Barker Shoes

Barker shoes have been an English tradition for over a hundred years. Only the most carefully selected leathers are used and the uppers are shaped on the last by hand.

Many other traditional shoemaking methods are still employed including slow natural drying and polishing. This is why Barker English shoes have a unique quality that no machine can ever match.

Barker have been making shoes in the Northamptonshire village of Earls Barton since 1880.

In a changing world, it's good to know you can still find perfection if you look for it.

Barker Welt

Barkerwelt is a special Barker version of the welted construction. By adjusting the 'lasting' and 'making' process, the sole is cemented and not stitched. This allows for a closer sole edge and a lighter sole giving finer looking, more flexible sole - whilst still retaining the advantages of welted shoes.

Extra flexibility
Fine appearance

Cemented

A construction using specialised adhesives in place of stitched welts to bond the upper parts and soles, thus achieving lightness and flexibility.

Lightweight shoe
Flexible

Moccasin

A moccasin construction produces a very light, flexible and comfortable shoe with a distinctive appearance . A bag of leather is formed by hand stitching an apron to a vamp. This bag is dampened and then forced on to the last to form the shape of the shoe. The sole is then stitched or glued to the formed upper part. Because the soft leather upper goes right around the foot, forming a flexible and adaptable 'bag', a moccasin is exceptionally comfortable. There is also a special Barker padding under the forepart for extra comfort.

Lightweight shoe
Exceptional comfort

BARKERFLEX

Softly, Softly
The softness of the leather forepart on cork delivers just the right amount of softness under foot. It also gives the right degree of shock absorption.

Flexibility
The shoe bends naturally, along with the ball of the foot, thanks to the soft leather forepart insole and the slashed outer sole.

Supreme Comfort
The shape and retention properties of a formal Goodyear Welted shoe, combined with Barker's unique flexible forepart, offer supreme comfort.

Keep in shape
The shoe achieves a highly personal footbed, actually taking on the shape of your foot because the upper leather rests on cork.

Breathe in, Breathe out
Your feet will be able to breathe thanks to the properties of the cork and leather which let moisture escape naturally.

Goodyear Welt

A traditional method of manufacturing which provides a shoe that will give comfort, excellent shape retention, water-resistance and repairable properties.

Excellent insulation against cold and heat
Good shape retention
Easy to repair

Day Wear

Evening Wear

Wedding Wear