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

[masernaut]

EDIT: No delete button?

 

[Cold Iron]

I'm in perfect agreement with the idea that AE is trying to capitalize on the market. I'm new to AE but not new to buying quality products that last versus lesser products that need to be replaced more frequently. I liken the current AE lineup to my directv listings. Tons of stuff but I typically only watch a handful of shows. Likewise, I've developed a fondness for a handful of AE shoes, am ambivalent on most, and find a few downright ugly. I'm a brand loyal consumer so as long as AE continues to produce high quality products at fair prices, they'll hold my attention. Like $wellSpent, I've been hoping for some things in this spring lineup but I don't think I've been yearning for as long. Cappuccino shell McAllisters come to mind. I may end up with bourbon calf if they don't come out with those soon but I know I won't be disappointed in the shoe in that case; maybe just disappointed in the timing if the cappuccinos come out after I buy the Macs.
I didn't really say anything above. Rather, just chiming in to say that I think everyone gas expressed valid points, concerns, and hopes. I think the current CEO has his stuff together. I see them testing the market with some "flashier" offerings, but I think the will still hold the attention of the purist with their classic shoes.

Mr. McAllister I don't have much time and am headed out the door, but wanted to respond to your post. And say that in my view you nailed it. You also answered Fashion Fan questions as did cbtaylor. And I'll add AE customer service going well above and beyond what most ANY companies today do. Been a heck of a day at work (all good) and several PM's with someone on here today put a smile on my face each time. As did New Shoes1 and the kids on the lawn But I wanted to say that your avatar is the best of any that I have ever seen on any BBS even since we used to have to dial up to a first class BB services @ 1200 bps because that Al Gore fellow hadn't yet invented the internet. Maybe because that was because the military hadn't yet turned over ARPNET to him? Only AE works with the military active and retired as far as a higher end shoe company, and that is something that I find hard to ignore. Have a great weekend.

 

[TheSizzle]

Well, my new bourbon McAllisters came in today, and they look great!

(I took two pictures to try to capture the color correctly.)

 

[MoneyWellSpent]

Sorry for the newbie question, I'm not to knowledgeable on high end shoes, but what makes Allen Edmonds shoes so special and high quality when compared to others like Gucci, Prada etc.

One major difference is, a lot of those designer shoes are not goodyear welted. AE for the most part are, which allows mulitple easy recrafting of the soles. And the styles of AE are often timeless, as opposed to many fashion forward designs from high end designers. And they are made in the US, which is a plus for me. I cannot speak on quality of the materials between those brands though, I am sure they use good leather and such.

Fashion Fan, it sounds like you may benefit from spending a few hours watching a few videos and reading some articles. Here are some great ones that'll get you going on a good shoe education.

(Video on basic intro to high end shoes and why they are better)

(Video on Horween Shell Cordovan, and why using better leather is crucial to better shoes) This video is only on Shell Cordovan, but good quality calfskin is discussed in many of the articles below. Fashion forward brands don't necessarily use the best leather available. Some of the Italian or other fashion forward shoes do use great leather, but the fashion and/or construction of the shoe still means that they are destined for the back of the closet or the trash can sooner rather than later.

Here are some great threads/articles that are worth reading:

http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/...111134-Goodyear-Welt-vs-adhesive-construction

http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/...akes-a-good-shoe-and-why-do-they-cost-so-much

http://thesilentist.com/post/4402751782/why-are-quality-mens-dress-shoes-so-expensive

http://ask.metafilter.com/143740/Difference-between-100-mens-dress-shoes-and-500-mens-dress-shoes

http://www.theshoesnobblog.com/search?q=shoe+construction

http://www.theshoesnobblog.com/2010/02/what-makes-shoe-its-price.html

http://the-last-shall-be-first.blogspot.com/search?q=goodyear+welt

http://putthison.com/post/308306580/leather-a-cautionary-tale-ive-been-thinking

http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/forum/showthread.php?49981-RTW-Shoemakers&highlight=Cusey

Those will be enough to get you started and will keep you busy for quite a while, but they are well worth studying!

 

[BootSpell]

Fashion Fan, it sounds like you may benefit from spending a few hours watching a few videos and reading some articles. Here are some great ones that'll get you going on a good shoe education.

