Vinyl Clown Shoes?

[Mr. Dazzle]

I was wondering... Does anyone have an opinion about Vinyl Clown Shoes...

I've found a pair online that claims to have vinyl tops and rubber soles.

I was wondering if anyone knew how well these shoes hold up? I am kind of iffy on buying something that sounds like it should be covering my grandmothers sofa.

Also Does anyone know of a place online that sells good clown shoes at a decent price? I've been searching Ebay and I've found leather shoes for 40-50 dollars a pair... but then you slap on the 25 dollar shipping and Handling fee and that adds up to quite a bit...

[Nettie Belle]

Vinyl shoe covers ... I had several pairs of them when I started clowning, because of the cost of leather shoes. They took me through parades, parties, and other functions.

I guess it all depends on your preferences.

Vinyl ones:

Pros - they are inexpensive and fit anyone's foot. To a child, they look fine. You will receive them very quickly.

Cons - they won't last long. If you plan to be clowning a lot, you will need to replace them within the next couple of years. They only come in certain styles. The holes where the shoe laces go through tear easily. I had to buy some yellow duct tape to reinforce them. Not ALL shoes fit inside these shoes. Only certain ones do.
They sort of flip flap when you walk.

Leather ones from Clownmart on ebay:

Pros - they are beautiful shoes. Very well made and should last. They will also fit anyone's foot. $50.00 for a pair of well-made leather shoes is a very good price.

Cons - They will take approximately 2 to 2-1/2 weeks to get them. The price is somewhat higher.

If I would have known about Clownmart shoes from ebay for $50 (I don't know if they had them on there then ... I monitor ebay pretty well) I would have definitely bought the leather ones, paid the extra (which isn't a lot) and waited the 2 weeks for them.

I have some shoes from Clownmart and they are beautiful. I haven't gotten to wear them yet, but I'm eager to do so.

When I finally made the switch from vinyl to leather, it was a WORLD OF DIFFERENCE. I felt so professional, they didn't flap when I walked, I didn't have to keep my white tennis shoes around ... well, I could go on and on, but I'm at work and need to get busy doing actual hospital work.

My final 2 cents worth ... save your money and get the leather ones, but don't wait too long ... the ones on ebay will soon go back up to $76. minimum bid.

[Mr. Dazzle]

Is Ebay the only place to get the leather shoes?

[Scruffy]

Razzle,
No there are other places, but the Clownmart shoes are a great place to start for real leather shoes.
The biggest drawback to the vinyl is they wear out really fast. Eyelets pull out, seams start tearing, they just don't last. also they are very hard on your feet. If you have small feet, you might be able to get a pair of shoes inside them.
I guess, I would say, save your money and get a pair. Nettie Belle, Jitterbug and Shoq, all have them. They are a really great,shoe for a reasonable price. Ask Fitz how much his cost him. The Spears, Jolly walkers, Clownsoports, Cherokee, and Billy Prince shoes are great. And are custom made to fit your feet. The Clown marts aren't. You lace then tightly around your ankles and they fit quite well. Mine are the same way. I do put a pair of Gel cushion insoles in mine (Flat feet) But, I have worn mine for four years now, Nothing has fallen apart, They are comfy, and are a far cry from needing resoled. BTW, the Clown mart shoes can be resoled! I just would spend the money for a good set of intermediate shoes rather than spend twenty bucks a pop on something that you will wear out very quickly.
My 2 cents,
Scruffy

[Mr. Dazzle]

2 cents well spent Scruffy.

Thank you for all for the advice and tips.

[BlossomTheClown]

I heard the vinyl wore quite quickly so after debating on spending the money for a long time, I finally splurged and got the leather shoes. I got my shoes from Jolly Walkers and found they fit great. I have a hard time finding good fitting shoes anyway (high instep and wide feet) and since these were made to fit they are more comfortable than most of my other shoes. My biggest fear was whether I would be able to walk in them since I never had big shoes, but it didn't take long to get use to them and I haven't tripped myself yet ... although at least since I'm in clown it will look like part of my act.

[Fitzwilly]

If you want to be happy with your purchase you will stay away from the vinyl shoes. I know Willace wore out a pair or two in no time. We sell them at Fun F/X ($20-$25) They generally are not comfortable (guys feet are usually too large to wear an additional shoe inside) and because they are loose on your feet you will want to tie them nice and tight. however the vinyl is so cheap that the eyelets will tear out. Buy the Clown Mart ones or another leather shoe. I have two pair of clown shoes the first made by Wayne Scott and the second by Allen his son. Each pair was around $325. I wore the first pair for 6 or 7 years before needing to get them resoled, and that was not a problem with the sole but with the heal and the tip of the toe. I had the cobbler add the Vibram sole to the bottom of the leather and they will last me another 10 to 15 years before I need to resole them again. The second set is a different style (the first being a blue and yellow check) they are a black and white wingtip for when Fitzy is going out on the town.

[Mr. Dazzle]

I think I found the clown mart shoes for me... I have been struggling over the choice about buying new shoes... and if so what style would I buy, etc. I got very excited when I found these shoes and I think that without a doubt these are the shoes for me...



They are the perfect clown version of the shoes that I already wear.



Now I just have to convince my parents to let me use their credit card to buy them and pay them back in Cash.

[BlossomTheClown]

Those will look great with your costume RD.

[Mr. Dazzle]

I made the purchase... I am super excited and I can't wait to recieve them!