Caroline Moore

What kind of sole man will you be this summer?

May 19, 2021

Men’s loafers with leather and rubber soles

What you choose for your soles of your shoes or boots probably depends on the occasion and the time of year. Herring sells shoes that have the same upper style, but a choice of sole to suit you. Our range is also so vast that our multiple styles of the same kind of shoe bear a choice of soles; our loafers are a good example of this. Before you make your choice, you may want to read up on your sole options.

Leather soles
Let’s look at leather first as it was the original sole. Leather soles ooze quality and tend to be the choice for more formal occasions.

Take the Herring Churchill II Oxfords as an example. The sole is made from a high-quality hide and have a strong tannage for extra durability. You can see the stitching on the underside of the sole and this looks super smart. The soles are individually trimmed on the last before being hand stained and wax polished. The heel has a rubber tip to prevent slipping, but they still make a satisfying clippy-cloppy noise as you walk down the street.

The downside of leather is their lack of resistance in inclement weather. Snow, slush and puddles are not a leather sole’s friend, but come the summer (it is coming), leather is light-weight and good to go. Perfect time to add some flourish to your feet with some spectators. Our Henley two-tone brogues are due in any day!

Rubber soles
For more resilience and a bit of bounce, especially if you are on your feet all day or have a long walk from the station to the office, rubber is the way to go. You do not have to sacrifice your smart appearance by choosing rubber. As mentioned earlier, we make and sell Oxfords with both leather and rubber soles, so you can choose the one that suits you. Our Knightsbridge Oxfords come in both soles with the rubber being a more inconspicuous flexible and lightweight variety.

Our Knightsbridge style comes in leather and rubber soles

Leather shoes also give you a bit of swivel on the dancefloor, so worth remembering for long-awaited weddings and other celebrations this summer. For something a little different, i.e. not a black Oxford, give the Longdon two-tone semi-brogues a whirl or the wholecut Christie II Oxfords to really make a statement.

Rubber soles also smack of life in the country where a tougher ride is needed. For this purpose, there are different types of rubber soles to choose from. A Dainite sole is low profile has shallow dimples or recessed rubber studs for grip. While Commando soles are chunky and identifiable by their deep cleats. These soles are rugged and ready for action.

Soles for summer
Let’s come back to the original question that gave me the title for this blog. As we look towards June, we should be looking at our options for summer shoes. Did someone say loafers? Our loafers offer you both sole options too.

As mentioned before, the warmer months are perfect for leather underfoot. The Barcelona II is our leather-soled best-seller, closely followed by the Ibstock, Ingleby, Dillon, Riverford and Lecce. You have plenty of choice of colours, styles and tassels or no tassels!

For a more rugged and resilient option, the Exeter is a great option and the Edmonton too. For a chunky look and feel, go for the Kramer Mod loafers.

With our sole guide above, hopefully you will be well informed when you make your choice.

Herring Shoes

Review: Driving moccasins for women

May 14, 2021

Back in January, I announced that Herring was launching its own range of women’s shoes and that I would get back to you when there were more styles to consider for your choice of footwear. Well, today, I am bringing you the suede driving moccasin….

Herring has been making these for years for men. They are handmade in one of the most respected factories in Portugal. To add some extra luxury, the Louisa features the Herring shield motif on the heel and there is an extra padded insole. If you are new to Herring, then this is a great place to start as these moccasins represent exceptional craftsmanship and superb value.

But when do you wear them? As the name suggests, you should wear them when you are driving. This is not such a daft notion. How many pairs of shoes have you ruined with scuff marks down the heel and on the back of the upper? I know I have. These are easy to slip on and off when you are in the car. The pimpled tread gives you more grip on the pedals and continues up the back of the shoe to cushion where your heel rests on the mat in the footwell.

That said, I’m not driving much these days, but am sure I will get back to it once all social distancing restrictions have been lifted and life gets back to normal. I am, however, working from home. To me, these moccasins are the perfect WFH shoe. Soft enough to feel like a slipper but smart enough to know I could waggle my feet in the air – if required – at a video meeting. Please erase that image from your mind immediately!

