The Definitive Ranking of British shoe brands (2023)

Edits since publishing - Added more specific price info per range. Bumped Edward Green & John Lobb Main Range up a tier. Split Loake 1880 into separate entry. Added George Cleverley RTW. Shuffled Oliver Sweeney and Jeffery West down a tier. Bumped JL Main Range back down a tier - sorry JL. Added a D Tier to differentiate at the low end. Removed Oliver Sweeney - they are made in Italy. Added Tim Little. Added Wildsmiths. Added some comments to Church's.*

Most of my shoes come from British makers and thanks to the dubious political direction my country is going and ever-increasing import fees, this trend looks likely to continue in future. This is intended as an overview of the major British makers who are primarily RTW focused, and will also pull out RTW collections from bespoke makers where viable. It won't talk about bespoke shoes, even if the maker in question does produce them.

This post is not an attempt to diminish or demean shoes from any of the "lower tier" brands, just to provide a bit of guidance to a selection of makers that can sometimes be impenetrable and a bit confusing.

"Methodology" (such as it is)

In instances where a RTW maker has ranges of significantly different quality I’ll attempt to highlight it, although ultimately many makers will have a smaller, high-end range made to a higher specification that may belong in a higher tier (such as Cheaney Imperial or Loake Export Grade), and the list might get a bit overwhelming with too much detail.

Obviously quality and value are tricky, subjective concepts so I’ve resorted to the time-honoured tradition:

  • S Tier - Highest

  • A Tier - High

  • B Tier - Mid

  • C Tier - Low

  • D Tier - Lowest

For quality I’ll be considering the consistency, choice and quality of leather used; fineness and consistency of finishing; how appealing the styling is (very subjective obviously) and the overall quality of the construction.

“ Low” quality in this context doesn’t mean terrible by any means - it’s just relative to the quality of the other makers. Clearly, Clarks make a lower quality shoe than Gaziano & Girling - that doesn’t mean they are “bad” for the money, because you can buy 15 pairs of Clarks for the price of one pair of Gaziano & Girling.

These tiers aren't an exact science - you may well feel that a maker should be higher or lower, particularly where a brand is on the "border" of a tier - but hopefully they help as a guide.

For price the breakdown is as follows:

  • ££££ for shoes £1,000+

  • £££ for shoes £500 - £1,000

  • ££ for shoes £200 - £500

  • £ for shoes less than £200

Edit: I've added in more precise price information per entry following feedback that some bands were too broad. All prices include VAT (20%).

Lastly the most difficult to assess notion, which is value. For this you need to balance the price against the quality and ultimately decide how much you’re willing to spend - to my mind, Crockett & Jones Main Range is the best value readily available RTW shoe.

(Video) Ranking Men's RTW Shoes over $500 (28 BEST & WORST Brands!)

I’m pretty confident in the below - I’ve owned at least one pair of shoes from all of these makers and sub-brands, and many more in the case of some of them - although obviously, your mileage may vary somewhat. But hopefully it’s a good introduction at the least.

Gaziano & Girling Main Range

££££ (£1,300) / S Tier

G&G are the current darling of the English shoe industry. A relatively young, forward looking and energetic brand who make strikingly styled shoes and boots. Undeniably expensive, but the drama and theatre of their designs makes them my favourite maker. Their leather quality is impeccable and their finishing is generally pretty unimpeachable.

Foster & Son New RTW

££££ (£1,650) / S Tier

As one of the most venerable bespoke makers, Foster & Son traditionally outsourced a lot of their RTW offerings to brands like Crockett & Jones. They now produce RTW in their own factory, and some of the new designs are of a strikingly high quality (and with prices moving into the £1,600 region you’d hope so!). I spent some time handling them in their shop (back when going to shops and handling things used to be a thing) and would put them above G&G in terms of finishing, if a bit more conservative in styling.

John Lobb Prestige Range

££££ (£1,500) / S Tier

Similar in quality to Edward Green’s Top Drawer, the designs in JL’s Prestige Line have finer finishing and smaller, limited-edition design compared to their main range. I’ve compared the finishing quite closely between the two as I was considering some as wedding shoes, and would say the extra cash is worth it if you can afford it, if only because the main range designs can be a tad monotonous compared to more flamboyant makers like G&G.

Anthony Cleverley

££££ (£1,300) / S Tier

George Cleverley is a legendary bespoke maker, and their Anthony Cleverley line is made to very high standards with a surprisingly broad range of designs. Quite aggressively styled to reflect the aesthetics of the bespoke models from GC proper, with a very slim fit and profile, these are really top tier. Not to be confused with the more readily available George Cleverley RTW options, which are I think made by Crockett & Jones for GC.

