If it’s a big interview for that hot new job, a night out on the town, or a casual stroll in the park, Rockport’s Atmore Casual Oxfords for men, a part of their XCS series, are the shoes for you. They can handle all three aspects of life, with a certain je ne sais quoi all of their own.
According to About.com, your typical, athletic, everyday footwear should a have a 500 mile limit, and that shoes should be replaced every 3-6 months. I have owned a pair of these Rockport bad boys for about a year now, and they just keep going. Not only do they just keep going, but I have worn them for every occasion imaginable. I’ve worn them with a suit for a formal evening, with a pair of jeans or slacks for a more casual setting, with shorts in the summer, with board-shorts at the beach, and to and from soccer games. Yea, so my fashion choices from the get-go may be a little different, but that’s not the point here. The point is that the Atmore Casual Oxfords always seem to hold their own, no matter what the occasion. They never look out of place. It’s all in the design, whether they be black, like mine, or the slick brown.
It would appear that Rockport make a sincere commitment to always being one step ahead of the times, believing the perfect shoe has “not yet been invented.” This positive dissatisfaction compels them to constantly improve upon their footwear, making sure that they are constantly evolving. Rockport was, after all, the first company to use advanced athletic technologies in casual shoes to achieve lightweight comfort, and the first company to engineer walking comfort in dress and casual shoes. So, they’re making shoes for YOU, the everyday man, just trying to get by like everybody else.
The soles are massively treaded and flexible, while the insoles provide plenty of cushioning, although containing one apparent problem, but which I’ll get to next. Uppers are full-grain leather and secure with strong lacing. “Truly the best of both worlds,” says the manufacturer. The shock-absorbent latex underfoot cushioning has a patented active-air circulating design, and the mesh-lining provides enhanced breathability and drying. The rubber outsole provides a durable grip on a variety of surfaces. All of this combined creates quite the durable shoe, but also very easy to break in.
The only problem appears to be with the inner lining. On both of my Rockports, the heel cloth is very worn out, making them a little rough at the back and they are now starting to cause blisters, but this after a full year. Based on a few other reviews, others have mentioned this tiny ordeal too. However, a quick run down to my local shoe shop should surely sort that out, as I can easily purchase some new soles for the inside. Much rather it be the interior, than some awfully expensive tear in the leather on the exterior.
At a retail price of $80-$90, what better brand to buy than the jack-of-all-trades themselves — Rockport’s Atmore Casual Oxfords. They’ll just keep on going!