These moccasins really are a beautiful shoe. They feel very grown up; a stage of life I should probably be embracing. The stitching is so exact and neat…and then there are the colours. The Louisa comes in the classic chocolate, Cognac and sand shades of brown, but my eyes lit up at the ice pink and turquoise. This way I can blend my new-found shoe maturity with my enthusiasm for colour. Burgundy and navy are also available.

Where I think these shoes will serve me well is when I make the multiple visits to the garden to meet the needs of the new puppy – Derek – we have recently welcomed to our home. These shoes are too gorgeous to even consider taking them out in inclement conditions, but I think they will be ideal to quickly pull on for a swift nip in and out on a sunny day. The UK summer cannot be too far away, can it?

In terms of fit, I am a size four with very narrow and shallow feet. (It’s a privilege and a curse!) The size fours (European size 37) fitted me well, as the Louisa is made on a narrow last to allow our feet to stretch the suede without the shoe then slipping from our heels. As expected, they felt a little tight at first, but the leather soon began to ease. I think they could become the most comfortable shoes I have every worn!

Just you watch, I will be wearing them everywhere as they are essentially lovely loafers, as worn by our gorgeous model above. Wherever I do wear them though, I will be keeping them well out of Derek’s reach! Wish me luck.

Herring Shoes

Sneakers v trainers – what’s the difference?

May 12, 2021

Both these shoe styles are rubber soled and give you a bit of bounce, but to me, they are very different…or so I thought! This article has evolved as I have written it. Just as I think I have hit on the perfect definition; a curve ball knocks me off course. See what you think.

What I do know, is that historically, sneakers were the originals. They were first made in the US in the late 1800s by Keds and were designed to be shoes worn in stealthy moments…essentially, you could walk quietly in them! On the other side of the pond, the Brits were referring to these as plimsolls. Both had a rubber sole and an upper made of canvass. They were worn for outdoor activities and sports.

In the early 20th century, they were in huge demand with 1917 seeing the launch of Converse All-Stars. These sneakers featured on the feet of the US basketball team in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin while four-times gold medal winner, Jesse Owens, wore a track shoe designed by Adolf Dassler, who went on to establish Adidas.

Here is where I think sneakers and trainers started to take a difference path or track. After the Second World War, sneakers became casual footwear while the trainer developed into a high-tech shoe designed to enhance your sporting performance.

Where the lines began to blur is when trainers were also worn as casual footwear to suit personal preference or as a fashion statement. Anyone wear Nike Air Jordans or British Knights in the 1980s? These types of shoes have come full circle I think, with modern Nike Air 1s, for instance, now being regarded as sneakers, along with Vans and other similar brands, and are never far away from the feet of most teenagers.

But is the distinction between leisure/fashion or sports use enough?

I think shape also comes into play. Sneakers usually have a rounded toe and flatter sole. The sole on sneakers is a cup-sole. It has a solid base piece and cushioning on top. Trainer soles pitch up at the front, have a heel and sport all number of cleat styles while the tech in between the bottom of the sole and the inside of the upper is a category all of its own, recently ramped up by Nike’s addition of a carbon plate to their latest running shoes.

This is the bit where I confuse myself. Leaving the tech aside, I would still consider some styles of leisure shoes to be trainers. The shape of Herring’s Goodwood shouts trainers, but they are leather and are too good to run through puddles! The Voyage style is also a trainer as it has a cleated sole, heel and an up-turned toe.

On the sneakers front, I would confidently offer up the Strike II, the Sebastian or the Harvard. While the Tokyo messes with my mind a little. I would put the black and printed linen in the sneaker pile and the grey and lime ones in the trainer pot!

Meanwhile, some manufacturers still call their training shoes ‘sneakers’ and Herring calls all these types of shoes ‘trainers’. There really should be rules for this kind of thing!

But there are no rules. There is no need for categories, just good shoes and a wealth of styles that means smart leisure shoes are now accepted in more formal settings. Check out the Floyds, the Goodwoods and the Silverstone IIs – these would not look out of place in the boardroom!

In summary, I still think sneakers are for leisure and trainers are for sport…unless they look like a trainer. Brilliant! I hope that clears that up.