Edward Green Main Range

££££ (£1000 - £1,300) / S Tier

Not a maker that needs a lot of introduction, with iconic models like the Galway boot or the Dover split-toe derby. I personally find their pricing just a bit uncomfortably high for what you get, but can’t fault the quality of their output. While I love the drama of Gaziano & Girling, many would probably find EG to be a more practical day-to-day maker. They also have a number of models in the sub-£1000 price range, though the aforementioned iconic designs lean towards £1,300-ish pricing. EG also have a Top Drawer MTO range, with finer waist treatment, finishing, materials and customisation options, although it's not readily available online.

John Lobb Main Range

££££ (£1,000) / A Tier

Another very well-established maker - the RTW options are from the Hermes-owned brand, distinct from the bespoke makers at John Lobb St. James. You can expect a supremely well-made pair of shoes, although JL’s designs and choices of leather are a bit sterile and boring sometimes. Scrolling through their current collection lacks *oomph* compared to Edward Green or even the much cheaper Crockett & Jones.

Alfred Sargent Handgrade / Exclusive

£££ (£400 - £600) / A Tier

Alfred Sargent are an underrated maker - it’s unsurprising as they keep a pretty low profile online. They’re actually quite hard to buy at this point, particularly the higher-end ranges here which I think now can only be ordered straight from the brand. Tiers are a bit tricky for this one - Handgrade probably belongs in A tier, and the Exclusive collection is potentially B tier, but both punch well above their weight in terms of quality and styling, and should be picked up quickly if you see them for a good price on eBay.

(Video) The Best Shoe Brands (part 1)

Crockett & Jones Handgrade

£££ (£600) / A Tier

The Handgrade collection sports better finishing, sharper and more asymmetric last shapes, and a higher grade of leathers. The price increase from the main range is noticeable, and many would find the increase in quality marginal, so I'm torn on recommending them over the main range.

Gaziano & Girling Classic Range

£££ (£600) / A Tier

A newer range from Gaziano & Girling - pricing is about equivalent to Crockett & Jones Handgrade. The styling is noticeably less sharp than G&G's main collection designs and the construction is relatively cruder (though still really impressive), but they have a solid collection of models that would fit in an everyday dress shoe rotation. Is it worth losing the quality from the main range just to get the G&G name and lose half the price? I’m on the fence.

George Cleverley RTW

£££ (£600) / A Tier

A distinct collection from Anthony Cleverley, George Cleverley RTW is priced just into this tier at about £525. The prevailing opinion is that they are made by Crockett & Jones and Alfred Sargent for GC.

Tricker’s

££ (£465) / B Tier

Tricker’s are best known for their boots but they have a respectable selection of dressy shoes too. Robust and long-lasting - provided the chunkiness of the aesthetic works for you - a pair of Tricker's, properly cared for, really will last a lifetime. Readily available at reduced prices in regular sales and from Tricker’s own outlet website.

Crockett & Jones Main Range

££ (£450) / B Tier

If money was no object I’d have only Gaziano & Girling shoes, but as it is I think Crockett & Jones offer the best value of any British maker. They have an extremely wide range of styles and continue to innovate seasonally, and their Shell Cordovan is second to none in the British market. They are my go-to recommendation for anybody looking to buy their first decent pair of shoes (though I think I've probably owned about 30 pairs by this point). They also have, by a wide margin, the friendliest and most helpful store experience of any of the big Jermyn Street stores. Compare and contrast with some of the higher-end stores which sometimes give the impression they'd rather not have you cluttering the shop up.

Alfred Sargent Main Range

££ (£300) / B Tier

Solid but not spectacular, Alfred Sargent’s main range options are a good choice. Like the higher grade ranges, they appear to have been withdrawing from a number of more prominent online retailers - maybe they are looking to consolidate sales through their own site in the future?

Cheaney

££ (£300 - £400) / B Tier

A robust and strong maker that continues to fly under the radar compared to brands like Crockett & Jones or Tricker’s. Unfortunately a lot of their designs can stray into quite gimmicky territory - as a brand they seem to lack a core identity or sense of direction.

Church’s

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££ (£500) / B Tier

Church’s long and storied history is largely, and I think fairly, overshadowed by the perceived decline in quality since their purchase by Prada and shift towards designs defined by sequins, spikes and horrible bookbinder leather. They still make an excellent and classic shoe in models like the Consul, but brand name aside they don’t really hold a candle to Crockett & Jones these days. They do have a strong international presence, and continue to sell very well on eBay though.

