Best nothampton shoes by brand?

[SubmarinerLV]

Hey B&B!

It's been a shamefully long time since I posted apologies!

Anyway to topic, I've been looking into getting a pair of good brogues and understand that the nothampton makers (Church Cheaney Barker Loake Grenson etc) are pretty excellent? However the prices appear to vary dramatically and although ultimately I can stretch to the upper echelons, I have no desire to spend for spending's sake. So my question is really are there (discernible) differences in quality between say Loake and Church? Is this difference worth it (probably a YMMV question I know)? Also if there is an alternative to the Northampton group then feel free to suggest. Ultimately just looking for general thoughts and ideas on fine shoes so all suggestions welcome!

Cheers B&B

Grant

[blantyre]

Personally for brogues, I like the Churches Burwood. They are very well made and come in wide fittings. I have had a pair for 20+ years and they are still very nice looking shoes. US options include Alden and Allen Edmonds.

[johsa]

I would stay away from Loake and low end Church. I'm partial towards Crockett & Jones but one brand that still have top quality that you sometimes can find discounted is Tricker's.

[SubmarinerLV]

I would stay away from Loake and low end Church. I'm partial towards Crockett & Jones but one brand that still have top quality that you sometimes can find discounted is Tricker's.

OK at what point does Church cease to be low end roughly? The Crockett and Jones do seem really good though.

Regards Grant

[duotone]

Have heard good reports about

http://sanders-uk.com/categories/Diplomats.php

[professorchaos]

Best is relative and highly dependent on what you are after in a shoe.

[SubmarinerLV]

Best is relative and highly dependent on what you are after in a shoe.

Ok that's a good point, I suppose top of the list would be durability as I fully intend to keep these shoes a long time I would like something that with decent care will last well much like Blantyre's 20 year innings with his. I also think that survival in Scottish weather will be key, where I live it rains incessantly and with malicious intent, it only ever stops raining to lure the unsuspecting out their abodes so it can rain on them twice as hard. So with that said ideally these shoes would keep my feet dry, as a side note before anyone suggests Wellingtons or hill walking boots etc I already have them unfortunately 3-4 days a week I endure a relatively stringent dress code so they are out. Anyway hope this helps

Regards Grant

[celticrusader]

I'm 53 and have always like my hand crafted shoes, and without doubt we do make the worlds best footwear by a long shot, including the styling, now just to let you know i've owned most of the top makes through the years, Cheany Church's Grenson Loakes, but for pure quality selection and styling i would go for Crockett & Jones. http://www.crockettandjones.com/

Jamie.

[sam o'reilly]

My favourite has to be Church's, but if I were in your shoes I'd choose some Loakes with ItsHide welted rubber soles; perhaps as back ups and wear leather soles when you are sure of some dry weather, e.g. on a day trip to England.

[galopede]

My favourite has to be Church's, but if I were in your shoes I'd choose some Loakes with ItsHide welted rubber soles; perhaps as back ups and wear leather soles when you are sure of some dry weather, e.g. on a day trip to England.

Ha! Made oi laarf! The bit about the dry weather that is!

Must admit I have never had a pair of C&Js but I do have two pairs of Trickers brogues , a pair of Cheaney, a pair of Alfred Sergeant and some Loakes. The Trickers are beautifully made and great to look at but the Sergeants are more comfortable!

Did anyone see the British comedy film Kinky Boots about a failing Northampton shoe factory that started making money again when the younger son took over and started making quality shoes for drag queens? That was filmed at Trickers!

Very funny and also some very informative film of quality shoemaking.

Gareth

[djh]

For that type of shoe, the best is the one which fits you properly. If you are not going to go down the bespoke route, try as many shoes as you can from all of the manufacturers before making a decision. A good quality brogue shoe should last you 20 years with proper care- they may as well be 20 comfortable years.

[SubmarinerLV]

For that type of shoe, the best is the one which fits you properly. If you are not going to go down the bespoke route, try as many shoes as you can from all of the manufacturers before making a decision. A good quality brogue shoe should last you 20 years with proper care- they may as well be 20 comfortable years.

Yes yes that seems like sage advice, do you mind me enquiring as to bespoke shoes? The only maker I'm aware of is John Lobb who are in another league of pricing alltogether?

Regards Grant

[djh]

do you mind me enquiring as to bespoke shoes? The only maker I'm aware of is John Lobb who are in another league of pricing alltogether?

Regards Grant

Bespoke shoes are indeed pricy, but we are only blessed with one pair of feet. A simple google search will turn up plenty of shoemakers and a phone call or e-mail should answer your questions. Good luck!

[Cheeva]

As a Commerical Lending Officer, I have to wear these just about every day for work., therefore, I would second the Church's Brogues. The Shannons are not bad either.

[professorchaos]

Ok that's a good point, I suppose top of the list would be durability as I fully intend to keep these shoes a long time I would like something that with decent care will last well much like Blantyre's 20 year innings with his. I also think that survival in Scottish weather will be key, where I live it rains incessantly and with malicious intent, it only ever stops raining to lure the unsuspecting out their abodes so it can rain on them twice as hard. So with that said ideally these shoes would keep my feet dry, as a side note before anyone suggests Wellingtons or hill walking boots etc I already have them unfortunately 3-4 days a week I endure a relatively stringent dress code so they are out. Anyway hope this helps

Regards Grant

I don't have experience with all the brands mentioned here and so cannot vouch for its accuracy. However, my experience roughly corroborates what he wrote.

http://www.whatmakesaman.net/wordpre...-introduction/

[Bob the aged Lurcher]

I've got a pair of Church's brogues, excellent shoes, also Crockett and Jones boots, both have lasted me more than ten years and I expect to get at least twenty out of them. You cannot go wrong with them or Sargeants either, Cheaney's are pretty good too. Loakes not so, but not bad by comparison to what else is out there.

[Doc4]

Ok that's a good point, I suppose top of the list would be durability as I fully intend to keep these shoes a long time I would like something that with decent care will last well much like Blantyre's 20 year innings with his. I also think that survival in Scottish weather will be key, where I live it rains incessantly and with malicious intent, it only ever stops raining to lure the unsuspecting out their abodes so it can rain on them twice as hard. So with that said ideally these shoes would keep my feet dry, as a side note before anyone suggests Wellingtons or hill walking boots etc I already have them unfortunately 3-4 days a week I endure a relatively stringent dress code so they are out. Anyway hope this helps

Regards Grant

A lot of "shoe survival" in rain will be down to how you maintain the shoes before and after.

For your dress code, can you wear this sort of thing:

http://www.pediwear.co.uk/crockett/products/247.php

It looks like a dress shoe until you lift your pant leg and realise it's a dress boot. The rubber soles (Dainite) will last a lot longer in rainy conditions than leather soles (which wear out faster when wet). I wish the Northampton makers would go to Vibram soles, but Dainite is still pretty good.

If need be, you can find similar boots in black or dark brown.

I'd aim at Crockett & Jones or Alfred Sargeant ... noticeably better than the cheaper items, and almost as good as ones costing a lot more ... sort of the "sweet spot" for the price/quality thing.

[professorchaos]

FWIIW, in addition togood prices, pediwear offers free international shipping on Alfred Sargeant shoes right now. Thanks for pointing them out Ia.n