I own these in brown smooth calf. The quality of materials, construction, and workmanship is all top notch, which comes as no surprise to me as I own more than 20 pairs of Allen Edmonds. Dollar for dollar, you won't find a better shoe than Allen Edmonds.
There is only one problem, and that is the width. This shoe is on the Allen Edmonds #1 last, the same last as their best selling Leeds, and their most generous last in every direction. However, the shape and fit of this shoe differs remakably from the other shoes on the #1 last, which should not happen. As with any upscale brand of shoe, every style on the same last should fit the same, so that once you have found the last that fits you best, ordering other styles is easy. The Malvern is noticably slimmer, and one can easily see the difference by putting the Malvern side by side with the Leeds. This affects me as I have an extra wide foot, so every bit counts. When they decided to make it slimmer, they should have put it on another last, so as not to confuse those who are familiar with this last. AE has committed a faux paus in shoe manufacturing and marketing. I would have expected much better from this great company that I have come to know and love.
There is only one problem, and that is the width. This shoe is on the Allen Edmonds #1 last, the same last as their best selling Leeds, and their most generous last in every direction. However, the shape and fit of this shoe differs remakably from the other shoes on the #1 last, which should not happen. As with any upscale brand of shoe, every style on the same last should fit the same, so that once you have found the last that fits you best, ordering other styles is easy. The Malvern is noticably slimmer, and one can easily see the difference by putting the Malvern side by side with the Leeds. This affects me as I have an extra wide foot, so every bit counts. When they decided to make it slimmer, they should have put it on another last, so as not to confuse those who are familiar with this last. AE has committed a faux paus in shoe manufacturing and marketing. I would have expected much better from this great company that I have come to know and love.