*Edit - from the comments, there is a lot of contention around the decline in Church's. The core Custom Grade range is still relatively well respected, but many of the more quirky looking design directions are aimed at overseas youth market trends. Up to you where you think the brand stands overall balancing that all out.*

Wildsmith

££ (£500) / B Tier

Not a widely known name, but one with a lot of interesting history. The brand was formed in 1847, though the company in its current form is owned by Herring Shoes, with shoes made by Sargent, Cheaney and Barker. They don't have a wide collection - I remember they had a relatively large relaunch a few years ago, but the range seems to have shrunk since. Only a handful of models are now available to order through Herring directly, so in spite of some slick-looking models I fear the brand isn't that long for this world.

Tim Little

££ (£410) / B Tier

I forgot to include these in the initial list, which is surprising as I have a pair of Tim Little shoes hidden at the back of my wardrobe. They are a small brand with only one shop, but the owner is also the owner and Creative Director of Grenson, so they clearly have some manufacturing weight behind them. The Goodyear welted options are made in the UK. The pair I have are well made, although the last is a bit banana-shaped and elongated in the toe for my tastes. May be worth picking up on eBay or at a discount.

Grenson

££ (£300 - £400) / B Tier

Grenson aren’t without their charms - the Triple Welt boots have a real chunky appeal. Like Cheaney, I think they tend to cast their net a bit wide in terms of wild new designs without maintaining a core stylistic focus like a brand like Crockett & Jones manage to. In a rapidly more crowded pricepoint, makers like Grenson, Cheaney, Barker and Loake are facing real challenges in staking a claim.

Loake 1880 Export Grade / 1880 Legacy / 1880

££ (£250 - £400) / B Tier

As suggested from comments, I've split Loake's higher-grade collections out. The 1880 Export Grade have some particularly impressive models, though a pretty limited range of designs.

Sanders

££ (£200 - £350) / B Tier

Very similar models and aesthetic to Tricker’s, but somewhat cheaper - at a glance you’d be forgiven for confusing their Acorn calf Aintree boots with Tricker’s Stow boots. No real standout designs, but as a pair of reliable boots you could do a lot worse.

Herring Shoes Premier

££ (£350 - £450) / B Tier

As well as being one of the best UK sites for buying a number of brands on this list, Herring have their own label with unique designs. Some of the Premier models are a tad overdesigned with a lot of mixed materials and bold colours, but Herring's regular sales offer a good chance to get some of the classier models for a good price.

*Edit - I may have been thinking of past collections more with this - the current collection is pretty understated.*

(Video) Best Men's Dress Shoe Brands Under $300 Reviewed

Jeffery West

££ (£250 - £400) / C Tier

Largely defined by gaudy colours, pointy (or square toes) and an overall eye-sore, wrong-side-of-dandy look. To say I am not a fan would be a delicate understatement - I would say Jeffery West have the distinction of making the ugliest shoes on this list.

*Good insight from the comments: "Whilst Jeffrey West are a bit out there and some of their designs miss the mark a tad, I do think it's nice to see something a bit different to the usual kinda dull offerings I think English shoemakers put out." Fair point and I agree to an extent, so do take my own views with a pinch of salt!*

Barker

££ (£250) / C Tier

Barker are not in an enviable position - they are a relatively well-known brand but lean more into eye-catching, gaudy models each season without much connection to a central aesthetic. Some of their higher-end models are okay, but they really dive deep into the low-end too which mars things a bit, and are competing with a lot of other makers for their slice of the pie.

Herring Shoes Classic

£ (£120 - £250) / C Tier

Herring has some really cheap and cheerful models at the lower end. Even so, a lot of the designs are pretty classic and versatile, and alongside Herring’s excellent service these are actually a really solid bet in the sub-£200 price range.

Loake Shoemakers / L1

£ (£150) / C Tier

Loake offer a pretty bewildering array of ranges and quality levels - at best the 1880 Export Grade could comfortably slip into tier B, and at worst their L1 or Loake Lifestyle ranges (which I believe are made in India, although Loake's site very much fails to make this clear) would fall to the bottom of Tier C. Most of their output these days falls into this lower standard of quality, although they are probably the most readily available maker on this list in terms of third-party sellers. A good option for those who need a sensible pair of shoes but don't want to splash out C&J money.

NPS / Solovair

£ (£170) / C Tier

NPS have the “British work-boot” aesthetic nailed down - not astounding quality, but a far better alternative if you’re thinking of buying a pair of Doc Marten’s. NPS did produce Doc Marten's under license in the 50s, but by the 80s the company was nearly dead in the water until it was saved in the mid-2000's. Speaking of DMs...

