New shoes, who makes the best mass produced..

[Guest TomF]

Good Morning,

 

Firstly, i am a customer through and through and have no experience with shoes. I have spent a few hours trawling the forum, and i have picked up some great tips and marvelled at some cracking craftsmanship (well, it's looks cracking to me at least!)

 

I have a couple of questions if you don't mind?

 

Which high street store (M&S etc) makes the best mass produced machine shoes? By this i mean, have you ever looked at a shoe from a high street store and thought 'actually, considering the price, that isn't awful'

 

Also, i am looking at buying a pair of Herring shoes and i always wonder if i should be getting work done to my shoes before i wear them? I am a sod for wearing my heels down, and they are normally the first thing to go on my shoes - long before anything else.

 

I currently own some 'Dasco executive' shoe trees, and move them between my shoes (they go in the last pair worn) - is that enough, and are Dasco shoes trees reasonably good?

 

Sorry for the 101 questions!

 

Kind Regards,

[keithm]

Hi Tom

 

Welcome to the forum. It's always nice to see the general public here as they will be surprised what the UK shoe repairer can offer and to show you that 'craftmenship' does indeed still exist!!

 

In my opinion, Loakes are by far the best value range of footwear out there. It is varied, and whilst some of the range has some questionable quality, by and large they're good value.

 

My advice on new footwear will always be to wear the shoes for a little while first, then, once they have settled in, maybe have a long lasting heel and a stick on sole put on.

 

I'm sure there will be a LOT more advice offered to you soon

 

 

Keith

[petercoulson]

i agree, for larger volume makers loakes are better than the average bear, particularly the 1880 and designer ranges. be careful though they do have some not very good ones. pay a bit extra and get the ones that are fully leather lined (some have a canvas lining)

 

as for the shoe trees i believe the dasco full wooden ones are good but again it may be worth getting some more, a set for each pair of shoes.

[Hugh-Candoit (ENG)]

By far the best value and quality has to be the "Cheaney" brand of Goodyear welted shoes stocked by M&S. M&S by the way do not make shoes. The photos of these shoes are somewhere on the forum.

Bear in mind that these shoes last year could not be purchased for less than £150 and are now around £60. They have to be the bargain of a lifetime and would be my only choice for this style of footwear.

 

Herring are pure fashion and not built to last (in my opinion only of course).

If you are heavy on your shoes go for a Stick-on-sole before wearing as the toes tend to get rounded off during the 1st few weeks wear. Leave the heels until worn out then have the best quality your repairer of choice can offer.

[Guest TomF]

M&S by the way do not make shoes.

 

Is that true of the whole M&S range? I have a pair of 'by Jeffery-West' brogues from M&S, which seem very reasonable, but i was under the impression M&S mass produced them, and just paid Jeffery-West for the design input?

[Lee]

For me, you pays your money & you gets what you pays for!

 

 

As Hugh has commented (these are his pictures)

 

I've allways thought that M&S offer good value for money for each of the price brackets they cater for.

 

Lee

[Guest TomF]

Thanks for the replies so far - i have to admit i do like the look of the Loake shoes.

 

Couple, more, questions (sorry!) - am i right in saying a shoe isn't good if it isn't Goodyear welted? Also, when asking for sole repairs etc, would a cobbler take offence to being asked to bring the sole up high on the shank (i prefer the look)?

[Auto Key Wizard]

Also, when asking for sole repairs etc, would a cobbler take offence to being asked to bring the sole up high on the shank (i prefer the look)?

 

Ask for them to be through soled Tom

[Hugh-Candoit (ENG)]

Jeffery West were at one time made by Cheaney but after seeing some of their latest styles and quality I think they now may be getting them done elswhere. (just my opinion not hard fact).

 

M&S do not make anything, they put in orders to manufacturing plants that make the clothing or footwear. They then have examiners that visit the factories to ensure that the desired quality is to M&S standards.

 

As for Goodyear welted footwear they are only the best for a certain type of shoe, mainly formal/ business/brogues. The best shoe is the one that you are satisfied with and is comfortable and lasts as long as you expect a pair to last. Weigh this up against cost for value for money.

 

At the present time the ones in the picture that Lee kindly re-posted are without doubt the best value that I have seen for 50 years.

[kalaidascope]

A lot of shoes nowadays are designed to look like they are goodyear welted when in fact they are mock welted and attached by a blake stitch. These shoes are not anywhere near the quality of goodyear welted and tend to let water and I personally would not buy them.

[jimlondon]

Hi Tom

 

Some of the quality of the M and S Autograph range (partic Jeffery West) is fantastic for the price. You won't go far wrong with Loakes and Richliegh are an underestimated quality shoe in my opinion.

 

With regard to heel wear perhaps you should read my postings about Blakeys and Quartertips. Some metal tips on the heel will soon sort that problem out.

[Hugh-Candoit (ENG)]

One of the better "Loakes" shoes is the "Exeter" model, Leather lace-up Brogue, leather Insole, fully leather lined. Very comfortable and still look a Million Dollars after 4 years of occasional use and care.