Loake Kempton

ichaice

I’ve got a pair of Church’s Ryder III’s and several pairs of C&J shoes. I’ve been looking to add another pair of suede chukka boots with a dainite sole to the collection and came across the Loake Kempton’s. How do they compare to Church’s and C&J equivalent models for quality and are they built to last?

Bond44

I live in my brown Suede Kemptons been resoled at keast 4 times and still going strong - cannot talk about them highly enough.

Just my personal preference but I hope it helps

Cheers :007)

Westward_Drift

Can't speak to the Church's and C&J's, but I have a pair of Loake Kemptons in Snuff Suede and love them. They fit me very well. Thankfully when the time comes I know of a shoe repair company in California that can replace the Dainite soles.

I believe a darker brown suede is available through Herring Shoes which sells rebranded Loakes.

https://www.herringshoes.co.uk/herring/gosforth-ii-rubber_chukka-boot/cigar-suede

ichaice

Great feedback, appreciated -{

thelordflasheart

I'd second the Herrings - have a pair that I've worn very regularly and the quality is great - likely not as good as Loake, nor C&J but fantastic for my go-to "beater" shoes. However, I went with a pair that had a slightly more pointed toe than the Ryders.

Westward_Drift

thelordflasheart wrote:

I'd second the Herrings - have a pair that I've worn very regularly and the quality is great - likely not as good as Loake, nor C&J but fantastic for my go-to "beater" shoes. However, I went with a pair that had a slightly more pointed toe than the Ryders.

I believe you are referring to the Canterburys? I have those as well. Only Blake stitched, and interior not as nice as my Loakes but nice boots for the price. A bit pointier than the Kemptons as well if you want a slightly more refined profile.

ichaice

I’ve come across the Loake Pimlico’s in a sale so have ordered a pair.

Westward_Drift

ichaice wrote:

I’ve come across the Loake Pimlico’s in a sale so have ordered a pair.

I have a pair of Pimlicos also. A bit more refined in shape than the Kemptons so of course they don't fit my feet as well due to my high instep.

ichaice

My inner Bond took over and I ended up cancelling the Pimlico order and ordered a pair of suede C&J Tetbury’s )

Llafyks

ichaice wrote:

I’ve got a pair of Church’s Ryder III’s and several pairs of C&J shoes. I’ve been looking to add another pair of suede chukka boots with a dainite sole to the collection and came across the Loake Kempton’s. How do they compare to Church’s and C&J equivalent models for quality and are they built to last?

I've got a pair of the CR3s also a pair of the S&H Holborn chukkas and picked up a pair of Church Desert boots (in very dark blue). All similar shape and rounded rather than pointed toe.
I tend to keep the CR3s for best and wear the other two regularly. Both very comfortable;with the Church DBs just shading it comfort wise
I have had the Loake Kempton (in leather) for several years now (again very comfortable) and just picked up a pair of C&J Tetbury (at last!), not worn in anger yet.
As far a wear/quaility goes, my CR3s are like new after 5yrs, Loakes still going very strong and the Holborn probably showing the most wear.
In essence I think you get what you pay for, but mine get a fair degree of rotation and with the Tebury now in the equation it should help to extend the life of them all!
Mind you I have cedar shoe trees for them all and clean them every time after wearing.

DB6

I had a pair of Pimlico's in black calf leather; found them way too stiff, the leather never really softened up and I got rid of them. I have a pair of C&J Tetbury in black calf leather - comfortable from minute one and I love them. Unsurprisingly given the price difference the C&J are another level compared to the Loakes.

I found CR 3 didn't fit me well - pinched at the toe but the next size up was too loose in the heel. Russell & Bromley Jermyn are ok but only blake stitched and are quite narrow in the toe.

Currently have a pair of Loake Kemptons in brown suede and they are fantastic given they are half the price of the Church's but I did have to go a half size up from some other brands.

When all is said and done, it comes down to your budget and of course (most importantly!) - fit is a key factor in my opinion.

Westward_Drift

Dufus wrote:

When all is said and done, all of them are decent shoes - fit is a key factor in my opinion.

Absolutely.

I will probably be selling my NIB brown calf Pimlicos. Feels too constrictive with my high instep.

I spend most of my time in trainers, so Dainite is often hard for me. As such I'd often need the extra room for insoles.