totally get that Martin but personal preference is and always should be personal. My own, is always for Rubber Soles although, I do like to see a leather sole, I just much prefer to wear leather :-)

welcome anytime !

Hello Sir, thank you for your question. Always honest, I have not used RMW Saddle Dressing, so I cannot offer even an opinion on how it works with the Boots. On Pull Up Leathers, which is an 'Oiled Leather', I use Saphir branded 'Cuir Gras' which is a neutral colour dressing for oiled leathers, and it works incredibly well. For any colour enhancement or correction, Saphir Branded Shoe Creams in various colours are fantastic too. Hope this helps. Best regards, Richard.

Kangaroo Leather is supposed to be slightly thinner than regular Yearling Calf, but also very strong. Being slightly thinner and wearing them myself, as well as servicing many pairs, I do find it can get incredibly soft and supple, but so then can Yearling Calf. Especially if treated with quality creams and conditioners. I wouldn't suggest that Kangaroo stretches any more than calf will but regarding the shape, The Craftsman is a very well fitting boot for most people, and they are quite close fitting, so the wearers feet are literally 'filling' the Upper. As individuals we all have difference size, shape and volume feet, so sometimes a wider foot can push the uppers out a little, as mine do but for me at least, it does not affect the incredible fit and comfort :-~)

@@theshoemandoncaster you are a good man. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, you’ve given me the green light to buy a pair. Have you ever seen the heel cap on RMs turn white? I’ve located what seems to be the last pair of (brand new in box) black print kangaroo in the world (in Ireland) in my size - UK12. The retailer sent me a few photos but the rubber heel caps on both have turned white. They are genuine but have been in their warehouse for nearly 2 years. I don’t know?

@@jezmendoza1718 We do ship to Australia yes. I also have plenty of UK 12 in various colours available, but sadly not Black Kangaroo with a Natural Welt. Don;t worry about the Rubber Heel Top Piece turning white or 'Blooming' as we call it. This is almost certainly Wax Residue from the factory finishing that is oxidising on the surface, turning it white. It can be buffed very easily and will return to the original brown colour. Best regards, Richard.

Depending the start colour, and the finish required I use a combination of dark brown and black. Fir a darker finish a little more black but only very little each time :-)

I would rather think they will be 'Water Resistant', and this would be because of the Wax Treatments that the leather has. During regular wear too, an occasional application of wax dressing or 'protector' should be used to help keep the boots water resistant :-)

Thankyou very much Pete !

Hi Mike, ‘Cuir Gras’ oiled leather dressing is what I use in neutral colour, and it is also available in two shades of brown if required :-)

I'm thinking you may have been mis-informed N91.........Some models made by Loake and Barker actually use 'Leather Board' in Heel Stacks and Mid-Soles. Leather Board, is made up from waste leather cuttings that are ground, and mixed with a resin, which is then rolled into sheets, and cut for mid-soles and heel stacks. You are correct though, that the Heel Stack on the Barker model Bailey, is cut from the same leather they use for leather soles. That said.....everything made to a specification for a price, there is a reasonable gap now between the Loake Chester, and the higher priced Barker Bailey. There is a £66 (rrp) difference between the Chester and the Bailey now. Considering the actual finish of the shoes is virtually same or very similar, the difference in justification of price has to be found somewhere, and that is usually in the materials, in quality of the Upper, Lining, Insole, Mid-soles and Heel Stacks.

​​@@markfletcher4984thanks ,appreciate your clarification. Actually, I was wondering what is the insole made of. Yes, there are tiers of quality (reflected on price) with Barkers, just as loake

Yes and lower quality, they’ve been bought by Prada, a fashion house, who seem to be turning them into a fashion brand. You can buy Cleverley, Crockett and Jones or JM Weston much cheaper and they are far superior, they are close to the prices of Edward Green, John Lobb (Paris not bespoke) or Gaziano and Girling which are all at a much, much higher level.

@@paulm2467- fortunately, mine all pre-date the takeover. Some I've had more than twenty years!

@@David_Bondy me too, I've got a pair of their black Oxfords that I bought in the Eighties, they are still beautiful, I only wear them for the most formal engagements but it was probably the best £200 I've ever spent.

Barkers good for wider square feet

Agree

I’m considering Chester’s with leather sole for work in the summer. I have some Rivingtons but the crepe sole is wearing out quick. I’ve got some mahogany brogues (badminton), but I just think tan is a great summer colour.