LOAKE APPRECIATION THREAD

[Casablanca]

On the subject of quality issues:
As I mentioned a while ago, I bought a pair of Chesters a year ago at a discount as they were display models in Debenhams. I've worn them 1 or 2 days a week since and have been very happy, although the leather soles are a tad slippery on damp footpaths. I've taken good care of them(shoe trees, alternating and applying cream etc) and planned on re-soling them in Danite when they fall due. However in the last week or so, I noticed the heel beginning to lift and separate. Given the level of wear, I'm a bit surprised at this and have emailed Lakes for an opinion, quoting the Quality Control Ref on the booklet etc. I'll let ye know the result.

 

[Stemo79]

On the subject of quality issues:
As I mentioned a while ago, I bought a pair of Chesters a year ago at a discount as they were display models in Debenhams. I've worn them 1 or 2 days a week since and have been very happy, although the leather soles are a tad slippery on damp footpaths. I've taken good care of them(shoe trees, alternating and applying cream etc) and planned on re-soling them in Danite when they fall due. However in the last week or so, I noticed the heel beginning to lift and separate. Given the level of wear, I'm a bit surprised at this and have emailed Lakes for an opinion, quoting the Quality Control Ref on the booklet etc. I'll let ye know the result.

If this separation was evident when you purchased them then you could have sent them back as the heel wouldnt have been tacked properly. However as this has formed after purchase and several wears Id say its more likely through wear and you catching them. Considering that when you walk naturally you are putting pressure on the heel against a solid surface this can only force the heel against the sole, you would need an opposite force to cause a separation and I cant think of any other way of that happening by itself.

You can email Loake but they will only refer you to Debenhams.

 

[FlyingMonkey]

What do you think of the leather? Being that it is corrected grain? How much in duties/customs/taxes?

Yeah, I did get hit with customs...

I know this is heresy, but I'm not that bothered about corrected grain on a Chelsea. On some shoes or boots I would be, but these are all-purpose travel shoes for me and they've got to do a job and they do it. I have a pair of lined winter boots from Herring that are also corrected grain. They have to take a hell of a battering with the water and salt of an Ontario winter. The result is that they won't last forever. But that's fine.

I wore the Chelseas for three days solid in Berlin recently at a conference, which happened to be a good way to wear them in. When I first put them on they seemed a little too blobby (I generally prefer a bt more definition in the form of the last). But after three days, they are starting to take some shape now, and I like them.

 

[Munky]

I am still thinking about buying a pair of Burford boots. I haven't had boots before. A slightly odd question: what are they like to drive in? I am thinking of a geared car and not an automatic. Thanks in advance.

 

[SimplyStylin]

I am still thinking about buying a pair of Burford boots. I haven't had boots before. A slightly odd question: what are they like to drive in? I am thinking of a geared car and not an automatic. Thanks in advance.

I do this all the time with boots... 6 speed manual, no probs

 

[Stemo79]

I am still thinking about buying a pair of Burford boots. I haven't had boots before. A slightly odd question: what are they like to drive in? I am thinking of a geared car and not an automatic. Thanks in advance.

You don't change into driving shoes!!?? The Horror!!

 

[Odradek]



I am still thinking about buying a pair of Burford boots. I haven't had boots before. A slightly odd question: what are they like to drive in?  I am thinking of a geared car and not an automatic. Thanks in advance.

Not an issue at all, although it probably depends more on the car.
I still have a problem with my left ankle due to the clutch pedal on my old Citroen Berlingo.
Heavy but the real problem was the placement of the pedal itself.

Currently driving a Ford S-Max, and although I curse the car daily, the clutch is fine. Six speed manual.
Once the boots are worn in there should be no issue with ankle flexibility.

 

[SimplyStylin]

You don't change into driving shoes!!?? The Horror!!

lol

Do many guys actually do this?

I've given it thought, even tried it one time, but after one or two trips it was already a hassle... Especially getting in to NYC and having to change shoes in a parking garage while people are waiting to pull in behind you.

 

[Stemo79]

lol

Do many guys actually do this?

I've given it thought, even tried it one time, but after one or two trips it was already a hassle... Especially getting in to NYC and having to change shoes in a parking garage while people are waiting to pull in behind you.

I couldnt imagine wearing any boots whilst driving, theyre heavy, hot, uncomfortable and cause more creasing to the boots. Whilst its not always practical to change I value the comfort of a slip on especially on longer journeys.

 

[Casablanca]



On the subject of quality issues: As I mentioned a while ago, I bought a pair of Chesters a year ago at a discount as they were display models in Debenhams. I've worn them 1 or 2 days a week since and have been very happy, although the leather soles are a tad slippery on damp footpaths. I've taken good care of them(shoe trees, alternating and applying cream etc) and planned on re-soling them in Danite when they fall due. However in the last week or so, I noticed the heel beginning to lift and separate. Given the level of wear, I'm a bit surprised at this and have emailed Lakes for an opinion, quoting the Quality Control Ref on the booklet etc. I'll let ye know the result.

Further to my story above, I emailed Loakes the pics asking for an opinion. The main body of my email was enquiring as to whether the Chesters could be re-soled and re-heeled in Danite and whether such a service was available to me as I don't live in the UK and, if so, the cost of same. The €/£ conversion rate would then influence whether it would be cheaper for me to buy a new pair. The email was dated the 26/09/2015. I didn't get a reply. Disappointing.

 

[cbfn]

Haha, that's less than a week, they'reprobably going to answer you soon.

 

[Ezio]

How's the Loake 290? I got it down between Jack Erwin Ellis boots and the Loake 290, but I'm saving a lot more money on the Loake 290s as they're factory seconds.

 

[SimplyStylin]

Anyone rocking the brown grain Hyde boots? Pics if so?

Haven't picked up a pair of these yet and was thinking the pebble grain could be a good option for lighter rainy/snowy days (where something with a lug sole isn't really needed), but the normal brown calf version I keep seeing looks maybe too nice to pass up.

 

[Odradek]



Anyone rocking the brown grain Hyde boots? Pics if so?

Haven't picked up a pair of these yet and was thinking the pebble grain could be a good option for lighter rainy/snowy days (where something with a lug sole isn't really needed), but the normal brown calf version I keep seeing looks maybe too nice to pass up.

I have the regular brown version.

I have seen the brown grain version from a few online retailers like Pediwear and Herring, but have never seen them in the flesh.

There is also another "two-tone" version, MTO for a Swedish retailer, but I think it looks a bit odd.

 

[SimplyStylin]

They really are great looking boots (maybe not the two tone...haha) and I will have them by the end of the year in one color or the other!