High Quality Men's Shoes

domrush · 13-06-2018 6:37pm #1

Hi,

I was wondering if someone could recommend a shoe retailer (or online source) for high quality men's shoes ? I'm talking about shoes roughly 2-3 hundred euro that would generally last several years and just need resoling every now and again (when taken good care of). Getting sick of cheap shoes wearing down every couple of months

meeeeh · 13-06-2018 7:31pm

https://www.herringshoes.co.uk

Oh gets them here. They were very helpful when he was looking for a pair they didn't have in stock in his size.

baby and crumble · 14-06-2018 12:42am

You want something that’s Goodyear welted if possible. Means you can get them resoled easily.

Have a look at brands like Grenson or Loakes. Loakes have a store in Dublin, but lots of places will carry a small range, like debenhams etc.

Padraig Mor · 14-06-2018 2:37pm

Herring Shoes would be my first stop - they often have some very nice stuff in their Sale section; beware high shipping cost to Ireland though - use free shipping to Parcel Motel etc instead.

A Fine Pair of Shoes carry less but can have some good discounts on Carlos Santos and Alfred Sargent. Discount codes abound too.

Surprisingly, TK Maxx in the UK can be worth a try - they carry a random changing selection of Loake and Barker - ship to Parcel Motel etc.

A step down in quality (but still better than mass market brands) is Bexley in France - wide selection of stuff in different styles in the €100 - €140 region (shipping a tenner IIRC).

Septieme Largeur are not well known here but are bigger on the continent - they specialise in patinated shoes so you can get whatever colour you like. Pushing your budget a bit though.

Meermin in Spain have got a lot of attention the last few years and offer a wide range at good prices (most ~€160). Varying reports on quality.

Bear in mind that many / most of the shoes by these manufacturers will have leather soles - which look great but may not last depending on his walking style. Many men (myself included) wear down the toe area of leather soles MUCH faster than the rest of the sole leading to early resoling - the ideal response to this is to get flush mounted metal toe plates fitted, although I'm not aware of anyone in Ireland offering this service - some of the above offer this. An alternative is to get Dainite (or similar) rubber soled shoes - these retain most of the sleek looks of leather soles but are considerably harder wearing; they'll take longer to break in though, and you'll have less of a selection. Also, if these will be his first calf leather shoes, take into account that they generally require more maintenance than cheap shoes - he'll be checking the weather forecast before going out!

Finally, the ideal situation would to have a few pairs that he can 'rotate' rather than wearing the same pair every day, and most people would recommend using wooden shoe trees after taking the shoes off.

ec18 · 18-06-2018 10:26am

Boylans on the royal hibernian way have a good selection in that price range and great service

nthclare · 18-06-2018 10:30am

If you're after a good pair of shoes, go for redwing they're the sexiest shoe's on the planet.

I've a few pairs of redwing iron rangers and the more you wear them the more authentic they look....

Emme · 19-06-2018 10:13am

Quality leather shoes tend to be leather inside, outside and the sole as well. If you're in Dublin I would advise you to take the shoes to a high-end cobbler such as William Clegg in Rathmines - he puts outsoles on full leather shoes and will advise what is best depending on the shoe. If you get high end shoes you need to take them to a high-end cobbler BEFORE you wear them as this will extend the life of the shoe. If you live in Kildare Tutty cobblers / shoemakers are excellent.

eviltimeban · 19-06-2018 10:26am

If you really want to go high end, how about Gaziano & Girling?

Drool...

eviltimeban · 19-06-2018 10:26am

Pediwear is a good site as well:

https://www.pediwear.co.uk/

crashplan · 19-06-2018 10:58am

Church's shoe are great quality. Uncle has a part that he bought in the late 70's and gets re-sole every few years.

http://www.church-footwear.com/uk/en/collection/men

Padraig Mor · 19-06-2018 11:22am

eviltimeban wrote: »

If you really want to go high end, how about Gaziano & Girling?

Drool...