(Video on basic intro to high end shoes and why they are better)

(Video on Horween Shell Cordovan, and why using better leather is crucial to better shoes) This video is only on Shell Cordovan, but good quality calfskin is discussed in many of the articles below. Fashion forward brands don't necessarily use the best leather available. Some of the Italian or other fashion forward shoes do use great leather, but the fashion and/or construction of the shoe still means that they are destined for the back of the closet or the trash can sooner rather than later.

Here are some great threads/articles that are worth reading:

http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/...111134-Goodyear-Welt-vs-adhesive-construction

http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/...akes-a-good-shoe-and-why-do-they-cost-so-much

http://thesilentist.com/post/4402751782/why-are-quality-mens-dress-shoes-so-expensive

http://ask.metafilter.com/143740/Difference-between-100-mens-dress-shoes-and-500-mens-dress-shoes

http://www.theshoesnobblog.com/search?q=shoe+construction

http://www.theshoesnobblog.com/2010/02/what-makes-shoe-its-price.html

http://the-last-shall-be-first.blogspot.com/search?q=goodyear+welt

http://putthison.com/post/308306580/leather-a-cautionary-tale-ive-been-thinking

http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/forum/showthread.php?49981-RTW-Shoemakers&highlight=Cusey

Those will be enough to get you started and will keep you busy for quite a while, but they are well worth studying!

I just want to commend you, MWS, for the time you take to help others. I mean, you really take the time to comment, provide videos, links to help others. Everyone is so rushed and it is refreshing to see this sharing attitude. You are a better man than me (at least in this respect

). Well done, sir.

 

[TheSizzle]

Fashion Fan, it sounds like you may benefit from spending a few hours watching a few videos and reading some articles. Here are some great ones that'll get you going on a good shoe education.

(Video on basic intro to high end shoes and why they are better)

(Video on Horween Shell Cordovan, and why using better leather is crucial to better shoes) This video is only on Shell Cordovan, but good quality calfskin is discussed in many of the articles below. Fashion forward brands don't necessarily use the best leather available. Some of the Italian or other fashion forward shoes do use great leather, but the fashion and/or construction of the shoe still means that they are destined for the back of the closet or the trash can sooner rather than later.

Here are some great threads/articles that are worth reading:

http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/...111134-Goodyear-Welt-vs-adhesive-construction

http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/...akes-a-good-shoe-and-why-do-they-cost-so-much

http://thesilentist.com/post/4402751782/why-are-quality-mens-dress-shoes-so-expensive

http://ask.metafilter.com/143740/Difference-between-100-mens-dress-shoes-and-500-mens-dress-shoes

http://www.theshoesnobblog.com/search?q=shoe+construction

http://www.theshoesnobblog.com/2010/02/what-makes-shoe-its-price.html

http://the-last-shall-be-first.blogspot.com/search?q=goodyear+welt

http://putthison.com/post/308306580/leather-a-cautionary-tale-ive-been-thinking

http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/forum/showthread.php?49981-RTW-Shoemakers&highlight=Cusey

Those will be enough to get you started and will keep you busy for quite a while, but they are well worth studying!

Like BootSpell said, that was very thoughtful and compassionate of you to take that amount of time. Whereas a good deal of regular posters might look at his original question, give a little head shake, and move on, ignoring the amateur (no insult intended) question, you took the time to look up some solid information and give him a little reading material. You could have given a brief answer, or explained it to him, but it's better if he reads up on the subject and comes to his own conclusion. You provided him with the material. Nicely done.

 

[AT83]

I have been looking for a new pair of boots to replace my old hikers. They will be in town casual boots 355 days per year and may or may not spend those other days on light hikes on trails. My feet are slightly wide up front, slightly narrow in the back and have a low rise in the instep. My left is measured at 10.5D and the right 10D. I ordered 10D bayfields from Lands End. The right feels pretty comfortable but the left is a bit snug. Looking at the lacing on brand new boots are these going to ease to a poor fit??

 

[Michael Haines]

Guys I need you to look a pair of shoes I got in today. Now to be up front these are seconds so I do not expecting perfection. I also know I can be a little be over the top on inspecting so tell me your thoughts

With flash

See the two tiny holes like where a shoe is tacked to a last on handsewn

Also hard to see but toe has what's looks Ike little indents very uniformed. To be honest they don't bother me to much

 

[MoneyWellSpent]

I just want to commend you, MWS, for the time you take to help others. I mean, you really take the time to comment, provide videos, links to help others. Everyone is so rushed and it is refreshing to see this sharing attitude. You are a better man than me (at least in this respect

). Well done, sir.

