Piper's Ghillie Brogues

[HarborSpringsPiper]

Does anybody own any of these "Piper's" GBs advertised as being more comfortable, like these listed here? http://www.kilts-n-stuff.com/Highlan.../ghillies.html I've had a classic pair with leather soles for years and they have never been comfortable. I have no arch and typically wear orthotics, which probably explains why the ones I own are not that comfortable. Do any of these others have removable footbeds? Do they at least have a built-in arch of some sort?

[Squeaky McMurdo]

I can't vouch for Celtic Croft, but my husband has a pair of piper brogues from Scotweb and he thinks they are more comfortable than his regular dress shoes and has worn them 3 days in a row all day before.

The footbed is glued in but could probably be pried out fairly easily (I've done this with my sneakers as I usually wear out the inside and replace it with a Dr. Scholl's gel pad)

You could probably even get said gel pad in the shoe without taking out the original bed.

It does have a low arch built in.

--Chelsea McMurdo--

[slohairt]

I sell ones very similar to those called "Light Marching Brogues". I own these and the leather dress sole model and I tend to wear the marching ones more often. They are a lot like Dr. Martens and very comfortable. PM if you're interested, I offer a 10% discount to XMarks members.

[HarborSpringsPiper]

Thank you, I appreciate the responses.

[Jack Daw]

I have three pair of ghillie brogues: a semi-formal dress pair in leather, which I don't like to wear; a pair of piper's GBs (leather upper; synthetic sole) with a J. Higgins label, not unlike the first on your site that are VERY light and comfortable; and, a second pair of piper's GBs ( leather upper; syntheic sole) with a Gaelic Themes label looking just like the second pair on your website that are also as comfortable, but dressier looking than the other piper GBs. I'm flat-footed, but do not put in an additional arch.

[Cerebite]

I can't vouch for Celtic Croft, but my husband has a pair of piper brogues from Scotweb and he thinks they are more comfortable than his regular dress shoes and has worn them 3 days in a row all day before.

The footbed is glued in but could probably be pried out fairly easily (I've done this with my sneakers as I usually wear out the inside and replace it with a Dr. Scholl's gel pad)

You could probably even get said gel pad in the shoe without taking out the original bed.

It does have a low arch built in.

--Chelsea McMurdo--

I also have a pair of these from Scotweb and would agree that they are reasonably comfortable. The one "downside" is is that they have a steel heel insert to slow/ prevent wear that makes it sound like you are wearing tap shoes on hard surfaces.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Like yourself I find my ghillie brogues (bought in 1971!) to be far less than comfortable. A few years ago I was given a pair of the light-weight, synthetic soled, GBs made by Gaelic Themes. For what it's worth I find these to be very comfortable on the field, but don't know how they'd be for marching.

Generally speaking I don't wear GBs-- I prefer a well-made, and well-polished, oxford as these tend to offer better support and far more comfort. They are also easier to waltz in!

[HarborSpringsPiper]

Generally speaking I don't wear GBs-- I prefer a well-made, and well-polished, oxford as these tend to offer better support and far more comfort. They are also easier to waltz in!

This is what I usually wear also, in either brown or black, depending on what I'm wearing.

When I dress semi-formally, I must admit that the GBs do look sharp. I recently pulled out an old set of buckles on black flaps that I can lace to my wingtip oxfords, like I used to wear long before I owned any GBs and it is another dressier alternative, especially if I'm going to be on my feet a lot.

[SFCRick]

I have a set and they are very nice, have a good grip when on damp or wet grass.

[Jack Daw]

I also have a pair of these from Scotweb and would agree that they are reasonably comfortable. The one "downside" is is that they have a steel heel insert to slow/ prevent wear that makes it sound like you are wearing tap shoes on hard surfaces.

And, I have slipped on well-polished floors with those 'taps'.