Doc Marten’s

£ (£180) / D Tier

It's remarkable that this brand is so far down the list, as it probably had more cultural impact than any other maker here. In the 60s and 70s Doc Marten's became a bona-fide cultural icon - a uniform of the anti-establishment. The company fell to near bankruptcy in the 2000s, but appear to have bounced back since. Although they do still have a selection of boots made in England in the original factory, much of their output are cemented models that will fall to bits pretty rapidly.

Clark’s

£ (£100) / D Tier

I know, I know - "Thou Shalt Not Disparage the Desert Boot", but Clarks sticks in my head as the place my mum took me to buy shoes for school. They seem to have given up the push from a few years ago into competing with higher quality GYW boots, and what we are left with is, in terms of material and construction, the lowest position on this list.

(Video) What Men's Dress Shoe Brands Are Worth Their Money - What Shoes You Should Buy - Gentleman's Gazette

Anyhow, that's pretty much it. Please comment with any I've forgotten, and feel free to chastise me if you think I've viciously misrepresented your favourite maker.

FAQs

What is the most popular shoe brand in the UK? ›

1. Adidas. Adidas facts show that it's the most popular sports shoes and trainers brand in the United Kingdom.

Who are the best English shoemakers? ›

Best English Shoemakers & Their History: Top 10 Made In England Shoe Brands
  • Joseph Cheaney & Sons.
  • Foster & Son.
  • Trickers.
  • John Lobb.
  • The Last Shoemaker.
  • Grenson.
  • Barker Shoes.
  • Loake.
4 days ago

What are the best shoes in the UK? ›

The Best British Shoe Brands To Know Now
  • Edward Green. Northampton shoemaker Edward Green has been in business since 1890, cutting fine leathers by hand and using traditional methods to render its robust footwear. ...
  • Church's. ...
  • Freya Rose. ...
  • Camilla Elphick. ...
  • Crockett & Jones. ...
  • Dr. ...
  • Fairfax & Favor. ...
  • Joseph Cheaney & Sons.
6 Oct 2022

Who are the UK's biggest shoe manufacturer? ›

agency following a pitch. The business was established in 1959 and is based in Lancashire.

Are there any British shoe manufacturers? ›

John Lobb has been making the finest UK-made shoes and boots since 1866 in London. Its rich heritage is reinforced by timeless qualities of craftsmanship, service and style – attributes that are now available to a wider international John Lobb audience.

What is a British sneaker? ›

Trainers: The UK equivalent of sneakers.

Who makes high quality shoes? ›

Top International Shoe Manufacturers and Companies
CompanyNo. of Employees
1.Adidas AG56,888
2.Kering36,000
3.Asics8,223
4.Burberry Group plc10,000
8 more rows

What's the oldest shoe brand? ›

The Frye Company is an American manufacturer of shoes, boots and leather accessories. Founded in 1863, it claims to be the oldest continuously operated American shoe company.

Where are the best shoes in the world made? ›

1. Carmina, Spain
  • Carmina, Spain. In operation since 1866, Carmina has only grown in reputation, maintaining an impeccable quality of work despite expanding across the globe. ...
  • John Lobb, England. ...
  • Edward Green, England. ...
  • George Cleverley, England. ...
  • Hiro Yanagimachi, Japan. ...
  • Santoni, Italy. ...
  • Antonio Meccariello, Italy.

Why are Grenson shoes so expensive? ›

All Grenson shoes are 'Goodyear welted' which is a process that is very time consuming but makes the shoes last longer than any other on the market. The fact that the shoe can be re-soled time and time again makes Grenson shoes a timeless investment piece.

Is Reebok a British brand? ›

Reebok International Limited (/ˈriːbɒk/) is an American fitness footwear and clothing manufacturer that is a part of Authentic Brands Group. It was established in England in 1958 as a companion company to J.W.

Where are British shoes made? ›

Britain still has a whole host of shoemakers and manufacturers and British made shoes are still some of the worlds best, with Northampton still at the heart of the British shoemaking industry. A good pair of shoes can last you a long time.

Are any boots made in UK? ›

100% made in Northampton

Founded in 1829, Tricker's is proudly the oldest established shoemaker in Britain. Still owned by the founding family, our commitment to making shoes and boots of outstanding quality remains wholeheartedly consistent.

Are Hotter shoes British? ›

There's more to us that you think, and it's our people who drive our business forward. Hotter colleagues make shoes in our UK factory and ship them across the globe from our distribution centre.

