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



Joenobody0 said:

.... I hope AE continues to refine their styles.

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Me too. Who knows: AE's styling and color choices always puzzle me. Why do they offer the Strand in flashy Walnut but not in the more versatile Chili? Why don't they offer a plain toe oxford, when Alden offers at least two (932 and 935)? Why is their one adelaide currently on offer the unsightly Vernon? Why on earth do they offer a walnut pebble grain stitch cap oxford???!!!??? Why can't they have wheeled edges and recessed channel stitching on all their city shoes, like they used to? (Paul Grangaard confessed as much in that video that introduces the Independence Collection).

On the other hand, AE is definitely responsive to its customers (compare that with Alden), and it looks like quality may be improving. The stitching on the Fifth Street is tighter and finer than on the PA I'm currently sizing. So are the holes through which the stitching runs. I hope this is because the Fifth Street was made within the year, while the PA is older, and that this marks a new commitment to improved quality.



Testudo_Aubreii said:

Yep. I have a 9.5D 5th Street and a 9.5C Park Ave in front of me. From the back edge of the cap (i.e., where the cap joins the vamp) to the tip of the toe, the 5th Street measures 6 centimeters. The PA measures 5.5 cm.

I'd be interested to hear these measurements for Alden's stitch-cap and punch-cap oxfords. Can anybody take 'em?

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I'm getting different results from yours. My 11B Fifth Streets measure 6 centimeters for the cap. My 10.5C PA's measure 6 centimeters also. With that said, my PA's were made at least 7 years ago, if not more, so maybe a design change has occurred?

I have some Alden medallion toe balmorals--basically the same style as the strand--about a year old. The cap on those measures 6 cm also.



Joenobody0 said:

I'm glad to hear that. My pair keeps having it's shipping date pushed back.

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Mr. Moo said:

AE honored their pricing for me in the shell Bradley price mistake issue. Very nice of them - now I hope they fit.

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The AE website just showed that my Bradley Shells just shipped for $260. Hope mine fit as well.

just got these in the mail today. the 5th ave is perfect. i cannot tell why is it marked second. as for the strand, it's pretty obvious that someone tried it on so the crease on the right shoe. there is also a slight dent on the heel, but unnoticeable when wearing, so i m just gonna keep this pair instead of exchange for another one.



g.michael said:

I'm getting different results from yours. My 11B Fifth Streets measure 6 centimeters for the cap. My 10.5C PA's measure 6 centimeters also. With that said, my PA's were made at least 7 years ago, if not more, so maybe a design change has occurred?
I have some Alden medallion toe balmorals--basically the same style as the strand--about a year old. The cap on those measures 6 cm also.

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Wow, thanks for the good info, g. Checked again. I get 5.9 or maybe 5.8 cm for the 9.5 Street, 5.5 or 5.4 cm for the 9.5 PA. I'm measuring right along their long axes.

Thanks for the Alden semi-brogue measurement. Hampton last, right? Great shoe! Fully equal to the C&J Westfield, and probably better quality than the Herring Raleigh II.

Got a black dress belt. thanks for the heads up on that. didn't think I'd ever use a burgundy one though so I passed on that.

I've been working with the 5 last lately trying to get it to fit my EEE, Fred Flinstone-esque feet. I just ordered a 1-511 and a 7-97 to try on since there are a few shoes that I want on those lasts. If anyone wants to know the results, let me know.



Pastor said:

The AE website just showed that my Bradley Shells just shipped for $260. Hope mine fit as well.

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Mine's still showing a 4-5 week wait. Could be due to my tiny size 7 feet.



g.michael said:

I'm getting different results from yours. My 11B Fifth Streets measure 6 centimeters for the cap. My 10.5C PA's measure 6 centimeters also. With that said, my PA's were made at least 7 years ago, if not more, so maybe a design change has occurred?
I have some Alden medallion toe balmorals--basically the same style as the strand--about a year old. The cap on those measures 6 cm also.

