ALLEN EDMONDS APPRECIATION THREAD 2021: News, pictures, clothing, accessories, etc.

[javyn]

Since these will be my first pair of nice shoes, I'm assuming the Kiwi brand shoe polishes I've been using all my life are probably not a good idea for AEs? What do you all recommend to maintain these bad boys?

 

[Rithrin]

Since these will be my first pair of nice shoes, I'm assuming the Kiwi brand shoe polishes I've been using all my life are probably not a good idea for AEs? What do you all recommend to maintain these bad boys?

Kiwi is probably "just fine", I was using some random brand when first starting out and nothing seemed amiss. But most here will probably point to Saphir MDO products, or Pure Polish which seems to be pretty popular, too.

Personally I bought both Bick's and Saphir Renovateur for hydration, haven't seen a difference in results between products. Primarily stick to Saphir creams for colors, and I justify the higher price in that I couldn't imagine using these up within a one or two year timeframe. For some of AE's specific colors like Dark Chili, I use the AE polish.

 

[Genericuser1]

Since these will be my first pair of nice shoes, I'm assuming the Kiwi brand shoe polishes I've been using all my life are probably not a good idea for AEs? What do you all recommend to maintain these bad boys?

Depends on the material but I usually use AE color polishes or Saphir. If it's chomexcel or other waxy leathers I use Bick 4 or VSC.

 

[javyn]

Thanks. Looks like I'll be looking at AE/Saphir for my Fifth Aves. I may try to get away with cheap Kiwi for the black pair though. Saphir is only marginally more expensive than the cheap stuff, looks like I'm going with that.

I may need to do a little research for my Venture weatherproof chukkas. I don't even know what the hell "horween" means heh

 

[Coffandcig]

I'm not sure it's a weak argument. If you want better quality pay for better quality? I do agree that the balance is annoying and does happen from time to time with pairs but I've had this from C&J too so it is not only AE. I've never personally had an experience that AE didn't make right, even in some cases when I was being a bit picky. I'm not sure what the issue is with the 1st aves, but is there a chance that the shoes do fit the same but your feet aren't... exactly the same? Probably need to head over to EG/GG/Lobb for closer to but still not perfect results.

It's odd that so many people are conditioned to expect these mistakes here. I feel duped and think it's reasonable for a green pair of 9E 1st Aves to fit the same as a navy pair of 9E 1st Aves. Why should one pair require boot socks and another normal sport socks? This isn't a left to right issue; it's pair 1 in 9E vs pair 2 in 9E. I didn't say anything because I decided to make do and move forward but the inconsistency happened again with the Landons.

The green Landons are >>perfect<< and I'm wearing them many times per week, including right now. None of these boots are a daily necessity as I've plenty of footwear. I want to support MiUSA goods-that is an important point for me; I want to pay Americans for quality craftsmanship. The trunk shows are a way to slow down and make a C&J, Alden, Carmina et al product. I don't see why I need to spend a few hundred more in order to get 2 pairs of boots in the same size & model to fit similarly.

These aren't stock models. These were purchased at full retail during special, MTO events. Is it really that big of an expectation that the maker who advertises a special event would put special attention to those goods?

I like the weight, specifically the lack thereof, on AE boots; they're comfortable when they fit. These are great boots for an urban walker like myself. I want to keep buying AE though I do find it very, very odd that the 'enthusiasts' are pretty unanimous in expecting lower quality.

 

[madhat]

Thanks. Looks like I'll be looking at AE/Saphir for my Fifth Aves. I may try to get away with cheap Kiwi for the black pair though.

I may need to do a little research for my Venture weatherproof chukkas. I don't even know what the hell "horween" means heh

Horween Leather Co.

www.horween.com

Major US Tannery, most known for shell cordovan around here, but their CXL is also a big seller.

 

[stook1]

It's odd that so many people are conditioned to expect these mistakes here. I feel duped and think it's reasonable for a green pair of 9E 1st Aves to fit the same as a navy pair of 9E 1st Aves. Why should one pair require boot socks and another normal sport socks? This isn't a left to right issue; it's pair 1 in 9E vs pair 2 in 9E. I didn't say anything because I decided to make do and move forward but the inconsistency happened again with the Landons.

The green Landons are >>perfect<< and I'm wearing them many times per week, including right now. None of these boots are a daily necessity as I've plenty of footwear. I want to support MiUSA goods-that is an important point for me; I want to pay Americans for quality craftsmanship. The trunk shows are a way to slow down and make a C&J, Alden, Carmina et al product. I don't see why I need to spend a few hundred more in order to get 2 pairs of boots in the same size & model to fit similarly.

These aren't stock models. These were purchased at full retail during special, MTO events. Is it really that big of an expectation that the maker who advertises a special event would put special attention to those goods?

