forum.sports-pro.co.uk

lenahan · Group Performer Joined: 24 Sep 2006 Posts: 1266

Who make the best mens shoes out there these days ?

Handmade or not ?

English/italian etc ?

Im gonna splash out on some new footwhere in the next couple of months or so and fancy getting myself a really top notch pair of shoes that will last years and serve as casual and smart....

possibly get a standard pair od oxford brogues.

Ive been wearing a pair of pierre cadins and some cheap m&s ones this last couple of years..

thought the conisieurs on here may be able to help ?

geordie_racer · Group Performer Joined: 25 Feb 2006 Posts: 11050

jennywales · Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 6:02 pm Post subject:

John Lobb, but they will cost you an arm and a leg.

My made to measure riding boots cost over £1,000 thirty years ago!

http://www.johnlobb.com/uk/#

lenahan · Group Performer Joined: 24 Sep 2006 Posts: 1266

brilliant so far...thanks geordie and jenny...this is exactly the kind of thing im looking for...i know there are lots of decent manufactures still out there in existence from times gone by and i know the spanish/italian/french etc have some good ones too i just dont know who...

keep it coming thanks

jennywales · Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 6:11 pm Post subject:

I don't know much about Italian shoes for men, but I understand Gucci loafers are very nice.....

http://www.gucci.com/uk/uk-english/uk/fall-winter-09/mens-shoes/

johne5knuckle · Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 6:52 pm Post subject:

I have had the same beautfiul pair of Loakes for 15 years and have had to get them re-heeled once (being six foot four and the wrong side of 15 stone, I tend to exact wear from my shoes).

They have been THE most comfortable pair of shoes I have ever had.

I have a pair of British-made walking boots which are so comfortable I could sleep in them.

Italian shoes I have had in the past have been as hardy as some of their cars (Fiat springs to mind) - flimsy, to say the least.

I know we are all proud Europeans these days, but I would urge you to do your utmost to support British industry on this.

Have fun searching - Crockett & Jones are good, Edward Green if you are loaded!
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alansouthcoast · Site Admin Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Posts: 13636

I first started buying Loakes shoes from a small shoesmith shop in Croydon. Back then many expensive made brand names were made by Loakes, exactly the same shoe as Loakes own brand. I have never had problems with a pair. For a decent high street brand, Clarks are great value. Do yourself a favour and find a decent shop that will measure your feet and sell a shoe that fits, rather than settle for a quick sale.
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gromero · Group Performer Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 3506

etnies and osiris imo, i have a rather large collection of both
i recently got a pair of limited edition custom etnies

they don't really go with my suits though, probably not what you're after..
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millsy · Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 9:53 pm Post subject:

Having spent a couple of years selling mens' shoes in Selfridges while I was at uni (and as a result developing a liking for a nice pair) I'll throw in my two pence worth!

Personally I would say forget British - get some designer influence in there! Gucci shoes are nice but a few of the styles like the classic loafers are a bit "old man" for me (sorry - not sure how old you are?!), I prefer Prada, but the best are Dolce and Gabbana - great designs and beautifully made. I've bought myself a pair of D&G brogues to walk down the aisle in in a few weeks...

My other favourite shoemaker is Andrea Santoni, not stocked in many places but know they definitely have them in Harrods, I've got a pair I bought in Rome a couple of years ago and they're top notch too.

geordie_racer · Group Performer Joined: 25 Feb 2006 Posts: 11050

when you have 3 diverse but well informed people like johne5, alan and i all saying Loakes.... how can we be wrong?

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alfieatkins · Group Performer Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 1086

maybe al bundy could point you in the right direction!

Flipando · Listed Winner Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 772

It's difficult to get hold of size 14 shoes (you know what they say LOL, it IS NOT true). But yeah, I just take whatever shoes I can find that fit, I actually bought a pair in an actual shop a few weeks back, I was very very pleasantly surprised... Not been a size 13 since I was 16!

alfieatkins · Group Performer Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 1086

dogsaver · Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 10:45 am Post subject:

whats wrong with trainers ?

lenahan · Group Performer Joined: 24 Sep 2006 Posts: 1266

I must admit i had loakes in mind when i started the thread but couldnt remember the name until mentioned by geordie

I saw some burgundy red ones the other week which i loved and got me thinking. I quite fancy some red shoes but dont want to appear like a flash git so burgundy was just right.

Still more searching to do though.....Im going to be pedantic about this given the initial outlay.