Barker Appreciation Thread - Pictures, News etc..

[Braid]

I can't believe no one created this topic yet!

I believe Barker really makes some nice shoes, I know it's not CJ or EG but still I believe they deserve some love!

So don't be shy and please share yours here.
Any news regarding sales, new models etc.. is also appreciated!

I'll start with my Newcastle in tan calf.

 

[Evergreen88]

There isn't much love for Barker's around here!

My first pair of british shoes was a pair of Johnny

 

[othertravel]

Local retailer on my end is having a big clear out on Barker Black. Is the quality on BB higher than Barker handcrafted?

 

[Schweino]

For me Barker has been hit and miss. Sometimes great shoes in every aspect but also have experienced quality issues with their leather and suede (excessive wrinkling, uneven nap).

Their lasts are very comfortable but can be on the long side.

Here is a part of my collection:

 

[Braid]

Local retailer on my end is having a big clear out on Barker Black. Is the quality on BB higher than Barker handcrafted?

My understanding is that BB is a little higher than Barker handcrafted and also less "conservative". Though it seems it is a brand mainly targeting the US market (which could be a pro or a cons based on what you are looking for).

 

[Braid]

For me Barker has been hit and miss. Sometimes great shoes in every aspect but also have experienced quality issues with their leather and suede (excessive wrinkling, uneven nap).

Their lasts are very comfortable but can be on the long side.

Here is a part of my collection:

Nice collection and thanks for sharing! From the pictures my feeling is that your shoes and boots are aging well. I wouldn't call this hit and miss, it seems just some minor creasing due to normal usage.

 

[Schweino]

The chelsea boots have just been worn twice and the creasing is because of low grade (belly) leather in this case.

The jodphur boots are aging great indeed.

 

[Braid]

How can you

The chelsea boots have just been worn twice and the creasing is because of low grade (belly) leather in this case.

The jodphur boots are aging great indeed.

How can you tell the difference between "normal" creasing (which occurs even with the highest quality leather from C&J, EG, G&G etc..) from a low quality one? I ask not because I do not trust your judgment but because I would like to learn!

 

[Schweino]

The creasing shown in the picture of the chelsea boots is from loose grain. Low grade leather will have this because it is from parts of the cow hide (belly for instance) that won't be used in high grade shoes. You can notice the difference in wrinkle patterns, normal creasing in high grade leather will have more straight lines.

Also, if you take a look at the spectator shoes you can see both shoes have different suede nap. One has a long, coarse nap while the other a short and finer nap. This makes the wear pattern uneven.

Both are details I believe higher grade brands pay more attention to, at least in my experience.

 

[Mr Knightley]

I only have one pair of Barker shoes - the Northcote in Castagnia suede. They are two or three years old now and the suede seems to be standing up quite well:






This picture taken after a couple of years' wear.

I gather from another thread that Barker also make CT Made in England shoes. What do we know about that?

 

[Schweino]

I gather from another thread that Barker also make CT Made in England shoes. What do we know about that?

The jodphur boots in my previous post are Barker for CT.

Not all of them are made by Barker though, some are made by Loake.

 

[Schweino]

Some more barker shoes I have sold some time ago

 

[Braid]

Some more barker shoes I have sold some time ago

View attachment 1075586 View attachment 1075587

Amazing shade of blue!

 

[Mr Knightley]

The jodphur boots in my previous post are Barker for CT.

Not all of them are made by Barker though, some are made by Loake.

Yes indeed, but if this information of a few years back is still current, then only a handful are now by Loake and at the cheaper end:
https://www.styleforum.net/threads/charles-tyrwhitt-shoes-no-longer-mostly-made-by-loake.399419/

These are my CT Ashton dark brown brogues by Barker:

 

[Youssef]

Hi,

I have a pair of Barker Orkney chukkas bought through vente-privée.fr for 180€, I feel they do not fit true to size as the 10.5UK size I got is a bit long and I have to lace them really tight to avoid slippage, other shoes from Carlos Santos or Meermin seem more true to size.

Another thing I noticed is that the pair I received came with a storm welt although they were picture with a "normal" welt and I can't seem to find anywhere a reference to storm welt.

Finally, the leather quality isn't even across the shoe, the side walls show a lot of creases although they are not solicited at all.

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