Questions about our brogues and other shoes – Readers’ letters #07

For this episode of readers' letters dedicated to the BonneGueule brand, we are going to talk about our shoes. I notice that there are a lot of questions on this subject (comfort, size to choose, maintenance, etc.), and that is completely understandable.

With that, I’ll let you speak 🙂

What size should you choose for your new brogues?

The question

My answer

Yes, it's the same between the two.

Small clarification: the sizes this time go from 39 to 46 , where our boots released in December went from 39 to 45 .

“ And if I don’t have your boots, how do I know which size to choose? ”

Having tried them, they fit standard shoes: take your usual size for city shoes.

And if you need more specific advice (between two sizes in particular), don't hesitate to ask us by giving us your size on different models of shoes that you own and that suit you. I will answer you with pleasure.

What is the truest color for your brogues?

The question

My answer

We make a lot of effort internally at BonneGueule to ensure that the colors of our products are reproduced as best as possible, but I understand what you mean.

Here, the cover photo of the article as well as one of the close-ups of the presentation video show them a bit clear: there was quite a bit of light. So no prototype!

The other photos in the article show them in a very faithful color: dark brown. In addition to lightening slightly in the light, the leather will acquire a patina over time, which will give it even more character.

Here's the color to expect.

Are these brogues suitable for spring and summer?

The question

My answer

For spring, with temperatures like we have had these last few days, no worries, they are even perfectly appropriate!

For the start of summer, it will be fine, if at this time of year, you wear sneakers or leather shoes :)

And think about light socks or ankle socks when temperatures rise. You'll find some at Uniqlo that do the job perfectly.

Socks, brogues, rolled-up chinos, and you're ready for the sunny days.

Do we need to put skates and shoes on a Dainite sole?

The question

I was asked this question a lot during the launch of the boots, so let's answer it!

My answer

No, there is no need to place skates or irons on a Dainite sole (or any rubber sole in general) .

Why is there no need for a skate?

• We put on a skate to protect a leather sole. However, a gum sole is made of rubber. And a skate is also made of rubber. There is no need for "double protection".
• A rubber pad adheres well to a leather sole, but not so well to another rubber sole: it would come off. In addition, our Dainite sole here is not flat: it has circular nubs. It is therefore not possible to put a skate on it.

No shoemaker will be able to glue a flat rubber pad to a raised rubber sole.

Why is there no need for an iron?

You cannot embed an iron on a rubber sole: the screws would come out.

And even if we could, it wouldn't be useful because the Dainite sole is already very resistant, in addition to having studs which raise it slightly. And the rubber sole does not mark "shocks" like a leather sole.

It's going to be complicated to get these screws into rubber.

Shoe trees: how to choose them? Where to find them?

The question

Olivier has just bought our boots and has some legitimate questions about shoe trees.

My answer

Shoe trees of the right size fit into the shoe and are sufficiently tight inside. You should also not force too much, because in this case you risk pulling excessively on the leather and damaging it.

A shoe tree that is too large will be visible on the side of the quarters in particular, where the leather will be too tight.

Also keep in mind that a pair of leather shoes stretches: if it is difficult to fit the shoe trees on a new, or almost new, pair over time, it should be a little easier.

You will find them at all shoe makers worthy of the name, but to give you a few marks: Bexley , Monsieur Chaussure orJacques & Démeter .

And for small shoe trees? Jacques & Déméter starts at 38 and Monsieur Chaussure at 37.

“My heel is lifting a little in my sneakers, what should I do? »

The question

Pierre bought our white sneakers, wore them a little and is gradually becoming more comfortable. But his heel is coming out of the shoe a little. What to do ?

My answer

If the pair of sneakers is the right size and your heel is rather thin, you can indeed notice a little separation at the back.

In this case, here are the solutions:

1. It may seem basic, but let's say it: when you put on your shoe, place your heel firmly against the back of the shoe, and lace them fairly tightly.
2. Install an anti-slip device yourself by buying it in stores, or from a shoemaker who will integrate it between the upper and the lining. This will add thickness to the heel and allow you to be better supported at this level.

The anti-slip sticks to the edge of the buttress, at the level of the heel

If the sneakers are a little big overall (the heel, but not only that), I invite you to test these different solutions in order to better fill the volume of the shoe, and thus be better supported:

1. As before, place your heel firmly against the shoe, tighten the laces sufficiently and/or consider installing an anti-slip device.
2. Try with a sole or half-sole.
3. Wear thick socks with these shoes... if it's not too hot.

With that, I'll see you this Sunday for my nuggets, which will be under the sign of workwear 😉

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