Herring Shoes

The classic Chelsea boot to ease us out of winter

March 17, 2021

What makes a Chelsea boot so appealing? Is it the history that makes it a classic or does it have so much history because it is so good? Warning: If you think about it too much, your head will start to spin! It’s hardly a chicken and egg scenario, but it makes you wonder if we wear classics because they are classics or just because they continue to be awesome!

The Chelsea boot is both a classic and a really fab boot. With a fine heritage that harks back to the Victorian era when the Queen herself wanted comfortable footwear that was easy to put on and pull off but would still retain a refined shape. Queen Victoria’s own bootmaker, Joseph Sparkes-Hall, is believed to have designed the first Chelsea boot with a close-fitting design, ankle height, elastic side panels, a loop or tab of fabric, plus the vulcanised rubber soles from Charles Goodyear. They were known as J. Sparkes Hall’s Patent Elastic Ankle Boots back then though. Catchy, I know.

A keen horsewoman, other equestrian fans followed in their Queen’s boot-steps with the Chelsea boot becoming a firm favourite in the paddock as she neared the end of her reign. Fast forward 50 years, and the Chelsea boot had galloped into cities, with London’s groovy King’s Road art set quick to adopt the style and give it its name. The Beatles led the charge (could a boot get a better endorsement?) and John, Paul, George and Ringo were quickly followed by the Mods. The Chelsea boot was no longer about comfort, they were about serious fashion.

Chelsea boots are still as relevant today as they have ever been, seen on catwalks and celebrities’ feet, therefore our own, year after year. They are extremely versatile and come in so many different heel heights, materials and colours, there really is a Chelsea boot or two for everyone.

They are also ideal footwear to transition from winter into spring. Not too chunky, they are still a substantial footwear that helps to keep any nips in the air at bay.

Top of our list for spring is the Purcell II. This has a sleek shape that the Beatles would have approved of and comes in black or brown calf or tobacco suede.

For me, suede equals spring…and I am ready for it! The Coburn-R shouts spring with its tan waxy colourway, pale contrast stitching and pale rubber sole ensure puddles do not pose an issue.

Back to leather, and the Coltham II is an evolution of the classic waxy leather boot that we have sold as a bestseller for several years. The waxy upper offers water resistance while the Goodyear-welted leather sole allows your foot to breathe when the weather is warm.

Lastly for men, what about the Comfort Craftsman from RM Williams? These are made from a single piece of leather on a non-slip rubber sole and has a comfort insole making it feel as good as it looks.

But what could we offer Queen Victoria? Well. Many of our men’s styles start at size 6, but we also have our own, new Tamara Chelsea boots which have a slight heel and come in plum and navy suede, plus walnut and black calf. Finally, we can offer Red Wing’s Chelsea in pecan and black.

What we are particularly proud of is that all these boots can be repaired, so should last you for years…which is not only sustainable but very handy as Chelsea boots do not seem to be going anywhere! (They are a classic after all…or are they just awesome?)

Herring Shoes

The art of a wholecut

February 26, 2021

In the footwear industry, the wholecut shoe is regarded as a work of art. They are made from a one piece of leather. Not just any piece of leather, a perfect piece of leather.

As the title suggests, these shoes are not constructed from multiple pieces cut out of a single piece of leather; rather, the whole, single piece is skilfully moulded onto a last to the create the shape. Think of icing on a cake and how flawless this needs be and you will understand why these are the apex of shoe making!

The beauty is in their simplicity. There are no decoration or perforations. The decoration is the shoe! This simple class makes them a super-smart dress shoe.

Herring’s latest iteration of the wholecut is the Christie II. It has evolved from our original wholecut, with a sleeker, more modern shape, but it has still maintained its namesake moniker.

The Christie II is named after the author Agatha Christie, whose former Greenway home is not too far away from our Devon headquarters. Her crime novels were full of characters who would have relished the thought of wearing a wholecut at a cocktail party or maybe a weekend away at the country seat!

Part of our Classic Elite collection, the Christie II also benefits from another highly skilled feature in its closed-channel sole stitch. This gives a more refined appearance to the leather sole and makes it almost indistinguishable from a far more expensive shoe.

The Christie II comes in three colours: black, dark brown and burgundy. It is an understated shoe yet, being a work of art, they are certainly eye-catching.

Herring Shoes

Finally…the ladies get a look in!

