LOAKE APPRECIATION THREAD

[Carl1955]

Hi

I called at the Loake store in Chester this morning as I wanted to get my feet measured so I'm sure of getting the correct size of shoes, apparently I'm a UK 8.5 which came as a surprise as all my shoes are either 9, 9.5 or 10!!. I'm between an F and a G width wise.

The guy in the shop went on to say that the quality they sell in the Loake shops is better than other Loake independant stockists!.

I'm aware Loake do various ranges but would doubt that a Loake 1880 shoe would be better quality in the Loake shop than another retailer, perhaps it was his way of justifying the price as the Loake shop tend to be full retail while another supplier tends to have various sales & offers.

E.G.
While in the shop I tried on a pair of Loake 1880 Chesters with the Learther sole as I'm interested in a pair in Tan or Brown as I haven't made my mind up yet.

They are £220 in the Loake shop, yet only £159 at another retailer a couple of miles away, I'm aware quality of service has a price and I'm willing to pay a little extra for that along with piece of mind but £61 is a BIG difference

Cheers

Carl.

 

[Pendulum]

Yeah don't listen to the salesman, an 1880 is an 1880, no matter what stockist you buy from.

 

[Odradek]



Your Chester's are a size 9 and your Buckinghams/Strands are 8.5s!? That's very odd.

My Strand and Aldwych shoes, and Hyde boots, (all Capital last) are a size 7F, but when I bought Burford boots in a size 7F (024 last) they are too small.

Since I take a US size 8.5D in all my Allen Edmonds shoes, I'm figuring my actually size is a 7.5 UK, but the Capital last is so roomy in the toe that a 7 fits me grand.

Suede Burford boots going on ebay soon.

 

[th6252]

Recently received my first pair of Loake from Pediwear. Ordered the Ledbury in brown size 6F. Love the look. A touch larger fitting all around than I had anticipated but by no means unwearable. The main thing is I'm getting no heel slippage, which would have been a deal breaker. I wear a 7D in AE 5/65 last and 6UK in Carmina Forest-M last for reference. Overall, I'm really liking them though.

They are a tad lighter in color than I was anticipating as well, but I shouldn't have a problem darkening them a bit with a good polishing session.

One question for any of you in the US who've ordered from Pediwear, how long did it take for you to get a bill for duties? It's been nearly a month since I've received them and haven't gotten a bill so I was just curious. Thanks!

 

[Isolation]

Re loakes Chelseas, I got a seconds pair of Bayswater and I like it a lot. Comfy, easy to put on, and held up well.

 

[othertravel]

Hey guys, which Loake last would accommodate a low instep?

 

[othertravel]

Bump. Can anybody help me out?

 

[Stemo79]

Bump. Can anybody help me out?

Loake dont disclose their last information so its a little hard to say what would be good for a low instep. Could you explain exactly what you find problematic when choosing shoes as low insteps can have a variety of results dependent on the overall shape of your foot.... width/height/depth etc?

 

[othertravel]



Loake dont disclose their last information so its a little hard to say what would be good for a low instep. Could you explain exactly what you find problematic when choosing shoes as low insteps can have a variety of results dependent on the overall shape of your foot.... width/height/depth etc?

Thanks for the reply! If it helps, C&J 348 and Carmina Simpson fit me well.

Basically I need a last that can accommodate a low vamp.

 

[Stemo79]

Thanks for the reply! If it helps, C&J 348 and Carmina Simpson fit me well.

Basically I need a last that can accommodate a low vamp.

If you fit well into a 348 last then I don't think you will have much trouble with the Loake Capital last.

 

[othertravel]



If you fit well into a 348 last then I don't think you will have much trouble with the Loake Capital last.

Thanks, I appreciate the help. And does Loake run half size or full size conversions in sizing? That is, I wear 7.5UK/8.5US in C&J, but 8UK/8.5US for G&G and Carmina.

