270 vs 360 degree welt (allen edmonds)

[zerostyle]

Hi all,

I'm looking at a few pairs of Allen Edmonds, and am considering their slightly less expensive line which seems to use a 270deg welt vs. 360deg welt.

(For example, the AE Van Ness vs. AE Fifth Avenue).

Is there much difference between these, or not worth worrying about it?

 

[AML225]

I believe the 270 degree welt is still fully re-craftable but come with rubber soles instead of leather soles. I have a pair of the Van Ness in Chili burnished. They are great looking shoes. My only complaint is that I've gotten the impression after a couple wears that maybe the calf leather isn't of quite the same quality as their normal shoes. I could be way off but my Van Ness' creasing just doesn't look as clean as my Strands or my Sanfords. It is for this reason I have relegated them to poor weather duty. Again these are just my own experiences.

If you're interested I picked up my Van Ness seconds for something like $120 and I still can't figure out what made them seconds as I doubt it's the creasing problem I mentioned above. PM me if you're interested.

 

[jonesphilc]

Agree with AML225's assessment. I own a pair of black Van Ness shoes, and the leather quality is slightly less than the Park Avenue's and Sanford's that I also have. It takes a bit more polishing effort to get a similar result with the cheaper quality leather. Not a bad looking shoe for the amount you put out for them. I do notice that the heel portion on the Van Ness model looks more "blocky" and less sculpted in shaped than comparable 360 degree welt models. Not sure if anyone else besides a shoe fanatic would likely notice that while you're wearing them.