LOAKE APPRECIATION THREAD

[Mercurio]

Thanks. How much room at the end of the shoe do you think this chart takes into account? If it’s a tight fit, I might go up half a size.

Every foot is a world, therefore it's quite difficult to give accurate advice on shoes/boots sizing as it depends on how your feet adapt to each last. Feet are not just length and width, you have to take into account other variables as your instep and girth among others.

My feet are slender, with a low volume and instep, so I have to downsize quite often, but if you have wider feet, with a high instep, it's probably better to keep your normal size. Each of us expresses our own experience that can be quite different from others.

In my case, Loake's Capital last isn't my favorite, even though it's a preferred last for others because of how my feet respond to its shape. I have both 6 and 6.5 UK sizes with my Pimlico chukka boots, built on the Capital last: the former (calf) was quite snug at the beginning, even though they are OK now. With the later (suede) I have to use a light insole and thicker socks as they are wider and a bit longer than the previous size. I believe that my “perfect” size with this last would be something “in between”, that doesn't exist.

 

[ForwardPleats]

Every foot is a world, therefore it's quite difficult to give accurate advice on shoes/boots sizing as it depends on how your feet adapt to each last. Feet are not just length and width, you have to take into account other variables as your instep and girth among others.

My feet are slender, with a low volume and instep, so I have to downsize quite often, but if you have wider feet, with a high instep, it's probably better to keep your normal size. Each of us expresses our own experience that can be quite different from others.

In my case, Loake's Capital last isn't my favorite, even though it's a preferred last for others because of how my feet respond to its shape. I have both 6 and 6.5 UK sizes with my Pimlico chukka boots, built on the Capital last: the former (calf) was quite snug at the beginning, even though they are OK now. With the later (suede) I have to use a light insole and thicker socks as they are wider and a bit longer than the previous size. I believe that my “perfect” size with this last would be something “in between”, that doesn't exist.

I have similar sizing issues and I find the Bullet last from 1880 Legacy a really good fit with my issues. Sadly Loake has discontinued most of the styles, but have you tried any shoes made on that last?

My feet are not narrow... they are actually technically wide if you go based on paper measurement alone. However, I also have low volume feet and a low instep (with regular arches). Which means if I go for wider styles, I am drowning in them because RTW wide shoes are usually made for higher volume feet.

My feet are 26.8 and 26.5 cm long and both are about 10.4 cm wide. Based on my measurements alone and conventional wisdom that you fit the bigger foot, I am supposed to be a Brannock 9.5E US / 8.5G UK. Similarly, Crockett & Jones tried to tell me I was 9F UK in their shoes based on those measurements!

Following that conventional wisdom and the numbers NEVER works out for me. First few wears, it is barely acceptable for my smaller foot with an insole or tongue pad. After the leather stretches, the fit becomes horrible! As a result, I find 8F UK to be a really good fit for me in the River and Bullet lasts. The elongated chisel/almond toes give me good room in the toe box and as the leather stretches/molds to my feet, I get just the right among of extra width for my bigger foot. Just to show how little flat measurements actually tell us about fit!

 

[Moda68]

My feet are strange. I have one high arch and one flat foot, which is half a size longer, so no shoes fit me perfectly. Generally, my feet are low volume. In terms of the sizing, I have a pair of Paul Smith Jarman boots that are a 9 and fit well, and a pair of RM Williams Craftsman that are a 10 and the length is fine but they are definitely made for higher volume feet than mine. Funnily enough, the best fitting shoes I have are a cheap pair of Aquila boots (size 44). I am in Australia and the country is in lockdown due to COVID, so no way to go to a Loake stockist and try on a pair to get the size right, and I’m trying to avoid getting something online and then having to return it and wait another 3 weeks for another pair to arrive. I am looking to buy a pair of the suede Pimlico boots.

 

[stevam]

Olive beauty!

 

[ForwardPleats]

If we are doing loafers, here are my Ansons in Mahogany:

The factory finish was a little lighter than I would have preferred, more than than mahogany. But I found polishing them with Saphir's Tobacco/Havana Brown cream and wax was a great match for the tones of the factory colour while also darkening it.

Once they are more broken in, I think think I will polish them again with Dark Brown instead to darken a but more and to give a subtle nature patina to give a little extra dimension.

 

[Moda68]

My feet are also 28.5cm. I wear 10UK in the Capital last and the fit is perfect for boots. I have 2 pairs of Hyde boots. I went down to 9.5 for the Tower in a cap toe Oxford but Tower is a large last.
I certainly wouldn’t go 9UK but you might fit in a 9.5 if you like shoes to be a close fit.

