Rockport Men's Northfield Oxford

Comment

Check out the reviews on this product and youll notice that while the average is high, the *recent* reviews are rather poor. Why? Rockport decided to increase their profit by drastically downgrading the quality of the shoe. The soles are no longer made of high quality materials, but are now made of cheap foam rubber designed to wear out in less than a year (and they do). Not only does this make them cheaper to manufacture, but it also means youll have to replace them more often. Good for you, Rockport. The timing of the shoe going down hill and the purchase of Rockport by Adidas seems to somewhat coincide. In the absence of ability to improve their product or manufacturing processes, I guess the only way the Adidas MBAs can keep paying themselves mid-six-figures a year for doing nothing is by selling an increasingly inferior product and screwing their customers. This kind of BS is what passes for business innovation these days, and why corporate profits stay healthy despite a moribund economy as we keep getting less and less for our money, a "hidden inflation" nobody wants to talk about. The only people benefiting are the management class who orchestrate this charade. Sorry for the rant in the middle of a shoe review, but the reason these shoes now suck and some of the problems with our economy are one in the same. These shoes seem cheap, but its a false economy we pay for on the second and third pair of shoes we need to buy to make these last as long as they used to. Rant aside, youll do yourself a favor if you vote with your dollar to buy a shoe made by a company that has some respect for its customers. UPDATE: Id hoped that maybe I could at least have the soles replaced, and "build" a decent shoe that way. Experiment failed. Everything on the shoe is made so cheaply that the whole thing is starting to wear out, even though the shoe is only a few months old! There is a tear in a seam in the upper, the laces are shot (ok, that could be fixed) and the treads are already almost entirely worn off. So, its now official: I will never buy another pair of Rockports again.

Show more

Comment

For $70+, these shoes are a pathetic attempt at a rugged dress shoe (I immediately returned them). As other reviewers have pointed out, the quality is highlighted (lowlighted) by: -cheap, thin dollar-store leather, -the spongy light weight sole that probably lasts only a couple months (if it rains, they will feel like sponges wrapped around your foot) -the complete lack of support and rigidity in the footbed when walking in these (helloooo rolled-ankles) I am getting more and more annoyed by the influx of light weight dress shoes into the market and hubris of shoe developers who explain that we should be thankful for this "advanced technology". Sadly, since Rockport was bought by Adidas, all the dress shoes have gone from hard heavy rubber soles (which costs more to produce) to cheap lightweight "Adiprene" soles that last about 6 months before you can poke hole through them (Side note:what the h*ll happened to all the hardened rubber sole dress shoes? Timberland seems to be one of the few that still makes them, but they dont really make dress shoes, only a limited line of casual shoes.) Heres a tip, Rockport: Stop the marketing b.s. ("Kinetic Air Circulation technology", "Adiprene", "Hydroshield waterproof protection") and bring back the old quality Rockports which had THICK LEATHER AND HARD RUBBER SOLES. Until then, I will completely ignore Rockports products.

Show more

Comment

These wore out within 7 months. I had to replace the laces after a few months and the tread on the bottom has become completely smooth and a hole is wearing through. I contacted Rockport about their 1 year warranty, but they will only honor that for shoes purchased from the Rockport website.

Show more

Comment

Still a good shoe, relative to the harshest of reviews. 10 years ago i purchased a pair of these, and now they look terrible, but their integrity still intact. I had hoped to repeat such a purchase. However, it seems the sole and the uppers are not the same quality they were years ago. The Sole doesnt seem to grip the same, as if its not as "gummy" rubber as before. It seems like it is lighter and more airy. And it seems like the uppers are not quite as leathery as they were before. When compared to the Rockport Northfield.. Many shoes try to compete HOWEVER, I STILL HAVENT FOUND A DECENT REPLACEMENT FOR THE MONEY.. (I am picky when it comes to how shoes fit, feel and look - but am up for suggestions, because this still aint the best shoe out there, and certainly not the quality Rockport established its name on in 1970s) (Pictured Below - Rockport Northfield.. Merrill Brevard, Merrill Moab, Clarks Centre, Clarks UnWalk) 1. The Clarks UnStructured - shoes have better detail/finish, and their new venting technology exceeds Rockports, but Clarks are discontinuing the line. 2. Merrill Brevard - shoes are better quality uppers, but ugly as a work boot. (a half size small) 3. Merrill Moab - Appears to look more like a running shoe than a work shoe or dress shoe. (a size small) 4. Clarks Centre - The Clarks Centre Oxford seems to have a nicely finished top grain cowhide vs Northfields flimsy uppers. 5. Clarks UnWalk - Dress shoe makes the Rockport look plain and stone age with its puffy round nose. 6. (Not Pictured) Many other contenders in this category. For example, Doc Martins tread and style are similar, but quality are heavier and make me walk funny. Hence, not exhaustive comparison, but hopefully you get the point.. There are only so many shoes to choose from, and like it or not, i am still buying Rockports - even if they go chapter 11 this year 2018

Show more

Comment

I purchased these in September 2016. Its may 2017 and they are a mess and must be replaced. From the git-go they didnt fit well. The material rubbed against both of my ankles. After about 2 months they started to feel OK, but that was about the same time that their condition began to fail. At this point, the shoe soles have been worn at an angle from side to side. I dont know how a fella can wear a sole like that, but somehow Ive managed. The shoe lases are both tatters and have been for more than a month. I would have replaced them, but given the condition of the shoe, it seems pointless. Ive posted a few photos. You can decide for yourself if after 8 months, thats an acceptable condition for a shoe. If so, this is the shoe for you.

Show more