Herring Shoes - Experiences?

[the_sartorialist]

I am in the market for a pair of chestnut / dark leaf oxfords and was initially considering the C&J Westbourne, until I came across Herring's website. Does anyone have any thoughts / experience on the following models: 1) Herring Macmillan (identical to Cheaney's Gielgud which is a wholecut, and I spoke to Herring previously who said they 'up-spec' (my words, not theirs) it and use a higher quality leather than Cheaney's model and is slightly cheaper because they pocket a smaller margin). 2) Herring Knightsbridge (Chestnut Burnished Calf) (I am aware this is made at the Loake factory, and Loake gets very little love on these forums!). 3) Herring Classic (similar to the Herring Knightsbridge above, but with the broguing. So it's essentially a price / quality ratio comparison between the 3 shoes above and C&J's Westbourne. Interested to hear your thoughts on the shoes, as with the shopping experience with Herring.

 

[Ich_Dien]

They're a wonderful company to deal with. If I were you, I'd buy something from the sale section for better value though.

 

[upnorth]

In general, I've been pleased with Herring services. They despatch the shoes quickly and have been helpful and responsive in my communication with them.

One caveat is that I would be very careful about buying their seconds (not discontinued sales items). They have been rather liberal in categorizing what constitutes slight seconds and may include items with damaged uppers in some of their sale item that cannot be hidden or polished away.

My pick would be the C&J westbourne, but this is guided by my less (quantity) is more (quality) philosophy, my personal taste for that style and that C&J is slightly superior to all the Herring selections. Unfortunately, only you can decide whether their respective value propositions sit well with you. If you have very limited shoes and budget, then getting 2 of the cheaper ones of slightly different styles for variety is not such a bad idea. As you go up the hierarchy, you may find yourself paying 2-3 times more for a shoe that is only marginally better. I would advise that, if you could, try all of them in person before deciding. Some don't take too well to the 348 last while others find the 026 last blobby.

 

[hst]

Originally Posted by the_sartorialist

I am in the market for a pair of chestnut / dark leaf oxfords and was initially considering the C&J Westbourne, until I came across Herring's website.

Does anyone have any thoughts / experience on the following models:

1) Herring Macmillan (identical to Cheaney's Gielgud which is a wholecut, and I spoke to Herring previously who said they 'up-spec' (my words, not theirs) it and use a higher quality leather than Cheaney's model and is slightly cheaper because they pocket a smaller margin).

2) Herring Knightsbridge (Chestnut Burnished Calf) (I am aware this is made at the Loake factory, and Loake gets very little love on these forums!).

3) Herring Classic (similar to the Herring Knightsbridge above, but with the broguing.

So it's essentially a price / quality ratio comparison between the 3 shoes above and C&J's Westbourne. Interested to hear your thoughts on the shoes, as with the shopping experience with Herring.


I had a very good experience with Herring. The website is generally easy to use. Delivery was cheap, reliable and prompt.

As to the shoes, I agree with the comment that the sale items and seconds present the best value. I bought a Herring polished burgundy loafer for 51GBP. The half price shoe trees are also very good value (I bought 6 of them since).

You can get much lower priced Church's at the Bicester Villages outlet. I believe you could also get good priced Church's at its Northampton factory store, although not been there personally myself.

 

[Ged]

All good experiences here. Even had to do an exchange which was handled very well.
I've only bought Churchs from them, but personally I think their own brand shoes, particularly the Premier ones, look very fine indeed!

Ged

 

[Journeyman]

I've bought three pairs from them, all from their sale items. Two pairs of Loakes from the 1880 line and one pair of Barker captoe brogues.

The service was excellent - great communication, prompt shipping and provision of tracking details.

On my second order, the shipping was slightly delayed and so the owner/manager, Adrian Herring, sent me an e-mail almost as soon as I had placed the order, so as to apologise and to let me know that there would be a slight delay and that the shoes would he shipped within a day or two.

The shoes were great value on sale and I was mightily impressed with the service.

Their own shoes seem to be mainly re-badged Loakes and Cheaneys.

 

[dappledown]

Service is very good. Products from my experience can be hit or miss. But the prices are fair and in the end you get what you pay for.

 

[Mr.K]

I am not familiar with those shoes, but Herring is a good shop to deal with. i have orded 4 pairs of Loakes from them in the past. Fast shipping and great communication.

 

[the_sartorialist]

Thanks all, for your feedback.

In terms of pricing, Pediwear has given me a pricematch with Plal for C&J's Westbourne. So I am looking at a modest 10% price increase over Herring's Premier Range. And from what I understand, C&J's benchgrade (which is what the Westbourne is) should still offer significantly better quality over Herring's Premier Range. In such a case, I suppose I can get comfortable with the added 10% excess in cost. And I have also tried on the Westbourne in stores and am pretty satisfied with the fit.

Would the wise folks out there agree with me, or have I completely misjudged things?

 

[upnorth]

How did you get the price match? Unless I am mistaken, going by the current rates, and the fact that PLAL charges RM119 to ship benchgrades, it works out to be more expensive with PLAL.

 

[Wes Bourne]

Originally Posted by Ich_Dien

They're a wonderful company to deal with. If I were you, I'd buy something from the sale section for better value though.

Originally Posted by upnorth

In general, I've been pleased with Herring services. They despatch the shoes quickly and have been helpful and responsive in my communication with them.

One caveat is that I would be very careful about buying their seconds (not discontinued sales items). They have been rather liberal in categorizing what constitutes slight seconds and may include items with damaged uppers in some of their sale item that cannot be hidden or polished away.

Originally Posted by hst

I had a very good experience with Herring. The website is generally easy to use. Delivery was cheap, reliable and prompt.

As to the shoes, I agree with the comment that the sale items and seconds present the best value.

Originally Posted by Ged

All good experiences here. Even had to do an exchange which was handled very well.

Originally Posted by Journeyman

The service was excellent - great communication, prompt shipping and provision of tracking details.

Originally Posted by Mr.K

I am not familiar with those shoes, but Herring is a good shop to deal with. Fast shipping and great communication.

+1. You won't be disapointed with their customer service. I've ordered from them twice and the service was excellent on both occasions. I've only read good comments about them. Re the shoes you've listed: if you're going to order Loakes or rebadged Loakes, get something from their 1880 range. I used to own a pair identical to the Herring Classic; I found the leather on those to be cardboard stiff and the 026 was a poor fit for me. Imo, the 026 is a short last and caused a lot of pinching in my small toes.

 

[w.o.e.is.me.]

Great customer service. I would buy from them again.

 

[dappledown]

consider these. http://www.alfredsargent.co.uk/product.asp?pid=98

their color is really the nicest mid to dark brown i have.

 

[Holdfast]

Originally Posted by w.o.e.is.me.

Great customer service. I would buy from them again.

Yup, agreed. I've only bought one pair from them, but it was a smooth and trouble-free transaction.

 

[Roger Kearey]

Top notch company. I bought a pair of Churches from them which developed a hole after a few weeks and they got the resoled free of charge and gave me a deal on another pair of shoes.