Soleless!

[Tinkerbell]

If you had seen me walking into town today, you'd have seen a woman occasionally doubled up with laughter, walking behind her husband.

My husband was wearing a pair of boots which he had bought about 8 years ago - costing a fortune at the time, and made by a very good company. He has rarely worn the boots since buying them but the weather today was frosty.

As I looked at his booted feet, the sole at the front looked as if he had trodden in muck, but as he progressed on his way it became apparent that the sole and heal section of the boots was coming adrift in bits. Same on each boot. As you may imagine walking was a bit difficult for him, as he didn't know from one moment to the next how much sole existed between him and the ground, or where a lump would break off, with each step. By the time we returned home there was hardly any sole left on either foot and his socks were beginning to feel decidedly damp.

The uppers of the boots are almost 'as new' having been polished and taken care of. So what has caused this degredation of the sole?

It was one of those times when try as you might, you cannot help but see the funny side of things!

Tinkerbell

[Boddie]

Originally Posted by Tinkerbell

If you had seen me walking into town today, you'd have seen a woman occasionally doubled up with laughter, walking behind her husband.

My husband was wearing a pair of boots which he had bought about 8 years ago - costing a fortune at the time, and made by a very good company. He has rarely worn the boots since buying them but the weather today was frosty.

As I looked at his booted feet, the sole at the front looked as if he had trodden in muck, but as he progressed on his way it became apparent that the sole and heal section of the boots was coming adrift in bits. Same on each boot. As you may imagine walking was a bit difficult for him, as he didn't know from one moment to the next how much sole existed between him and the ground, or where a lump would break off, with each step. By the time we returned home there was hardly any sole left on either foot and his socks were beginning to feel decidedly damp.

The uppers of the boots are almost 'as new' having been polished and taken care of. So what has caused this degredation of the sole?

It was one of those times when try as you might, you cannot help but see the funny side of things!

Tinkerbell

Please dont tell me its the same brand that just bought

[Beryl]

Ha ha ha ha ha ha . That was so funny. I can just picture it.
I imagen the glue had desintigrated over the years and as soon as the friction of warm feet (so to peak) started to soften the glue. (if the soles were glued on ) Sorry but it had me in stitches

[nightshade]

My expensive black shoes started to go lumpy on me the sole and uppers were fine the inner sole had turned to what looked like asbestos again well looked after worn once or twice a year

[Paul mabbott]

I had worse .... A couple of years ago went to a funeral in SE London, by train from Sheffield. Dug out the suit (flicking off the moths) and my only black shoes ... used just for funerals but at least twenty years old. On the train, got up to go to the bar (for coffee, of course) and one of the soles started flapping; by the time I got back to my seat, so was the other one. Later, got up to go to the loo and the bottoms of both shoes *entirely* fell off.
Took out the laces, tied the bottoms back on to the uppers and shuffled out into St Pancras ... then to the taxi rank to make an unexpected visit to Oxford Street M&S. Bought new shoes. The staff asked if I wanted a box to put the old ones in!
So, I now check my shoes regularly, not waiting for yet another funeral ......

[Wild-Woman]

I'm a sole man da da da da da

I'm a sole man da da da da da

Ooo yeah- Get on down!

That's it I'm dancin now!

[Jennywrenny]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

and one of the soles started flapping; by the time I got back to my seat, so was the other one. Later, got up to go to the loo and the bottoms of both shoes *entirely* fell off.
Took out the laces, tied the bottoms back on to the uppers and shuffled out into St Pancras ...

I'm sorry but I just laughed out loud when I read this!! How embarrassing for you - but you've got to laugh!!!

[Dan Salter]

oh no hope they were not meindl's? have just decided on these over the brashers today dammit.

[lewisa]

Name and shame that boot maker!

[buzfuz8149]

I have always said that fact is always funnier than fiction, but not at the moment it is happening - had many incidents that I can still have fits of the giggles with now.

Carol.

Lancashire.

[Tinkerbell]

the bottoms of both shoes *entirely* fell off.

Yes, this happened to me in Hawes, Paul. It's an extraodinary feeling when the soles part company suddenly from the uppers - in one fell swoop. Talk about air conditioned. I reckon on this occasion the stitching had rotted.

I'm contacting the makers of my husband's boots today for an explanation - don't want the bother of returning them etc. Just want to know why it happened. And, yes, I'm still giggling.

Tinkerbell

[Billy Wobble Dagger]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

I had worse .... A couple of years ago went to a funeral in SE London, by train from Sheffield. Dug out the suit (flicking off the moths) and my only black shoes ... used just for funerals but at least twenty years old. On the train, got up to go to the bar (for coffee, of course) and one of the soles started flapping; by the time I got back to my seat, so was the other one. Later, got up to go to the loo and the bottoms of both shoes *entirely* fell off.
Took out the laces, tied the bottoms back on to the uppers and shuffled out into St Pancras ... then to the taxi rank to make an unexpected visit to Oxford Street M&S. Bought new shoes. The staff asked if I wanted a box to put the old ones in!
So, I now check my shoes regularly, not waiting for yet another funeral ......

Any one got a spare keyboard and monitor as mine are now covered in coffee. Note to self, ensure coffee cup is on desk and coffee is swallowed before reading any more threads. I had a similar experience a couple of years ago. As a member of HM Forces I had just been promoted and was on my promotion course and was getting ready for my first evening in the mess. I put on my suit and shoes and, yes, as I left my room the heel became very floppy. Not only was it floppy but it slapped up and down as well. 3 hours later I was able to return to my room and bin them forever. Not the best start to my new rank.
BWD

[Tinkerbell]

Forgot to add on the original post that my husband is a Scot and the air was a little colourful!

Tinkerbell