Allen Edmonds Appreciation Thread - Page 1115

I recently went to try on some Allen edmonds, and tried on the 5 last in a size 8.5 D. The heel fit, but the instep and ball area was very tight. If I go up in width to an E will the heel be too big? or maybe try the EEE?

I currently am wearing J&M dobson cap toe 8.5 W, which is pretty roomy across the instep and ball of the foot. Is there any last in AE shoes that compares to this type of shoe that I can try? Maybe the 3 last? The 8 last is too big in the heel, but too tight in the ball of the foot

I live around 2 hours away from the nearest store, so it's hard to go and try on all the lasts.

For allen edmond sanfords/shoes in general...the lady at the store where I got some shoe trees told me the typical "oh so nice" and I was asking her what products I should use to keep them "oh so nice" and she said I only needed my shoe trees that I got and a neutral polish (since brown will get chunked in the broguing and mess up the walnut colour)...I asked her what about conditioner and she said no the neutral polish is enough...

I watched a video from a guy named Antonio Centeno on youtube and he was saying use polish, use saddle soaps, use conditioner, use rainproof spray...

Am I doing a disservice to the shoes by not getting more product to use or was this in store lady right?  I already know I'm doing the shoes a disservice by not having worn them at all yet out of both fear of not having the right products yet and simply because its winter smh

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aryeah 

I recently went to try on some Allen edmonds, and tried on the 5 last in a size 8.5 D. The heel fit, but the instep and ball area was very tight. If I go up in width to an E will the heel be too big? or maybe try the EEE?

I currently am wearing J&M dobson cap toe 8.5 W, which is pretty roomy across the instep and ball of the foot. Is there any last in AE shoes that compares to this type of shoe that I can try? Maybe the 3 last? The 8 last is too big in the heel, but too tight in the ball of the foot

 

I live around 2 hours away from the nearest store, so it's hard to go and try on all the lasts.

Surely Pittsburgh has a Nordstroms. They should have some to try out.

got my leeds in from the seconds sale, but now have a quick question--what colored polish do you guys use for the old AE burgundy shell, the dark cherry red color (not their newer, glossier eggplant finish)?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmdsimpson 


Short, quick answer is that really all you need is polish and conditioner for now. Conditioner is either the AE or the Saphir Renovateur. The neutral polish is not a bad idea to keep the color the same. You might need some colored cream or polish later if you scuff them at some point.

You do not need saddle soap or rainproof spray for those shoes. In fact, don't use the rainproof spray at all, and just don't wear them in the rain.

You'll get some more detailed answers, but that's the short and sweet.

Thanks as always...I always thought soap was good to wash the shoes!  And for rainproof...what I was concerned with was those days where you leave in the morning and weather forecast says stuff is fine (ok...lets say you constantly don't check the forecast as soon as you see its sunny) and then later in the day after work its raining like crazy...take the plunge?  Surprised about the don't use rainproof spray...does it damage the shoe overtime or something? Seems like a strong stance.

Maybe I will go back to the store and ask for a conditioner then even though she said I don't need one and the neutral polish was all I needed...and like you said...she seemed to have good logic for the neutral polish instead of coloured polish argument so I thought she knew her stuff! I don't think they sell AE conditioner or Saphire conditioner though...do I have to specially order that? Maybe I'll just be kicking the neutral polish because I am quite sure the conditioners you recommend are not in stock...

The short and sweet was fine :)

Hi there! New member of this forum, though I've been lurking for a while.

This thread led me to buy my first pair of AEs about a year and a half ago - a pair of black Fifth Avenues. Before that, I had never spent more than $50 on a pair of dress shoes.

This past December, I bought 2 more pairs during the post-Christmas sales at Nordstrom and Brooks Brothers. I have concerns with both pairs, and would appreciate some feedback!

1) AE McAllisters (burgundy) from Brooks Brothers: http://www.brooksbrothers.com/Leather-Wingtips/MH00216,default,pd.html

Since this uses the same last as the Fifth Avenue, I was expecting this to fit as well as the Fifths. But because this is the Brooks Brothers version with a different sole, my foot doesn't sit as deeply in the shoe. As a result, I'm finding the shoes very tight and get heel slippage on one of my feet. Is this something that will resolve itself as I break the shoes in? Or should I give up and return them?

2) AE Cliftons (brown) from Nordstrom: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/allen-edmonds-clifton-oxford/3158930

The leather on one shoe appears to have some graining or lining (not sure what to call it) in particular areas but not throughout the shoe. The other shoe does not have this graining but has wrinkles in the leather in one area. See pictures of both below. Are these things normal, or should I try to exchange for another pair?

Thanks in advance!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmdsimpson 

It was definitely me, and I think Cold Iron might have heard from his contact, as well. I was told cappuccino shell and maybe at least one other color, as "the next webgem". But that was before the suede Strands came out.

He didn't have any info on which models. Also, I don't expect them to be discounted very much, if at all. Supposedly it's just taking advantage of Horween being able to supply shell in these colors.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cold Iron 

I asked a SA last week that question and he told me that he would likely know about the same time that we will. He also mentioned that AE had a good supply of shell in 2 new colors, but didn't know what colors. I had never talked to him before and not sure about the validity of his statement. But if true.... I'm holding off on purchasing anything else for awhile just in case.

So that was two different SA's that mentioned new shell coming out, and the guy I talked to said we would know about the same time he will as to when they coming out. So yes we are speculating. And it could be an internal rumor mill at AE, but hopefully like most scuttlebutt there is some truth to the rumors.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sqroot3 

got my leeds in from the seconds sale, but now have a quick question--what colored polish do you guys use for the old AE burgundy shell, the dark cherry red color (not their newer, glossier eggplant finish)?

