[Flanderian]

Remember lightly constructed inexpensive American casual shoes such as those Dexter used to make in Maine? I sure do, I'm still wearing many of them! Even after 10 years, or more.

What they were were honestly made shoes of inexpensive but decent materials put together in a sturdy manner. They looked good for what they were, were comfortable, lasted longer than you might expect, but most importantly, they were cheap.

Well, they've been gone for 8 or 9 years now, and there's no longer anything like them, particularly the cheap part. You can buy plenty of shoes that are funny looking cheap junk, but not those with the virtues I described. Or perhaps you can.

Herring has a line of decent looking Italian made casual shoes, many employing corrected grain leather such as the American originals did, that look comfortable and decently made, and they're cheap!

No, they're not U.S. made. Yes, while similar in appearance they have a bit of Italian flare, but they look pretty darned nice, all things considered . . . . and they're $115!

In my opinion, you can't beat that with a stick!

FWIW, I have no connection with the nice folks at Herring beyond sometimes buying some stuff from them.

https://www.herringshoes.co.uk/herring/lucca_rubber-soled-loafers/burgundy-polished

 

[Truth&Rights]

I still need to try some of Herring's UK made shoes. Curious if that CG is better than what we see over here with J&M/Cole Haan/Bass etc. Maybe these are a little better but about on par with Mezlan or Magnnani - which is to say not great but not horrible?

For roughly the same money you can buy a pair of U.S. made SAS 40th Penny loafers in black or burgundy made with full-grain leather and leather soles. Not at retail but on sale if you look around. There is a thread about them in the trad forum.

 

[Flanderian]

I still need to try some of Herring's UK made shoes. Curious if that CG is better than what we see over here with J&M/Cole Haan/Bass etc. Maybe these are a little better but about on par with Mezlan or Magnnani - which is to say not great but not horrible?

For roughly the same money you can buy a pair of U.S. made SAS 40th Penny loafers in black or burgundy made with full-grain leather and leather soles. Not at retail but on sale if you look around. There is a thread about them in the trad forum.

If you know of better, cheaper source, that sounds like a great deal! I have a fair comfort level with the quality of what Herring sells, and that has value to me.

 

[Truth&Rights]

If you know of better, cheaper source, that sounds like a great deal! I have a fair comfort level with the quality of what Herring sells, and that has value to me.

Agreed. I was just mentioning those because they seem overlooked. Almost no one looks at SAS for a traditional shoe anymore because most of what they make is rubber-soled orthopedic shoes. I was surprised they had a trad penny loafer with a leather sole as well, and learned about it from the trad forum. The only reason I haven't ordered from Herring yet (eyeing some country brogues) is that I'm not sure about sizing. In my limited experience with UK shoes (5 pairs), the sizing and last can vary a bit and there isn't a 1:1 correspondence with US sizing. I realize the loafers you linked are Italian made, but I don't know if they took the last into account when they made them for the UK market. They don't look bad at all, honestly. I personally probably wouldn't be able to fit in them, as they are only offered in a standard width. Most likely they are too narrow for me. The SAS loafers I mentioned can be had in different widths.

 

[Flanderian]

Just bought a pair in the dark brown suede. Went up a half-size to a UK11 as my experience has always been that Italian shoes run small. Hoping that fit is good - I could use a beater pair of suede pennies for the summer.

I'd be interested in learning what you think of them when you receive them.

At that price, my expectations would be for just an adequately made, comfortable pair of shoes with acceptable looks. Suede looks rather nice, probably a better bet than the CG if it fits your wishes.

 

[Adrian Herring]

Good morning all, I trust everyone is well? I just wanted to jump in and offer some advice on the fit of our Italian Loafers. Traditionally if you were to purchase a pair of Italian shoes they would come up sleek and smaller than you'd expect, however we had ours made to more of a British fit and even to the point where they are a little generous width wise. They will also give very quickly, the leathers are soft and if you are a wider fit you likely would get away with a normal fit in these, they will just need a little breaking in. Generally I would advise ordering your normal UK size, or a full size down from your US Dress shoe size ( Allen edmonds etc ) should be suitable. @Lucido I fear your pair may not be a good fit, please let me know once they have arrived and if you need to exchange them I will sort out a free return and exchange for you.

All the best,

Chris

 

[Flanderian]

My Herring 'Luca' penny loafers in brown suede arrived this afternoon and I am extremely impressed. I placed the order on a Sunday evening after some enabling by @Flanderian . The shoes were posted first thing Monday morning and would have been in my hands yesterday were it not for a mistake by DHL. All Italian made loafers are 20% off at @Adrian Herring at the moment so the total cost ran me £119/€135 including delivery to Ireland. I assume that those of you outside the EU can take a further 20% off for VAT.