Got my first (and likely only at their prices) pair last week from a half price sale they did recently! Haven't worn them in anger yet though....

eviltimeban · 19-06-2018 1:33pm

Padraig Mor wrote: »

Got my first (and likely only at their prices) pair last week from a half price sale they did recently! Haven't worn them in anger yet though....

Wow, nice!

irishoak · 21-06-2018 12:21pm

Hi, I am also looking for a quality pair of leather sole men's shoes. I appreciate the shoes that can be purchased online, but am worried about not being the right size etc, and the associated costs with returning.

Is there a good bricks and mortar shop to visit that has a good range of leather sole shoes? With a round type to rather than the chisel point that are popular at the moment. I'm a size 12 and need room for my toes!

Like these: really love the colour of these- https://www.grenson.com/uk/curtis-mens-derby-tan-hand-painted-calf-leather-leather-sole.html

Or a wholecut?

Padraig Mor · 21-06-2018 1:53pm

I don't think there's too much available in Ireland in store once you look past Loake and Barker. Bear in mind that if buying online, some sellers will offer free returns but, where they don't, Paypal will cover the return shipping if you pay using them.

Personally, I think wholecuts are less versatile than other styles - they're generally very formal. Unless you work in a particularly formal environment, something like a nice derby or semi brogue in dark brown is a good sweet spot, although I think burgundy / oxblood is even more so. That Grenson pair look good (although I'm more of a chisel man myself) and should work with everything from jeans to suits. Just bear in mind my advice re leather soles above.

irishoak · 21-06-2018 2:31pm

Padraig Mor wrote: »

I don't think there's too much available in Ireland in store once you look past Loake and Barker. Bear in mind that if buying online, some sellers will offer free returns but, where they don't, Paypal will cover the return shipping if you pay using them.

Personally, I think wholecuts are less versatile than other styles - they're generally very formal. Unless you work in a particularly formal environment, something like a nice derby or semi brogue in dark brown is a good sweet spot, although I think burgundy / oxblood is even more so. That Grenson pair look good (although I'm more of a chisel man myself) and should work with everything from jeans to suits. Just bear in mind my advice re leather soles above.

Hey Padraig, thanks for the reply. That was my fear. So looks like I will need to go online.
I agree that wholecuts are very formal! But when worn with a suit, can be beautiful. I pplan to buy a grey summer suit this for a wedding this year. I was planning to put a pair of tan Derbys (like those Grensons) with it. Or possibly burgundy? Oxblood may be a better match though? Would you have any recommendations for such a pair? I would like to spend 3-400 on a solid pair, but could stretch if they were worth it in terms of aesthetics and or quality.

Yes, you have some very good points. Especially about the rotating shoes and shoe trees! That is my plan also!

eviltimeban · 21-06-2018 2:45pm

^ Burgundy would be way better with grey than tan. Tan should only really be worn with blues / browns.

Padraig Mor · 21-06-2018 3:51pm

irishoak wrote: »

Hey Padraig, thanks for the reply. That was my fear. So looks like I will need to go online.
I agree that wholecuts are very formal! But when worn with a suit, can be beautiful. I pplan to buy a grey summer suit this for a wedding this year. I was planning to put a pair of tan Derbys (like those Grensons) with it. Or possibly burgundy? Oxblood may be a better match though? Would you have any recommendations for such a pair? I would like to spend 3-400 on a solid pair, but could stretch if they were worth it in terms of aesthetics and or quality.

Yes, you have some very good points. Especially about the rotating shoes and shoe trees! That is my plan also!

eviltimeban wrote: »

^ Burgundy would be way better with grey than tan. Tan should only really be worn with blues / browns.

I'm guessing that'll be a light grey suit? Personally, I'd be happy rocking tan shoes with one but plenty wouldn't agree - but I likes what I likes! Having said that, burgundy or darker brown would probably be better, plus more versatile for other clothes into the bargain (I'd consider those Grensons to be mid, even dark brown BTW, not tan but the definition seems pretty flexible really).