Thanks for steering me in the right direction. I bought a pair of the Pimlico boots in a 10 and with a pair of thick socks they fit perfectly. The length is spot on. I am thinking of buying a pair of Aldwych shoes. They are the same last, but an oxford, not the derby style of the boots, and also I’d wear them with thin socks, so I am thinking I may need to go down half a size. Do you have a pair of the Aldwych or another pair of oxfords in the same last? Thanks

 

[Hurlazza4]

Thanks for steering me in the right direction. I bought a pair of the Pimlico boots in a 10 and with a pair of thick socks they fit perfectly. The length is spot on. I am thinking of buying a pair of Aldwych shoes. They are the same last, but an oxford, not the derby style of the boots, and also I’d wear them with thin socks, so I am thinking I may need to go down half a size. Do you have a pair of the Aldwych or another pair of oxfords in the same last? Thanks

Glad you got the right size on the Pimlicos. I don't have any shoes in the Capital Last. I don't have many pairs of shoes at all. The only pair of dress shoes I have are a pair of Hanovers which are on the Tower last, everything else is boots. They are in the 1880 Export Grade range and are very well made. The Tower is a large last so I went down to 9.5UK. I'm not sure I'd advise doing that with the Aldwych unless you can try them on, you may have a problem with the length. I much prefer the Tower Last for oxfords but I don't really like soft chisel oxfords so it's just a preference.
happy hunting

 

[Mercurio]

Loake CHATSWORTH

 

[ForwardPleats]

Loake Anson in Black today:

Like the browns, they only have a new shoe basic shine so far. Once they are more broken in, I will bring them up to a higher shine.

Loake CHATSWORTH

View attachment 1665486​

Gotta love Chelsea boots! I can't wait for my Nene to arrive, so I can post them. I finally found a retailer that still had them in my size despite being discontinued.

If only I could find a pair of the Troon in brown suede in size 8UK!

 

[Mercurio]

If only I could find a pair of the Troon in brown suede in size 8UK!

Have you tried Herring Shoes?
According to their website, they could order them.

Loake Troon rubber-soled Derby shoes in brown suede from Herring Shoes

Troon is a Derby or Gibson laced plain-fronted shoe with a Goodyear-welted sole handmade in Northampton.

www.herringshoes.co.uk

PD: It seems that you have them at Watkinsons:

Troon Derby Shoe

The Troon is a plain tie Derby shoe from Loake featuring a Goodyear Welted rubber sole. Troon uses the ‘Bullet’ last shape in an F width. Troon features brown suede leather uppers, and is made in England.

www.watkinsonsshoes.com

 

[ForwardPleats]

Have you tried Herring Shoes?
According to their website, they could order them.

Loake Troon rubber-soled Derby shoes in brown suede from Herring Shoes

Troon is a Derby or Gibson laced plain-fronted shoe with a Goodyear-welted sole handmade in Northampton.

www.herringshoes.co.uk

PD: It seems that you have them at Watkinsons:

Troon Derby Shoe

The Troon is a plain tie Derby shoe from Loake featuring a Goodyear Welted rubber sole. Troon uses the ‘Bullet’ last shape in an F width. Troon features brown suede leather uppers, and is made in England.

www.watkinsonsshoes.com

Sadly, Herring is not allowed to ship Loake products to Canada and Watkinson only ships to the EU.

 

[Hurlazza4]

Sadly, Herring is not allowed to ship Loake products to Canada and Watkinson only ships to the EU.

We have the same restrictions in Australia. The result is a local distributor who is able to charge an exorbitant markup. It's a curious move by Loake. I cant see how it possibly improves their sales numbers. In addition, they geo-block the UK website and the Australian site is crap. So information etc is blocked from here. I can only assume that block is to try and hide the price difference between the Australian pricing and the UK pricing. Our pricing is on average about 20% more expensive. Hard to imagine how that is reasonable.

 

[Mercurio]

Loake has a strange policy towards their overseas sales. Their website is available in my country in my local currency, with a “free shipping” offer which is already included in their high price if I compare to other retailers. I have bought all my Loake boots through Herring shoes or Pediwear, which I prefer as they use Royal Mail for delivery instead of DHL Express, although it takes longer but do not charge any handling fee.

Other option would be to buy your Loake shoes or boots at a European website, but I don't know if they have the same restrictions towards Canada or Australia.

Loake Shoes and Shoe Care Products | Langer & Messmer

At Langer & Messmer you will find exclusive Loake shoes as well as leather care products for smooth and suede products in our online shop. Discover and orde

www.langer-messmer.de

 

[Mercurio]

Loake KEMPTON

 

[aabbcc]

So last time I bought a pair of Loake 1880 was 14 years ago, a lot seems to have happened since in terms of their ranges.

I got a great deal on a pair of Loake Birkdale (1880 Legacy). How does the 1880 legacy line compare to the 1880 line, whats the actual differences? I almost pulled the trigger on a pair of Carmina in a similair style but they are more than twice the discounted price I'm getting on the Loakes.

Afaik in terms of quality:

Loake 1880 Expert Grade
Loake 1880 Legacy
Loake 1880