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New Florsheim Kenmoors

JN41

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Hi, I just picked up a pair of new burgundy Florsheim Kenmoors at 20% off retail (retail = $225). I like the shoes but they appear to be (gasp!) corrected-grain leather. Can anyone confirm?

I am interested in a pair of longwings and the Kenmoors appear to fit the bill at a "decent" price (I say "decent" because (a) I got them at a moderate discount, and (b) higher-end men's shoes in Canada are ridiculously overpriced (for example, most AEs here sell for around $450 a pair; heck, even Hugo Boss shoes are $400)).

Can anybody vouch for the quality of these Florsheim's? How can I expect them to wear over time? I have seen many pictures of great looking vintage pairs but I understand these do not give an accurate representation of the current shoe.

I know the current Kenmoors are Goodyear welted, but if they are garbage I will return them. I am hoping to (slowly) build a roster of shoes that will give me years of quality use.

Thanks
 

greekgeek

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Originally Posted by JN41
I know the current Kenmoors are Goodyear welted, but if they are garbage I will return them. Thanks

This.
 

DocHolliday

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I would not pay that much for a corrected grain shoe, especially one that shiny. (And that's not even considering the offshoring, for which Florsheim shouldn't be rewarded.)

For anyone considering buying a modern Kenmoor without having seen it in person, Zappos now has a video that shows how shiny it is:

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/109018/c/3676.html
 

DocHolliday

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They use the shininess as a selling point.
rotflmao.gif
 

Sean Archer

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Originally Posted by DocHolliday
They use the shininess as a selling point.
rotflmao.gif


Ya, it's funny. The shoes also seem squashed vertically, like the video is at a weird aspect ratio at the beginning and end.
 

Sean Archer

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Incidentally I have a black pebbel Kenmoor, Indian made and current. I like it ok, but I wouldn't get the smooth ones without seeing them in person first. The shoe in the video already seems really shiny and it's the cognac pebble, so imagine how much shinier the smooth ones are.
 

Tarmac

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Slight diversion but I finally saw the Duckie Brown Florsheims in person. They are pretty disappointing. I might buy them if they go on clearance at $150 or less, but for anything more they are pretty bad quality.
 

Sean Archer

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Originally Posted by Tarmac
Slight diversion but I finally saw the Duckie Brown Florsheims in person. They are pretty disappointing. I might buy them if they go on clearance at $150 or less, but for anything more they are pretty bad quality.

They're calf right?
 

deveandepot1

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I like this review:

I have been a fan of Allen Edmonds for 22 years, because they last for, 22 years! Had both the black pair and wine pair resoled after 10 and now they have met their match. Wow! what a great run. I never thought I would have worn anything else. But of course I have bought other-day shoes from Zappos and they have been great, but I had been hesitant to buy my "work" "style" "comfort" shoes from anyone else other than Nordstrom! Then I bought a pair of of Florsheim Long Wings in Wine 13. Holy crap, they are awesome! So now I just ordered a pair of 13 Calf Black; can't afford them since my wife got laid off, but nothing feels better under my feet then the Long Wing! And thanks Z for the fast delivery! That makes it even more special.
 

Tarmac

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Originally Posted by Sean Archer
They're calf right?

Probably yes, but hard to tell. They are kind of colored "thick", there is no natural tone to them. For example, the blue longwings are bright blue. They remind me of leather you see on sneakers.
 

JN41

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Thanks for the replies everyone.
 

Swan Song

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I bought a pair of smooth grain calf in brown made in India at Nordstrom Rack and the value is very high. But I only paid $39 minus 25% off. Seems about right for an occasional shoe. No way at over $50.

YMMV
 

MyOtherLife

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Comparison checklist Vintage Florsheim Imperial Kenmoor:
  • Made in USA
  • Double leather 360° welted soles (thick)
  • Plush leather interior (think Alden as comparison)
  • Leather footbed (think Alden as comparison)
  • Chunky (wide) hard rubber heel with leather layer on top
  • 65 nails on the heel & steel 'V Cleat' to reduce heel wear (although many hate these features)
  • 3 brass pins on either side of sole waist
  • Corrected grain upper (? Tanning method)(thick stiff leather)
Todays Florsheim Imperial Kenmoor:
  • Made In India (Weyco/Florsheim insists the quality is not comprimised)
  • Double leather 360° welted soles (not as thick as the vintage model)
  • Leather/cloth interiors
  • Hardboard (compressed cardboard ?) footbed (ok comfort)
  • Slimmer hard rubber heel with rubber heel lift (no nails on heel but lifts are easier to replace)
  • Corrected grain upper (Chromium Tanned)(signifigantly thinner than the vintage model)
Todays Kenmoor is a slimmer trimmer version if the vintage model. You'll find a myriad of member support for the Vintage model, including myself, though I am one of a small group of supporters of the current model. With respect, it is unfair to compare todays Kenmoor to Alden or even AE. At $225 retail, todays Kenmoor is not even in the same price range. If you have many shoes in your rotation, and don't expose the leather soles to rain, snow, whatever, todays Kenmoor will last years & years. I have 4 pair of the current model; one in each finish. All are between 4- 5 years old and going perfectly strong. Not one complaint. As for the vintage model, I have 3 pair. They are virtually indestructable. Off-topic, I also have a few other pair of lesser Florsheim models that are also doing very well. Buying a pair today, you need not worry. For that price how can anyone expect Alden quality? For those on a budget, who need a reliable and affordable new pair of shoes, Kenmoors are very much still in the ballgame. If you can afford to wait however, saving for AE or Alden would be a wise choice, and ofcourse AE/Alden bargains are out there.
 

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