 

[Stemo79]

Thanks, I appreciate the help. And does Loake run half size or full size conversions in sizing? That is, I wear 7.5UK/8.5US in C&J, but 8UK/8.5US for G&G and Carmina.

My experience is that theyre true to size and the regular half size conversion from US to UK should suffice, however it concerns me that you have C&J 7.5UK/8.5US as the same should be said about the 348 last. Could you tell me where the information comes from that the C&J is a 7.5UK and US8.5? Does it say in the shoe?

Anyway having tried Capital and 348 on I dont find much difference between the two so go for the same size.

 

[SimplyStylin]

Been lurking the forums for a while, finally decided it was time to join and give something back since absorbing so much info... as well as getting in my new Loakes this week from Herring Great service from the presale to super fast shipping from UK to NJ by the way. I ordered Tuesday afternoon and had them on Thursday. Will see how I feel after the duties bill arrives. lol.

I've only began building my nicer shoe collection about a year ago, starting with 3 or 4 pairs of Allen Edmonds. I've had a tough time on many AE lasts, and while i do enjoy the quality of craftsmanship on their shoes, I was especially disappointed that I couldn't get the 65 to work for me in any size or width. As a Park Ave alternative, I found the Johnston & Murphy Georgetown II (one of their only still made in America models) to be sufficient but they only have a black... Since our selection for quality shoes in the U.S. is weak at best, this led me to England and Loakes.

Ordered in a dark brown Aldwych and also the Langdale (simlar to the AE Strand) to start, and see how I size up on on the Capital and 026 lasts. I measure a 10.5e on the Brannock, so took a 9.5UK for both as the people at Herring suggested. Capital last in F is a dead on fit for me, one of the best out of the box fits I've had to date. The 026 (also in F) was slightly narrower in the ball/toe box, but after only a couple of hours at home they've already broken in enough to be very comfortable and really look great.

Quality on the Aldwych (being an 1880 model) is top notch for the price paid. Stitching and construction is clean and sturdy. It's sleek on the Capital last (much more than the Park Ave, and also the Georgetown II which is sleeker than the PA itself). The finish, as others have noted, is a bit flat... but that will surely change with some polishes.

The Langdale is in the Shoemaker line vs 1880, but aside from the Danite sole there was little difference in build quality. The leather used with both seems pretty equal, and they were quite less stiff then most AE’s I’ve tried/owned. The tan color is a bit less orange then my Walnut Daltons, which is fine by me, though it may take some polishing before they really reach full potential.

I'm very happy with both purchases, and am already thinking about what i want to get next!

A couple pics, not the best sorry..

 

[Munky]

Welcome, Simply! You have bought some great shoes. I think that Loake's are beautifully made and stylish too. My experience has been that they wear very well and always buff up nicely. I don't tend to use much product on mine. I brush them before I go out and when I get back. I put cream on them when they need it (as opposed to having a strict regime). I don't use wax now, as I prefer the deep sheen that comes from using only cream. I have used wax in the past, though and the shoes do come up with a great shine.

Having had some problems with other maker's shoes in this price range, I plan to stick with Loake's. They are great shoes and I hope you enjoy them.

 

[SimplyStylin]

Welcome, Simply! You have bought some great shoes. I think that Loake's are beautifully made and stylish too. My experience has been that they wear very well and always buff up nicely. I don't tend to use much product on mine. I brush them before I go out and when I get back. I put cream on them when they need it (as opposed to having a strict regime). I don't use wax now, as I prefer the deep sheen that comes from using only cream. I have used wax in the past, though and the shoes do come up with a great shine.

Having had some problems with other maker's shoes in this price range, I plan to stick with Loake's. They are great shoes and I hope you enjoy them.

Thanks Munky... I'm sure I'll get some great use out of them. I also tend to use cream polish much more often then wax, but i did hit the Aldwych quickly with some wax before putting them away for a quick shine and they look great

I'm certain I'll be adding a pair of Strands, possibly the Hyde boots and a more casual option or two down the road (Kempton in Suede or a Chelsea)...