Puffer

As (nearly) always, Freddy, I bow to your superior knowledge of these techy issues; thanks. I will experiment (behind closed doors).

Thanks - I hadn't spotted that option in my brief viewing. I think I have seen this bloke before; he has a very nice collection of high heels and wears them well. I'll post a link to the ones I found a while ago and particularly liked when I can.

Yes, one can of course pause it, but a longer 'moving' shot would have been good too. I like the ankle boots too!

Not guilty of watching those beforehand! I'm not keen on the pink shoes - makes the blokes look a tad too effeminate! (Nothing wrong with pink shirts etc on a man, however.) Yes, some nice footwear in the second compilation, but too fleetingly glimpsed.

No apology needed! And your 'tip' is helpful!

Despite the reservations I expressed above (1-2 Oct), I decided at the weekend to buy the 'Recite' boots from ASOS, persuaded by an extra discount offered; the net price was £18.00. They came today and I am reasonably impressed. I bought them in UK13 (no wide fit offered in the large sizes) and they fit me well - I think the UK12 (which ought to fit me) would be a little too small. The faux suede is obviously quite soft and accommodating. The fairly chunky straight heel is exactly 10cm (3.9") high; I would expect that it is a little lower on the smaller sizes as ASOS seems to preserve proportions quite well. The toe is quite rounded and I would prefer something a little more tapered, both for appearance and because it would probably be a closer fit on my somewhat pointed feet - round toes encourage my feet to spread and move foward so I may need to wear thicker socks. I have not yet had a chance to wear the boots properly for trials indoors but they seem sturdy, stable and comfortable enough. I will report further asap with some pics; meanwhile, ASOS link is here: https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-recite-heeled-ankle-boots-in-black/prd/20831763?colourwayid=60092535&SearchQuery=recite I see that the discounts have now been removed (price now £30.00) and that there are several favourable reviews, of which at least one is from a man. See also the reviews of the Enhance sock boots - here again, one is from an enthusiastic male. Let's hope ASOS is suitably encouraged to expand its large-sized unisex footwear range.

Tips for stiletto heels are readily available in metal and other (plastic) materials. But ready-made 'plug-in' tips for wider heels do not seem to be available and it was these that I was referring to, hence the likely need to make them from sheet material.

Really? I was sure that you had a whole room (dungeon?) that was fully-equipped with all sorts of stuff for promoting 'exercise' of varying degrees of comfort, or otherwise. And of course the tight-fitting and shiny boots and clothing, plus restraints and persuaders, that I am reliably informed are essential adjuncts. Or was I just dreaming?

I have a pair of almost unused thigh waders for sale (size 12/Eu47 if anyone is interested, price only £18 - ideal for fishing or pond cleaning etc) and was looking on eBay to see what the competition is. I came across this listing for some waders from Japan: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Black-Shiny-Wet-Look-Rubber-Hip-Boots-waders-From-Japan-Koshin-New-Nippon-/322579382322?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10 Well, I suppose that most of the seller's comments and suggestions are just about understandable, but I do wonder how someone expects to sell to English-speaking people (or even Americans!) without getting a proper translation. I am reminded of the Japanese car maker (possibly the erstwhile Datsun) whose earliest UK imports had a translated manual including such driving hint gems as: 'Beware of the grease-mud, for there lurk the skid-demon' . Not to mention the Swiss hotelier whose booking confirmation sent to an English tourist stated that 'There is a French widow in your room which offers delightful prospects'.

Yes, indoor pursuits and those involving exercise rather than just socialising seem to be the most popular at present. (But surely most of your shoes are well-suited to indoor pursuits that also involve modest exercise? ) How long, I wonder, before we see 'Covid Research' charity shops?

Yes, I remember Firefox from another era. I recall too this method of 'saving' thicker heels by adding nails such as you show or hardened self-tapping screws. Not really a repair but more a means of creating a heel surface that will take a lot of punishment - the equivalent of 'Blakeys' on a man's shoe. The downside is the noise (liked by some) and the potential for damaging some floor coverings. I have found a proprietary polyurethane material ideal for heel-mending. Sold in sheets/strips by trade outlets (some on eBay) it can be easily and economically cut to size and glued/nailed as previously suggested. But hard rubber is equally good and often salvageable from a part-worn heel removed from a (man's) shoe - make do and mend! One suggestion (but I've not tried it myself) would be to glue the new heel material over an existing heelpad when the latter is new or has had only little wear. That should save the original heel and could easily add another 4-6mm of heel height without upsetting the shoe's balance, if that helps.

