Allen Edmonds Appreciation Thread 2019 - News, Pictures, Clothing, Accessories, etc.

[BagleyBrown]

If given a choice, do you prefer a tighter toe box or a looser heel?

In a perfect world, shoes fit great all around. However that’s not the case for me. It’s something I’ve struggled with because one of my feet is about 1/4 bigger (primarily in my small toe area)

Just wondering peoples thoughts

I would buy for the larger foot and add heel pads, orthotics,
tongue pads as needed for the smaller foot.

AE and Rancourt are both possible options to build 2 different sizes for you.
I would be willing to spend retail PLUS for 1 pair exactly to my specifications. If they fit perfect, I'd start considering my second pair.

Fit is king, before building your collection, be sure you know the king.

 

[JohnPatShop]

If given a choice, do you prefer a tighter toe box or a looser heel?

In a perfect world, shoes fit great all around. However that’s not the case for me. It’s something I’ve struggled with because one of my feet is about 1/4 bigger (primarily in my small toe area)

Just wondering peoples thoughts

Bigger toe box at all costs...with caveats.

If my big toe is anywhere near the front of the shoe, even rubbing the side where the toe box tapers a lot, like in the 511 last, my knees hurt. Same if my pinky toe is squished. Calfskin will never ever truly break in the way cheap sneakers do. A loose heel means some chafing/callouses at worst. A tight toebox means pain throughout the day and worse if I'm on my feet for a long time.

This is IMO the intended fit of dress shoes. They grab the heel tight, fit at your arch, and the toes are supposed to have a full inch of empty space.

So my left foot is also smaller by nearly 3/4 of a size. I use these suede heel spacers if the fit is too big, but only in extreme cases.

 

[schweezly]

I would buy for the larger foot and add heel pads, orthotics,
tongue pads as needed for the smaller foot.

AE and Rancourt are both possible options to build 2 different sizes for you.
I would be willing to spend retail PLUS for 1 pair exactly to my specifications. If they fit perfect, I'd start considering my second pair.

Fit is king, before building your collection, be sure you know the king.

Of course. I’m not talking about walking out of the heels, more like some side to side action. Some shoes fit great but I have a pinky toe that rubs/pokes in almost anything the correct size.

Bigger toe box at all costs...with caveats.

If my big toe is anywhere near the front of the shoe, even grazing the side where the toe box tapers a lot, like in the 511 last, my knees hurt. Same if my pinky toe is squished. Calfskin will never ever truly break in the way cheap sneakers do. A loose heel means some chafing/callouses at worst. A tight toebox means pain throughout the day and worse if I'm on my feet for a long time.

This is IMO the intended fit of dress shoes. They grab the heel tight, fit at your arch, and the toes are supposed to have a full inch of empty space.

So my left foot is also smaller by nearly 3/4 of a size. I use these suede heel spacers if the fit is too big, but only in extreme cases.

View attachment 1160756

Agreed. I prefer tongue pads, but I know what you mean. Like above I’m talking about a small amount that your average person who doesn’t care about shoes probably wouldn’t care about

 

[BagleyBrown]

Of course. I’m not talking about walking out of the heels, more like some side to side action. Some shoes fit great but I have a pinky toe that rubs/pokes in almost anything the correct size.

Don't sleep on pinky toe accommodations.

 

[JohnPatShop]

It looks like there is another run of the MD chukka that dropped. I have the last pair that don't fit me that I have yet to sell unworn. I need to figure out what size to order next. Either an 8EEE or 8 1/2D. I had ordered 8D thinking that the unlined nature would give me more room. I seem to recall that they were too narrow but also a bit short. I will try them on again and see what I think is best. I don't have anything else in the 511 last. I wear an 8EEE on the 65 last though they are roomy and I have 8D and 8E in HM boots, which I am somewhat in between the two. I wear the 8D with thin socks and the 8E with thicker socks. I also have an 8 1/2 E Cornwallis "in the lab" to borrow @St Hubbins terminology. Any thoughts?

511 is tight and short (in that the toebox begins to taper more severely and farther back) than the 65 or the Higgins. Higgins also has much, much more instep.

I need TTS or even a half size big in 511. Unlined actually doesn't make a big difference, in my experience (Cronmok, Caen, Normandy), especially if you're on your feet a lot.

I'd suggest 8.5D or 9D for your next Massdrop, but please get to a store or a Nordstrom and try a Leeds or Sullivan just to be sure.

 

[Lionel Hutz]

I'm inclined to exchange these new black shell PAs. I think these flaws would bother me (though I'm not sure the cap toe thing wouldn't work itself out). Am i being too picky?

 

[JohnPatShop]

View attachment 1160746
McTavish in drool-proof Dublin at the vet...
View attachment 1160745

Yeah, how does the brown Dublin hold up to rain/other stuff? I love my Stirlings, but I'm afraid to wear them.

 

[JohnPatShop]

Of course. I’m not talking about walking out of the heels, more like some side to side action.
...I’m talking about a small amount that your average person who doesn’t care about shoes probably wouldn’t care about

For something minor, I've taken those suede heel spacers, cut strips out of them with scissors, and applied the strip to the the inside of the heel. It grabs on to my ankle just enough to take the shoe from slippery to perfect. While the sticky does wear off, they all do anyway, and it doesn't shove my foot further into the shoe.

 

[pedarius]

Yeah, how does the brown Dublin hold up to rain/other stuff? I love my Stirlings, but I'm afraid to wear them.

Dublin is cowhide that is tanned with a mix of fats/oils/liquors similar to what Horween uses on shell, and then waxed. Should be about as durable as it gets but will patina heavily (part of the attraction, honestly)--similar to chromexcel. I wouldn't hesitate to wear these in the rain.

 

[HCapLonghorn]

Happy tax day! Alden 9016 to start the week fresh in black shell. These shoes always make me happy!

That tie works really well, too. The BB red is awesome and a bit more flavorful than some of your others. What other tie purveyors do you use?

 

[HCapLonghorn]

shell Pats to start off the week - these have quickly become my favorite AEs. I go back and forth on socks though - solids or something eccentric. Solid might show off the shell LHS better.

 

[bpanicola]

511 is tight and short (in that the toebox begins to taper more severely and farther back) than the 65 or the Higgins. Higgins also has much, much more instep.

I need TTS or even a half size big in 511. Unlined actually doesn't make a big difference, in my experience (Cronmok, Caen, Normandy), especially if you're on your feet a lot.

I'd suggest 8.5D or 9D for your next Massdrop, but please get to a store or a Nordstrom and try a Leeds or Sullivan just to be sure.

Thanks for the opinion and suggestion. I will figure out how to try one of those on before the drop ends.

 

[shhQuiet]

Recrafted Concord from the early 90s?

I dunno, doesn’t look worn at all around the eyelets and heel. I think NOS. In my size [emoji51]

 

[madhat]

I'm inclined to exchange these new black shell PAs. I think these flaws would bother me (though I'm not sure the cap toe thing would work itself out). Am i being too picky?

View attachment 1160757

View attachment 1160758

View attachment 1160760

The quarter's fuzz is the only objectionable thing I see, but I could personally make that less obvious myself. To me, these are fine.

 

[smfdoc]

Happy Monday forum pals. Some natty shell MacNeil shoe Appreciation to start off the week.