Red Clay Soul

I've owned the LL Bean and Russell versions and like both. The Quoddy is way overrated, IMO. Those Russells in your photo are beautiful.

Highly recommend the Quoddy mocs. Mine became extremely comfortable in a short time span. Well worth the extra expense, they will wear in nicely.

Russells hands down. They are a sturdier construction than the others and they wear in quickly. Plus, go to the Russell website and check out the list of luminaries who wear Russell mocs! They can't all be wrong.

Read my short post about my Quoddy experiences here:

http://altogethernow.blogspot.com/2010/08/back-in-saddle.html

Short version: bought 2 pair from OConnells Spring 09; both have been returned due to workmanship issues. I posted this on Ask Andy and was not too surprised to hear that other people have had trouble as well.

It's too bad, really. The shoes are beautiful and apparently well made. But when you're paying $400 for two pair of boat shoes them thangs best be perfect. These were not. Far from it, in fact.

Lined Quoddys are the way to go if you're going for Quoddys in general. The glove leather is very friendly on bare feet.

Did you ever pull the trigger on a pair of Camp Mocs?

Mark

Hi, not sure if you ever got around to buying these, but if I may, I would like to share my opinion. I own all three of these, and more, actually. The camp moc is my all time favorite shoe.
LL Bean, the new shoe, well, the classic looks are there but the quality is just subpar. They do run big, I normally wear a 12.5 EE and I bought these in a regular width 12 and they are still roomy. The leather is stiff, but not unmanageable. The sole would be my biggest complaint. They are not camp soles. They are some hodgepoded, almost athletic shoe sole. They do stretch out, too, which has made them uwearable at this point. They just flop off my heel.
Russell’s, I had mine custom made to my foot measurements. The leather is thick, but supple. Only problem, they don’t fit right. The body of the shoe was stitched onto the sole incorrectly so it always looks like my foot is turned out. I tried to get this fixed to no avail. I sent them back twice, not fixed. A big disappointment. Also, not a camp sole once again. It is a boat shoe sole. The slight heal is contrary to everything a camp moc should be. I decided that any more effort in getting them fixed or replaced was not worth my time, so they are collecting dust.
Quoddy, well, these by far are my favorite. Once you know how to order them, they are fantastic. I order them straight from Quoddy and have them customized for my liking. If you call them, they are extremely helpful and willing to work with you. You can get any leather, any sole, any color lace, eyelets or not, lined or not. I have my 4th pair on order right now. Not that I am wearing them out, I just love them so much I keep getting different version. So I would suggest going with Quoddy. If you wear a standard size, like 9M, you can get them immediately from O’Connell’s in Buffalo. They carry both standard, unlined variations.
But here is the ultimate camp moc, in my opinion. I copped a pair of vintage LL Bean camp mocs made by Quoddy on ebay! It was amazing luck finding them new, old stock and in my size. I guess the trad gods were on my side that day. Needless to say, they are the epitome of the camp moc. Correct flat sole with cut out wedge at the rear of the sole. They are thick and supple pebble grained bullhide. They are unlined and have nickel eyelets (which I happen to like). My only concern with these is what to do if I ever wear them out.
Anyway, hope this helps, I apologize for the long winded diatribe on camp mocs, it just happens to be something close to my heart.
Love the website!
Best,
PAB

One word! Rancourt’s!!!

hahaha. Great post…

When I graduated, as a present my mom took all my frat shirts and had them made into a madras quilt. Don't think I've ever used it, but a cool nonetheless.

- Jeremiah

Awww.. I was a freshman at Georgia Southern in 2004 and I remember those Superman shirts!

Oh! Love it! Just seeing this post takes me back to my Greek days at Auburn! Fall in the SEC is the best!

Love that Battenkill. I got the Filson 257 for graduation and start work on Monday. Looking forward to putting some miles on it.

I carry that same Battenkill for work for over a year now. Travel with it. It hauls a lot of stuff, including a laptop, and despite having its ass kicked on my daily commute it is holding up strong. I'm also seeing that fade in the canvas on the edges, which is my favorite feature.

Manifold – You should take a picture today, then a year from now, then in another year…just to show the wear.

SR – Give it a try…

Ox – have you seen a lot of additional wear by traveling with it?

TIC – True. The wear will be similar.

Interesting post. It's timely for me, too.

I have a leather Johnston & Murphy that's over 20 years old. (That predates laptops, at least in my life.) My dad, who never went to college, gave it to me as a high school graduation gift. Of course, he didn't realize that I couldn't use it in college. He just thought an educated man carried a briefcase. I have been carrying laptops in it for about 7 or 8 years. Is there a point where "patina" gives over to "ruined"? If so, I belive it's close. Where can I find that Gokey bag?