Puhlease, sir - are Rockport shoes a well known and respected shoe in America?

They’re known as old man shoes. But if that what you need, “do you”, hunny.

They are well know, but not well respected in terms of brand cache.

Guess I won't be wearing them when I head to America and I try to ingratiate myself with the gay community of the West 40s.

Thanks for the heads-up.

They are middle class father weekend shoes of the 80s

R2

[quote] They are well know, but not well respected in terms of brand cache.

Oh dear.

They're very comfortable, and last quite a long time. I've had a pair of Rockport boots re-soled twice now. I believe the company has been acquired by NewBalance, or their parent company.

If you like them what the fuck do you care about their reputation in America?

They're very soft and comfortable right away. I can't bear having to wear in shoes.

How old are you OP?

[quote]If you like them what the fuck do you care about their reputation in America?—Grow a pair

You sound like one tough lady.

Well known as the shoe of the elderly.

Maybe they pass for exotic in the UK?

[quote]How old are you OP?

Old enough to order a pair of Rockport from Amazon.

They're quality shoes, and I knew a few men who won't wear anything else! Yes, they are all over fifty and don't care about fashion, they care about having quality shoes that last, and keep their feet warm and comfortable for years and years so they don't have to go shop for shoes.

So yes, OP, by all means get a couple of pairs of Rockports in your wardrobe if you can! Just don't wear them when you're trying to impress fashionistas, but wear them to work and around town for the next ten years.

Jeez, r7. Obviously OP intends to come to America as a mail-order sugar baby and then trade up to an A-list gay and he needs the right shoes.

My impression is that they've come down in quality, on average, over the years - like no shortage of other products and brands.

Also, it could also be the case that the there's multiple tiers to Rockport production and licensing. So, there's fairly crap Rockport shoes being made for places like Kohls and then there might be better quality Rockport shoes for other retailers and sellers.

I once had a fantastic pair of Rockport boots.

[quote]Jeez, [R7]. Obviously OP intends to come to America as a mail-order sugar baby and then trade up to an A-list gay and he needs the right shoes.

West 40s are A list?

[quote]Yes, they are all over fifty and don't care about fashion.

R14 meant over seventy.

R1 & R4 Perhaps you're only familiar with some stodgy practical shoes, but many others are quite classic and stylish, like the Chelsea boots below.

60% off sale going on now.

I prefer Pikolinos, a Spanish shoe company. They're heavenly.

R6 OP is turning New Balances into Old Unstables.

No Gucci Jordaan for you.

Which styles are you looking at OP?

What’s really funny is I have two pairs of the black penny loafers and everyone thinks they are so chic. Then they vomit when I tell them they are rockports. They actually some nice styles.

I have a tom of classic Gucci loafers AS IT HAPPENS, but they're not very comfortable.

[quote]Which styles are you looking at OP?

The one I linked in the photo, Mary.

OK! Which one of you Nancys wrote the review for the Chelsea boots??

"My husband is a Rockport man! He works hard, plays hard and is hard on his shoes. I bought these boots for said husband, who I will admit is quite a brute sometimes."

Those boots look awful.

R22 Only the classic horsebit loafer 1957 style is worth having from Gucci. Most normal people wouldn't be caught dead in those. Most of them are "Pimp Daddy"now. I'd rather prever OP's Rockport loafers to those.

R28/OP You're an odd duck for a Brit to find a Chelsea boot awful. They're timeless, and a British classic. I've worn them since the late sixties.

[quote][R28]/OP You're an odd duck for a Brit to find a Chelsea boot awful. They're timeless, and a British classic. I've worn them since the late sixties.

Funnily enough, I'm FROM Chelsea and have never seen a "Chelsea Boot" in my life.

[quote][[R28]]/OP You're an odd duck for a Brit to find a Chelsea boot awful. They're timeless, and a British classic. I've worn them since the late sixties.

How OLD are you, gurl?

R31 Well then! I just ordered a pair of Blundstone's, after my old pair of Brown Boots wore out after several years. I would have tried the Rockport version had I seen it before your thread OP.

Oh dear. R25/OP - you have the worst taste. Those are faggy feminine looking slippers with HUGE tacky Gucci "look at me I'm wearing Gucci and have no taste" branding on it. Just awful.

