Customer Reviews Johnston & Murphy Hayes Penny Loafer

I've been a diehard Cole-Haan customer for 25 years. As a true traditional dresser, my favorite was always the "Pinch" penny loafer. I've bought more of them than I can remember. However, I watched their product quality drop over the years after they moved production to Mexico, and later to India. The soles and heels wear incredibly fast, and rebuilding them costs nearly as much as a new pair. Appearance-wise, this J&M "Hayes" penny loafer is an almost identical replacement for the C-H Pinch. Sizing, though, is completely different. I wore 9-1/2 D Cole Haan's for years. But as I aged, I guess the shape of my foot changed, and I found that a 10 D worked best. In comparison, these J&M's seem to run very big. Admittedly, I bought these shoes from a major brick-and-mortar retailer, because I prefer to test fit shoes that I’m not familiar with. The 10 D was huge. I tried a 9-1/2 D, but they were too loose as well. The salesperson asked me to try a 9 W, and surprisingly it fit perfectly. It took some forceful shoe-horning, but once on, it was very comfortable. I especially like that the J&M's are pre-flexed. The more forgiving heel counter and sole make them more wearable right out of the box. The Cole-Haan's always took a month of twice-weekly wearing to break them in. Normally, I put a protective coat of quality polish on my shoes soon after buying them. I tried that with these shoes, using the very same cream polish I’ve used for years. I quickly learned that they have a soft, sticky, colored coating that turns to chewing gum when polished. I had to completely strip both shoes using lighter fluid and a towel scrap, and then re-apply cream polish, in order to achieve a decent finish. Using lighter fluid on these shoes is a must-do, and it does not harm the leather or the factory applied color. During the polish ordeal, I also discovered that the leather used for the upper toe pieces is really poor. It isn’t nearly as smooth and glossy as the main body of the shoe, and it actually shows markings that are typical of a low quality hide. That’s very disappointing, because I’ll ever be able to totally correct the problem – lipstick on a pig, if you know what I mean. If I hadn’t already worn them once and slightly scuffed the soles, I would return them. Unfortunately, the only alternative is the Cole Haan, and I have no desire to go there again. I just hope these J&M's prove to be more durable.

Timeless classic with quality construction. I'm in my seventies and have worn Johnson and Murphy penny loafers since I was ten years old. This is the best one yet.

Very comfortable, but that doesn't begin to make up for the fact that these shoes squeak like nothing I've ever heard before. My work colleagues tell me they can hear me coming from halfway down the hallway. Totally unacceptable.

A well-constructed shoe, built to last. A little stiff at first, just as it should be.

Love these loafers! Excellent quality. True to size, 9.5M. I saw that one reviewer said these loafers ran a bit small but my pair are true to size.

Excellent fitting

Comfortable shoe, true to size, instep is tall, good leather. I like Zappos.

I have been wearing this brand for years and now i know why i quit. Just not even close to how they were made when in the USA.

I’m a woman’s size 10.5 wide, and was in a LONG hunt for perfect burgundy loafers. Here they are! After opening the box, I discovered that, indeed, the shoes squeaked hilariously. But I carefully pulled up the edges of the insoles (which are beautiful and deeply padded) and applied puffs of baby powder. No squeaks! The leather is sooo much nicer than the Cole Haan Punch Penny Loafer I originally ordered (and returned), with zero rubbing on my sock-less feet.

The fit / size was in line with my other shoes. It will take some wearing the shoes to get them comfortable as the leather is very stiff (I expected this).

Fit was great. Does not seem like much break in. Softer than the others I tried. Will be back for the burgundy pair.

Excellent product. Feels good and "walks " well.

Finally! A plain penny loafer that fits and looks stylish without those clunky beef rolls on the side. Quality, fit, and feel are all great. A quality product.

They are an excellent fit and look very classy. I have been wearing this style shoe for many years and these are the best.

Very nice but ran a full size large for me.

Good Morning, as always the process was A1, unfortunately I ordered the the wrong size (size 13) and I will exchange for a size 12.

I wear 10 in Reebok, 10 in adidas superstar. 9.5 in boots. 9.5 for these was the right size