Loake 1880 > AE

[Avebury]

It will be interesting to see how Barker respond to Loake who have gone for the whistles and bells all singing all dancing website. At the 'bottom' end, with AS gone, Barker and Loake will fight it out. Barker have a slight edge in that they have a shop in London, but I bet Loake will soon follow suit. If I were Barker, I'd be getting the web design team in. From experience, I do think Barker are better than Loake, Loake L1 and Barker Flex excepted. My 1880s look worse everyday, my Barkers better. The Loakes I have seen for sale aren't a patch on Barker.

 

[anon]

Does anyone have experience with the Loake comfort line? Is the leather so bad that I'd be wasting my money the same as I would if I bought Clarks or Bostonians?

 

[quuz]

Ive just recived my loake wells (last 026) and they are indeed sleek.

 

[Steven Aver]

Originally Posted by Avebury

It will be interesting to see how Barker respond to Loake who have gone for the whistles and bells all singing all dancing website. At the 'bottom' end, with AS gone, Barker and Loake will fight it out. Barker have a slight edge in that they have a shop in London, but I bet Loake will soon follow suit. If I were Barker, I'd be getting the web design team in. From experience, I do think Barker are better than Loake, Loake L1 and Barker Flex excepted. My 1880s look worse everyday, my Barkers better. The Loakes I have seen for sale aren't a patch on Barker.

You may not be taking care of your leather. My 1880 Ritz look good right now that I have been giving the leather saphir treatments on. Weekly basis. They have patinad beautifully and the leather has become very supple. No complaints here for a pair of shoes that cost almost nothing

 

[osc]

Originally Posted by constant struggle

I sized down 1 full size from my american size to get my english size...
now that i have both loake 1880 and AE... I feel the leather is better on AEs

Reading the previous posts, I fit an 8.5E comfortably in AEs, so would the Loake 1880 7.5F UK be ideal?

 

[wetnose]

Originally Posted by osc

Reading the previous posts, I fit an 8.5E comfortably in AEs, so would the Loake 1880 7.5F UK be ideal?

OSC, I suggest trying on the Loake loafers at the Bay on Queen St in Toronto. They're on a 33 last. For example, I am a AE 7.5 and the loafer in a 7 fit me perfectly.

After that, email pediwear and they can work out what is the UK size for your desired 1880 shoe. They have very close contacts with the Loake factory so they can tell you. Different lasts, different sizes...I'm a 6.5 on a Loake legend last, but a 7 on a 33 last....yeah I know. Also I can only fit into the 7.5 boot on a 33 last.

Yep, my foot fits into 3 different sizes from the same manufacturer.

 

[osc]

Originally Posted by wetnose

OSC, I suggest trying on the Loake loafers at the Bay on Queen St in Toronto. They're on a 33 last. For example, I am a AE 7.5 and the loafer in a 7 fit me perfectly.

After that, email pediwear and they can work out what is the UK size for your desired 1880 shoe. They have very close contacts with the Loake factory so they can tell you. Different lasts, different sizes...I'm a 6.5 on a Loake legend last, but a 7 on a 33 last....yeah I know. Also I can only fit into the 7.5 boot on a 33 last.

Yep, my foot fits into 3 different sizes from the same manufacturer.

Thanks for the heads up. I'll give it a shot at the Bay on Queen St. Any other places carry Loakes in Toronto or GTA?

 

[awxg]

Originally Posted by osc

Thanks for the heads up. I'll give it a shot at the Bay on Queen St. Any other places carry Loakes in Toronto or GTA?

So far, this is the only place I know that carries them and their collection is very poor. If you find any other places, let me know please.

 

[wetnose]

I received my Loake Paddingtons 2 weeks ago from Herrings. I think it's a Loake exclusive to Herrings since it's not on the Loake company site. It looks quite close to the Loake Paisely but billed as part of the Loake 1880 line. IMO, looks nicer than the Herrings photos.

Comparing it to my AEs:

1) I have 3 pairs of AEs: 2 of them are quite stiff, 1 quite buttery. This Loake falls in between.
2) I applied 2 coats of RM Williams saddle dressing and allowed to rest for 24 hours. Then applied 2 coats of polish. Loake's calf leather takes polish to a nice shine.
3) Comfort: just as comfortable as the AEs. Walked for an hour with no discomfort at all.
4) Construction: Immaculate. Seams are straight, nothing out of line. Leather construction throughout. GY welted.

Sizing: normally a 7.5 on AEs, the 6.5 on the Loake legend last fit me like a glove.

Verdict: like comparing a Honda Civic to a Toyota Corolla. Well made, affordable. I'd give the edge to the Loake as the last is a little more aggressive than the AEs.

 

[osc]

Originally Posted by wetnose

I received my Loake Paddingtons 2 weeks ago from Herrings. I think it's a Loake exclusive to Herrings since it's not on the Loake company site. It looks quite close to the Loake Paisely but billed as part of the Loake 1880 line. IMO, looks nicer than the Herrings photos.

Comparing it to my AEs:

1) I have 3 pairs of AEs: 2 of them are quite stiff, 1 quite buttery. This Loake falls in between.
2) I applied 2 coats of RM Williams saddle dressing and allowed to rest for 24 hours. Then applied 2 coats of polish. Loake's calf leather takes polish to a nice shine.
3) Comfort: just as comfortable as the AEs. Walked for an hour with no discomfort at all.
4) Construction: Immaculate. Seams are straight, nothing out of line. Leather construction throughout. GY welted.

Sizing: normally a 7.5 on AEs, the 6.5 on the Loake legend last fit me like a glove.

Verdict: like comparing a Honda Civic to a Toyota Corolla. Well made, affordable. I'd give the edge to the Loake as the last is a little more aggressive than the AEs.

Thanks for the review wetnose - I'll be getting a pair of Loake veery shortly as well.

Also, to the original question, the Bay on Bloor and Yonge carry Loake L1s as well (same selection as the one near Eaton Centre)

PS. Did Herring ship via Royal Mail or UPS? How was the duties/taxes for you?

 

[wetnose]

Worked out to CAD 40 for original cost+UPSshipping of GBP 140. Herrings put a lower value as declaration so the duty was lower.

 

[onix]

It seems the general consensus is that Loake 1880 and AE are of the same par. If that's the case, then why would anyone looks for AE on sale while Loake 1880 can be easily obtained at 180-220 range?

 

[anon]

Originally Posted by onix

It seems the general consensus is that Loake 1880 and AE are of the same par. If that's the case, then why would anyone looks for AE on sale while Loake 1880 can be easily obtained at 180-220 range?
you can actually try on AEs locally

 

[Philip1978]

Originally Posted by osc

Thanks for the review wetnose - I'll be getting a pair of Loake veery shortly as well.

Also, to the original question, the Bay on Bloor and Yonge carry Loake L1s as well (same selection as the one near Eaton Centre)

PS. Did Herring ship via Royal Mail or UPS? How was the duties/taxes for you?

When I got mine from Herring they used UPS and was chared $40 CDN.

 

[osc]

Originally Posted by onix

It seems the general consensus is that Loake 1880 and AE are of the same par. If that's the case, then why would anyone looks for AE on sale while Loake 1880 can be easily obtained at 180-220 range?

AEs are readily available to try on in North America whereas Loakes are a little harder to find, if at all.

Originally Posted by DrCool1978

When I got mine from Herring they used UPS and was chared $40 CDN.

I purchased mine from Richard @ Shoe Healer and he shipped via DHL, received in 2 business days and was charged approx. $30. I also got free brushes and polish with it