One of the things I am continually disappointing about on DL is that 99% of the gay male posters are literally the worst dressed gay men I have ever come across. Almost like they are all missing the "good gay taste" gene. In fact - I didn't know that gay men could dress so badly until I discovered there was this cohort residing on DL. Very disappointing. It would be awesome to discuss men's fashion on DL but there's no point because everyone has such bad taste. I love beautiful masculine men's clothing and shoes and have no-one to discuss it with.

Here I found the perfect Rockport footwear for you OP. Nice huh?

[quote]Oh dear. [R25]/OP - you have the worst taste. Those are faggy feminine looking slippers with HUGE tacky Gucci "look at me I'm wearing Gucci and have no taste" branding on it. Just awful.

How wrong you are. Classic Gucci loafers are fine and still stylish.

R12 Many imported brands, especially American, are seen as exotic in the UK, even if they're standard fare elsewhere. There was a Timberland craze in the UK and in Italy back in the late 90s-early aughts that was ridiculous. It's the same as certain average or stodgy British brands being perceived as superior overseas.

I've worn Rockports for years and am barely 40. Yes, they're associated with being an old man but I don't give a shit. They're comfortable.

Take your shoe fetish over to the fetish thread, OP.

They are WASPy dad shoes.

They [bold]aren't[/bold] R35.

All of that gross "designer" trash became something that people with no taste wear several decades ago.

People with style and taste don't tout around labels to display how much "style and taste" they have. Only tacky people do that.

[quote] I love beautiful masculine men's clothing and shoes and have no-one to discuss it with.

Probably the only MASCULINE thing about you...except your desire to "discuss" them.

Clearly lots of hang-ups for you to work on. Go do it NOW!

What about the blue JM Westons? Mine are 35 years old and only resoled 1x. My tan ones are gorgeous as well.

R37 is exactly the type I was talking about.

Couldn't give a shit how he looks.

Types fat. Types single and revels in his mentally illness.

R36 knows what he's talking about.

R40 hasn't got a clue.

Those are even worse than the tacky Gucci fag shoes R42!

Just awful.

Why are self-professed untacky people obsessed with what and who is tacky and the "rules" for determining tackiness.

"People with style and taste don't tout around labels to display how much "style and taste" they have. Only tacky people do that. "

And only insecure people need to tout their allegedly superior style and taste by calling out "tacky" people. Why would it matter?

R43 - you're a pain in the ass. Go work on your "masculinity' obsession.

Mentally illness,R43? I’ll let you “oh dear” yourself.

I know exactly what I'm talking about R44.

And you know it.

I think it’s marvellous that Sylvia Brown at R34 can see how we all dress.

[quote]I think it’s marvellous that Sylvia Brown at [R34] can see how we all dress.

& she's derailing my thread with her flyover nonsense.

On what planet are French shoes JM Weston tacky and faggy? Flyoverstan Planet?

I didn't say they were tacky and faggy gramps @R52.

They are UGLY.

The Gucci shoes are tacky and faggy AND ugly.

R40 Nonsense. The horesbit loafer is classic "dress casual". They don't have to be Gucci. Lots of makers offer them. Allen-Edmonds, Alden, Dexter, Church's, Bass, Johnston & Murphy, Trask, Tod's, etc, etc.. No one really knows if they're Gucci, unless they're those "Pimp Daddy" ones.

Even HM favours a horsebit loafer 90% of the time.

Rockport = sensible shoes.

Good for a weekend at the lake house.

R53 Ok dear, Classic Italian, French and English shoes are surely too grandpa for your tastes.

[quote]The Gucci shoes are tacky and faggy AND ugly.

Not in Europe...and they're good looking.

& someone as faggy and femmy as you should watch her insults.

R55 By which I mean a poor man's L.L Bean

They are the "dressy" shoes a wife buys for her husband when they finally go someplace "sporty" on vacation. They are sturdy shoes for sturdy Americans, chunky, clunky, yet they probably have the weight of a bag of feathers.

