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Allen & Edmonds - Where to Get Fit ?

post #1 of 8
1/3/12 at 5:58pm
Thread Starter 

I know the AE stores do a very nice comprehensive fitting for their shoes.  Sadly, the closest one is 100 miles from my home in Richmond, VA.  There are, however a number of local stores (Norstrom, Saxon, and Franco's) that sell the shoes.  My concern is whether these stores will be able to fit me with the same level of precision as the AE shop.

 

I'm new here and to taking more pride in my appearance, so this will be my first fitting for "real" shoes.

 

Thanks!

 

 

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post #2 of 8
1/3/12 at 6:08pm
I have been mis-fitted at John Lobb, Crocket & Jones and several of the top-tier department stores. And yes, at Allen Edmonds too.

My experience is that when you are fitted,
- 45% of the time, the person helping you does not know how to tell if you have a good fit
- 45% of the time, the person helping you assumes that you want to judge yourself by walking for a few steps
- 10% of the time, the person actually knows how to fit you and proactively does so

So, my advice is,
- read up on what good fit means. Learn how much room you should have in the toe box. Learn how much room you should have above the foot. Learn how much lateral support and heal cushion you should have. Understand how lasts factor into all this.
- read up on what to expect in a good fitting. Measuring both feet, paying attention to lacing, looking for signs of soreness in key areas such as ankle bone, big and small toe edges, etc.
- be prepared to tell the sales person what to do. Minimally, if they aren't doing much other than bringing out a shoe in your Brannock size, make small talk by asking them if there is anything specific they would look for when determining ill fit.
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post #3 of 8
1/3/12 at 7:29pm
^^ Good advice. Bottom line is you can't trust a saleman to fit you properly. Also don't listen to them if they tell you that a pair of uncomfortable shoes will break in over time enough to become comfortable.
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post #4 of 8
1/3/12 at 9:05pm

If you have a special need, I would suggest just biting the bullet and driving up to Reston, VA. It's only an hour and a half away.

 

I live in NoVA and have wanted to drive down to Franco's on a weekend--so it may just be an issue of "the grass is greener..."

 

Speaking as a n00b myself, I would say Romano Martegani would be an excellent starting point and Franco's carries many styles. I have the black captoe and am quite happy with it. It did take awhile to break in, but I like the shoes more and more as the days go by.

 

 

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post #5 of 8
1/3/12 at 9:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by swiego View Post

I have been mis-fitted at John Lobb, Crocket & Jones and several of the top-tier department stores. And yes, at Allen Edmonds too.
My experience is that when you are fitted,
- 45% of the time, the person helping you does not know how to tell if you have a good fit
- 45% of the time, the person helping you assumes that you want to judge yourself by walking for a few steps
- 10% of the time, the person actually knows how to fit you and proactively does so
So, my advice is,
- read up on what good fit means. Learn how much room you should have in the toe box. Learn how much room you should have above the foot. Learn how much lateral support and heal cushion you should have. Understand how lasts factor into all this.
- read up on what to expect in a good fitting. Measuring both feet, paying attention to lacing, looking for signs of soreness in key areas such as ankle bone, big and small toe edges, etc.
- be prepared to tell the sales person what to do. Minimally, if they aren't doing much other than bringing out a shoe in your Brannock size, make small talk by asking them if there is anything specific they would look for when determining ill fit.


Good advice here.

 

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post #6 of 8
1/3/12 at 9:32pm
Allen Edmonds website has a printable fitting chart.
I wear 10.5 d normally and that's what I order (online). Fit will vary between models, however, but most of the time 10.5 d fits me well after break in. Once I had to return a pair, but usually if the shoe is just a bit too tight I take it to the cobbler to get it stretched. Never had one that is too wide.
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post #7 of 8
1/3/12 at 10:12pm
I have afew AE shoes and never felt like I got a perfect fit - each one had minor problems. I live in Canada and went to Chicago to AE hoping to get a proper fitting. Three experts there were of no help - didnt even measure me - I was given different sizes to try on and walk around. When I asked about the varies lasts and explain which ones I had and the problems - they couldnt answer any questions nor did they provide any suggestions. I also called their support line to ask about the different lasts - they quoted the exact same info as on the website.


Swiego is correct
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post #8 of 8
1/4/12 at 2:50am
Maybe, you're over-thinking this a little bit. These are RTW shoes; you don't have that many degrees of freedom. There's just the size, the width, and the last.

With a little preparation you can do this yourself:
  • The size is a matter of your foot length. You can use Allen Edmonds printable chart, but beware that is measures half a size longer than necessary. Once you've determined that, you should try shoes only in this size.
  • Next is the last, Allen Edmonds has only about 12 lasts for welted shoes. Make a list, select one or two models for each, and print it out. Then try these in a store near you. Your heels should not slip, and the instep should not pinch.
  • Finally the width for the best fitting last, change as necessary. The numbers are relative to the last, anyway.

The most common error is to select a model (and thus last), first, and then change the size according to subjective feel. As long as you don't do this, you have a good chance to find a fitting last, as far as Allen Edmonds' supply will allow you to.

Hope this helps.
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