[Shoenutz]

Hello Gentlemen,

I'm Robert, my first post here, thank you for the acceptance. I request some help concerning Chelsea Boots, especially the UK brands, of which I have no experience.

I would love to have several pairs of Crockett and Jones, and other premium makes, but somehow at my age of 67, the thought of shoes for a lifetime seems to be ridiculous as I have no sons to inherit their greatness. I'm satisfied with a middle priced shoe of good and solid quality. I do have some paths to follow.

Please read that I'm in Germany and although I own and even wear occasionally Scotch grain wing tips (American made), I prefer since retirement to dress more casually. Good jeans in all colours, turtlenecks or polo shirts, blazers and sport jackets, with suede Chelsea boots of Euro origins.

What about the leather Chelsea boots from the UK?

I ran across these;
https://www.pediwear.co.uk/loake/products/6413.php

The shoe reads as solid quality, for a decent price. Soft leather is a must, as well as leather lining. Goodyear welt worries me though, the Blake stitch is more for me as I prefer to not walk miles to have them broken in.

Any thoughts or links will be greatly appreciated. You know, some nice things can be had in Germany, just not shoes. I like shoes, and would like to support the UK.

Robert

 

[Flanderian]

Hello Gentlemen,

I'm Robert, my first post here, thank you for the acceptance. I request some help concerning Chelsea Boots, especially the UK brands, of which I have no experience.

I would love to have several pairs of Crockett and Jones, and other premium makes, but somehow at my age of 67, the thought of shoes for a lifetime seems to be ridiculous as I have no sons to inherit their greatness. I'm satisfied with a middle priced shoe of good and solid quality. I do have some paths to follow.

Please read that I'm in Germany and although I own and even wear occasionally Scotch grain wing tips (American made), I prefer since retirement to dress more casually. Good jeans in all colours, turtlenecks or polo shirts, blazers and sport jackets, with suede Chelsea boots of Euro origins.

What about the leather Chelsea boots from the UK?

I ran across these;
https://www.pediwear.co.uk/loake/products/6413.php

The shoe reads as solid quality, for a decent price. Soft leather is a must, as well as leather lining. Goodyear welt worries me though, the Blake stitch is more for me as I prefer to not walk miles to have them broken in.

Any thoughts or links will be greatly appreciated. You know, some nice things can be had in Germany, just not shoes. I like shoes, and would like to support the UK.

Robert

I hope this might be helpful.

If you're particularly fond of C&J but, like me, find the price a bit more than I wish to pay, I can report that I left some of mein geld at the building pictured below, and if they have any left, perhaps they might share it with you.

But seriously, the Weisbaden Speil Bank was a lovely venue where I occasionally spent a pleasant evening, and I do miss it.

On to boots!

I too share your fondness for English footwear. But from my familiarity with it Goodyear welt construction seems to be the standard method for all the manufacturers with which I am familiar. Blake or Blake/Rapid is more typical from what I've found among Italian footwear.

While I have no Loake footwear at present (UK retailers won't ship to the U.S. anymore.) it has an excellent reputation, and I have little doubt that the boot you included would be of good quality and possessed of the general qualities of Northamptonshire build.

An English brand that I've found I like is Sanders and Sanders. I was drawn to it because like Loake it offers good quality for the cost. I have four pair of their shoes and have found the quality to be excellent. Very carefully made of quality materials.

I personally don't enjoy Chelsea boots and prefer chukka boots. But that's strictly a matter of preference as they fill similar niches. Like most English makes, Sanders makes both, as does Loake.

This is Sanders' current Chelsea boot, and Sanders offers it as part of their Diplomat line, which is their top line. I would expect both the quality and materials to be top drawer.

I think either this or the Loake boot would offer what you wish. And I can recommend either.

Edit: Pediwear is a reputable English retailer, and another is Herring's, should you wish to look through their offerings -

https://www.herringshoes.co.uk/

 

[Flanderian]

I share Flanderian's fondness for Sanders (I'm to up 5 pairs now) but very few of the English made chelsea boots appeal to me. Don't like the lasts, don't like the shape of the elastics, rarely like the leathers. I do like the Sanders 'Clint' but they're on crepe soles and that's not everyone's cup of tea.

In that kind of price range I think you'll have to go a very, very long way to beat RM Williams Craftsman and Turnout boots, especially if comfort is a priority. Their Comfort and Dynamic Flex models are one of a handful of shoes that take high quality, traditional GYW construction and fuse it with synthetic (poron) insoles with a very strong emphasis on comfort.