I like the weight, specifically the lack thereof, on AE boots; they're comfortable when they fit. These are great boots for an urban walker like myself. I want to keep buying AE though I do find it very, very odd that the 'enthusiasts' are pretty unanimous in expecting lower quality.

Fit variation happens across makers and, at least in my experience, most common with cordovan since it's more difficult to last. I think what bothers me the most of any AE "issue" at this point is the short toe stiffeners, which frequently results in rolling or creasing through the cap toes. The rest of the issues are the sorts of things that come up from time to time with most makers and usually don't have any significant impact on the longevity, aesthetics, or comfort of the shoe.

 

[javyn]

Horween Leather Co.

www.horween.com

Major US Tannery, most known for shell cordovan around here, but their CXL is also a big seller.

Oh, nice, thanks. Anything special I should do to maintain this type of leather? I'm assuming not if it's weatherproof. I'm excited to get these Ventures as every day boots.

 

[madhat]

Oh, nice, thanks. Anything special I should do to maintain this type of leather? I'm assuming not if it's weatherproof. I'm excited to get these Ventures as every day boots.

Not much will need to be done. Maybe some conditioner on occasion

 

[ProfilaBinding]

Vincent: just want to say seeing that line on the boots makes me sad. I've received pairs of shell seconds that looked like 1st quality, so seeing that line on there so obvious makes me wonder why they were created like that. That's why I'm content with buying 2nds in shell, although I understand AE cannot survive on just selling rejects. I'm generally pretty accepting of small imperfections, but even those would be too much for me to handle. Maybe those could made into a pair of shaved green?

I don't want bash AE, because part of me is afraid they might just decide to cancel the trunk shows. I'm grateful that they offer them, but I understand the frustrations of many on here. Just gotta accept the good with the bad with AE.

 

[Vincent George]

Vincent: just want to say seeing that line on the boots makes me sad. I've received pairs of shell seconds that looked like 1st quality, so seeing that line on there so obvious makes me wonder why they were created like that. That's why I'm content with buying 2nds in shell, although I understand AE cannot survive on just selling rejects. I'm generally pretty accepting of small imperfections, but even those would be too much for me to handle. Maybe those could made into a pair of shaved green?

I don't want bash AE, because part of me is afraid they might just decide to cancel the trunk shows. I'm grateful that they offer them, but I understand the frustrations of many on here. Just gotta accept the good with the bad with AE.

Thanks, @ProfilaBinding

I tend to agree re: marketing the “stripe” differently—just keep going with it and call it “marbled...” For me, it’s about transparency and inspection.

 

[MajorDash]

A little bit of Bick 4 went a long way at cleaning these up. I still have no clue what makes them F2s. Maybe they accidentally put Danite soles on them when the customer ordered V-tread? The world will never know.

 

[madhat]

Vincent: just want to say seeing that line on the boots makes me sad. I've received pairs of shell seconds that looked like 1st quality, so seeing that line on there so obvious makes me wonder why they were created like that. That's why I'm content with buying 2nds in shell, although I understand AE cannot survive on just selling rejects. I'm generally pretty accepting of small imperfections, but even those would be too much for me to handle. Maybe those could made into a pair of shaved green?

I don't want bash AE, because part of me is afraid they might just decide to cancel the trunk shows. I'm grateful that they offer them, but I understand the frustrations of many on here. Just gotta accept the good with the bad with AE.

...*mumbles under breath*...I like the striping and variation in shell....

 

[NYCTechNerd]

...I don't want bash AE, because part of me is afraid they might just decide to cancel the trunk shows. I'm grateful that they offer them, but I understand the frustrations of many on here. Just gotta accept the good with the bad with AE.

I always enjoy your posts and have found you to give very measured responses when discussing topics of conflict. I do not think this is how you meant it, but some of us do not want to accept the good with the bad and may not accept and/or understand why it must be that way since it has not always been that way.

My first TS was early 2020. I was extremely disappointed because I paid $408.75 for a pair of snuff suede Leeds on Dainite. They arrived and were poorly lasted (see pics below) which may have not bothered some but in my case it meant the area near both my ankles was too high on each shoe and dug into my ankles which no amount of break-in would fix. The store refused a return as did AE customer service because it was "within tolerances". It took weeks of haggling and finally an attorney friend of mine shared with me consumer protection laws which I regurgitated verbatim to AE customer service. They offered a store credit and I said full refund or I am going to small claims court. They finally relented, I sent the shoes back, and after several calls over 3 months they sent me a check. I'll admit that some of the delay in the refund check was due to the pandemic but I still should not have had to keep calling back to get a status. The entire experience really soured me on AE.

 

[FatTuesday]

It's an ? AE Blues ? kinda day, it seems...

AE Dundee chukkas in blue shell cordovan on double JR soles. Plus AE socks. Plus an AE shirt!

To cap it all off, my Planet Ocean blue(s)...