Chukka Decision: Loake Kempton or Pimlico

[Badandy]

Hey everyone,

In my search for some nice casual shoes to wear with trousers/chinos and jeans, I've decided to pick up a nice pair of chukkas. I went to Leather Soul in Beverly Hills the other day and tried on the Alden Chukka (unlined flex-welt I believe) and loved them. I am not willing to spend $460 on a pair of casual shoes, however, so I'm hoping that one of these pairs of Loake's will do the job. What I liked about the Alden was that it was minimalist, the eyelets didn't overlap when the laces were tied, and how they were fairly sleek (I'm used to chunky chukkas).

So, is the Kempton or Pimlico better for me?

http://www.loake.co.uk/kempton-rubber-sole.html

http://www.loake.co.uk/pimlico.html

The only difference in the descriptions seems to be the last. Pimlico is on the capital last whereas the Kempton is on the 026 last. I have done a search of some past threads and there was some mention that the capital last was a bit narrower/sleeker. Do people agree with this? Is there anything I should know about to make the decision with these?

For sizing on the Loake's, I have read that it would be appropriate to size down a full size. I wear an 8D in the AE 5 last. Keeping in mind the switch to UK convention and the fact that both boots are F fitting, would the 7 be good in your opinion?

I am open to recommendations for other options in the $300 range.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[NOBD]

I chose the Kempton's because I liked the colour better - more tobacco than the dark brown of the Pimlico. It's hard to compare them to the Alden Chukka's; those are really light and supple. I have them in tan and only wear them in S/S. The leather of the Kempton's is quite thick; took me quite a while to wear them in, but I'm happy with them; great for rainy weather.

The shape differs too:

'

 

[phillycheese]

I like the darker pair better for several reasons: - the stitching around the top is close to the edge an less obvious and the sole welting does not stick out as much.

 

[Badandy]

NOBD: Thank you so much for the comparison pics and your impressions of the two.

May I ask the difference in sizing you chose between the Alden and the Kempton? I'm pretty sure I'd have to order through pediwear.co.uk so I wouldn't be able to try them on. From your pictures it seems like the Kempton is a bit more substantial in the toebox area since it's lined, but do you find it too bulbous?

 

[Jellybean]

I have the Kempton's too. Here is an aerial comparison:

Kempton




Pimlico

 

[NOBD]



NOBD: Thank you so much for the comparison pics and your impressions of the two.
May I ask the difference in sizing you chose between the Alden and the Kempton? I'm pretty sure I'd have to order through pediwear.co.uk so I wouldn't be able to try them on. From your pictures it seems like the Kempton is a bit more substantial in the toebox area since it's lined, but do you find it too bulbous?

You're welcome. No, I don't find it too bulbous, but they're really different types of shoes.

As for sizing: I have wide feet with a high instep; sizing advice from me is probably useless for most feet. Maybe someone else can help you with that.

 

[Lord Mulberry]

Not sure if Loake export to the US unless it is a specialised retailer. Was looking at some desert boots in the shop window the other day. I'm not sure what brand they were but they were blue suede with white stiching. The sole and heel(half inch) were light tan leather. Real nice

 

[Badandy]

Thanks for the assistance everyone. I think I will go with the Kempton unless someone can persuade me with a different brand or with the Pimlico. Can anyone give some input on the sizing? I I wear a size 8D in the AE 5 last.

 

[lagsun]

Don't quote me but I believe these are the Pimlico rebranded by CT Tyrwhitt:

http://www.ctshirts.com/men's-shoes...boots?q=usddefault||MB083BRN|||||157,||||||||

 

[aravenel]



Don't quote me but I believe these are the Pimlico rebranded by CT Tyrwhitt:
http://www.ctshirts.com/men's-shoes...boots?q=usddefault||MB083BRN|||||157,||||||||

I've got a pair of those that I quite like. As far as I can tell, they are rebadged Loakes.

They sell them in a wide size as well, which is awesome for those of us with wide feet

 

[Schweino]



Don't quote me but I believe these are the Pimlico rebranded by CT Tyrwhitt:
http://www.ctshirts.com/men's-shoes...boots?q=usddefault||MB083BRN|||||157,||||||||

Are you sure they are pimlico's and not kemptons?

 

[Schweino]

Bought the CT blue suede chukkas and they are on the Loake 026 last (Loake Kempton rebrand).

Here is a picture of my Loake Pimlico (8F), Loake Kempton (8.5F) and the CT Harwood (8.5F). As you can see the 026 last is quite short compared to the Capital last.

 

[NOBD]

NM

 

[Ich_Dien]

Pimlico:

 

[Badandy]

Just purchased the Loake Kempton's from pediwear (I'm in the US). Thankfully the sizing was just right because I probably would have had to sell them at a pretty good loss or spend a lot shipping back to the UK. For reference I wear about an 8D in AE 5-last (with some gaping at the ankle) and I ordered the UK 7F for the Kempton. They fit very well but I haven't broken them in yet. I love the look of the shoe and they are definitely much different than the Alden flex chukkas on the Leydon last which NOBD did a great job showing earlier in this thread. I'm also a big fan of the Danite soles.

I think I'm going to get some great mileage out of these and can even wear them with business casual attire that I go to work in. The color is very versatile and they should look great under some epaulet pants and an OCBD.