If you're looking for genuine Goodyear welted construction without stepping into bespoke pricing, Berwick 1707 and Loake 1880 both come up often. Both are proper welted shoes from experienced makers, but they sit at very different price points for a similar level of construction.
Berwick vs Loake 1880: A Quick Overview
- Choose Loake 1880 if English factory provenance and heritage matter most to you
- Choose Berwick 1707 if you want the same Goodyear welted construction at a significantly lower price
In simple terms, Loake 1880 leads on English manufacturing heritage, while Berwick offers comparable construction for meaningfully less money.
Build Quality and Construction
Both use genuine Goodyear welt construction with full leather uppers.
Loake 1880
Made in Loake's own factory in Kettering, Northamptonshire, with each pair taking around eight weeks to complete. Loake has been shoemaking since 1880 and the 1880 collection represents their premium tier, hand-finished detailing and a long manufacturing pedigree (over 50 million welted pairs made historically).
Berwick 1707
Made in Almansa, Spain, with consistent finishing across pairs, clean welts, neat stitching, refined presentation. AFPOS works directly with the Berwick factory, with roughly half the range made exclusively for us.
Verdict: Loake wins on English-made heritage and brand history. Berwick matches it closely on day-to-day construction quality and consistency.
Not sure what Goodyear welting means for fit and longevity? See our sizing, fit and construction guide.
Leather Quality
Loake 1880
Uses premium calf leathers and suedes across the collection, with a firmer, more structured feel typical of English tanneries.
Berwick 1707
Uses European calf and suede that tends to feel softer and more forgiving from the outset, breaking in quickly and developing character with wear.
Verdict: A style preference more than a quality gap, structured English calf vs softer, quicker breaking in European leather.
Pricing
This is where the gap opens up. Loake 1880 typically retails from around £269 up to £345 for boots and Oxfords. Berwick's equivalent range, loafers, dress shoes, Chelsea boots, cap toe boots, runs from £185 to £240.
That's Berwick coming in 30 to 40% below Loake 1880 for a comparable level of Goodyear welted construction, English or Spanish.
Verdict
If English-made provenance is non-negotiable for you, Loake 1880 delivers it with real heritage behind it. But if you want genuine Goodyear welted quality without the English-manufacturing premium, Berwick 1707 is the stronger value proposition, similar construction standards at a notably lower price point.
Ready to try a pair? Browse the full Berwick 1707 collection.