It's one of those brands that means different things in different continents. Hollister andTommy Hilfiger, for instance generate gales of laughter in the U.S. but are passed off as quality goods in Europe. Gant barely bothers to sell its brand in the U.S. but passes its goods off as old-line American classics in Europe. And vice versa with some European brands that are past prime or have worn a once good name thin at home but are assumed to be a mark of quality in the U.S.

Rockport in the U.S. is a brand for country grandpas whose feet hurt easily.

R21 Sly Got2BReal reference!

Here you go R57.

One ugly, tacky faggy Gucci shoe after the other. ALL worn by men with no taste whatsoever.

R59 I do appreciate the quality of GANT, despite the ridiculous price, so I won't crap ALL over your remarks, but you're overlooking something important to many people: American craftsmanship. There aren't many shoe makers who still operate in the US... Rockport still does. My boots are no longer available, (so glad I re-soled them again) yet they were made in America. We all don't want Chinese shoes. Many of us would much rather forego the latest styles which are trendy, or a designer name for something of lasting quality, and that is not reliant on exploited labour.

[quote]One ugly, tacky faggy Gucci shoe after the other. ALL worn by men with no taste whatsoever.

i don't wear any of those you moron...I made that clear.

They are a timeless classic that never go out of style!

Like Caftans!

R61 An Italian spendy take on the classic DM's brogue.

You bitches populated this thread so quickly. Y’all love some Rockports huh?

R66 hasn't read the thread at all.............................

OP, ignore the twats who are teetering around on knock-off Berluti Scrittos, flip-flops or fuck-me pumps with the heels sawed down to three-inches.

If you're in your late 30s or older, you'll look age-appropriate and no one will give another thought to your shoes - and loafers can look sharp when you're dressing up OR down.

If you're younger, you'll look well-set and intriguing. Because young people are famously a pack of idiots who don't know how to buy, wear or value shoes.

A comparative review: Although it is difficult to compare an entire brand against another one, we do generally recommend the Rockport brand to anyone who wants a decent pair of comfortable, stylish, and reasonably durable boots and shoes.

You can do better, but most people do worse.

R51 That's a beautiful shoe. Are they comfortable?

For OP: a little history on the Chelsea boot.

I’d hate to tell R34 I wear Skechers...

R16 is correct. They were once long lasting high quality shoes but the quality has dropped considerably. I used to wear their simple brown work shoes daily but they didn't last much longer than, say, sketchers and thus weren't worth the $100+ price tag.

R30 oh, you'll frown on me, then. I'm British and have worked in shoe retail, yet I cannot stand Chelsea boots or horsebit loafers. Respect if you like and champion them, but to me they telegraph a staid, anxious, unpleasantly conformist and old-fashioned mindset or value system. No-one of the hundreds of people I've met who've bought these styles of shoe have ever endeared themselves to me, or seemed interesting.

There’s no “t” in Skechers, R72 - did you grow up in a barn?!?

I have these in black OP and also the classic lite penny loafer and they are wonderful. They look expensive.

Sometimes I shove them up my ass too.

R74 is the nelliest prisspot who ever lived.

R73 I'm an old Brit... Going on fifty-two, and fondly remember my Chelsea boots as a lad. No offence taken, but I am a more traditional or conformist type when it comes to fashion. I don't do trendy, or popular. I suppose some young blokes wouldn't wear a horsebit loafer, but many wear Chelsea boots.

If one doesn't have much money, they can work well for many occasions, and look smart. I've even worn my old Brown boots on an impromptu hiking trip... My feet were fine, despite 10-15 km easy each day, over a long weekend. They can double as dressier shoes in many circumstances. Practical can be a good thing. I hope I like the Blundstones as well as the Browns.

Of COURSE this thread has almost 80 posts already, and the requisite hissing fruitcake. Good job, OP.

Most nursing home residents have a pair of velcro Rockports.

R73 I'm curious as to your age, and what styles you favour. I never really thought people would assume I'm of a conservative mindset, or a Tory, based on my shoes. Just a bit of a profile:I do wear my hair long, smoke grass, take pills, and support Democrats now that I live in the U.S.

Since you have some expertise, having been in the shoe trade, which brands do you think still offer quality, and good value for money?

R72 Are the Rockports made in China now?

I'm quite partial to these! Comfy and they go with every swimsuit!

Nice shoes. No one in the U.S. cares about clothing brands (including shoes).