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P.S. 10.5 C PA and 11B Fifth Street? Do you find you have a lot more toe room up front in the Fifth Street? My 9.5D Fifth St measures 0.5 cm longer in the upper than my 9.5C PA.



Testudo_Aubreii said:

Me too. Who knows: AE's styling and color choices always puzzle me. Why do they offer the Strand in flashy Walnut but not in the more versatile Chili? Why don't they offer a plain toe oxford, when Alden offers at least two (932 and 935)? Why is their one adelaide currently on offer the unsightly Vernon? Why on earth do they offer a walnut pebble grain stitch cap oxford???!!!??? Why can't they have wheeled edges and recessed channel stitching on all their city shoes, like they used to? (Paul Grangaard confessed as much in that video that introduces the Independence Collection).
On the other hand, AE is definitely responsive to its customers (compare that with Alden), and it looks like quality may be improving. The stitching on the Fifth Street is tighter and finer than on the PA I'm currently sizing. So are the holes through which the stitching runs. I hope this is because the Fifth Street was made within the year, while the PA is older, and that this marks a new commitment to improved quality.

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With Alden raising prices again (8% increase at the end of this year), I will no longer put up with their CS and QC issues. I hope AE can continue to introduce attractive models like the Shell Strand. I will be a customer in the future if they do.



Rambo said:

I've been working with the 5 last lately trying to get it to fit my EEE, Fred Flinstone-esque feet. I just ordered a 1-511 and a 7-97 to try on since there are a few shoes that I want on those lasts. If anyone wants to know the results, let me know.

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From what I understand, the 4 last (discontinued) has a lot of room in the toe box. Maybe you could find something on eBay. I have a Chester coming in the mail shortly, so I'll be able to give some first hand experience on it, though I'm sure plenty of others can attest to it.



Testudo_Aubreii said:

P.S. 10.5 C PA and 11B Fifth Street? Do you find you have a lot more toe room up front in the Fifth Street? My 9.5D Fifth St measures 0.5 cm longer in the upper than my 9.5C PA.

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The 11B looks to be about .5cm longer than the 10.5C as well. my true size is probably 10.C but had to size up a bit for these since they don't come in a c width. The toe room is very comparable between the two, which means there is plenty for me. I really like the 5th streets.



Joenobody0 said:

With Alden raising prices again (8% increase at the end of this year), I will no longer put up with their CS and QC issues. I hope AE can continue to introduce attractive models like the Shell Strand. I will be a customer in the future if they do.

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I hear you on Alden, Joe. It does seem a bit much. They don't even offer their RTW punch-cap, semi-brogue, or wingtip oxfords in dark brown calf anymore; they've had numerous QC issues in the past couple of years; they take a year for MTO; they never listen or respond to people on these boards; and yet they want more than $450 a pair for calfskin shoes? At that price point, I think they'll lose a lot more SFers and AAACers to AE, C&J, Trickers, and Cheaney.



Testudo_Aubreii said:

I hear you on Alden, Joe. It does seem a bit much. They don't even offer their RTW punch-cap, semi-brogue, or wingtip oxfords in dark brown calf anymore; they've had numerous QC issues in the past couple of years; they take a year for MTO; they never listen or respond to people on these boards; and yet they want more than $450 a pair for calfskin shoes? At that price point, I think they'll lose a lot more SFers and AAACers to AE, C&J, Trickers, and Cheaney.

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And with shells costing (1.08)*675 = $729 next year, I'd rather pay a little extra and get a pair of hand welted Vass. I miss the days when Alden was a traditional mens shoe brand. Now it's a brand for fashion followers...



rollafan said:

I think the Nordstrom Rack's shoe trees are just OK. Nothing special. They cost about $12 / pair. On the other hand, I did hear that the Nordstrom Rack's shoe trees are 2nds(?). Both Rack and the main Nordstrom's shoe trees are made by Woodlore, who also makes shoe trees for AE

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New Shoes1 said:

How is a shoe tree a second?  I have AE and Nordstrom shoe trees as well as the woodlore ones from the Rack.  There is no difference between any of them, other than price. 

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So should I keep them or switch em out for the J&Ms?