The nails (even if steel) will tend to wear down with the rubber and don't really add to the life of the heel as repaired (or make it noisy). Their function is essentially to secure the heel pad. If panel pins are used and sunk slightly into the pad surface (using punch if necessary), they do not 'interfere' with the pad itself, or pose any possible risk to a floor surface.

I agree that the moulded plastic heel tips commonly found on so many (women's) shoes are unduly noisy and don't wear too well. (And I've never found a source of them as replacements either, even by searching trade sources. Too many variations in size and peg-location, perhaps? What do cobblers use as replacements, I wonder? Or are shoes with such worn-out heels usually abandoned?) I'm probably not suggesting anything new to you, but I have found that one straightforward technique for tip replacement on block heels is to fit a piece of softwood into the hollow heel. It can be quite easily shaped to be a rough push fit and flush with the underside and will not usually require any adhesive to secure it. A suitable piece of rubber (possibly salvaged from some otherwise worn-out men's heels, or cut from a sheet of heel material) can then be stuck and/or nailed to the wood and further shaped to the right profile if necessary. Nailing gives extra security, particularly on any heel less than 25mm or so across; brass gimp pins (about 12mm) are ideal as they will wear with the rubber.

Yes, the world has changed and there are certainly signs that some of the change will be permanent, or at least long-lasting. Covid will be defeated, if never entirely eliminated, but its legacy is unlikely to do us any favours. Restrictions on movement and social life will continue (If only because of over-zealous and unnecessary road closures, increased fees and tolls and reduced public transport), shops and entertainment venues will close permanently and people will feel more protective of their 'personal space'. And many will no longer work in the environment or location with which they were familar, even if their jobs remain open. I hesitate to speculate further, but the future does not look very encouraging, even if the economic problems can be overcome without bleeding us dry. I too have seen signs of non-compliance in mask-wearing etc, but not excessively so. But then I have had little reason or desire recently to go to 'busy' areas such as major shopping malls or entertainment venues. A number of otherwise healthy people (myself included) find a mask 'awkward' - e.g. when also wearing specs and/or hearing-aids - and might be forgiven for lapses even though they accept the principle and endeavour to comply. That aside, I would agree that the main culprits seem to be the young and carefree (or feckless) and those who are not 'home-grown'. I suppose there is a minor benefit in mask-wearing in that it provides a degree of anonymity - useful if one is wearing heels in public!

I would expect you to look up to me in any case, my dear fellow, regardless of heels! And I would be looking up to Bread Heels, but only by an inch or so. (Why does that sketch with Messrs Cleese, Barker and Corbett come so readily to mind?)

Interesting! It is not too easy to see the Phoenix heel shape and position clearly, but it doesn't look too bad to me, if a little lower than we should prefer. (A better view of the heel is on the wide-fit version, not available in the largest sizes). I agree that the Penelope court has a nicely-proportioned heel, but it is positioned a little too far back imho. There is also this sandal up to UK13; a nice style although the heel position is not as it should be: https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-nova-barely-there-heeled-sandals-in-black-micro/prd/20562607?CTAref=We+Recommend+Carousel_3&featureref1=we+recommend+pers The ASOS blurb on these shoes is noteworthy (emphasis added) - strongly suggesting that the market is identified as being more than women of normal size: 'This is ASOS DESIGN – your go-to for all the latest trends, no matter who you are, where you’re from and what you’re up to. Exclusive to ASOS, our universal brand is here for you, and comes in all our fit ranges: ASOS Curve, Tall, Petite and Maternity. Created by us, styled by you.'

An interesting comparison between the two 'owner-occupiers'! If the heel height is the same on both (a tad under 5" I believe), then the steeper gradient on Freddy's boots (size 8 I assume) is quite apparent in comparison with those of Bread Heels (12/13). And I wonder if the shaft length varies with size? But they look good on both of you; I'm envious!