January 8, 2021

I have been working for Herring Shoes for two years now and I have written numerous blogs about shoes; let us be more specific…men’s shoes! I am happy that the chaps get the quality footwear they no doubt deserve, but hey, I feel my fellow sisterhood and I deserve a look in too.

Rant over and breathe! Well, I reckon they have been listening as Herring are now stocking their own line of women’s shoes and have also recently take on Red Wing too. From nothing to choice – what is going on?

So, I thought I would have a peek at some of the styles that are on offer.

I am going to start with my Herring faves: the Monica Derby shoes. The thick sole reminds me of the black Doc Marten’s shoes I wore in sixth form, but with sixth form a distant memory, I am finding I prefer the brown. I can see these working with some thick socks and a long skirt or chinos. They are proper preppy and are comfortable to boot. Winning!

Still a little bit sixth form but totally rocking are Red Wing’s classic moc rubber-soled boots to give me height, comfort and a little bit of edginess that I still crave. I would go black with skinny jeans to max out my punk potential while the tan oro colour is equally jean appropriate with a checked shirt methinks. I really like these!

I do appreciate that not everyone is hankering for their youth and is willing to accept their classy is sometime best. Herring has always had this nailed with super smart styles that are also good for your feet.

Having looked longing at the men’s Thatcher brogue Chelsea boots for the past two years, Herring has produced the Giovanna style. Made on an elegant last shape, it also has a sleek silhouette and a slight heel to give you a 20mm lift. The Giovanna comes in navy or burgundy leather or a black suede. I love navy and wish there were more navy boots and shoes around, so hurrah to Herring for this beauty.

The Miranda loafer offers a blue/black colour option. Like the Monica, it has a contemporary chunky rubber sole teamed with a debonair tassel and fringe. The round toe just adds to the comfort factor. Herring has also produced the Giulietta, which has a brogue detailing for a more country-set look and feel.

For a more classic look, try the Sophia loafers. Our model Lily has teamed them with leather trousers and a black polo-neck…and she looks gorgeous! What is almost as gorgeous is the leather these shoes are made from. It is so supple it feels more like glove leather. The sacchetto construction also allows the shoe to flex more than you would expect. This is a very complex process – it is like creating a bag inside the shoe – that only the best footwear makers can achieve. The sole is half-leather and half-rubber to give breathability and lightness, combined with the durability and water resistance of rubber and is blake-stitched to the upper. A true classic staple for any woman’s wardrobe.

Lastly, I am heading back to the Red Wing range for their no-nonsense Chelsea boot. Available in black and pecan leather, they both feature the tan welt layer where the stitching is displayed. In my mind, it’s a nice feature and being welted, these shoes can be repaired too to extend their lifetime.

This was a whistle-stop tour of our latest women’s style. No doubt there will be more to come, and I will be the first to tell you about them! 😊.

Herring Shoes

Fur-lined boots for non-frosty feet

January 7, 2021

Jack Frost has been out and about this week with some parts of the country also seeing snow of late. But does that mean you have to throw your sense of style to the icy wind and dig out your moon boots à la the 1980s?

As ever, we never disrespect anyone’s fashion choice, but as one outing a day for physical exercise has again become a reality in the UK, it would be cheering to be able to step out in style without the discomfort of cold or painful toes. I am talking about fur-lined boots. Yes, you heard me right and don’t disregard them until you have tried them! You know the satisfaction of putting your feet into a pair of slippers and just going: “Ahhhhhhh”? Well, you can get them same feels from a pair of stylish boots.

If I am honest, fur-lined boots have always conjured up images of pensioners going to the shops with tartan trollies. Old folk are no fools (as we all know). They have been gadding about in cosy fur while we have been suffering for the sake of fashion.

Until now.

Herring has blended superior senior citizen nous with style to create a range of fur-lined boots and slippers (of course).

The very latest model is the Peebles two-tone rubber soled boot. I mean, just look at these bad boys. They are lush with a capital L! As the product description states, they are utilitarian yet luxurious with a blend of suede and leather, eyelets and lace hooks, and a Goodyear welted Vibram sole to boot.

