like it. Since i'm heading down under next month, thinking of maybe getting a pair of shoes made from the same material.

i am sure a pair of kangaroo boots from RM Williams would be nice

I think that's the problem, they usually only carry boots or atleast ankle high stuff... and I only really wear boots when riding. Kinda looking for day to day office wear.

so u wont consider chukkas?

Trying to avoid them, i find them uncomfortable when driving, and not as formal for my office.

too bad then

By the way, slightly offtopic. I noticed the soles of my shoes are worn off due to driving. I drive only manual cars and both shoes have uneven wear pattern due to scraping against the floor mat. Anyone else have this problem? And how do you guys avoid it?

Wear better shoes.