Sizing - UK11

I am ostensibly a UK10.5 with a high instep. I have never needed to buy a designated 'wide' fitting shoe but my feet are right on the border between being normal and wide. I generally do not get on with Meermin/Carmina/Carlos Santos and many other continental shoe lasts - too narrow, too low-volume, too low on the instep and always uncomfortable for me.

Since these loafers are Italian in origin, I decided to chance going up a half-size to a UK11. The shoes fit me very well indeed - heel to ball is fine, plenty of toe room, very little heel slip and my feet do not feel at all cramped. The shoes are not at all narrow and I intend to wear them with very fine, lightweight Bresciani and Mazarin dress socks. A UK10.5 would have been too tight in my opinion, particularly at the end of the day or in warm weather when my feet have a tendency to swell. If you have narrower or medium width feet and a lower instep and/or you intend to go sock-less I would probably go with Herring's suggestion of ordering true to (UK) size.

For reference, the following lasts fit me very well.

Loake 026 - UK10.5
Sanders STET - UK10.5
Sanders HANK - UK10.5
Sanders JOEL - UK11
RM Williams Craftsman - UK10.5 (Regular 'G' Width)
Berwick 1707 HO207 - UK10.5

Presentation

Excellent. Navy cardboard shoe boxes with the Herring logo stamped in gold. Two branded shoe bags in a soft navy cotton, a care booklet and a 10% discount code for my next order, valid for the next 6 months. Included in the box is a suede brush and a plastic shoe horn.

Construction

This is only my second pair of Blake-stitched shoes. Compared to GYW footwear they are noticeably lighter and more flexible underfoot. The leather soles are slim with an elegant side profile finished in dark brown edge-dressing. There is a full rubber, Vibram branded top-lift on the stacked leather heel, a gentleman's notch at the corner and a rubber insert on the forepart to aid grip should you be caught in the rain.

The shoes have a full length, lightly padded sockliner which I find particularly comfortable. I imagine this is to cover the Blake stitching on the insole to make the shoes more comfortable for sock-less wear. The insoles are stamped 'Herring Shoes - Made in Italy'.

The suede itself is a soft, dark brown with contrasting medium brown stitching. It has a short, even nap with no glue marks or other defects. The shoes are fully lined in soft leather with the exception of the back of the heel where the lining changes to suede, presumably to offer a better grip on the heel to reduce slip.

Conclusion

I can't think of anything to fault here. Comfortable, good looking shoes at an extremely reasonable price with great materials and construction. Superlative customer service. If you need a pair of comfortable, knock-around casual loafers I would highly recommend them.

That is a superb, comprehensive review!

They are really very handsome shoes. They look even better in your photos than at the website. U.S. price works out to about $116 Ex-VAT. Even with VAT, I consider them a fine value. And having had shoes with a rubber inset in the soles, I have found that it does help extend their life.

I'm delighted they worked out well for you!

I'll provide one last bit of unsolicited advice: Roger P educated me regarding Tarrago's Nano-protector. Should you happen not to have used it, I strongly recommend picking up a can or two. Having tried various suede waterproofing sprays through the years, my experience had been that it really didn't do much beyond making the suede a bit unsightly. But this is entirely different, it works marvelously, and as advertised, and doesn't deface the hide. And it even helps keep the suede cleaner with normal maintenance than it otherwise would look.

I'm providing the link Amazon popped up, but buy it wherever you can get it most inexpensively, it's all the same, of course.

https://www.amazon.com/Tarrago-Hightech-Nano-Protector-Spray/dp/B003U47QBY

 

[Flanderian]

Thanks Flanderian. I have a half-empty can of Collonil nano-protector that has always worked very well for me. I also have an unused can of Saphir Invulner but I need to use up the Collonil first. I might try the Tarrago down the line also.

I was unfamiliar with those products, but as you know they do what's required, they sound just the thing!

 

[Truth&Rights]

Love the look of those brown suede loafers.

 

[Adrian Herring]

@Lucido excellent news, I am pleased they fit you well and you are happy with them. Your observations are spot on as well, fantastic review and I am sure they will serve you well. Cheers, Chris

 

[Shaver]

I am obliged to note that, having contacted Herring recently, the customer service remains unwaveringly excellent - prompt, courteous and accommodating.

 

[Shaver]

My Herring 'Luca' penny loafers in brown suede arrived this afternoon and I am extremely impressed. I placed the order on a Sunday evening after some enabling by @Flanderian . The shoes were posted first thing Monday morning and would have been in my hands yesterday were it not for a mistake by DHL. All Italian made loafers are 20% off at @Adrian Herring at the moment so the total cost ran me £119/€135 including delivery to Ireland. I assume that those of you outside the EU can take a further 20% off for VAT.

