I’m not normally a deckshoe person but thought I’d give the Chatham 2012s a try as they came with a patriotic sole and it was not only the queens jubilee but also the Olympics.
At first look they were bright and smart looking. They garnered instant approval from my wife and I had high hopes for their first outing. I wasn’t disappointed either. The leather was soft and supple and the fit was very good. This was unusual as I have quite narrow feet.
The first important choice for any new deckshoe owner is whether to go barefoot or ‘socked’. I followed the traditionalists route and went au natural. A great choice, and highly recommended, as the shoes become almost unnoticeable and you’re left with a feeling that you’re walking around on your very own piece of mobile floor.
They didn’t once feel too hot, even in an unseasonably warm 40c in Palma. On the flipside, my feet remained warm on the cooler evenings as autumn approached.
After a full summers use they still look great (even better in some ways as they’re now worn in), they don’t smell (much, and they’re fully machine washable) and they’re still comfortable to wear, even in the cold wet evenings of October.
Bring on the spring for another chance to slip back into these new ‘old favourites’…