Having said that, I can't do painful break-ins and have never had a problem with goodyear welted, leather insoled Sanders or Loakes. I put them on straight out of the box, they fit and feel comfortable. The Meermins and RedWings that I've tried on the other hand were posted back to the stores within an hour of them arriving. No way I would make my feet endure that kind of torture.

I'm glad you brought up Williams. I've never had any, but they specialize in this style, and those here who've worn them think they're among the best.

 

[eagle2250]

+1 regarding the recommendations of RM Williams Craftsman Boot designs. I've managed to pick up four pair along the way, though one was a pair of Kangaroo hide Jodhpurs, and have absolutely loved every one of them. RM Williams are my first choice when it comes to Chelsea boot designs!

 

[Shoenutz]

Flanderian, my city smiles as you left some on the table there. Please do not feel alone. I even won $24 once playing black and white, and spent it and then some just across the street in a fine restaurant. Your residence being New Jersey, I'm sure you know a tale or two as well.

Guys, your links are greatly appreciated. I'm kind of surprised to read that Chelsea boots aren't nearly as popular as I place them. The choices shown are enthusing. This is exciting!

Another problem I see coming is the last issue. I can wear Italian shoes just fine, I'm wondering if perhaps British boots would be too wide for me.

 

[Flanderian]

Flanderian, my city smiles as you left some on the table there. Please do not feel alone. I even won $24 once playing black and white, and spent it and then some just across the street in a fine restaurant. Your residence being New Jersey, I'm sure you know a tale or two as well.

I always made sure I saved enough to enjoy a Königsbräu before using my round trip ticket to return to Darmstadt. :beer:

Guys, your links are greatly appreciated. I'm kind of surprised to read that Chelsea boots aren't nearly as popular as I place them. The choices shown are enthusing. This is exciting!

Another problem I see coming is the last issue. I can wear Italian shoes just fine, I'm wondering if perhaps British boots would be too wide for me.

While it may be that Chelsea boots aren't as popular as some other styles, I suggest not drawing that conclusion from my personal disinterest in them, as there are many more accomplished men of taste here who do. But I think most believe the chukka boot more versatile and may prefer it for that reason.

English footwear is typically made in only one or two widths for a given style. Most commonly these are designated as an F fitting for average width, and a G fitting for wider shoes and boots, or sometimes F+ for those that are between. I've found that the F fitting typically will fit me as my feet are roughly of average width. Of course, different styles have different lasts (shapes) and that as well as the size determines how they will fit any particular man. I happen to have the chukka boot above which Cheaney makes on their 125 last, and while it fits me well, it's rather sleek, and I would certainly not consider it too wide.

But it is common when English makers make styles intended primarily for "country" I.e., largely outdoor wear, for them to make them on broader lasts, sometimes an F+ fitting to accommodate their wear with heavier socks. I think Loake being a higher volume maker may have some shoes made deliberately in narrower sizes.

Ultimately, you're faced with what we here in the U.S. must contend with; an International try-on to see how they fit. While you don't have the Atlantic between your home and Britain, I have no idea if it's difficult to receive a purchase from the UK and then exchange or return it. I can say that I had to do this with my first pair from a maker until I became more certain of my proper size, and it wasn't very much of a problem at all.

I hope you find what you're looking for. And if you do decide you'd most enjoy a Chelsea boot, the Williams boot from Australia is possibly the best and best looking. Member Eagle is extremely experienced with footwear, and I consider his recommendation a guarantee of quality.

Let us know what you find!

 

[Shoenutz]

Flanderian, thanks for the info. I'm more of the narrow type width. For example, just a few weeks ago, I ordered these two in hopes of zeroing in on the proper size, two Italian beauties;

Both the same size, same type shoe. Both fit, just the brown Rossetti's toe was too pointed. The shoes are fairly small and narrow. Pricey too, I sent them back. The Franceschetti's are a dream though.

Yes, I fear the country cuts will need really thick socks.

 

[Flanderian]

Flanderian, thanks for the info. I'm more of the narrow type width. For example, just a few weeks ago, I ordered these two in hopes of zeroing in on the proper size, two Italian beauties;

View attachment 22058
View attachment 22059

Both the same size, same type shoe. Both fit, just the brown Rossetti's toe was too pointed. The shoes are fairly small and narrow. Pricey too, I sent them back. The Franceschetti's are a dream though.

Yes, I fear the country cuts will need really thick socks.

If you find any of Cheaney's footwear of interest, though it's a bit more than either Loake or Sanders, you might have luck with their 125 last.

I might also add that a narrower heel relative to the forefoot is most typical of English lasts compared to both Italian and American lasts. Suits the shape of my feet quite well. And it's something to keep in mind when considering them for narrower feet, depending upon your foot's shape.