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

[MoneyWellSpent]

I'd just send to B.Nelson or even a local cobbler. Recrafting is $125, and considering most of their calf offerings are ~$300, I don't see the value especially when you mention they aren't flexible on sole choices. The primary advantage AE has is that they will be able to put the shoe on the original last, but I don't think that's that big of a deal unless you want to make size adjustments. Many people with much higher quality shoes use B. Nelson with no problems.

Using the original last is actually a major advantage, in that it helps ensure that your shoe doesn't change sizes during repairs, which is a fairly large risk. Changing sizes during recrafting is something that AE doesn't do, and even though it is theoretically possible, it isn't advised by any manufacturer that I know of.

 

[calidist]

Can anyone else vouch for Nelson? I'm in the same boat and finally need a recraft, Nelson is same price as AE, but free shipping, trees and bags.

I had them put a double JR on some vintage Florsheim shells as well. Turned out fantastic.

 

[calidist]

Last night I received the first of my two MTO's from Paul's gracious offer and I couldn't be happier. I initially wanted the Kenilworths, but on ordering a pair of seconds in black, found that due to my flat feet that they bowed out at the ankles quite a bit. Next Allison sent some Black Hills to try those out, but they just didn't fit my feet well. I had noticed under the clearance section on AE's site that they had a PTB built on the 8-last with 4 eyelets instead of 3 like on the Kenilworths. Allison had said that with just 3 eyelets on the Kenilworths, sometimes it's just not enough to get it snug enough to eliminate the bowing. Also I have some Vernons which are also in the 8-last and they fit me perfectly and I said I'd take a chance on the Rawlins and we put in my order. The Rawlins on the clearance page showed them only available in size 8 and 14, yet somehow the next day Allison found a pair in my 12E size and she sent them out to test the fit before committing to them. Anyhow the test pair fit great and we submitted the order about June 20 and I received them last night.

They're absolutely beautiful and the color depth is stunning.

Please excuse my picture taking skills as they are lacking and don't come close to showing how pretty they are, my background's not so hot either but I was looking for well lit areas.

Are those brown or truffle cordovan? They look magnificent!

 

[LeviMay]

I recently bought a pair of brown Bayfields from Lands' End. They fit and look great, and the customer service was top notch. I wore them a couple times on my trip to England and Scotland, and on my way out of the Edinburgh Royal Military Tatoo, had the right heel fall off. Being in a huge crowd, I was unable to recover it. The left is also peeling, but hasn't come off completely. A new pair is on the way, and again, Lands' End has been nothing but helpful.

Pics:

 

[guasc1]



Last night I received the first of my two MTO's from Paul's gracious offer and I couldn't be happier. I initially wanted the Kenilworths, but on ordering a pair of seconds in black, found that due to my flat feet that they bowed out at the ankles quite a bit. Next Allison sent some Black Hills to try those out, but they just didn't fit my feet well. I had noticed under the clearance section on AE's site that they had a PTB built on the 8-last with 4 eyelets instead of 3 like on the Kenilworths. Allison had said that with just 3 eyelets on the Kenilworths, sometimes it's just not enough to get it snug enough to eliminate the bowing. Also I have some Vernons which are also in the 8-last and they fit me perfectly and I said I'd take a chance on the Rawlins and we put in my order. The Rawlins on the clearance page showed them only available in size 8 and 14, yet somehow the next day Allison found a pair in my 12E size and she sent them out to test the fit before committing to them. Anyhow the test pair fit great and we submitted the order about June 20 and I received them last night.

They're absolutely beautiful and the color depth is stunning.

Please excuse my picture taking skills as they are lacking and don't come close to showing how pretty they are, my background's not so hot either but I was looking for well lit areas.

That is a fantastic shoe.
Congratulations!

 

[gort]

Any way to locate a pair of factory seconds online?

 

[OlafG]

I don't think so. You can e-mail the outlets and ask though.

 

[polojock615]

Bone and walnut Summit Points today.

 

[frogwash]

Last night I received the first of my two MTO's from Paul's gracious offer and I couldn't be happier. I initially wanted the Kenilworths, but on ordering a pair of seconds in black, found that due to my flat feet that they bowed out at the ankles quite a bit. Next Allison sent some Black Hills to try those out, but they just didn't fit my feet well. I had noticed under the clearance section on AE's site that they had a PTB built on the 8-last with 4 eyelets instead of 3 like on the Kenilworths. Allison had said that with just 3 eyelets on the Kenilworths, sometimes it's just not enough to get it snug enough to eliminate the bowing. Also I have some Vernons which are also in the 8-last and they fit me perfectly and I said I'd take a chance on the Rawlins and we put in my order. The Rawlins on the clearance page showed them only available in size 8 and 14, yet somehow the next day Allison found a pair in my 12E size and she sent them out to test the fit before committing to them. Anyhow the test pair fit great and we submitted the order about June 20 and I received them last night.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

They're absolutely beautiful and the color depth is stunning.

Please excuse my picture taking skills as they are lacking and don't come close to showing how pretty they are, my background's not so hot either but I was looking for well lit areas.

Are those brown or truffle cordovan? They look magnificent!

That is a fantastic shoe. Congratulations!

Thank you. They are the Cappuccino / Truffle Shell. I'm exceedingly pleased with them.

 

[tampatravel]

I just got these from amazon for $54 and I'm wondering if I should keep them. They're a total knock around pair...and no, no they're not shell cordovan

 

[David Copeland]

I think I'll take them back since I bought the Strands too which are in the same last but I didn't have this problem with them. Can anyone confirm that the AEs sold during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale were firsts? Also should I bring them back to Nordstrom or to an AE store even though I bought them from Nordstrom?

No need to leave home. Call Nordstroms and they will provide a free return label for you.

All my best,

David

 

[ww21943]



Thanks for the reply Jay! I guess I'll just live with it and take care of them the best I can. I have 3 other pairs that this didn't happen to and I certainly don't keep me feet flat and still while sitting! I guess I need to be more aware if how I might be bending my shoes from now on.
Other then that I really like them. I knew they would fast become my favorite pair.

 

[David Copeland]

Great find and photo, David!

Here is a 16mm film from a VERY long time ago that AE produced:


This film is absolutely amazing as it nears the end. AE made these shoes, with no nails, and total flexibility. So flexible that its nearly impossible for me to describe! You just have to see what I mean. I don't think they make shoes like this anymore, but what an achievement back in those days. (Imagine holding your shoes under a faucet of water, and then wringing them out as you would do a wet towel - the shoes snap back to their original shape!)

David

 

[bl@ster]

Wish AE would bring back more of the non-balmoral styles from the 1950's catalog:

 

[David Copeland]

Using the original last is actually a major advantage, in that it helps ensure that your shoe doesn't change sizes during repairs, which is a fairly large risk. Changing sizes during recrafting is something that AE doesn't do, and even though it is theoretically possible, it isn't advised by any manufacturer that I know of.

When I spoke to the Allen Edmonds Recrafting department, they did mention that any natural expansion in the cork area of the shoe would be lost through the recrafting process - because recrafting returns the shoe to the original out-of-the-box fit. They mention they have seen nearly whole size differences over time, and when customers got back their recrafted shoes they complained because the shoes felt like they were too small.

They did, however, mention they would consider a custom note attached to the returned shoes to have them inspected in order to preserve the current "fit" - rather than completely restore the shoe to the original size which may now be too small for the customer.

David