Show us your new shoes

Show us your new shoes

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huwp

833 posts

174 months

Saturday 27th December 2014
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g3org3y said:
FreeLitres said:
They do look rather nice, especially for £99!

I don't have a pair of Loakes yet. I read several reviews on the Debenhams site that the leathers are a bit too stiff though (a different model to the one you bought). I'm not sure if this is a fault with Loakes materials or whether the typical Debenhams shoppers usually go for cheaper, non welted shoes though. I know Loakes have a big following on PH.
I was very surprised to find them!

The leather seems very stiff and not very soft/supple. I assume over time this will improve and mould to the feet as and when the shoes are broken in.

The rubber sole might actually be useful as I'll need to wear them in the rain. Moreover, I don't have the luxury of multiple pairs of shoes and the option to let them 'rest' between wears.

The soles look like this:


Which although not elegant may be more practical.

Would like to hear from the shoe aficionados as to their opinion. smile
Looks like a Dainite sole. Dainite is very hard wearing and much better than a cheaper rubber sole.

For £99 it looks like you've done well; especially if they're not the range of Loake made in India (the L1 or suchlike - from memory).

Shaw Tarse

31,543 posts

202 months

Saturday 27th December 2014
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I've got a pair of Barkers with a Danite sole, lasted very well.

FreeLitres

6,039 posts

176 months

Saturday 27th December 2014
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My favourite shoes are Crockett & Jones on Dainite soles. I think quality shoes look and feel more special on leather soles, but the Dainite gives you that confidence that you won't ruin your shoes or lose your footing in adverse conditions. It's a shame that there are far fewer options for styles on Dainite soles. Plus, some manufacturers like Barker don't seem to offer Dainite soles without going up to a wider fit.

My Crocketts;


OllieC

3,816 posts

213 months

Saturday 27th December 2014
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FreeLitres said:
My favourite shoes are Crockett & Jones on Dainite soles. I think quality shoes look and feel more special on leather soles, but the Dainite gives you that confidence that you won't ruin your shoes or lose your footing in adverse conditions. It's a shame that there are far fewer options for styles on Dainite soles. Plus, some manufacturers like Barker don't seem to offer Dainite soles without going up to a wider fit.

My Crocketts;

I would always go for a Dainite sole rather than leather, so much more practical and heard wearing.

You should be able to have a Dainite type sole attached rather than leather if you have your shoes repaired either at the original factory, or at a good cobblers that do a 'long sole' repair

Rich_W

12,548 posts

211 months

Saturday 27th December 2014
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g3org3y said:
...I assume over time this will improve and mould to the feet as and when the shoes are broken in...
This is something that annoys me with shoes. I want them to be comfy now. Not have to spend the next 3 weeks walking around with plasters on appropriate places on my feet whilst they "mould to my feet" Sure my Sweeneys are fine now, but it took a good few weeks of wearing them around the house to help.

Sometimes you'll be lucky and they'll be great out the box. But I actually think this is because so few of the "high end" cobblers don't like to make half sizes (Seriously?!? I can get a pair of £60 Nike trainers in half sizes!) so you are either doomed to going down a size and packing the st out of them with paper to stretch them or persevere with clown shoes.

Funny how if you buy a quality leather jacket it's softer but quality shoes tend to be harder. confused

Eleven

26,271 posts

221 months

Saturday 27th December 2014
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Rich_W said:
This is something that annoys me with shoes. I want them to be comfy now. Not have to spend the next 3 weeks walking around with plasters on appropriate places on my feet whilst they "mould to my feet" Sure my Sweeneys are fine now, but it took a good few weeks of wearing them around the house to help.

Sometimes you'll be lucky and they'll be great out the box. But I actually think this is because so few of the "high end" cobblers don't like to make half sizes (Seriously?!? I can get a pair of £60 Nike trainers in half sizes!) so you are either doomed to going down a size and packing the st out of them with paper to stretch them or persevere with clown shoes.

Funny how if you buy a quality leather jacket it's softer but quality shoes tend to be harder. confused
A tip that I find useful is that shoes should be comfortable when you first try them on. They may become uncomfortable for a while whilst wearing them in, but shoes that are comfortable first try will end up being comfortable shoes.



g3org3y

20,606 posts

190 months

Saturday 27th December 2014
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Thanks to everyone for your feedback. (As a sidenote, I really think a clothes section would useful addition to the forum)

huwp said:
Looks like a Dainite sole. Dainite is very hard wearing and much better than a cheaper rubber sole.

For £99 it looks like you've done well; especially if they're not the range of Loake made in India (the L1 or suchlike - from memory).
Yep, think you're right. Not sure if made in India or England. From what I can make out there are from the 'Shoemaker' range.

FreeLitres said:
My favourite shoes are Crockett & Jones on Dainite soles. I think quality shoes look and feel more special on leather soles, but the Dainite gives you that confidence that you won't ruin your shoes or lose your footing in adverse conditions.
I know what you mean. I used to have a pair of Paul Smith shoes with a bright green leather sole, they were quite fun. I've always associated good quality shoes with a leather sole but found they lack true durability.

As mentioned above, I'm not in a fortunate position to have multiple pairs to allow them to 'rest' so hopefully with this sole they'll be more amenable to daily use. Just need to break them in now!

Rich_W said:
This is something that annoys me with shoes. I want them to be comfy now. Not have to spend the next 3 weeks walking around with plasters on appropriate places on my feet whilst they "mould to my feet" Sure my Sweeneys are fine now, but it took a good few weeks of wearing them around the house to help.

Sometimes you'll be lucky and they'll be great out the box. But I actually think this is because so few of the "high end" cobblers don't like to make half sizes (Seriously?!? I can get a pair of £60 Nike trainers in half sizes!) so you are either doomed to going down a size and packing the st out of them with paper to stretch them or persevere with clown shoes.