Congrats! I just posted a few posts back about using Saphir Cordovan polish in Cordovan on mine. And they are the old style, very old. AE says to use their cream on shell however many on here including me would highly recommend that you do not. AE cordovan cream turns to a stringy mess in a short period of time and is muddy to start with. The Saphir product is better in every way that I can think of. The old AE burgundy shell color has a lot of brown to it and I didn't want to go back that far but wanted a hint of brown so I also used 1 thin coat of Saphir Mahogany (reddish brown) paste wax with the Cordovan. But will likely stick with just the Cordovan from here on out for the few times they need it. For now just brush those things and wear them proudly IMO. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by mixedmajik 

For allen edmond sanfords/shoes in general...the lady at the store where I got some shoe trees told me the typical "oh so nice" and I was asking her what products I should use to keep them "oh so nice" and she said I only needed my shoe trees that I got and a neutral polish (since brown will get chunked in the broguing and mess up the walnut colour)...I asked her what about conditioner and she said no the neutral polish is enough...

 

I watched a video from a guy named Antonio Centeno on youtube and he was saying use polish, use saddle soaps, use conditioner, use rainproof spray...

 

Am I doing a disservice to the shoes by not getting more product to use or was this in store lady right?  I already know I'm doing the shoes a disservice by not having worn them at all yet out of both fear of not having the right products yet and simply because its winter smh

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmdsimpson 


Short, quick answer is that really all you need is polish and conditioner for now. Conditioner is either the AE or the Saphir Renovateur. The neutral polish is not a bad idea to keep the color the same. You might need some colored cream or polish later if you scuff them at some point.

You do not need saddle soap or rainproof spray for those shoes. In fact, don't use the rainproof spray at all, and just don't wear them in the rain.

You'll get some more detailed answers, but that's the short and sweet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mixedmajik 

Thanks as always...I always thought soap was good to wash the shoes!  And for rainproof...what I was concerned with was those days where you leave in the morning and weather forecast says stuff is fine (ok...lets say you constantly don't check the forecast as soon as you see its sunny) and then later in the day after work its raining like crazy...take the plunge?  Surprised about the don't use rainproof spray...does it damage the shoe overtime or something? Seems like a strong stance.

 

 

Maybe I will go back to the store and ask for a conditioner then even though she said I don't need one and the neutral polish was all I needed...and like you said...she seemed to have good logic for the neutral polish instead of coloured polish argument so I thought she knew her stuff! I don't think they sell AE conditioner or Saphire conditioner though...do I have to specially order that? Maybe I'll just be kicking the neutral polish because I am quite sure the conditioners you recommend are not in stock...

 

The short and sweet was fine :)

I hate to say it, but I don't know if I'd follow this lady's advice if this is what she is telling you.  Kmdsimpson is right.  Use either AE Conditioner/Cleaner or Saphir Renovateur (if your budget will allow).  If not, AE Conditioner/Cleaner works great and a $4.00 bottle will last a very long time.  If you are really worried about altering the original color of your shoes, then neutral polish is fine.  However, as kmdsimpson said, eventually you will need to correct for color for some reason (scuffs, natural fading from sunlight, color removal from Conditioner/Cleaner, etc.).  AE's Walnut polish keeps my Walnut shoes looking great, and I find the color to be beautiful.  Your horse hair brush will get the polish out of the broguing just fine.  If it won't then you are applying too much polish.  Worst case, a light dab with a toothpick will get some stubborn polish out of a brogue hole.  There is slight variation in the Walnut color between pairs of shoes when they come from the factory.  Some are darker, some lighter, burnishing will be heavier on some pairs, etc.  The originial color of your shoes will change no matter what you do, whereas the color of the polish can be restored whenever you like, so I think there is something to be said for just "ripping off the band-aid" and using polish rather than trying to delay the inevitable.  That is my opinion, and to each his own.  As for waterproofing, you can and should try to avoid wearing them in the rain when possible.  If you live in an area where snow and slush are a constant problem, then invest in a good pair of overshoes to wear while you are outside.  Adding an additional layer of carnuba wax over the neutral or colored polish will give them some additional protection against some rain.  In the real world, shoes are going to get wet eventually.  Don't worry, they won't melt.  When they get wet, set them out in a well ventilated area (not near a heater) to dry thoroughly at room temperature.  If they are wet on the inside, stuff them with newspaper to absorb water and change out the paper until it is coming out dry.  Then replace the newspaper with your shoe trees.  If they just get some rain on them by walking down the street in a rain shower and the inside is dry, simply put your shoe trees in as you normally would.  Once the upper is dry, apply your Conditioner/Cleaner, and polish according to normal procedures.  Your shoes will last for well over a decade if they are given this type of basic and reasonable care. 

I did go to Nordstroms in Pittsburgh, But they only have the 5 and 8 last in stock. (not even in my size) I had to try on a 8.5 D. The 8 last is too big in the heel, so it's not going to work. I have one more store to try out, Gordons in Pittsburgh, but they are going to have the same problem, 10 different styles, but only 2 to 3 lasts in the style of shoes that I would like to purchase, which I probably allready tried on. I might just have to go on a road trip to ohio..

The really high end shoe shore here dosn't sell AE's any more. The sell Aldens, Carmina and other top end shoes. I might just have to get measured there. The owner does know all the lasts since he has worked with AE for 35 years, just dosn't have then in store. He can order any I would like.

Just decided I am getting a pair of Shell Cordovan Brown Strands. I have been eyeing them for too long. 6-8 weeks turnaround, so I have time to save some pennies and collect pop cans to pay for them. :)