Who likes their Loake shoes? - Page 5

Thanks for the info, Journeyman. It's really appreciated.
Only thing I have still to work out now is my size. Can anyone tell me how these fit? Do they run small, large, whatever?
My feet are quite long and narrow so that I'm usually between UK sizes 10 and 10.5, 10 being narrow and 10.5 being long enough. Advice?

+1

I have a pair of Loake Twynning seconds (MTO for Herring Shoes). Afaik, they are the same as the Loake Durham from the 1880 range, except mine don't have combination heels. A similar shoe was available from Tyrwhitt a while ago. Leather quality is so-so; very thick, so probably durable, but not supple at all, also has a very dry hand (for lack of better term, don't know if that makes sense). Basically looks and feels more like full grain leather than calfskin.

up for further input.
the 1880 Burford looks pretty good to me.

+1 Those Savoys are nice. I like the proportioning of the toebox. Great to see all of these other photos too.

Seems there's a bit of a Marmite effect going on: love them or hate them. I love them (though hate Marmite).

I used to pick them up cheaply from a shop just off Victoria Street in London, when I worked nearby. Still have several pairs which I've kept for years. Most were agony for a week or so but all are marvelously comfortable now and won't be needing replacing for many years to come.

Well, I was going to start buying Loakes as a beginner shoe-buyer. If they are so rubbish, what are some other shoes in the same price range that are better then? Aldens and Allen Edmonds are not available in Britain.

I do. I've got three pairs of Loakes and couldn't be happier with them. I've got a black semi-brogue, a brown semi brogue and a brown full brogue. I can't remember if they were from the 1880 range as I think I picked them up as "seconds" from the Herring website. No issues with quality of leather or workmanship and they've started to age beautifully. To be fair they remain my first foray into "quality shoes" so I don't know what I'm missing from Chruchs, C&J etc etc I'd recommend both Loakes and Herring whole heartedly if you are a beginner buyer like me and don't be scared of "seconds" from Herring; they're fine.

By SF standards, I'm not much of a shoe snob (the most expensive shoe I own was still under $400) but I have to confess I was disappointed by Loake. I got an 1880 adelaide and found the leather a bit shiny and cheap looking and the shape not terribly sleek. Mine also aren't all that comfortable. I have some Trickers and Grensons that I vastly prefer. Maybe I just got a bad pair.