[ToryBoy]

I have a pair of Barkers and I think two pairs of Cheaney (one branded Cheaney; the other pair, G&H shoes which I think are made by Cheaney).

Barkers - structure decent quality, crap leather. The heel is quite good and I have had my pair for almost 2 years and probably again year before reheeling. The there is a tear on inside at the heel and the leather has sort of lost its shape.

Cheaney - Why buy Barkers when you get Cheaney shoes on sale for the price of Barkers RRP. Better structure and leather then Barkers.

A cousin wear Stemars, I do not like them, too fashion forward. He had his pair for almost two years before getting them re-soled.
For £200 I would suggest going to Herring Shoes and get Church's on the 73 last for 3195. The other option is Pediwear for C&J; however, they do not have a sale at the moment.


With the way the pound sterling is going, it may be lower the €. At the moment £195 is €205, but it go lower, for example £195 being €180 (£1.08 = €1).
If you know someone who is the UK you get still get Cheaney brogues for £110 from Austin Reed and Church's have a sale 40-50% on some shoes.

 

[ToryBoy]

Thanks for your answers. I am looking around for chukka boots and Alfred sargent seems to have a lot of complements as a brand. I need to find a narrow last thoug. Why is the churchs 73 last cheaper? does this range has a downgrade in quality?

For most Church's customers, the 73 is the favourite last including myself; all my English-made Church's are made on the 73 last.

They no longer make the last, which is why it is cheaper on Herring Shoes because they want to sell their 73 stock so they have all the new designs.

 

[ToryBoy]

Not quite the case TB. Herrings sell a 73 last range because of customer demand. They are cheaper because a slightly lower quality calf skin is used on this range

That is strange. On the Herring Website there is no info about the 73's being 'seconds', only on special offer for £195. If you go to the 'sales & seconds' section, there are some shoes that have been classed as slight seconds and others on special offer.