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

[kentyman]

I received my Merlot McAllister firsts, and while they're otherwise great, I'm a little bothered with the toe caps. In particular, there's a very obvious ridge between the toe cap structure and the rest of the uppers. As much as I want to keep them (and wear them to a wedding today), I'm think I'm going to return them for replacements. I feel that I'm being a tad picky, but I'm also quite sure if I didn't return them I'd likely always look at them and wish I did. If they were seconds, it would be another story. Any comments on how common this minor problem is?

I got my replacement McAllister firsts, and unfortunately they have the same prominent ridge on the caps. In addition, the pinking is very inconsistent, where on the right shoe there's too much leather and they flair way up. The left shoe, on the other hand foot, is almost cut off:





I'm sure I want to replace them because of the pinking, but I'm worried the third attempt is going to have the same ridge problem. I don't see such a problem in this picture or this picture, so I'm holding out hope I can get a better looking pair. Any thoughts what could be causing this?

As for the inconsistent stitching causing pinking problems, this seems to a newer problem, as I don't remember reading about it on this thread much in the past. Just the other day, rollinsay had a similar problem, and I even chimed in with problems on my Bourbon Strand firsts. I hope if there is a consistent problem with stitching of the uppers, whether it be in the Dominican Republic or the USA, that AE notices and gets it under control.

Just received my anniversary sale Bourbon McAllisters. They are gorgeous out of the box, but there were a few areas of concern on them that I wanted to run by you all. This is my first pair of AE so I'm not sure what to expect in terms of normal variation and quality control.

This picture doesn't show it very well, but one of the teeth of the scalloped edge at the point of the wingtip is slightly bent upwards.

The stitching here seems off, with a bit too much of the edge protruding. It can be bent back away from the seam.

Finally, another bent tooth of the wingtip edge.

Those don't look too bad, but if they're firsts and you're not satisfied, you're justified in returning them.

I agree the inconsistently long pinking is the biggest problem there. I don't think one or two "teeth" sticking up is rare. I should point out, though, that the pinking on my Bourbon Strands pretty much all sticks up! This is likely from the opposite problem as yours, where the stitching is too close to the end. See below:

This was my first pair of AEs, so I didn't have much to compare to, but I've learned to love these shoes so much that I'm not letting it bother me. Though I am curious in hindsight if y'all would've exchanged my Strands for this issue. To put it another way, what do you expect from the pinking of a first quality brogue? Should they all be down and perfect, or is a little mayhem normal?

 

[David Copeland]

I got my replacement McAllister firsts, and unfortunately they have the same prominent ridge on the caps. In addition, the pinking is very inconsistent, where on the right shoe there's too much leather and they flair way up. The left shoe, on the other hand foot, is almost cut off:





I'm sure I want to replace them because of the pinking, but I'm worried the third attempt is going to have the same ridge problem. I don't see such a problem in this picture or this picture, so I'm holding out hope I can get a better looking pair. Any thoughts what could be causing this?

Did you order these directly from AE? If so, call their customer service line and ask that they perform a visual inspection of the next pair before shipping. (I asked and received this extra service last week).

You can also call the AE number and choose to speak to the recrafting department where the staff is exceptionally trained to provide answers.

 

[Cold Iron]

Hi,

I wanted to ask if the AE Dundee chukka is similar in shape to Tricker's 'Winston' chukka?

Not quite. The AE Dundee is almost identical to the Alden Chukka however.

I have the Dundee in all shell colors offered by AE, I love them:

I just noticed this. What happened to them?

Hey good to see you back KMD

Earlier this month Cedarville posted that they can't compete with the large box stores and are no longer in business.

IMO, Every man should have AE's travel size heel and sole dressing in chili, black, and brown (no matter what brand of shoes he prefers). This is a neglected part of shoe care, even among many who take reasonably decent care of the uppers. It can make the difference between a shoe that looks good and a shoe that looks great. I say travel size because of ease of application.

I fully agree. I find the travel sized ones to be much easier to use, and the large bottles (while much more cost effective) to be a bit cumbersome. A shoe that is well dressed along the edges looks far newer and well cared for than one that isn't.

I also agree with this. In addition when cleaning and often before putting a shoe on I use an old toothbrush to scrub the top of the welt. I also keep a toothbrush by the deep sink where I start the cleaning process of my shoes and during the winter after taking them off do the same with a damp tooth brush then wipe them down. It makes a huge difference IMO.

has anyone renomat'd their shell patriots to start fresh? my brown pair I got from the j'ville outlet are dullish looking, and after a day of improvised yardwork whilst wearing them, could stand to use a little treatment..

if anyone has stripped whatever AE has applied and started fresh and took pics, please post.. curious the outcome.. thanks!

Yes I have several posts through this thread about it. I also did my brown shell Patriots however have no before and after pictures. Every once in a while the finish from the factory can be dull even without the cream layered on. I have been lucky and never had that happen to me but others on here have. It is most certainly worth trying Renomat then Renovatour after that. I use microfiber cloths and do only a small section at a time then move your finger on the cloth to a new piece before doing the next section. As soon as I'm done with the shoe I use a damp rag and wipe it down, a lot more will come off. Then do the same with Renovatour right away.

 

[bespoken pa]

I love my Alden chukka I wish it had the three eyelets like the Dundee.

 

[Cold Iron]

Personal Opinion Only:

If Allen Edmond boots and shoes were constitutionally protected in the same manner as children - some owners would be imprisoned for abuse, and their boots placed in a foster home for better treatment.

