Are expensive shoes with leather soles really only for special occasions or can they be worn day-to-day walking long distance in crap British weather? I ask because I own some cheap Clarkes loafers with leather soles and 6 months on, the soles coming away from the upper as the stitching holding the sole on is exposed to the ground and the obvious abrasion is wearing the stitches away. I wondered if this case might be because the shoes were fairly cheap...? Are leather soles much better on more expensive shoes? Is there anyway to protect leather soles/limit wear? Trouble is I think all high end shoes/boots have leather soles, right?:hmmm:

Any advice/info/experience?