Allen Edmonds Appreciation Thread - reviews, pictures, sizing, etc...

[smilelouis]

Just found this thread. I tried on a pair of AE's in their Madison Avenue store, and fell in love. However, they were full price plus NYC taxes, which brought them close to 400 for the pair. Are there any sales for memorial day? If not, how can I get my hands on them for less than retail? Specifically I'm interested in a pair of Fifth Avenues in Walnut.
Thanks in advance!

write an email to: [email protected] or call them @ (262) 284-7158 to get a list of the available AE shoes of your size.
this is the contact info of Allen Edmonds Shoe Bank at the Factory, 201 East Seven Hills Road, Port Washington, WI 53074. you can buy factory seconds there. i just got a pair of BB strand which are $170. as for fifth avenue, i think they are $200+.

 

[benzcl500]

Awesome, thanks! Even if they're 200 plus, it's a lot better than shelling out close to $400. I'm guessing the blemishes on the seconds aren't that bad?

 

[PhiPsi32]

$400 isn't bad if you like your shoes. You'll have them for a long time (with maintenance).

 

[msulinski]

Just found this thread. I tried on a pair of AE's in their Madison Avenue store, and fell in love. However, they were full price plus NYC taxes, which brought them close to 400 for the pair. Are there any sales for memorial day? If not, how can I get my hands on them for less than retail? Specifically I'm interested in a pair of Fifth Avenues in Walnut.
Thanks in advance!

Do you live in NY? I live in NJ, so they were able to ship them to me for free, and I avoided paying the sales tax. Otherwise, check with user allaboutshoes for discounted prices.

 

[benzcl500]



$400 isn't bad if you like your shoes.  You'll have them for a long time (with maintenance).

paying $200 > paying $400

But yes, if that was the only price you could buy them at, I would do it. I appreciate anything well-made and built to last, and I want to wear these shoes 10-20 years from now.

Do you live in NY? I live in NJ, so they were able to ship them to me for free, and I avoided paying the sales tax. Otherwise, check with user allaboutshoes for discounted prices.

Sweet, thanks for the info.

 

[smilelouis]

$400 isn't bad if you like your shoes. You'll have them for a long time (with maintenance).

for my BB strand, i don't see any obvious problem. only a shalow blemish close to the heel which i think can be restoreed by leather lotion stuff.

 

[PhiPsi32]

To each his own, I'm not one for seconds. I wouldn't turn away from a sale on first quality though.

 

[hoit1981]



Nice.  Looks like walnut calf leather and a natural welt and sole?

Well done sir - top marks

 

[kmdsimpson]



Got my custom MacNeils today... These things are very nice indeed. Just about to head to Nordstrom Rack to pick up some trees. It's raining in NYC today (and this week) so I might not be able to get them out to play for a little while.

So like a Player's shoe that fits a normal foot? Was that your intent?

Great shoes whatever the reason, though!

 

[froyz25]

So I just picked up a pair of brown burnished Hinsdales and I must say they have got to be the nicest AE shoe I have ever seen. However when I went to AEs website it says the 108 last fits almost the same as the 222 . The shoes felt great when I first tried them on, but having returned a pair of players on the 222 I am afraid these may be headed for the same fate. Does anyone have any real life input on this?

 

[kmdsimpson]



So I just picked up a pair of brown burnished Hinsdales and I must say they have got to be the nicest AE shoe I have ever seen. However when I went to AEs website it says the 108 last fits almost the same as the 222 . The shoes felt great when I first tried them on, but having returned a pair of players on the 222 I am afraid these may be headed for the same fate. Does anyone have any real life input on this?

Yeah, I've seen that description on the AE site, and I completely disagree with it. I have the Clifton, which is also on the 108 last, and I have tried 222 last shoes. There is no comparison - the Cliftons have plenty of room, particularly in the ball and toe areas, while the 222 shoes squeeze my feet like a vice. The 222 is appreciably narrower; I don't know why AE equates these two on their website.

So in short, I think you will be fine with the Hinsdales.

 

[JubeiSpiegel]



To each his own, I'm not one for seconds.  I wouldn't turn away from a sale on first quality though.

+1

I can never seem to pull the trigger on seconds. But I also recommend SF member allaboutshoes, first quality shoes at discount.

 

[bucksfan]

received the BB strand walnut 9D today, LOL!
they look good. the insole and outsole are bit different from AE strand. seems that there is a pad on top of the insole and the outsole is partly ruber as you can see in the following pictures. rubber is ideal for me cos my job involves lots of walk.
the only regret is that you cann't find any AE logo trace on BB strand.













i just started my accumulation, here is my little collection:



1: AE Players in walnut, very unique and the left one is a bit tight


2: Salvatore Ferragamo, picked them up in Rome a few years back


3: no name italian shoes, vero cuoio sole, picked them up in Switzerland


4: To Boot New York, picked them up in Nordstrom Rack, vero cuoio insole+real rubber outsole, ideal for everyday wear


5: to boot new york, casual, very comfortable

Very nice addition and good start to your collection. It's good to see Brooks Brothers sourcing some of their shoes from AE - rather than mostly English makers. (not that I have anything against England, I am just pro USA). Those BB Strands look like they will be very comfortable and long-lasting.

Wearing my 5th street boots for the first time out of the house. Love them. I am thinking about having my cobbler put some pull tabs on them. Has anyone done this? If so how has it worked out or how did you feel about it?

I really like the look of the 5th Streets, I just couldn't get the right fit. I'm glad you found them comfortable. I don't think I'd bother with the pull tabs - I'd just plan to grip the back or sides of the boot, and use a shoe tree if necessary. Nice socks!

Got my custom MacNeils today... These things are very nice indeed. Just about to head to Nordstrom Rack to pick up some trees. It's raining in NYC today (and this week) so I might not be able to get them out to play for a little while.

Very cool. I like the Macneil with "regular" welt. Is that walnut calfskin (smooth rather than pebbled)? Enjoy!

To each his own, I'm not one for seconds. I wouldn't turn away from a sale on first quality though.

There is usually a First Quality sale around Memorial Day / Fathers Day and again around July 4.


Today's shoes: Brown shell cordovan Strands. Client meetings all day, so I decided on conservative socks.

 

[Cold Iron]

Thank you! I apologize for the glare - my blackberry camera takes lousy indoor pictures, so I try to take outdoor whenever possible. Unfortunately lately, that means the early morning (and the glare that goes along with it).

Nice walnut cordovan Strands, really love the variations in color!

Thanks, I have been more than pleased with all of my shell from AE. You know there just seems something inherently wrong with having to apologize for brushing shell to the point where the sun glares off it....

Nothing wrong with your pictures to me, because of them I purchased the shell Bradley which I was sitting on the fence about for more than 2 years. And just had to order the shell Cambridge thanks to the pictures by you and dsmivtr. If I'm looking at a shoe or boot and considering it for purchase I now come here and search this thread first.

 

[Winston S.]

Was just browsing Amazon and saw this:

Find Your Perfect Fit: 15% off $80 Orders
Save 15%* on $80 orders of select styles from best-selling brands, including hard-to-find sizes sold by Amazon.com. Browse the entire selection and use code SHOEFITS to save. Offer ends May 24th. *Discount taken at checkout.

Not sure which shoes are included.