Funny how if you buy a quality leather jacket it's softer but quality shoes tend to be harder. confused
I know what you mean. If I had my way, I'd wear Converse trainers every day. biggrin

ecsrobin

17,023 posts

164 months

Saturday 27th December 2014
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Found 2 pairs of loaves with dainite soles in debenhams today from the lake design range made in India on the tongue. Great fit and at £79 a pair it was extremely tempting to add a 4th and 5th pair to my collection but I think I'll invest in a pair of 1880 instead.

I currently have a Loake L1 for work and after 3 months the leather is still stiff very annoying as my other loakes were soft in under a month.

Eleven

26,271 posts

221 months

Sunday 28th December 2014
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ecsrobin said:
Found 2 pairs of loaves with dainite soles in debenhams today...

Balmoral

40,660 posts

247 months

Sunday 28th December 2014
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How about some hand made Italian loafers...


Ace-T

7,688 posts

254 months

Sunday 28th December 2014
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Balmoral said:
How about some hand made Italian loafers...

Bit of a half baked idea really...

5potTurbo

12,482 posts

167 months

Sunday 28th December 2014
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Ace-T said:
Balmoral said:
How about some hand made Italian loafers...

Bit of a half baked idea really...
Clearly they're not true Italian loafers as they're lace-ups, not slip-ons?

ecsrobin

17,023 posts

164 months

Sunday 28th December 2014
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Brilliant!!!

FreeLitres

6,039 posts

176 months

Sunday 28th December 2014
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I had a good look at the Loakes in Debenhams today. They had several models on offer with good discounts down to between £99 and £130. All were on leather soles.

The shoes looked pretty good with nice proportions. Most of the options looked like a finished leather almost like a patent shine. They had a nice black oxford cap shoe in what felt like a normal calf leather. However, they all felt incredibly stiff and the soles in particular were completely inflexible. The uppers on the patent-style shoes were also very stiff and I don't think I would get on with them. I didn't buy any in the end as I'm probably going back to the C&J/Church/Barker factory shops soon. I am interested to hear how the Loakes break in from any long-term owners.

OllieC

3,816 posts

213 months

Sunday 28th December 2014
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anyone complaining about stiff or hard to break in dress shoes needs to avoid corrected grain leathers, this is the main reason for discomfort (assuming the fit and size is correct - many people get this wrong and blame the product - a good indy shoe shop will be the best way to get this right imho, forget the multiples)

some people like the high shine finish, and it is a durable leather usually, but stiff.

much better with a calf 'full grain' leather. This applies to all shoemakers

OllieC

3,816 posts

213 months

Sunday 28th December 2014
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Eleven said:
Rich_W said:
This is something that annoys me with shoes. I want them to be comfy now. Not have to spend the next 3 weeks walking around with plasters on appropriate places on my feet whilst they "mould to my feet" Sure my Sweeneys are fine now, but it took a good few weeks of wearing them around the house to help.

Sometimes you'll be lucky and they'll be great out the box. But I actually think this is because so few of the "high end" cobblers don't like to make half sizes (Seriously?!? I can get a pair of £60 Nike trainers in half sizes!) so you are either doomed to going down a size and packing the st out of them with paper to stretch them or persevere with clown shoes.

Funny how if you buy a quality leather jacket it's softer but quality shoes tend to be harder. confused
A tip that I find useful is that shoes should be comfortable when you first try them on. They may become uncomfortable for a while whilst wearing them in, but shoes that are comfortable first try will end up being comfortable shoes.
Agree 100% with this, usually the issue is fit, not the shoe.

Blown2CV

28,697 posts

202 months

Monday 29th December 2014
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OllieC said:
anyone complaining about stiff or hard to break in dress shoes needs to avoid corrected grain leathers, this is the main reason for discomfort (assuming the fit and size is correct - many people get this wrong and blame the product - a good indy shoe shop will be the best way to get this right imho, forget the multiples)

some people like the high shine finish, and it is a durable leather usually, but stiff.

much better with a calf 'full grain' leather. This applies to all shoemakers
i bought some ted baker black oxfords for work with a kind of dappled finish to the upper. They were like wearing clogs only less comfortable and actually ripped holes in my feet!! They are only now starting to become comfortable after about 20 wears. Weird.

g3org3y

20,606 posts

190 months

Tuesday 30th December 2014
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The Loakes I bought seem good, first time I've worn them to work. Wearing them with thicker socks than normal (quite nice in this cold weather regardless) and just to protect my feet a little with the breaking in process.

What is recommended to treat the leather to keep it good condition & waterproof/protect it.

What is recommended for cleaning/polishing?

buzzer

3,533 posts

239 months

Tuesday 30th December 2014
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If I posted a picture of my new shoes... they would look just like the last 7 pairs!

in 1996 I worked on a project at Royal Mail stores... The new ordering system went a bit wrong and they ordered way to many Postman's shoes. As these have a limited life in a warehouse environment, they sold many pairs off cheap... So I bought 10 pair of shoes at £5 a pair...

I still have 3 pair left... they wear well! I have 3 pair on the go, one for the garage, one every day, and one for "best". they are rotated as one pair wears out!

Last year I went to a wedding and my wife insisted on new shoes... So I got a new pair out! not quite what she meant apparently!

CharlesdeGaulle

26,091 posts

179 months

Tuesday 30th December 2014
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buzzer said:
If I posted a picture of my new shoes... Postman's shoes.
I'm possibly going to regret asking, but do post a pic. I'm not sure I've noticed what my postie wears on his feet and now I'm curious.

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