I’d love these myself but my diminutive size four feet would not. But if you are a woman who wears size 6 or above, smaller sizes are on their way. I admit to being a tad jealous, as the Peebles comes in three great colours: khaki, burgundy and fox. They carry a price-tag of £450 but these boots are also welted so they can be repaired again and again to protect your worthwhile investment.

For a smarter look and a hark back to the days of Peaky Blinders, try the Tregony with its sheepskin lining. This means they are basically slippers that you can wear outside! They have a lightweight Dainite sole and a capped toe to complete their winter attributes. Again, these start at size six and come in black calf and brown grain.

My last choice is Loake’s Wolf rubber soled brogue boots. This style comes in black and tan…they are classic yet edgy. They ooze Britishness, are robust enough for a crisp morning walk, smart enough to be worn as work footwear and cool enough for the Zoom quiz on Saturday night.

Don’t let your feet get cold this winter. Embrace the fur-lined boot to feel more than just a tad snug and smug. #winning

Herring Shoes

Meet the team: Chris Clark

November 24, 2020

In the first of our Meet the Team series, we will check in with our customer service and social media manager. As people who work with shoes and our products on a daily basis, they have excellent knowledge of the industry and the latest trends.

Name: Chris Clark

Job title: Customer service/social media leader

How long have you worked at Herring Shoes? 10 years

Favourite style of shoe and why? Brogue… ideally in boot form. They go with anything and are generally appreciated by everyone even if they have little shoe knowledge. Everyone knows what a brogue is and that it stands for quality and style.

What is your shoe philosophy? You can turn a simple outfit consisting of a pair of jeans and t-shirt into something that looks thoughtfully put together if you add a decent pair of shoes. It’s a good way to express yourself.

What has been the biggest change in the shoe industry that you have seen since you have worked for Herring Shoes? More experimental styles are being made and, more importantly, they are being brought by customers. I would also say the demand for higher quality is at its peak, customers are happy to pay a premium if the quality is there.

Who would you like to see wearing Herring Shoes and why? Prince Harry. Likeable guy and a bit edgy too. Who doesn’t like him?

Top shoe care tip: Don’t put your shoes away dirty, especially if you are not planning to wear them again for a while. It will be a nightmare trying to clean them if the dirt impregnates the leather. If they get wet, ensure shoe trees are inserted and they have at least one day’s rest.

If you had to choose one pair of Herring Shoes to wear for the rest of your life, what would they be? My Coniston boots. Thick leather, thick Dainite soles and they feel sturdy, not to mention they look great with anything. The dark burgundy is very versatile. If the zombie apocalypse broke out, they would be the boots to see me through it!

Herring Shoes

Autumn means accessories

October 12, 2020

I dread the end of summer, but the foreboding is tempered by my love of autumn. The smell of the air, the turning colours of the trees, the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot, the cold sunny mornings (when it’s not raining) and digging out beanies to keep my ears warm. It’s definitely the season for accessories to keep the chill and the wet weather out…and to lift your spirits if you shudder at the thought of the clocks being turned back.

As you would expect, Herring has some rather splendid accessories on offer. There is something in there for the ladies too. Consider these to help you face the colder weather with a smile.

Malin Seaweed beanie and Herringbone graduation scarf

Beanies
My family has a whole host of these in our hat box! We switch and swap them depending on our outfit choice. They are critical for a blustery walk, watching a rugby training session, a bike ride…or just a bad hair day. The Herring Malin beanies are handmade from genuine Donegal yarn. They are super-warm and Herring has them in seven colours, but all have flecks of other colours in them too. Personally, I love the teal.

Caps
As you would expect, Herring only do these in tweed! We have both baseball cap style and English flat caps. You can turn these around if you want to and wear them backwards if think you are hip enough…or just use them to keep the sun out of your eyes and to keep your head warm! Crazy notion, I know!

Scarves
Scarves are unisex, so you really can buy a scarf for your other half here as proven by lovely Angel in the photo below. She looks gorgeous in our dark camel cashmere scarf. This style comes in red and black as well and is as soft and lightweight as you would expect from cashmere.

Angel sporting the stunning Cashmere scarf

In addition, we have a whole host of wool scarves with our best-selling Rupert scarves leading the way. These are double-sided with tweed on one side and lambswool on the other in complementary colours. The charcoal grey and navy version gets my vote.

