The Loake Family
The Loake family has been producing fine, handmade men’s footwear for longer than anyone can remember. The tradition began in 1880, when three brothers Thomas, John and William opened a factory in Northamptonshire in the heart of the English shoemaking industry. The aim was to provide the most handsome, comfortable and durable gentlemen’s shoes possible.
Today
Today, more than 125 years and five generations later, Loake is still family owned and operating in the same town in Northamptonshire. Their shoes have become a favourite with discerning customers worldwide and are exported to over 30 countries.
Loake is most famous for its Goodyear Welted footwear, an intricate construction with origins that can be traced back over 300 years. They estimate to have made over 50 million pairs. Their premium Goodyear Welted shoes continue to be made in England and take eight weeks to produce. Some 130 skilled craftspeople, up to 75 shoe parts and approximately 200 different operations are involved. Only the very highest quality materials are used.
While Loake remain passionate about the quality that only time-honoured skills and a family heritage can achieve, in other respects Loake has a very modern approach. The range of footwear on offer has been extended to include new constructions and a choice of both classic and contemporary designs. They also place special emphasis on fit and have developed unique comfort technology. The modern outlook can also be seen in a number of recent collaborations, including the remake of an iconic shoe for international sports brand Puma.
Loake was awarded a Royal Warrant of Appointment to the Queen in 2007.