How many shoe manufacturers are there in the UK? ›

This statistic shows the number of enterprises for the manufacture of footwear in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2008 to 2020. In 2008, there were 204 footwear manufacturers in the UK, declining to 170 by 2020.
...
CharacteristicNumber of enterprises
--
12 more rows
6 Jul 2022

What do UK Call shoes? ›

Now get back under the bridge… Shoes is English for shoes. There are a few differences compared to American English. Like sports shoes for running, walking and general exercise are often called Trainers in the UK while in the USA they are called Sneakers.

What do Brits call jeans? ›

Trousers

What are trainers called in UK? ›

As the application of the rubber-soled shoe became more diverse many more types of athletic style shoes were created and all were referred to as sneakers. In the UK Brits call tennis shoes “trainers” and in the US we mostly use the term “sneaker” but we're all talking about the same thing!

What is a popular shoe brand? ›

  • Nike. Suffice to say Nike didn't become the biggest, baddest name in the sneaker business by making an inferior product. ...
  • Adidas. ...
  • Converse. ...
  • Reebok. ...
  • New Balance. ...
  • Vans. ...
  • Puma. ...
  • Jordan Brand.
19 May 2022

Is Reebok a British brand? ›

Reebok International Limited (/ˈriːbɒk/) is an American fitness footwear and clothing manufacturer that is a part of Authentic Brands Group. It was established in England in 1958 as a companion company to J.W.

What running shoes are made in the UK? ›

Norman Walsh Trainers and Running shoes are the last remaining British trainer manufacturer. They have been hand crafting British made trainers in Bolton, England since 1961. Norman started out his career working for W Foster, who was the grandfather of the Jeff and Foster, founders of Reebok so he had a good start.

Who makes high quality shoes? ›

Top International Shoe Manufacturers and Companies
CompanyNo. of Employees
1.Adidas AG56,888
2.Kering36,000
3.Asics8,223
4.Burberry Group plc10,000
8 more rows

Who makes shoes hotter? ›

Hotter Shoes parent company Electra Private Equity has confirmed plans to expand the brand beyond footwear and enter the clothing market, as well as rename the company to Unbound Group. Electra confirmed its intention to be renamed as Unbound Group PLC on the company's admission to AIM on 31 January 2022.

Who is the No 1 brand in shoes? ›

01 – Nike. Nike (the top shoe brand in India) is an American multinational corporation that designs, develops, manufactures, and sells footwear, clothes, equipment, accessories, and services around the world.

What is the oldest shoe brand? ›

The Frye Company is an American manufacturer of shoes, boots and leather accessories. Founded in 1863, it claims to be the oldest continuously operated American shoe company.

Whats the most sold shoe in the world? ›

1.NIKE AIR JORDAN

The first Air Jordan was produced for Michael Jordan during his time with the Chicago Bulls in 1984 and designed by Peter B. Moore. Along with iconic release of colourways including Air Jordan 1 Royal. Moreover, Air Jordan Metallic, Air Jordan Black Toe and more.

What was Nike originally called? ›

Nike, Inc., formerly (1964–78) Blue Ribbon Sports, American sportswear company headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon. It was founded in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports by Bill Bowerman, a track-and-field coach at the University of Oregon, and his former student Phil Knight.

What does Adidas stand for? ›

The name Adidas (written “adidas” by the company) is an abbreviation of the name of founder Adolf (“Adi”) Dassler. The Dassler family began manufacturing shoes after World War I. At the 1936 Berlin Olympics, the American track-and-field star Jesse Owens wore shoes that were reportedly a gift from Adi Dassler.

Is Shaq owner of Reebok? ›

Shaq invested in various companies which turned out to be gold. To date, his biggest investment has to be The Authentic Brands Group. The company bought Reebok, Barneys New York, Forever 21, and a host of other brands and retailers. The Lakers legend is the second largest individual stakeholder of this company.

Is New Balance a British brand? ›

Riley was a British immigrant, and New Balance still retains British roots in some of their branding today. He established the company in Boston, Massachusetts, where the headquarters remains today in the Brighton neighborhood.

Are New Balance shoes British? ›

From Flimby

Since 1982, the technological innovation and meticulous craftsmanship synonymous with New Balance has been expressed at the highest levels by three simple words: 'made in England.

How many shoe manufacturers are there in the UK? ›

This statistic shows the number of enterprises for the manufacture of footwear in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2008 to 2020. In 2008, there were 204 footwear manufacturers in the UK, declining to 170 by 2020.
...
CharacteristicNumber of enterprises
--
12 more rows
6 Jul 2022

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