... And socks. Both. I hate shopping for them and I hate paying for them. About three-quarters of the time I'll go cheap and regret it. Then I see how much a quality product costs and I'll buy another cheap one, fully prepared for its short life-expectancy and fully prepared to complain about it.

However, in this case I went out of my price comfort-zone. I was looking for the sweet spot where "at-the-office" meets "bumming around" from a design standpoint. I also wanted materials with lasting endurance. Something shinier, fancier (or cheaper) might wear noticeably with daily use. Hopefully Timberland's reputation will prove itself in this regard. I wanted something casual enough to wear with jeans, but attractive enough to wear with slacks and a button-down. In my humble fashion opinion these shoes fit in that spot. The "contrast" stitching doesn't jump out (the thread is medium grey, not white) but is not so subtle as to go unnoticed. The overall shape is rugged, but softened just enough to look like a shoe and not like a boot. The finish - a textured matte - should wear very well for obvious reasons. Even the eyelets seem to be well-built with the topmost being ovals which makes sense: lesser shoes with weak (or no) eyelets tend to distort where they are tied again and again. The small spandex-like web at the top-rear of the counter is a genius element making putting on and removing the shoe easier yet not diminishing the look of the shoe or the strength of the counter.

If I can hold anything against this shoe it's the thickness and lack of padding in the upper. Despite this it was one of the most comfortable shoes I'd ever had out of the box. It applies no uncomfortable rubbing points around the ankle, heel, top or tongue. So I guess padding isn't necessary if a shoe is cut just right. (Note: there IS sole padding, I am referring to the upper surfaces.) One possible downside is warmth during the winter. We'll see how that goes.

The only design point I would considering altering would be the laces - which are black - matching them to the grey stitching. Given the low-contrast I don't believe it would look ostentatious, but I'd have to see it. Certainly the black laces do not detract from the appearance.

Other comments mentioned a lack of traction in wet or snowy conditions. I haven't experienced much in wet and we haven't had any snow stick yet so I can't comment there. In dry conditions they seem about as grippy as an average sneaker, certainly more so than a smooth soled dress shoe.