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

[CalTex]

It's starting to rain where I live so I need something with rubber soles, since I am still in school a boot seems perfect.

 

[wigglr]



When or how did you guys make your transition to boots?  I'm still starting up my "normal shoes" collection and have yet to envision myself in boots.  But clearly, I'm missing something here with how much you guys like your boots.

When I first joined this forum, I hated the boots. Now, a couple of months later, I love them. I bought a cheap pair for the rain about a month ago and I guess that broke all my preconceived notions.

 

[bucksfan]



When or how did you guys make your transition to boots?  I'm still starting up my "normal shoes" collection and have yet to envision myself in boots.  But clearly, I'm missing something here with how much you guys like your boots.

I got a good rotation of shoes, then started looking for what the "next step" would be. That happened to also coincide with the walnut Dalton's offering about a year ago, and my awareness of some of the other styles.

I use my "dress" boots for chilly / sloppy days, though some people wear theirs year round. I really like the Bayfield for the bad weather days in the winter, when I would otherwise be wearing work boots and changing at the office.

 

[msulinski]

I'm not clear on how boots are better for rainy/snowy days. If there is a lot of splatter and slush, aren't your pants going to get covered in it anyway? How does the extra height of the boot help?

 

[MoneyWellSpent]

Thanks! That is the exact boot I had in mind, I was going to buy it in December but it wouldn't have come in on time for my trip. Does anyone know why AE discontinued the Bayfield? It looks better than most if not all of their new boots.
I am also considering the Westchester in walnut for my lounging days. Thoughts?

I would say that is an awfully nice lounging shoe! I guess it depends on your definition of lounging... To me the word invokes a lazy day around the house and maybe tinkering around town running errands, etc. The Westchester seems very dressy for such business. I would have thought of the Sedona for a day like that. If the Sedona is too casual, the Kenwood or the Patriot would be my next ones to consider. The sleek 7-97 last of the Westchester makes it look like a great slip on for business casual, but I think it could be pulled off with certain suits as well.

 

[MoneyWellSpent]

^^^ I should have also mentioned the Dornoch as a great looking option for a more casual loafer. I tried them on once, but unfortunately they don't really fit my feet well. They were too "deep" for my feet. My ankle bones had a problem with hitting the top edge of the shoes.

 

[elbastardocalvo]

Brown Delray today. Super comfortable, and a great looking shoe, IMHO:

 

[cbtaylor]

My Webgem burgundy shell Daltons arrived this afternoon. Here they are, straight out of the box:


Hopefully I will get time to brush them and try them on tomorrow; although it may very well be next week before they make it back out of the box based on my schedule. I can't wait to break them in and see how they shine up!
PS - I was wearing my chocolate calf Daltons today. For whatever reason, that made it more exiting when the shell Daltons showed up.

Very Nice, mine should arrive tomorrow!! How should these be cared for. I ordered the cordovan cream but I saw earlier in the thread that was no good?

 

[gooter]

Got my Long Branch boots in brown last night, not sure if I'm going to keep them. I want a casual boot with a rubber sole so it fits the bill there. They are almost too casual I find. I would love a pair of Daltons with a Dainite sole, that would be perfect imo.

 

[CousinDonuts]

Wearing the black McAllisters that just arrived in the mail yesterday. Amazing how the AE annual sale shows up right about the time I need a new pair of kicks.

 

[random-adam]



When or how did you guys make your transition to boots?  I'm still starting up my "normal shoes" collection and have yet to envision myself in boots.  But clearly, I'm missing something here with how much you guys like your boots.

In mid-2010 I started thinking about what to wear for my 2011 wedding. I'm fortunate to have a wife who trusts my judgment (this the woman who told her bridesmaids "why can't you just wear a nice dress that you already own?") and I wanted to do it right, so I read Manton's treatise on the subject; couldn't justify the purchase of morning dress so I had a 3-piece peak-lapel suit made up instead, but his argument for the balmoral boot as a practical oft-overlooked bit of footwear stuck with me.

A few months later I bit the bullet and had a beautiful pair of custom boots made at a local establishment which specializes in such things. I have not looked back.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



I would say that is an awfully nice lounging shoe!  I guess it depends on your definition of lounging... To me the word invokes a lazy day around the house and maybe tinkering around town running errands, etc.   The Westchester seems very dressy for such business.  I would have thought of the Sedona for a day like that.  If the Sedona is too casual, the Kenwood or the Patriot would be my next ones to consider.  The sleek 7-97 last of the Westchester makes it look like a great slip on for business casual, but I think it could be pulled off with certain suits as well. 

+1

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



When or how did you guys make your transition to boots?  I'm still starting up my "normal shoes" collection and have yet to envision myself in boots.  But clearly, I'm missing something here with how much you guys like your boots.

IMO, Chukkas are a good starting point as they present like a PTB when the pant leg is down. I had no interest in boots until I acquired a shell chukka from Alden (cigar). I now have other boots as well - all shell - chukkas, captoe, NST. My chukkas are my go-to casual footwear, particularly with denim. While mine happen to all be Alden, AE has some very nice options.

 

[seer]

In mid-2010 I started thinking about what to wear for my 2011 wedding. I'm fortunate to have a wife who trusts my judgment (this the woman who told her bridesmaids "why can't you just wear a nice dress that you already own?") and I wanted to do it right, so I read Manton's treatise on the subject; couldn't justify the purchase of morning dress so I had a 3-piece peak-lapel suit made up instead, but his argument for the balmoral boot as a practical oft-overlooked bit of footwear stuck with me.
A few months later I bit the bullet and had a beautiful pair of custom boots made at a local establishment which specializes in such things. I have not looked back.

I just e-mailed them. How long did it take to get your boots and can you tell me what they charged? Thanks.

 

[hohneokc]



Got my Long Branch boots in brown last night, not sure if I'm going to keep them. I want a casual boot with a rubber sole so it fits the bill there. They are almost too casual I find. I would love a pair of Daltons with a Dainite sole, that would be perfect imo. 

Do a search for the Allen Edmonds North Platte. It was offered for a brief time last Fall and it is essentially the Dalton with a lug sole.

You might contact the AE Shoe Bank and see if they have some laying around in your size. Or there may be some on "the bay" in your size.

Chris