Uppers of boots showing consistent long-term neglect over the span of years could have been easily maintained between jaunts and excursions with some loving care. The overall time invested can be as little as 10 minutes. Socks which appear to have been maintained with exceptional care do not correct the terrible appearance and condition a man may permit his treasured boots to suffer through.

We are all stewards of great possessions. And with that stewardship comes the responsibility to care for them - whether children or mere Allen Edmond Boots that may be a size off.

I have been mildly guilty myself in lapses of maintaining my AE shoes. My rationalization may have been that a very good polish would last a few weeks - but to my embarrassment at times, the colleagues I worked with on a daily basis would gradually out-shine my lot as the days wore on. Hence, I was converted to a better discipline, and I now enjoy the fruits of an investment that will last longer than my years on this planet.

Aside, even if I was offered a 10 year no-questions-asked return policy from AE, there comes a moral moment where I would have to ask if I am treating others as I would want to be treated in return.

David

David I am going to assume that you are as clueless about CXL as you are shell. That picture was taken after only 2 hours in the woods hunting ruff grouse, AKA: Bonasa umbellus. Ruff really don't care much for people and you have a healthy population of them in Western Mt. But you have to actually get in the woods and walk through them, not on groomed trails. The nearest human to me where I took that picture was at least 25 miles away and the nearest house 40 or so. Instead of people where I go you are more likely to see moose poop and of course wolf scat that is always found where the moose are:



I take better care of my footwear than most. And the care for CXL is also something you likely don't understand or have ever done. They cleaned up just fine once I got back and did my standard treatment along with my other hunting boots.



I think that you will find your statements made in your post are offense to most men in Mt. and elsewhere in this country. There are those that still believe in individual liberties and freedoms. That once a man owns something it is his and his alone to do with as he sees fits and pleases. And no other man has a right to say otherwise. I think it is safe for me to say that you don't have to tell the locals where you are from. They can figure it out soon and easily enough.

 

[bespoken pa]

Cold iron did AE give you a group discoun For those chukkas?

 

[rydenfan]

Cold Iron,

In your incredible chukka family shot is that cappuccino and dark brown in the front row? The lighter of the two is a really great color

 

[VinnyMac]

David I am going to assume that you are as clueless about CXL as you are shell. That picture was taken after only 2 hours in the woods hunting ruff grouse, AKA: Bonasa umbellus. Ruff really don't care much for people and you have a healthy population of them in Western Mt. But you have to actually get in the woods and walk through them, not on groomed trails. The nearest human to me where I took that picture was at least 25 miles away and the nearest house 40 or so. Instead of people where I go you are more likely to see moose poop and of course wolf scat that is always found where the moose are:



I take better care of my footwear than most. And the care for CXL is also something you likely don't understand or have ever done. They cleaned up just fine once I got back and did my standard treatment along with my other hunting boots.



I think that you will find your statements made in your post are offense to most men in Mt. and elsewhere in this country. There are those that still believe in individual liberties and freedoms. That once a man owns something it is his and his alone to do with as he sees fits and pleases. And no other man has a right to say otherwise. I think it is safe for me to say that you don't have to tell the locals where you are from. They can figure it out soon and easily enough.

We're all in agreement that David had an "idiot moment." Let's move on, haha.

 

[VinnyMac]

I got my replacement McAllister firsts, and unfortunately they have the same prominent ridge on the caps. In addition, the pinking is very inconsistent, where on the right shoe there's too much leather and they flair way up. The left shoe, on the other hand foot, is almost cut off:





I'm sure I want to replace them because of the pinking, but I'm worried the third attempt is going to have the same ridge problem. I don't see such a problem in this picture or this picture, so I'm holding out hope I can get a better looking pair. Any thoughts what could be causing this?

As for the inconsistent stitching causing pinking problems, this seems to a newer problem, as I don't remember reading about it on this thread much in the past. Just the other day, rollinsay had a similar problem, and I even chimed in with problems on my Bourbon Strand firsts. I hope if there is a consistent problem with stitching of the uppers, whether it be in the Dominican Republic or the USA, that AE notices and gets it under control.

That's strange. A few years ago, I bought those shoes as seconds, and they don't have any of the problems that you mentioned. If it's a consistent problem, then maybe it IS a new issue.

 

[David Copeland]

David I am going to assume that you are as clueless about CXL as you are shell. That picture was taken after only 2 hours in the woods hunting ruff grouse

They cleaned up just fine once I got back and did my standard treatment along with my other hunting boots.

I don't see the same boot you show in the above photo - as you did in the other close-up photo posted two days ago. Perhaps you can show a closeup of how well they polished up.

As for the photo you posted (see below), it appears to me there are deep cuts on the boots. Maybe a side-by-side closeup of before and after would be really good.

David

Original photo:

 

[kwhitelaw]

it's on the far left

 

[David Copeland]

it's on the far left

It could be . . . but he owns dozens of boots, and I was hoping to see a close-up of the toe section which reveals some serious cuts in a side-by-side photo.

 

[zchen]

That picture was taken after only 2 hours in the woods hunting ruff grouse, AKA: Bonasa umbellus.

Are they tasty?

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



^ reposting my question from last page before I order

I use chili on any shoes that have an antique edge. Mostly that means shoes that are chili, walnut, and tan calf, as well as whiskey shell, ravello shell, walnut shell, etc.

 

[easy_golfing]



I think that you will find your statements made in your post are offense to most men in Mt. and elsewhere in this country. There are those that still believe in individual liberties and freedoms. That once a man owns something it is his and his alone to do with as he sees fits and pleases. And no other man has a right to say otherwise. I think it is safe for me to say that you don't have to tell the locals where you are from. They can figure it out soon and easily enough.

was this a jab at california?????