USAF female dress shoes

[bluebird123]

I'm getting my gear ready for COT this summer, and I want to make sure my shoes are really well broken-in in advance. I have been involved in cadet program of the Civil Air Patrol, the auxiliary of the USAF, for eight years, both as a cadet and as an adult leader, so I have seen what poorly broken in shoes can do to your feet. I also know that Bates low quarters are a unique form of torture. Even after months of break-in, my old leather Bates uniform oxfords hurt my feet. I got blisters on the sides of my toes, and even on the tops of my toes where the crease formed by the stiff toe would dig in when I walk. I resorted to a comfy pair of pumps, and a pair of leather flight boots. 😎

Now COT says that I have to bring low quarters. Any recommendations on comfy low quarters/oxfords for women?

I'm willing to spend $100-$150 to get something sturdy and comfortable.

Thanks!

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[teacherman84]

I'm getting my gear ready for COT this summer, and I want to make sure my shoes are really well broken-in in advance. I have been involved in cadet program of the Civil Air Patrol, the auxiliary of the USAF, for eight years, both as a cadet and as an adult leader, so I have seen what poorly broken in shoes can do to your feet. I also know that Bates low quarters are a unique form of torture. Even after months of break-in, my old leather Bates uniform oxfords hurt my feet. I got blisters on the sides of my toes, and even on the tops of my toes where the crease formed by the stiff toe would dig in when I walk. I resorted to a comfy pair of pumps, and a pair of leather flight boots. 😎

Now COT says that I have to bring low quarters. Any recommendations on comfy low quarters/oxfords for women?

I'm willing to spend $100-$150 to get something sturdy and comfortable.

Thanks!

Dont worry about it now...just get whatever or use your old pair because you will wear Blues maybe one or two days, three if you include graduation day. Get a good pair of ABU boots because you will live in them for a month. Even when youre done with school and on active duty youll only wear them one day/week if your in a clinic and just to and from work if youre inpatient or surgery.

 

[bluebird123]

Thanks for the tip! I threw my old ones away after years of blisters. I'm definitely investing in a good pair of green flight boots, though!

 

[bluebird123]

I just picked up a pair of Bass men's dress oxfords from the local outlet mall. SUPER comfortable, and 60% off (retail price: $120 - sale price about $50 including tax). Lots of great padding, leather interior to minimize wear, and slightly wider in the toe box than Bates while maintaining the same appearance as Bates duty oxfords. With the sale, it was cheaper than buying Bates at AAFES, and far more comfortable.

Time to break out the saddle soap, Kiwi and DVD collection...

 

[teacherman84]

I just picked up a pair of Bass men's dress oxfords from the local outlet mall. SUPER comfortable, and 60% off (retail price: $120 - sale price about $50 including tax). Lots of great padding, leather interior to minimize wear, and slightly wider in the toe box than Bates while maintaining the same appearance as Bates duty oxfords. With the sale, it was cheaper than buying Bates at AAFES, and far more comfortable.

Time to break out the saddle soap, Kiwi and DVD collection...

Have fun with that. Anyone else who is buying shoes and doesnt enjoy shining shoes should buy Corframs...yes they scuff but you dont have to deal with that shining nonsense.

 

[bluebird123]

I would rather shine my shoes than have to buy a new pair every time I trip or someone drops something on my foot. I've also seen a lot more nasty blisters on cadets wearing corfam shoes than cadets wearing leather shoes. Leather conforms to your feet, stretches in the right places, and adapts. Plastic doesn't.

It takes me about 2-4 hours to get a new pair of shoes up to a mirror shine, and then the maintenance takes 30 seconds each morning before I throw them on. For that I get a comfy pair of dress shoes that will last a decade, compared to stiff plastic that I have to throw out the first time I get a deep scratch.

 

[teacherman84]

I would rather shine my shoes than have to buy a new pair every time I trip or someone drops something on my foot. I've also seen a lot more nasty blisters on cadets wearing corfam shoes than cadets wearing leather shoes. Leather conforms to your feet, stretches in the right places, and adapts. Plastic doesn't.

It takes me about 2-4 hours to get a new pair of shoes up to a mirror shine, and then the maintenance takes 30 seconds each morning before I throw them on. For that I get a comfy pair of dress shoes that will last a decade, compared to stiff plastic that I have to throw out the first time I get a deep scratch.

Fair enough, in 4 years when I may wear them once a week that might be worth while. For COT and the few days you might sporadically need them in Med school to me it is easier to drop 30 bucks on a pair of shoes that require none of that. At 430 AM (on the 2 or 3 days you wear them) when youre given 3 minutes to get ready for the day its easier to just throw on a pair of shoes without worrying about a shine.

But to each his/her own...just throwing it out there as advice for those who would rather not deal with it.