Proper leather shoes

Look great but less impressed by their making a virtue of charging £16 postage.

Well at least you are a common size so almost any option is available to you.

My totally refurbed Dolce&Gabbana may be fine for you if you have relatively normal/narrow feet. I’m 9-9.5 and prefer a bigger toe box than those brogues have, so they’ve only had a handful of wears since rebuild.

Yea I generally sit down and if I’m polishing them, it’s use a tiny bit of wax, as little as possible and spend a good 20-30 mins working it into the shoe until it is just a pale sheen on top. Then work on the second shoe. By the time the second shoe is finished the first is ready for polishing, and same again for second shoe polishing. But many would say you should apply the polish and leave overnight to totally dry before buffing.

Not too fussed. They seem to have a no bullshit policy eg not vanity sizing their trousers. So if you buy the shoes by visiting you don’t pay postage. Kind of seems fair.

Read this? https://hebtro.co/2017/05/19/no-free-shipping-no-free-returns/

I thought the same until I saw that. I think they’re doing the right thing.

Yes, saw that, wasn't convinced by the justification as however they position it the customer is paying the cost. But they have chosen to portray it the way they have.

I certainly wouldn't expect to pay postage if I was collecting but I take your point!!

I think I just baulked a little at their justification as however they put it, customer pays so if no bullshit should go with "you pay full cost of P+P. Accept it or get your shoes elsewhere".

I'm ok with that approach.
What was the thing between hebcotro and the last factory again? Something something not honest something made for the other something...

Wasn't it that the trousers are no longer being made in Hebden Bridge, but elsewhere in the UK? Think they had a falling our with their original contract manufacturer or something.

Loakes factory shop now open in Market Harborough.....

I think that was it, thanks.
Anyone compared them to each other yet?

Good shout. Found a comprehensive list/map of factory shops so may even ride up there one weekend.

Any lines/brands that anyone would specifically recommend? I'd LOVE a pair of shoes completely made in the UK but understand that might be pushing the budget.

Tricker's, Crockett & Jones, Church's. Sander's. All 100% U.K. made. There may be others. The other guys in Nottingham do have 100% made in U.K. shoes too, but some of their models are made overseas. Sander's are definitely the best value. They actually have an online outlet for your perusal, too: https://www.sanders-uk.com/shop/category/outlet

I only own a pair of Tricker’s and Sander’s from their Sanders Japan line. The Tricker’s are definitely a step above the Sander’s, but they were also over 150% of the price. The Sander’s Outlet link seems to have some really great deals.

Great recommendations, thanks!

Trickers have some lovely examples.

I never really liked creepers, I went through a couple of pairs of these tho'...

I never really liked creepers, I went through a couple of pairs of these tho', DM soles...

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Barker's have a good factory shop in Earls Barton

I have a pair of the pointy lace ups in the loft in red suede and black. They’re really well made but too mental to wear. Would like to know more about the history of them.

Classic 80s street style... Made by George Cox, Robot had stores in Floral Street and the Kings Road, crepe and Doctor Marten soles, loads of lairy combinations were available... Check out @sceneinbetween on IG, Sam often does little snippets on them... He actually got a homage produced a couple of years back...

They were the 'alternative' shoe of choice back then, everyone from psychobillies to Goths to indie kids would wear them, absolute classics...

If you look closely you'll even find a couple of pics of me playing guitar when I was a kid... 😉

The fella l bought my van off is a relative of Barkers....he has a big farmhouse in tiny Earls Barton. It was Sunday though, so no visit for me to the factory shop CSB etc....

Grenson and Joseph Cheaney also worth mentioning....

this bloke
https://www.charlesward.com/history

There's a UK 10 pair of these Cheaney boots in Lewisham TK Maxx that have been obviously worn for at least a week for £87

T.K. Max question - why is there only super shit shoes in my local T.K. Max? I have called numerous times ( including today) and they have nothing but shit shoes.

TK Maxx have a sophisticated algorithm based upon post code and floor space?
In my experience, Ealing Broadway >> Greenford > South Ruislip.

I’m in Northern Ireland - it would seem we may be at the end of a very long chain. Thanks

I've looked at these several times, they were 150 quid