Quality gents shoes

[Alex1975]

Hi all,

My best man gave me some advice leading up to my wedding many years ago. "Alex treat yourself to some Lokes shoes" I did so, they cost a lot of money and they have not been off my feet much since. They have been resoled a few times and after 8 or 9 years or however long I have been married I feel its time for something new. I have looked at Lokes but they seem rather old manish in there design now.

Does anyone have a brand they trust and use? Leather sole essential, black, slip on. Money no object to a degree. £130-170 ish.

I would rather they were from a shoe company rather than a fashion house.


Thanks.


Alex

 

[Lump]

loake's are about as good as it gets and are far from an old mans brand. I suggest your problem is looking for a slip on. Its just not the style for a dress shoe atm.
These are far from old mannish:
http://www.loake.co.uk/design-loake/ridley.html

 

[Alex1975]

loake's are about as good as it gets and are far from an old mans brand. I suggest your problem is looking for a slip on. Its just not the style for a dress shoe atm.
These are far from old mannish:
http://www.loake.co.uk/design-loake/ridley.html

Yep, they are lovely. Perhaps your right, maybe its me who has not moved on and I need to get something with laces. Dont want to feel like I am going to school though....

 

[Rooter]

I'm your man for this thread Alex..

Going slightly over that budget are Oliver Sweeney, very smart, but slightly over priced in my opinion and dont wear as well as some.

Loake - Very good quality, reasonably priced and do wear well, In my top 3.

The one that is a bit left field, but now my Fav, are Paul Smith. I know you said you want a show maker over a fashion label, but trust your uncle rooter here. the branding is none existent, price about £140, wear brilliantly and are the best shoes i have bought. I have 3 pairs of these in different colours now!!

 

[Martin70]

I'll back you up on the Paul Smith shoes - I was lucky enough to win a pair and they are the best I've ever had.

 

[ADB]

:whoo:

If money was no object I would purchase a pair of John Lobb's, but given your budget I would get on the Russell & Bromley website - well made shoes, even the 'own brand' and many styles from traditional to contemporary.

 

[Alex1975]

Hmm, This Paul Smith thing may work out then as my good buddy is high up within the company..... I shall give the boy a call.

 

[Snelly]

Church's for smart shoes. Absolutely great quality and you cannot go wrong. http://www.church-footwear.com/en/UK/man

My best tip for shoes though is RM Williams. My first pair lasted over 12 years and I have had my two current pairs for 9. They are quite simply the best, hardest wearing, most comfortable shoes I have ever found. I cannot recommend them highly enough. I currently have a pair of Craftsmen boots for smart and a pair of Gardener boots for everything else. That latter are brilliant. You can buy them here: http://www.countryhouseoutdoor.co.u.../product_info.html?products_image_group=Black

 

[Rooter]

Church shoes are top draw, too pricey for me though.

Alex, these are the beauts you want.. http://www.soletrader.co.uk/Paul-Smith-Shoe-Finchley-Shoes/pid-FINCHLYB

Seriously, i go through smart work shoes a lot, i currently have 4 pairs of these in fact, i have the brown and black x 2. 2 sets are still new. I am proper picky with shoes, so when i find a pair i love, i buy more!!

The current ones have been resoled twice each and are still looking great, so the new ones have another year or so in the box at least! Its actually really hard to find a decent show without laces, i cant stand laces as i am lazy!

 

[SteO]

Have you tried Sanders, Cheaney or Trickers. All quality shoemakers.
I wore Oliver Sweeney for a few years until they went bang and haven't gone back to them since they started trading again

 

[Rooter]

Have you tried Sanders, Cheaney or Trickers. All quality shoemakers.
I wore Oliver Sweeney for a few years until they went bang and haven't gone back to them since they started trading again

As per my first post, sweeneys are great when new, but wear very badly, I ruined a pair in 6 months. My paul smiths have been going through 2 resoles each... about 2 years.

 

[patricks148]

Ive a pair of Churches brown suede, ive had them 10 years and still going strong.

Buy quality and it will last.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

If you are size 11-12 TKMaxx is worth a look.
Big plus at half price.

 

[SocketRocket]

I agree that Churches are good shoes. Barker is another quality brand worth looking at.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Churches are excellent although I actually think Loakes are better and definitely not old mannish

 

[Coatsy79]

Pmpl

The only pair of "smart" shoes I have are Hush Puppies........and they were £29

Some of them loakes brogues look nice though

 

[SocketRocket]

These are cool:
http://www.church-footwear.com/en/UK/man/new-micro-sole/downton-h/prestige-hole-white

 

[Fromtherough]

Another vote for Paul Smith shoes. Great quality with a nice selection of styles on offer. I have bought three pairs in the last five years which range in price from £120-175 and all are still worn regularly

 

[vkurup]

Never considered Paul Smith for Shoes. I went thru a phase of wanting a Church or Loakes... but always put myself off buying them. Easier to buy a £70 top of the line from Clarkes that you replace every year. I do wear them off as I walk everywhere.

 

[Tashyboy]

Loakes my dream shoe. Anyone got a spare pair of eights.


a real mans pair of shoes.