The Allen Edmonds MTO Thread

[Nik Telford]

How much of a difference in quality is there between AE and Alden Suedes? I'm looking to get a chunky longwing in white suede and now that the SF discount is no more the prices are pretty comparable between Alden and AE MTO. Leffot had a white suede longwing on Barrie but I dont know my size in it, plus theyve sold out of it a while ago. The reason im considering AE over Alden is that I dont know my barrie last size and im a B/C width so getting a perfect fit would be much easier through AE than Alden. Especially since there would not likely be any non-D widths available through Alden and I know of nowhere near me that stocks Alden.

 

[mdubs]



How much of a difference in quality is there between AE and Alden Suedes? I'm looking to get a chunky longwing in white suede and now that the SF discount is no more the prices are pretty comparable between Alden and AE MTO. Leffot had a white suede longwing on Barrie but I dont know my size in it, plus theyve sold out of it a while ago. The reason im considering AE over Alden is that I dont know my barrie last size and im a B/C width so getting a perfect fit would be much easier through AE than Alden. Especially since there would not likely be any non-D widths available through Alden and I know of nowhere near me that stocks Alden.

If you preorder, you can get a B or C width. Alden caries the Barrie last from B to EEE in most sizes. They deprecated the A width recently (2012ish) in a lot of sizes from what I have heard. PM me if you need more Alden sizing advice as I am a 10.5C and know the game well.

I can not speak too well to the quality differences as I have only worn Alden Suede. I did own an Amok in Snuff and it was a nice color, but I realized i wasn't going to wear a Snuff Chukka and sold them before wearing them. I imagine the difference between the two is not mind boggling, but at the same price, I would lean towards Alden myself... But sizing is the most important thing and at this point I know more about Alden lasts than AE lasts.

 

[Nik Telford]

If you preorder, you can get a B or C width. Alden caries the Barrie last from B to EEE in most sizes. They deprecated the A width recently (2012ish) in a lot of sizes from what I have heard. PM me if you need more Alden sizing advice as I am a 10.5C and know the game well.

I can not speak too well to the quality differences as I have only worn Alden Suede. I did own an Amok in Snuff and it was a nice color, but I realized i wasn't going to wear a Snuff Chukka and sold them before wearing them. I imagine the difference between the two is not mind boggling, but at the same price, I would lean towards Alden myself... But sizing is the most important thing and at this point I know more about Alden lasts than AE lasts.

Alden is actually the shoe manufacturer I know the absolute least about. Not sure why that is. But I didn't know that about the pre-orders. I think if that is the case im going to be patient and wait until next summer. If it was popular enough to sell out im sure one of their stockists will run it or something similar again. Sizing was what I was most worried about.

 

[gg253]

#1 Bayfield, PP, or EC mini lugs

 

[watchidiot]

Hi guys, I do have an update from AE and it's a mix of good and bad. The bad news is cappuccino shell is out. Paul said that tanning shell cordovan to the cappuccino color has not been a consistent process for Horween, and for the same reason that walnut shell is not available, both Horween and AE has decided that they will not be producing cappuccino shell in the near future.

Some bit of good news to lighten the last day of the week. Paul has agreed that if the numbers are enough he would be willing to price the MTOd shoes at less than SRP. The magic number though has not been shared yet.

Now to get some progress on our MTO... I poured over all the replies since the GMTO started and with the data from the poll organized by tjyoung (thank you very much to you sir, lot of useful info derived from the survey) there are a couple of make-ups that appear to have garnered enough interest to 1) go ahead and eliminate the rest, and 2) proceed to the next step which is to check how many would still be interested with these preferred make ups.

For the boot, the preferred model was the Eagle County by a huge margin and there were 5 uppers that stood out. They are
1) Eagle County in Brown Shell Cordovan (cappuccino actually but thats out)
2) Eagle County in Calf Chili Grain 1038
3) Eagle County in Calf Brown Grain 1040
4) Eagle County in Navy Calf
5) Eagle County in Merlot Calf

For the blucher, it was a runaway for the Townley in Brown Shell (cappuccino actually).

So whats the next step? I created a poll to find out which make-up would have the most number of potential orders in the event that it was the final chosen GMTO spec. Responders to the survey question can choose multiple make-ups from the list. Ive put an estimated price for each make up and also purposedly put sole and welt details as TBA - that will be for the next round.

Only those make ups with a clear following (at least more than 5 orders would be a good starting point - cut-off will be adjusted up or down depending on the response) will make it to the next round which is basically completing the details of the shoe and then submitting to AE for pricing. Then we do a listing of people who would like to place the order for the shoe.

I created 2 additional make ups for the Townley in calf and casual leather (there were at least 2 people who mentioned these leather for the townley) just in case there are folks who are interested in the Townley but cannot afford shell.

You may respond to the survey here
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3HTLHW5

Enjoy the weekend!

 

[watchidiot]

Once you have submitted a response much appreciate if you can quote and list your name here. Just want to be sure the all votes are accounted for and not some votes from folks who arent really intending to participate.

1. @watchidiot

 

[tradbrah]

Disappointing news about cappuccino shell. I love the Townley, but I don't need anymore dark brown cordovan. Excited to see what make ups are created though.

 

[BagleyBrown]

Once you have submitted a response much appreciate if you can quote and list your name here. Just want to be sure the all votes are accounted for and not some votes from folks who arent really intending to participate.

1. @watchidiot

2. @JZrhwinnj

 

[polojock615]



Once you have submitted a response much appreciate if you can quote and list your name here. Just want to be sure the all votes are accounted for and not some votes from folks who arent really intending to participate.

1. @watchidiot
 

@polojock615

 

[Mossington]

@mossington

 

[Burzan]

Once you have submitted a response much appreciate if you can quote and list your name here. Just want to be sure the all votes are accounted for and not some votes from folks who arent really intending to participate.

1. @watchidiot
2. @JZrhwinnj
3. @polojock615
4. @Mossington
5. @Burzan

Voted!

 

[FatTuesday]

Once you have submitted a response much appreciate if you can quote and list your name here. Just want to be sure the all votes are accounted for and not some votes from folks who arent really intending to participate.

1. @watchidiot

6. @FatTuesday

 

[gatszu]

Once you have submitted a response much appreciate if you can quote and list your name here. Just want to be sure the all votes are accounted for and not some votes from folks who arent really intending to participate.

1. @watchidiot
2. @JZrhwinnj
3. @polojock615
4. @Mossington
5. @Burzan
6. @FatTuesday

7. @gatszu

 

[JezeC]

7. @gatszu

8. Jezec

 

[adamdurbin]

9. Adamdurbin