Crockett & Jones
for
Peal & Co.
for
Brooks Brothers
All-Weather, All Terrain, Classic Monk Strap
Full Vibram Sole

Euro 430

Since January 1965 and the closure of the venerable Peal & Co. firm, Brooks Brothers have marketed superb Edward Green shoes under the “Brooks English” and Peal & Co. names. In recent years they replaced Green with Crockett and Jones and Alfred Sargent products. This pair is clearly of the earlier (and superior) Crockett production.

The model itself, the Monk Strap is very much in the English taste, an aristocrat’s shoe from the old school, but has penetrated the consciousness of Continentals and North Americans over the years. I myself am a great fan of the Monk and have a pair for myself in more or less every configuration, including calf skin, cordovan, and the not-to-be-neglected Suede Monk. This configuration, with its massive, all-weather, alll-terrain, double Vibram sole, is not only among the most comfortable of shoes but one that will carry you handsomely on or off road, in fair or foul weather, in town or country…and do it in great classic style.

As regards build quality, suffice it to say that I am unable to detect the difference between this and certain other “Peal” models from equivalent John Lobb ready-mades that sell for almost exactly double the price and are almost surely made in the same Northampton workrooms. In short, these middle-year Peals are an open secret among savvy gentlemen shoppers.