Two possibles from either end of your price range could be:
Shoes on the Loake Claridge last - I have a pair of Rankin which were super comfy from day one and are definitely pretty roomy. Quite 'roundy'.

Alfred Sargent - Moore. Lovely shoe (semi brogue), also comfy from first day, but not quite as accommodating as the Loake. Very high quality and gorgeous styling, although perhaps a bit chiselled for you? I guess they ain't cheap but you'd be hard pressed to find something better at twice or even three times the price. Certainly my Moores hold their own against my new G&Gs whose normal price tag is eye watering.

For both (and indeed pretty much any shoe) I'd be ignoring the RRP and hunting for a bargain though. I'd also suggest hitting TK Maxx - you may just pick up a pair of Loakes or Barker if you're lucky.

TBH, once you're wearing any kind of 'good' shoes at all, you'll have something better than most guys.

baby and crumble · 21-06-2018 4:04pm

Padraig Mor wrote: »

For both (and indeed pretty much any shoe) I'd be ignoring the RRP and hunting for a bargain though. I'd also suggest hitting TK Maxx - you may just pick up a pair of Loakes or Barker if you're lucky.

I once nearly cried when I found 3 pairs of seriously beautiful mid brown Loakes brogues for €120 in TK Maxx. All size 12. No amount of insoles would save them for my size 10 feet but they defeinitely do crop up there from time to time.

AlphabetCards · 21-06-2018 4:10pm

I got a fantastic pair of Barkers years ago and they have stayed in great shape, despite numerous and rambunctious weddings/balls/dinners. Would recommend getting a selvyt cloth and suitable polish, don't waste good shoes by using a horse hair brush!!

Emme · 21-06-2018 4:12pm

Fitzpatricks and Thomas Patrick on Grafton Street are good if you want to see the shoes for real.

Padraig Mor · 21-06-2018 4:13pm

baby and crumble wrote: »

I once nearly cried when I found 3 pairs of seriously beautiful mid brown Loakes brogues for €120 in TK Maxx. All size 12. No amount of insoles would save them for my size 10 feet but they defeinitely do crop up there from time to time.

Yeah, you can get good stuff there alright - Cheaneys too. Gotta keep you eyes peeled - I got my Loake Rankins for like €105 or so on Herring - same shoes are €270 in Debenhams!

schemingbohemia · 21-06-2018 4:16pm

Fitzpatricks on Grafton Street have a nice selection - I got my wedding shoes there.

http://www.fitzpatricksshoes.com/men-c1/laced-shoes-c5

Padraig Mor · 21-06-2018 7:29pm

irishoak wrote: »

Hi, I am also looking for a quality pair of leather sole men's shoes. I appreciate the shoes that can be purchased online, but am worried about not being the right size etc, and the associated costs with returning.

Is there a good bricks and mortar shop to visit that has a good range of leather sole shoes? With a round type to rather than the chisel point that are popular at the moment. I'm a size 12 and need room for my toes!

Like these: really love the colour of these- https://www.grenson.com/uk/curtis-mens-derby-tan-hand-painted-calf-leather-leather-sole.html

Or a wholecut?

Coincidentally, just came across that Grenson have a sale on their site at the moment. The very similarly styled Curt is included, at £135. Size 12 available!

New Home · 22-06-2018 10:24am

The alternative is to get them made to measure. If it's still in business, there's a shoemaker in Talbot Street at the corner with Gardiner Street, Tara Leather, next to the Singer (sewing machines) shop.

King_Joffery · 17-09-2020 10:26pm

nthclare wrote: »

If you're after a good pair of shoes, go for redwing they're the sexiest shoe's on the planet.

I've a few pairs of redwing iron rangers and the more you wear them the more authentic they look....

Sorry for digging up an old thread, where do you purchase the iron rangers and also what is the sizing like. I'm size nine in a regular shoe, what would you recommend?

Thanks

High Quality Men's Shoes

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