Good quality men's shoes

[craigjm]

Those of you that spend on quality shoes, what brands would you recommend? I have been looking at Jeffrey West shoes, anyone got any experience?

http://www.jeffery-west.co.uk

What is your care routine for good quality shoes? I really dont want to spend heavy on good shoes and use liquid polish

[tyrewrecker]

Barker loake Churches

[Regiment]

Another vote for Loake, wish I could have afford some churches.

[craigjm]

Ive looked at Loakes and they come across far too traditional for me.

So, what about care routines?

[tyrewrecker]

craigjm said:

Ive looked at Loakes and they come across far too traditional for me.

So, what about care routines?

What about it

[Rushmore]

Crockett & Jones.

[craigjm]

tyrewrecker said:

What about it

What is your shoe care routine? what products do you recommend etc...

[5avvy]

Have a read of this for shoe care - no affiliation.

http://www.whatmakesaman.net/wordpress/2008/09/22/...

[craigjm]

5avvy said:

Have a read of this for shoe care - no affiliation.

http://www.whatmakesaman.net/wordpress/2008/09/22/...

Excellent thanks! mentions the products and the process which is what I wanted and the earlier articles talk about the decent brands too. Thank you very much.

[tyrewrecker]

craigjm said:

What is your shoe care routine? what products do you recommend etc...

Personally i am too lazy

Black shoes get odd polish for meetings etc

Browns usually get worn out. Many say these makes last years but I don't care for them enough

[hungry_hog]

Rushmore said:

Crockett & Jones.

+1. Pricey but the best I have found.

Other than that Churches, Cheaney, Loake and Barker are all good.

There are different "trim levels" for Loake, so beware of the "Popular Plus" model (I think these are known as "design Loake").
For Barkers, "Barker Black" is the top level for them - this is like "Ghia X".

In my experience avoid any fashion brands (Paul Smith, Prada, Boss etc.), you are paying for the marketing, not the quality

If you are a company director type; John Lobb and Edward Green are probably the top of the tree.

[Rushmore]

As a penny-pinching company director I would like to remark that JL (off the rack, not the bespoke ones - 2 different companies!!!!) and EG are nice but there is only a small increment in quality compared to C&J.

C&Js are usually in the 300-350GBP price range. Mine are between 3 and 7 years old and will probably last another 5 years, maybe more.

I had Loakes- no thanks. Corrected grain leather, usually after a year they start looking tatty.

[craigjm]

Will have a look at C&J then also.

Anyone got any direct experience of Jeffery West shoes?

Those of you who have mentioned good brands above where do you take them to be re-heeled etc as I don't really rate the generic places

[HurryUpAndWait]

craigjm said:

Ive looked at Loakes and they come across far too traditional for me.

So, what about care routines?

Use shoe trees, don't wear every day, polish as required. My Church Chelsea boots still look new after a year of wearing them too much.

[jogon]

craigjm said:

Will have a look at C&J then also.

Anyone got any direct experience of Jeffery West shoes?

Those of you who have mentioned good brands above where do you take them to be re-heeled etc as I don't really rate the generic places

Colleague at work picked up some nice looking JW's the other week from TK Maxx - £99, he seem quite pleased with them.

Im a Church's fan myself - you pay £89.99 for them be re-built, takes 8 weeks and come back looking like new. Im sure the other brands offer a similar service at a similar price.

[HurryUpAndWait]

I think, even though I own a pair of Churches, they're a bit toppy, paying in part for the label (they're owned by Prada IIRC). I'm now looking at alternative Goodyear welted quality English shoes, and like the look of Loakes, but will I be disappointed? Are Cheaney or Barker noticeably more affordable than Church?

Ta.

[craigjm]

HurryUpAndWait said:

Use shoe trees, don't wear every day, polish as required. My Church Chelsea boots still look new after a year of wearing them too much.

Thanks, what about re-heeling and stuff?

[BorkFactor]

I recently purchased a couple of pairs of smart leather shoes from Jones the bootmaker in their sale and they are very good. Still look good, I polish them fairly often, and very comfy. Recommended

[HurryUpAndWait]

craigjm said:

HurryUpAndWait said:

Use shoe trees, don't wear every day, polish as required. My Church Chelsea boots still look new after a year of wearing them too much.

Thanks, what about re-heeling and stuff?

As above - actually goes back to the Northampton factory.

jogon said:

Im a Church's fan myself - you pay £89.99 for them be re-built, takes 8 weeks and come back looking like new. Im sure the other brands offer a similar service at a similar price.

[Fitz666]

craigjm said:

Those of you that spend on quality shoes, what brands would you recommend? I have been looking at Jeffrey West shoes, anyone got any experience?

http://www.jeffery-west.co.uk

What is your care routine for good quality shoes? I really dont want to spend heavy on good shoes and use liquid polish

Do you get a red nose and big curly wig to go with those clown shoes?