I think Rockport quality and durabilty has taken a nosedive. I have bought at least 5 pairs over the past 10 years and many were early replacements to shoes that wore out far too quickly. The leather starts to crease and split. This is a problem frequently noted in their reviews on Amazon. The brand has an aura of quality which must date back to the time of The Preppy Handbook.

No one. Not one person, R84

And least of all on Data Lounge where, since 1995, brand consciousness has never once reared its head.

This thread inspired me to look through 5 pages of Rockport shoes and boots on Amazon USA. I had no idea they made so many different kinds of shoes and boots!

I really do not know about the ones pictured by the OP as they are not my kind of shoes, but after viewing the 5 pages mentioned above, I could only think why they have not come up with something to compete with the Red Wing Iron Ranger, although there were a few styles there that were similar.

Most of their 6 inch boot styles seemed to have lug soles which are a turn off for me.

they were affordable shoes I could where for white collar work back when I was a grad student in the 80s. I wore them as cheap dress shoes after that, but the quality has declined and now I can afford much better shoes.

R83 do those come in other colors as well? They are lovely! I will take a pair in puce or chartreuse!

They're right up there with Thom McAn, OP!

R90 Really you feel those two brands are on par? I think you're failing at trying to be snarky. Since K-Mart owns Thom McAn, and the fact that they're vinyl shoes from China, yours is a rubbish statement.

OP, you know full well Rockport is considered to be a chav brand.

Rockport? Rockport, Maine? I've been there. Lovely.

They're both trash, and you failed at calling me out.

Rockport = sensible shoes.

"Good for a weekend at the lake house."

Sure. You say they're sensible at the lake house. But the lake house is where the local legendary serial killer does his hunting.

So basically, they're murder shoes.

How sensible can that be?

Invest in some good trail running shoes. Maybe you can out run the serial killer.

Also, I think the local hardware store sells neck irons.

Sure, they chafe. But when was the last time you saw a decapitated head wearing a neck iron?

What do you mean they slip off after the head gets chopped off.

Man, I bought two of those so I had one for every outfit!

Zzzzzzz

R95 is the only one making sense in here.

Well, that sure was a lively discussion.

You're a vicious cunt and you know it R98.

You are a FREAK R99.

Some of the styles are classic styles and I don't see what the problem is with wearing them. The quality looks decent and the prices look reasonable.

I have a "friend" who will only wear brands that are in style. I can't stand that any more.

If you like it, buy it and wear it.

My dad liked them.

A friend in his early twenties has a pair of new balance he wears. He’s straight, good looking, smart, tall and musically talented. Attends one of the elite military schools. He gets so much trim it is ridiculous. You think we’re sluts, some straights put us to shame.

Anyway, I am pretty sure that New Balance is perceived as a dad or elder shoe. But if you’ve got it going on, you can wear whatever the fuck you like.

Rockport Works are comfortable, slip resistant shoes good for working long days in a restaurant. Cole Haans are nicer, more expensive for the same thing.

Rockport shoes always look nice with adult diapers. Very stylish.

R105 has them rolling around on the floor in hysterics at her local gay bar.

I thought Mephisto shoes are shoes for elderly....not rockport.

what other USA brands are highly regarded in the UK?

I had no idea about Gant being popular over there.

Dr Martens is crazy popular in the USA. kids are still wearing them.

I think Clarks is also well known for comfort, not style.

Levis, Carhartt and Timberland are at least double if not triple the US price and are respected. Brooks Brothers opened shops and sell their degraded in quality clothes successfully. They have comprehensive individually customizable sizing options and men appreciate that.

Mephisto established themselves with hard to fit sizes and were initially popular with men who had orthopedic problems, so a lot of old guys but not just them.

R110 Agreed, they're popular with those who have wide feet as well, like a core demographic of the NB customer. Certain Clarks were like this as well, some older styles known as "professors' shoes".

R108 GANT is Swedish, and quite popular with Europeans, and rich Brits. Italians are keen on their clothes as well.

Why oh why would you buy Rockport shoes on Amazon when you can buy them directly from their own fucking website?

Allen Edmonds for me. Made in the USA!

[quote]Why oh why would you buy Rockport shoes on Amazon when you can buy them directly from their own fucking website?