With some reluctance, I have decided to return both pairs of my ASOS boots. The sock boots are comfortable and wearable, but just too feminine to wear outside, so they would get little use. I have no problems with wearing suede (or faux suede), which is not uncommon on men's footwear. I have at least three men's pairs in suede, including my Casbah Cuban heeled boots: which I like very much. But I agree that faux suede or fabric is not the ideal material for outdoor wear, especially in the wet. The ASOS Chelsea boots are a little large but still wearable (and perfectly acceptable in public, although my wife would disagree), but the 3" blocky heel is not quite exciting enough to justify them, given the other pairs of Cuban heeled boots I have already. I am sorely tempted by the Recite boots, which again would be wearable outdside with discretion, especially as there is a double discount today! But, as Freddy says, I expect that ASOS will have something similar in large sizes ere long - ideally in black leather and with a semi-pointed toe, a reasonably high shaft and a cuban or slimmish block heel of around 3.5". But I'm not holding my breath. I'm not keen on the projecting welt on the sole of Bread Heel's western boots - and even less on the 'spur ridge' at the rear. These are quite typical of 'cowboy' boots but this is not (yet) the Wild West! I do like the toe shape, however.

Another pic of sock boots - sorry again about quality:

Here are a few pics of ASOS boots - sorry about the poor quality but I have difficulty in taking them. More to follow, I hope.

I decided to buy two pairs of boots from ASOS, using the 20% discount (and potentially some Quidco too). They arrived on Monday and have been cautiously trialled indoors, on carpet. The ‘Enhance’ sock boots are UK13 (no wide available) and the stretchy fabric uppers make them a good fit on my ‘grammar school feet’ (i.e. 11+). They have a nicely pointed toe and a straight 4.4” heel. They are comfortable enough and easy to walk in – sturdier and more stable than many heeled boots which can tend to flex too much even if the heels are fairly solid. The men’s Chelsea boots are leather and 12 wide. I like the semi-pointed toe with centre seam, but the heel (exactly 3”) is a little chunkier and lower than I would prefer and the shaft is only just high enough to preclude my ankles showing when sitting – something I dislike when wearing boots. If anything, they are a little large (11 wide would probably be a better fit) but are comfortable enough and would certainly be acceptable for male street wearing. I now have a decision to make. I like both boots enough not to reject them but they do not really tick enough boxes. The ‘Enhance’ boots are, alas, just a tad too feminine for street wear – and I see little point in keeping them just for indoor use. The Chelsea boots, in contrast, are a shade too ‘solid’ and don’t really add much to my modest boot collection. So, do I return either or both for a refund – or keep them knowing that they will have limited use? I am also considering the women’s suede ‘Recite’ boots from ASOS, also available in 13, which have a medium-chunky heel of close to 4” (good!) and a round toe (not so good!) – certainly wearable in public under bootcut jeans and currently on offer at £22.50. I would welcome views from others here before I do anything more. I have tried to attach some pics of both boots with either narrow or bootcut jeans but every attempt is being foiled by suggestions that the file size is too large (which it isn't!). Can anyone help, please?

20% discount on ASOS this evening (7 - 9pm) only, if of interest: *Enter code BEQUICK20 at checkout to receive discount. Ends 9pm BST on 24 September 2020. Code can be used multiple times per customer up to a maximum pre-discount spend of £500 per order. Can't be used with other promo codes or on gift vouchers, delivery charges, Premier Delivery or ASOS Marketplace. Only valid on orders delivered to UK and Ireland. Selected marked products excluded from promo.

Those boots sound interesting. Can you tell usd more about them, please - size, style and source? I have not found it easy to source a wearable boot with a heel higher than 3" that is properly-sized for a UK11-12 foot, at least not at an affordable price.

Well done! I hope we can see a pic of you wearing them. Are they a narrow fit? The wide-fitting version is not available in the large sizes. My guess is that the right boot was a 12 but got accidentally marked with both 12 and 13 and was then wrongly treated as a 13 when paired with a 13 left. But, as you say, you have what fits you! I am reminded of a radio sketch from the 1950s (Ron and Eth in 'The Glums') where Eth asks Ron why he is wearing one black shoe and one white shoe when they are out dancing, Ron replies that he learned to dance out of a book, and (after a long pause) adds 'I've got another pair like this at home'. Perhaps Ron has your counterpart boots?

I do rather agree about the fabric material, although the claimed stretchiness might be helpful. The fabric, plus the shiny heels, does have a somewhat overtly feminine look and might attract more attention than the height of the heel. The pointed toes likewise, although I don't dislike them. Boots I would like to wear, but would be wary of being out in public. '