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

[drcharlie]



Quick question gents (as I am relatively new to the high-end shoe world), I just took a stroll during my lunch break and found a local cobbler. I asked how much he charged for adding rubber soles and he said $50. I asked if he would do it for $30 if I promised to bring in two more pairs of shoes next week (Strands and Neumoks). He agreed. Is $30 a reasonable price for vibram soles and heel caps (I think that's what he called them)? Anyways, it took about 10 minutes so I waited while he did the work on my Daltons.

In the Memphis area, I had Cobbler 1 put plastic heel and toe taps on for $17. Pricy for what it was. I next tried Cobbler 2 and got vibram half soles and plastic heel taps put on for $20. Very good job done and more reasonable cost (albeit at a less convenient location).

 

[tampatravel]

Ahhh...so I was just in the security line at Boston Logan when the fella behind me put his boots in the grey trays. They were AEs and I commented on them. Turns out he was Vincenzo from the Shoe Bank in Port Washington. Strange Strange small shoe world we live in.

 

[cincikid]

Did anyone have an experience removing the variation in the shades of shell cordovan? There's a minor difference in the color of the right and left boot I got yesterday and it bothers me a bit (it's actually much better than on the picture). AE / Saphir cordovan creme? Alden cordovan wax? Any kind of prayer or a magic dance around the boots with the deer bone?

 

[cincikid]

Ahhh...so I was just in the security line at Boston Logan when the fella behind me put his boots in the grey trays. They were AEs and I commented on them. Turns out he was Vincenzo from the Shoe Bank in Port Washington. Strange Strange small shoe world we live in.

I was on the phone with him many many times and he sounds like a very nice guy.

 

[BobStrauss]

I just got my pair of Portland Dress Boots in the mail and I'm beginning to feel buyer's remorse. They look pretty chunky on me and they squeak like crazy.

Wondering now if I shouldn't have gotten the Larchmonts in bourbon instead. If I return them now, would I still be able to get the 15% off deal on the Larchmonts? Or am I S.O.L.?

 

[peppercorn78]



I just got my pair of Portland Dress Boots in the mail and I'm beginning to feel buyer's remorse. They look pretty chunky on me and they squeak like crazy.

Wondering now if I shouldn't have gotten the Larchmonts in bourbon instead. If I return them now, would I still be able to get the 15% off deal on the Larchmonts? Or am I S.O.L.?

Never hurts to ask. The worst they can say is no!

After all, they may bite considering the chance to get some of that refund money back for another AE product.

 

[BobStrauss]

I just called em and they told me they'd honor the discount. But only for today, I think.

That gives me three hours to find a replacement pair! So please give me some emergency advice here:

I already have a pair of walnut Strands I like, but I want something in bourbon. It must be casual as possible, not ridiculous to wear with cheap chinos or a pair of jeans.

So far I'm thinking the Larchmont:


Kenilworth:


Or the McCallister:

 

[md2010]



to most average Joes AE's would definitely be considered high end. While not as high end as some other brands, they are certainly much higher quality wise and price wise than the dress shoes that most guys would consider purchasing.

Wake up buddy. AE is no way near high end. Rather its the cheapest good year welted shoe that are mass produced and readily available. AE position them selves as entry level shoe brand that provides customer with quality shoes at very competitive price point.
Don't get me wrong. I have over 15 pairs of AE. I buy them becos they are cheap and they are ok quality ( finishing in AE shoes are joke).
Carmins offering free shipping right now. So a pair will cost just under $400. Give them a try and you will see what premium leather means and how great the finishing is.

 

[salgy]



In the Memphis area, I had Cobbler 1 put plastic heel and toe taps on for $17. Pricy for what it was.

I next tried Cobbler 2 and got vibram half soles and plastic heel taps put on for $20. Very good job done and more reasonable cost (albeit at a less convenient location).

Drcharlie, mind sharing who the cobblers were with a fellow memphian?

 

[peppercorn78]



I just called em and they told me they'd honor the discount. But only for today, I think. That gives me three hours to find a replacement pair! So please give me some emergency advice here: I already have a pair of walnut Strands I like, but I want something in bourbon. It must be casual as possible, not ridiculous to wear with cheap chinos or a pair of jeans. So far I'm thinking the Larchmont: Kenilworth: Or the McCallister:

For jeans and chinos?? Can't go wrong with Kenilworth. I've got a burgundy shell MTO in the works

 

[MacktasticGDogg]



I just called em and they told me they'd honor the discount. But only for today, I think. That gives me three hours to find a replacement pair! So please give me some emergency advice here: I already have a pair of walnut Strands I like, but I want something in bourbon. It must be casual as possible, not ridiculous to wear with cheap chinos or a pair of jeans.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

So far I'm thinking the Larchmont: Kenilworth: Or the McCallister:

If you're going for versatility, the Kenilworth is hard to beat.

 

[wdahab]



Did anyone have an experience removing the variation in the shades of shell cordovan? There's a minor difference in the color of the right and left boot I got yesterday and it bothers me a bit (it's actually much better than on the picture). AE / Saphir cordovan creme? Alden cordovan wax? Any kind of prayer or a magic dance around the boots with the deer bone?

If the color doesn't get closer after some applications of whatever treatments you use, there isn't really that much you can do but wait. Shell changes color over time, and there are going to be enough variations in the shells over time, especially if you end up really wearing them as boots, that the color variation will go away. Also, for people who don't like the cap toe placement, I can say that the pics are from an awkward angle for the cap. From other angles, the cap looks a lot nicer, actually very well placed (though you might still not like the toe shape of the W1K, which is an acquired taste.

 

[ridethecliche]

Wake up buddy. AE is no way near high end. Rather its the cheapest good year welted shoe that are mass produced and readily available. AE position them selves as entry level shoe brand that provides customer with quality shoes at very competitive price point.
Don't get me wrong. I have over 15 pairs of AE. I buy them becos they are cheap and they are ok quality ( finishing in AE shoes are joke).
Carmins offering free shipping right now. So a pair will cost just under $400. Give them a try and you will see what premium leather means and how great the finishing is.

300+ dollars for shoes is not cheap...Some of the seconds sales like the 2 for 250 etc are probably getting there though.

I don't think you understand how a normal distribution works.

AE as a brand is definitely like 1.5-2 standard deviations above the average dress shoe. The cheapest goodyear welted dress shoe I've found is made by johnston and murphy. It's entry level to the high end stuff. It's a tiny skinny tail from there on. If you look at the population of shoe wearing people or even dress shoe wearing people, then this is where they would probably fall.

This might help.

 

[BobStrauss]

If you're going for versatility, the Kenilworth is hard to beat.

Well actually, I'd rarely wear them with jeans, only in more formal settings. Mostly they'll be used with chinos at work.

How casual would bourbon Mcallisters be? I think I'd prefer the look of them long term, and they seem to get MUCH better reviews than the Kenilworths.

 

[cbtaylor]

When did the Neumok jump to $275? I thought it was $260, seems couple others are higher than I remember.