Snow & Slush

[Concordia]

Dainite soles really don't work for me. They're great when new, but in my experience, the studs wear down rapidly and then become even more slippery than leather. I have difficulty walking across a marble floor in them, let alone a slick street. Tony suggested double Wensum soles for my boots and so far they're great. The top layer is leather, so it gives me the look and feel of leather, but the traction of rubber. It's a softer rubber that Dainite, so I find that it has a lot more traction.

Yup.

[alden]

Pembroke by Crockett & Jones is a great winter shoe:

IMG_0801 by The London Lounge, on Flickr

[Concordia]

Will C&J do narrower fittings? I like the look of the 325 last (Pembroke) but it's a little more roomy than I need. And the 335 fits but is a little dumpy-looking.

[alden]

I have a more narrow foot than yours...I am a 202 B or C fitting now on the resin lasts...and the 325 fits very well with a medium wool sock. I have the Coniston on the 325 and it is a bit more ample (given it is a boot) but with an insole and wool socks it is fine as well.

[bond_and_beyond]

Probably because once Swims have been taken off you have a couple of nasty wet and dirty bits of rubber that you do.... exactly what? with. I wouldn't want to hand them to some poor waiter with a command of 'put these with the coats please'. And as for manhandling the things back on my shoes at the end of the evening.

When braving a Finnish winter I'll stick to boots. Strong, supportive things with proper soles that grip and shed snow. Doesn't matter how smart the place is, because everyone else is in the same boat and has taken the same approach. I dined in Helsinki's Ravintola Vinkkeli this weekend. This place is about as good as it gets in Scandinavia, and it attracts a clientele to match. Every male diner turned out in jacket and collar and all with sensible boots on.

Never had a problem with this here in Oslo, and SWIMS seem to be worn by all suit wearing types in this town. I still find it much more elegant than some sort of snow boot, not at least because with galoshes you are still wearing dress shoes, and thus not interruping the line of the trousers.

In rainier places such as London I find galoshes to be even more of a "no brainer" as they won't get as dirty etc..

BB