Like BootSpell said, that was very thoughtful and compassionate of you to take that amount of time. Whereas a good deal of regular posters might look at his original question, give a little head shake, and move on, ignoring the amateur (no insult intended) question, you took the time to look up some solid information and give him a little reading material. You could have given a brief answer, or explained it to him, but it's better if he reads up on the subject and comes to his own conclusion. You provided him with the material. Nicely done.

Thanks for the kind words! They say you really enjoy sharing what you enjoy learning about!

 

[balmoralsoccer]

I have been looking for a new pair of boots to replace my old hikers. They will be in town casual boots 355 days per year and may or may not spend those other days on light hikes on trails. My feet are slightly wide up front, slightly narrow in the back and have a low rise in the instep. My left is measured at 10.5D and the right 10D. I ordered 10D bayfields from Lands End. The right feels pretty comfortable but the left is a bit snug. Looking at the lacing on brand new boots are these going to ease to a poor fit??

are you choking your ankles and the lower part of your calves with lacing them that tight? i find i have to leave the "cuff" of boots quite a bit looser to account for motion when walking, etc.

the spacing between the quarters looks spot on.

 

[Essential]

Guys I need you to look a pair of shoes I got in today. Now to be up front these are seconds so I do expect perfection. I also know I can be a little be over the top on inspecting so tell me your thoughts

Sorry but I find posts such as these annoying. Seconds are shoes with imperfections that are sold at lower prices. I don't know if you misspoke but you should not be expecting perfection; if you do, you should be looking to buy firsts. Analogy: You wouldn't buy something refurbished, get a refurbished product, and complain that it is not new.

However, in my opinion, those indentations are fine. They aren't going to be too noticeable and shouldn't cause any future structural problems. The only caveat is that it looks aesthetically less attractive. You did say that you don't mind them too much so I would say it's all good. If you constantly have the indents on your mind, you should just return them so you have no future regrets (though personally I don't like this- refer to first paragraph).

I do hope that you enjoy your shoes though.

 

[Michael Haines]



Sorry but I find posts such as these annoying. Seconds are shoes with imperfections that are sold at lower prices. I don't know if you misspoke but you should not be expecting perfection; if you do, you should be looking to buy firsts. Analogy: You wouldn't buy something refurbished, get a refurbished product, and complain that it is not new.

However, in my opinion, those indentations are fine. They aren't going to be too noticeable and shouldn't cause any future structural problems. The only caveat is that it looks aesthetically less attractive. You did say that you don't mind them too much so I would say it's all good. If you constantly have the indents on your mind, you should just return them so you have no future regrets (though personally I don't like this- refer to first paragraph).

I do hope that you enjoy your shoes though.

Sorry you don't like my post but not all seconds are they same and with a hole punched through the leather I thought be a concern for structural damage . Being s even at seconds are still over 300. So you think the hold punched through is ok down the road is all I am asking. I agree not very noticeable now. I did say they where seconds and not expecting perfection

 

[lostron]

are you choking your ankles and the lower part of your calves with lacing them that tight? i find i have to leave the "cuff" of boots quite a bit looser to account for motion when walking, etc.

the spacing between the quarters looks spot on.

Agreed, boots usually loosen up after a few wears

 

[Shiny]



Heads up for anyone that wears a 9D.  There are a pair of salesman sample Cappuccino Shell McGraw's at my local AE outlet.  $79 for a pair of shell shoes will be the best deal anyone could hope for and these look fantastic.  They are at the AE in Leeds, Alabama, 205-699-6566, all I ask in return for this jewel of info is a pair of Chocolate Amok's in 8.5D haha.  Whoever finds this first, you're welcome.

Generous offer, sir. I'm a 9.5 .

Are there any lasts that fit bigger and/or are roomier? I know the barrie last is one of the biggest for alden. What's the one for AE? This could be a good way for me to get in on that salesman sample action

 

[monkeynuts]

Generous offer, sir. I'm a 9.5

.

Are there any lasts that fit bigger and/or are roomier? I know the barrie last is one of the biggest for alden. What's the one for AE? This could be a good way for me to get in on that salesman sample action

I find the 3 last to be roomiest on my foot.