Matthew Dacks shoes - designed in Canada, made in England (likely Church or Cheaneys)

[suitforcourt]

I have never posted, and definitely don't write as elegantly as most of the regular posters.

I have a few pairs of Dacks (before they closed) and got them at wicked prices (about $100Cdn a pair).

These are my comments:
1. Polished calf skin - Has maintained its own high shine without much maintenance. I don't even apply a shoe cream (I know I know, it's a huge taboo), and the leather has maintained its own natural beauty;
2. Leather feel - It's kind of tough. Not sure how flexible it is relative to contemporaries like Loake and Allen Edmonds;
3. Goodyear welt - Solid, pure and simple. I wear orthotics and I'm on my feet all day. My feet rarely feel tired at the end of the day;
4. My comparisons - Dr. Martens (original Made in England); Hawkins (Made in England), Charles Tyrwhitt (Made in India) and Barker (Made in England). I find MD to be a true dress shoes. Each pair can be used with most of my suit and court outfits, and regularly receive compliments. I find the leather nicer than CT and a notch below Barker;
5. Price point - On the Canadian website, about $325 to $500 (free shipping). Not a bad entry price, and definitely inexpensive when looking at the English cousins;
6. Complaints - No store, and only sold online. Also, the factory won't do the recrafting. Lastly, MD won't disclose who is the current manufacturer. My guess is either Church or Cheaneys.

Anyone else have thoughts on these shoes? Would love to hear from some of the afficiandos. Anyone from outside Canada try this brand? Thoughts?

I will try to post more often. I love reading SF!

 

[LA Guy]

I grew up in Kingston Ontario, and a pair of Dacks that I got for my high school graduation were my first good pair of shoes. Of course, I didn't know anything about welts or lasts or leather then. They just look and felt like a really solid, reliable shoe. The guy at the suit shop was impressed, and promptly upsold me on the sportsjacket!

That was in 1988. years before it would go into receivership.

 

[Canadianguy]



I have never posted, and definitely don't write as elegantly as most of the regular posters.


I have a few pairs of Dacks (before they closed) and got them at wicked prices (about $100Cdn a pair).


These are my comments:
1. Polished calf skin - Has maintained its own high shine without much maintenance. I don't even apply a shoe cream (I know I know, it's a huge taboo), and the leather has maintained its own natural beauty;
2. Leather feel - It's kind of tough. Not sure how flexible it is relative to contemporaries like Loake and Allen Edmonds;
3. Goodyear welt - Solid, pure and simple. I wear orthotics and I'm on my feet all day. My feet rarely feel tired at the end of the day;
4. My comparisons - Dr. Martens (original Made in England); Hawkins (Made in England), Charles Tyrwhitt (Made in India) and Barker (Made in England). I find MD to be a true dress shoes. Each pair can be used with most of my suit and court outfits, and regularly receive compliments. I find the leather nicer than CT and a notch below Barker;
5. Price point - On the Canadian website, about $325 to $500 (free shipping). Not a bad entry price, and definitely inexpensive when looking at the English cousins;
6. Complaints - No store, and only sold online. Also, the factory won't do the recrafting. Lastly, MD won't disclose who is the current manufacturer. My guess is either Church or Cheaneys.

Anyone else have thoughts on these shoes? Would love to hear from some of the afficiandos. Anyone from outside Canada try this brand? Thoughts? 

I will try to post more often. I love reading SF!

Welcome to the forum, it's great to see some love for Dacks shoes. I stumbled on my first pair a few years back at an estate sale - an old, beat up pair of Dufferins (their signature brogue). They became one of my favorite pairs and ever since them I'm always on the hunt for them as they regularly pop up at the local thrift stores.

A little over a year ago I discovered their latest iteration, Matthew Dack and had to give them a try. I ordered a pair of mahogany country calf Dufferins during a 20% off sale. Here they are:

Although I'm by no means an aficionado, I will share my thoughts.
The shoes are made by Cheaney with (apparently) the original lasts from the Dacks archives. They are very sturdily built - these things weigh a ton. The finishing seems very good to my eye. There's no frayed stitching anywhere and the sole edges are much smoother compared to my Allen Edmonds. The grain leather is thick yet supple.
My biggest complaint about the shoes is that the last is extremely roomy and a not so great fit for my narrow feet. They do offer a narrower which option, which I may try at some point.

I think the new Matthew dack shoes by Cheaney offer a great value for English benchmade shoes. Would be great if production was still in canada but it's nice to see that they're still producing their classic styles with the original lasts.

Cheers all

 

[suitforcourt]

The only Canadian made Goodyear welt shoe I can find is Dayton: http://www.daytonboots.com/collections/men/products/oxford?variant=513806665

Not the most stylish, and price is fair.

I also wish that production could re-start here. It'd be great to buy Canadian made shoes.