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.
So, is Berwick better than Loake?
Not necessarily. They're different propositions. Loake 1880 gives you English-made shoes backed by more than a century of Northamptonshire shoemaking heritage. Berwick 1707 gives you genuine Goodyear welted construction made in Spain, at a notably lower price, including styles made exclusively for AFPOS. For many buyers, the real question isn't which shoe is objectively "better". It's whether English manufacture is worth the extra cost, or whether you'd rather put that saving toward a pair with exclusive detailing you won't find anywhere else.
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, including styles made exclusively for AFPOS
In simple terms, Loake 1880 leads on English manufacturing heritage, while Berwick offers comparable construction for meaningfully less money, plus a handful of lines you won't find anywhere else in the UK.
Build Quality and Construction
Both brands offer genuine Goodyear welt construction with full leather uppers. This comparison covers their GYW ranges specifically. Berwick also makes Blake Stretch and stitch-down styles, which sit outside this comparison.
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, with 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, and roughly half of the GYW range we stock, including the 321 Cap Toe Boot and 657 Kudu Boot, is made exclusively for AFPOS. These exact styles aren't available at any other UK retailer.
Verdict: Loake wins on English-made heritage and brand history. Berwick matches it closely on day-to-day construction quality and consistency, and its AFPOS-exclusive lines are something no other UK stockist can offer.
Sizing and Fit
Berwick 1707 runs true to standard UK sizing for the average foot. If your foot is slightly narrower than average, we'd suggest going half a size down. If it's slightly wider than average, half a size up from your usual UK size. For a full breakdown of 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. The GYW range is available with both leather and rubber soles depending on the style, giving buyers a choice between classic dress-sole feel and more weatherproof everyday wear. For anyone new to Goodyear welted shoes, this is a real advantage: structured English leather can take weeks of wear to properly soften, while Berwick's leather is comfortable from day one.
Verdict: A style preference for experienced GYW wearers, but for first-time buyers, Berwick's easier break-in makes the transition into welted shoes far more comfortable.
Pricing
This is where the gap opens up. Loake 1880 typically retails from around £259 for suede styles up to £399 for premium finishes, with most core Oxfords and boots sitting between £299 and £349. Berwick's equivalent GYW range, loafers, dress shoes, Chelsea boots, cap toe boots, runs from £185 to £240.
Comparing like-for-like, Berwick comes in roughly 20 to 40% below Loake 1880, depending on the style: closer to the lower end on boots, and the wider end on dress shoes and loafers.
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, and access to styles no other UK retailer stocks, Berwick 1707 is the stronger value proposition.
Berwick 1707 is also the easier entry point if this is your first pair of Goodyear welted shoes. The softer leather breaks in faster and feels comfortable from day one, so you get the durability and resoleability of a proper welted shoe without the lengthy break-in period some English leathers demand.
Ready to try a pair? Browse the full Berwick 1707 collection.