Sizing - UK11

I am ostensibly a UK10.5 with a high instep. I have never needed to buy a designated 'wide' fitting shoe but my feet are right on the border between being normal and wide. I generally do not get on with Meermin/Carmina/Carlos Santos and many other continental shoe lasts - too narrow, too low-volume, too low on the instep and always uncomfortable for me.

Since these loafers are Italian in origin, I decided to chance going up a half-size to a UK11. The shoes fit me very well indeed - heel to ball is fine, plenty of toe room, very little heel slip and my feet do not feel at all cramped. The shoes are not at all narrow and I intend to wear them with very fine, lightweight Bresciani and Mazarin dress socks. A UK10.5 would have been too tight in my opinion, particularly at the end of the day or in warm weather when my feet have a tendency to swell. If you have narrower or medium width feet and a lower instep and/or you intend to go sock-less I would probably go with Herring's suggestion of ordering true to (UK) size.

For reference, the following lasts fit me very well.

Loake 026 - UK10.5
Sanders STET - UK10.5
Sanders HANK - UK10.5
Sanders JOEL - UK11
RM Williams Craftsman - UK10.5 (Regular 'G' Width)
Berwick 1707 HO207 - UK10.5

Presentation

Excellent. Navy cardboard shoe boxes with the Herring logo stamped in gold. Two branded shoe bags in a soft navy cotton, a care booklet and a 10% discount code for my next order, valid for the next 6 months. Included in the box is a suede brush and a plastic shoe horn.

Construction

This is only my second pair of Blake-stitched shoes. Compared to GYW footwear they are noticeably lighter and more flexible underfoot. The leather soles are slim with an elegant side profile finished in dark brown edge-dressing. There is a full rubber, Vibram branded top-lift on the stacked leather heel, a gentleman's notch at the corner and a rubber insert on the forepart to aid grip should you be caught in the rain.

The shoes have a full length, lightly padded sockliner which I find particularly comfortable. I imagine this is to cover the Blake stitching on the insole to make the shoes more comfortable for sock-less wear. The insoles are stamped 'Herring Shoes - Made in Italy'.

The suede itself is a soft, dark brown with contrasting medium brown stitching. It has a short, even nap with no glue marks or other defects. The shoes are fully lined in soft leather with the exception of the back of the heel where the lining changes to suede, presumably to offer a better grip on the heel to reduce slip.

Conclusion

I can't think of anything to fault here. Comfortable, good looking shoes at an extremely reasonable price with great materials and construction. Superlative customer service. If you need a pair of comfortable, knock-around casual loafers I would highly recommend them.

First rate work Lucido.

 

[215339]

@Lucido out of curiosity, which last did you try with Carlos Santos?

I tried the 234 last and my foot was practically flopping out because it was such high volume, yet average width and length.

 

[215339]

333 in UK10.5 via Skoak, and the 160 via a local menswear store that's carrying CS now. Couldn't get my foot in the 160 and the 333 was brutally tight. I never have issues with English shoes but my high instep causes me problems with a lot of Spanish/Portuguese/Italian shoes.

Ah ok, that's unfortunate. Thank you for the info though.

 

[TheBigOne]

@Lucido excellent news, I am pleased they fit you well and you are happy with them. Your observations are spot on as well, fantastic review and I am sure they will serve you well. Cheers, Chris

My experience with Herring has been that Adrian has always gone above and beyond to make sure I'm happy with my shoes. You should have no fear in ordering no matter where you're located. I have been buying up the dwindling Church inventory for the last 20+ years.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Hector Freemantle]

I have been buying from Herring for 10 years and I can honestly say that their shoes and their service are superb. I am currently buying their Alfred Sargent 109 last Royal range. They fit like a bespoke shoe on my foot at least. But every shoe I have bought from Herring has something going for it and delivery speeds are nothing short of miraculous.

 

[Truth&Rights]

How much are people spending to send back shoes that don't fit from the U.S. to the U.K.?

 

[Flanderian]

How much are people spending to send back shoes that don't fit from the U.S. to the U.K.?

During the month of May, Herring had both free shipping, and free return shipping. Their normal shipping charge is 25 Pounds Sterling. They ship via DHL, and once DHL has the item, it usually arrives the next day. I've always received delivery within one week, even on those items that needed to be obtained from the factory. The only footwear I've ever had to return was from a different retailer to get a different size. I mailed it back via U.S. post, and while I can't recall exactly, I'm quite certain it was twenty-something.

 

[Hebrew Barrister]

How much are people spending to send back shoes that don't fit from the U.S. to the U.K.?

I wonder this too.

 

[Cassadine]

I meander on their site. Haven't pulled the trigger on anything yet. But most of their offerings seem quite fair.