Tartan and check scarves can satisfyingly lift an outfit. I love the pink and purple detail in the Prince of Wales check scarf. Again, it is lovely, soft touch fabric that is lightweight and warm. Meanwhile, the herringbone graduation scarf is also double-sided and has a debonair feel to it – college-y (made up word) yet edgy.

Umbrellas
Darn it, but it does rain in autumn turning all that lovely autumn crunchiness into slimy slop! Herring has two classic black brollies to offer you to get you singing in the rain. The Seathwaite has a leather handle and closes down to just 35cm to fit into a bag or briefcase. The Thirlmere has a solid wood handle to mark it out as a quality item. Both canopies are purposely unbranded with just the Herring moniker on the retaining tie.

You see, with all these accessories, autumn does not feel so bad after all. Embrace the season with the practicalities of a warm and dry head and neck all sorted while displaying a serious sense of style.

Herring Shoes

Weighing up comfort

September 30, 2020

We like to keep our staff busy and in recent weeks our warehouse legends have been weighing every size 8 shoe we sell.

We’ve not lost the plot…there is a reason behind our madness! Many people prefer a lighter shoe. For them, lighter equates to extra comfort, so we have been adding the weight of our shoes to our product descriptions. For your information, our lightest shoe is our Grecia slipper at 223g.

But is a lighter shoe more comfortable? In our opinion, it is a personal choice and depends on what occasion the shoe is required for.

Manufacturers of lighter shoes claim the lack of weight on your feet will be soothing to the sole and less arduous when walking or standing. Orthopaedic shoes are often billed as lightweight. Running shoes are also sold on their lightweight make-up with the aim of making their wearer more fleet of foot. Many of these shoes though will be made from breathable fabrics with synthetic soles.

Lighter footwear is also available in leather but what kind of weights are we looking at? Let’s start with the heavyweights.

A combat boot with a Commando sole, for instance, such as the Churchstow, weighs 1.24kg for the pair. That is roughly 2lbs 8ozs in old money. This may seem weighty, but I would suggest people who choose combat boots are looking for some old-school durability, bulk and grunt.

The amount of leather that goes into an upper will make a difference too. Sleek, more minimalist styles will weigh less than a brogue boot where there are several layers of leather and/or fabric. See the Coniston two-tone rubber-soled brogue boots. These are 1.46kg, but again, these are designed to be rugged! Our Burntwood monk boots have a tough biker feel to them and weigh 1.56kg.

One way to reduce the feel of weight in a boot is to opt for a slimmer Dainite rubber sole. However, these soles don’t actually weigh less but they do feel springier…and bring in less mud! Our Langdale II rubber-soled boots look less cumbersome, but they are actually heavier – at 1.44kg – than the Churchstow while our Kirkdale Chelsea boots weigh in at 1.37kg.

Leather soled boots will be lighter but only by a fraction in most cases. We have five Chelsea boot styles within a range of 1kg and 1.10kg, including two leather soled styles and three rubber. Our Ipswich style drops down to 821g.

Unsurprisingly, shoes weigh less than boots and the same factors apply. Bigger soles equal more weight. Brogues and no-nonsense Derbys and Gibsons often look like they should tip the scales due to the extra layers of leather they can incorporate, but again, the difference in weight is usually minimal and sleeker varieties of these styles do exist!

For instance, if we take two of our leather-soled bestsellers: the Mayfair Oxfords and the Carnaby brogues. The Mayfairs weigh 997g and the Carnabys are 1.04kg– just seven grammes in it – 3.5g per foot! Their rubber-soled alternatives are both 1.09kg. However, if it is dancing shoes you are after, our Aston patent Oxfords are our lightest dress shoes at 770g.

It seems the weight difference in shoes is often very minimal, but you may want heavier shoes for more rugged terrain at the weekend and lighter ones for the office. Horses for courses or soles for the soul if you prefer. How a shoe feels also may not correspond with its weight. As mentioned before, the rubber Dainite soles may weigh more than leather soles, but their springiness and flexibility will still give you a feeling of lightness.

In any case, we hope you find the new weight details on our product descriptions helpful but if you want guidance from our footwear experts as to how the different soles feel, then do not hesitate to contact them.