Why oh why are you so ignorant, sorry, fucking ignorant about shipping and import costs?

[bold]UPDATE - ALERT!!![/bold]

Anyway, thought you'd want to hear the outcome to this story.

The shoes arrived. Firstly they didn't look nearly as nice as they do in the photo - they have a very round stubby toe, they look like shoes for a person with a disability.

They are hard and stiff, tight and uncomfortable, unlike my old ones which were soft and nice from the second I put them on... AND the left shoe slips at the back.

Never again am I buying shoes over the internet.

OP did you buy them from Rockport or Amazon? Never buy them from Amazon. Always buy them directly thru Rockport.

Why, R117?

This saga tickles me. Continue, whilst I shovel turkey into my facehole.

R118 they are probably counterfeits or rejects if they come from Amazon.

yes, I always buy directly from their website, if I have to shop online. Never from Amazon. Jeff bezos is rich enough...he can fuck off!

[quote][R118] they are probably counterfeits or rejects if they come from Amazon.

OMG!

Thanks for the heads up.

R94 is that rare bird known as the Tiny-Footed Booby. It presents with fanciful plumage like a Peacock, (as well as INSANELY tiny feet), yet the TFB usually falls prey to smarter birds.

If you want a high quality European comfort shoe, go with ECCO. Better materials, better craftsmanship, better looking.

Thanks for bumping and reminding me of this nightmare, R123.

Isn’t New Balance known for their RepubliCunt politics? If they own Rockport, I’d stay away.

R124 Ecco too have sadly declined in quality as well. An ex once insisted on choosing them when he waited tables. He claimed they feel different. I appreciate your advice and worthwhile comparison here. Too many posters such as the one claiming Rockport is to Thom McAn, whilst boasting they're wearing bespoke Lobbs aren't making fair comparisons in equal classes of shoemaking.

This is the problem with many of these brands resting on their laurels of brand recognition. I still llike Allen-Edmonds, especially for an American manufacturer of great cordovan shoes, yet their quality has diminished as well since their buyout from Caleres. (same people who made my belobed Brown Boots) They were good, yet never on par with a heritage brand like Allen-Edmonds, in fact they were the parent company of Famous Footwear. It's really sad what has happened to the shoe industry.

R125 I'm looking for new practical boots, as well as a shoe freak, so sorry. It doesn't have to be ALL about you, does it? I'm sorry to here the loafer wasn't the same. They looked nice, and the reviews had said much the same as you had bout the previous pair being soft and comfortable right out of the box... Did you notice if they were "Chin-A-Zay" as opposed to USA made?

[quote][R125] I'm looking for new practical boots, as well as a shoe freak, so sorry. It doesn't have to be ALL about you, does it?

So start your own thread. This thread couldn't be more about me.

They will go well with your Dockers.

R128/OP Wow, thanks. I was sympathetic to your plight, and defended your selection, as well as your love for the Gucci horsebit loafer, yet you don't appear capable of playing nice with others.

I wasn't aware of any DL ground rule of the OP having sole discretion (pun intended) of shutting down a thread. Peace and Happy Holidays to you nonetheless mate.

Mary YOU started the snark with your "It doesn't have to be ALL about you, does it?" comment and now you're claiming "you don't appear capable of playing nice with others".

You're a mess, gurl...but sort of quirky, so you get away with it.

R131 I was being cheeky. As a fellow Brit, I thought that would strike you as humour, and being friendly. I hope you find some loafers you like. I was rather hoping you could have settled the mystery for us whether these Rockports were still American made. I suppose I came to your thread with sincerity, but I'm in the minority here.

Hey, they are just shoes. Buy what is comfortable, looks decent, well made and is a good price. I haven't bought trendy clothes since I was about 16. Following up on R104, I do think Rockport is a good brand and a step down from Cole Hahn. However, we have left out whet I considered the standard loafer brand, Bass. I think it is about even with Cole or a tad under but Bass Weejuns have always been what I thought of as quality but not luxury loafers The classic loafers aren't necessarily that comfortable as they offer little support and no cushioning but they also make lots of other shoes.

Wolverine's OP

OP, Tod's are perfect comfort and style. They have a decent lifespan.