Allen Edmonds Appreciation Thread - reviews, pictures, sizing, etc...

[Shiny]



My AE Aberdeens are on the 222 last as well, and while being very comfortable, they look a bit more sleek than, in my opinion, the LWBs should. 

Yep. But some guys like the brouging and the detail of a LWB but are put off by the "clunkiness".

 

[Kahuna75]

It's really a matter of bal vs. blucher. The latter fits me considerably better than the former. Unless you're a completist, I don't think you should get both.




(l to r: brown shell MacNeil in 9 E, chili grain BB MacNeil in 9.5 E, cognac CXL MacNeil 5 in 9.5 E)

I've held both the natural and navy CXL Alden LWBs in my hands and can confirm they have serious heft and solidity as compared to even the MacNeil in shell. However, in terms of sleekness, I think the BB MacNeil and the MacNeil 5 are actually fairly close to each other. While I wouldn't choose the MacNeil 5 over the regular MacNeil, at least for the time being I'm happy to have both.

Thanks for the info - I think I will hold off on ordering a new size Rush St. then.

 

[Kahuna75]

Just to update on this:
I took them to a cobbler, and he said he would definitely be able to stretch the instep for me (as well as the width a little bit for my pinky toe). I am out of town, so I can't pick them up for another 1.5 weeks. I'll provide another update when I get them back.

I will try the E width next time (or just settle for only bluchers as said as that may be).

Good to know...It may sway my decision to keep my Brooks Strand in brown. Can not wait to hear your results.

 

[Kahuna75]

Has anyone done a Natural CXL Strand? I thought someone did but could not find the picture.

 

[MacktasticGDogg]

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

That Alden is a nice shoe for sure....Curious between the Rush St and the MacNeil you pictured which do you like better? I was going to order a different size Rush St with the sale going on and sell my pair just to get a better fitting one. Now I am thinking if they are that close in color do I really need both?

It's really a matter of bal vs. blucher. The latter fits me considerably better than the former. Unless you're a completist, I don't think you should get both.

The Natty CXL Alden is miles apart from the MacNeil 5 in Cognac CXL, IMO. While the MacNeil is easily my favorite AE's model, I have two major issues with this Webgem. First, I don't think I like the idea of the LWB on the 5 last. I think that for this shoe the 7 last works a lot better aesthetically. Second, a single sole eliminates the chunkiness, weight and substantial feel that I come to expect from the LWB.

(l to r: brown shell MacNeil in 9 E, chili grain BB MacNeil in 9.5 E, cognac CXL MacNeil 5 in 9.5 E) I've held both the natural and navy CXL Alden LWBs in my hands and can confirm they have serious heft and solidity as compared to even the MacNeil in shell. However, in terms of sleekness, I think the BB MacNeil and the MacNeil 5 are actually fairly close to each other. While I wouldn't choose the MacNeil 5 over the regular MacNeil, at least for the time being I'm happy to have both.

That's interesting. I have the BB chili grain MacNeil seconds and a pair of Alden cigar LWBs. I found the MacNeil to be the more substantial feeling shoe (not that the Alden isn't substantial in its own right). Unfortunately for me, I realized that the BB MacNeil has toe box that is too low for comfort after several wears, so it is retired from active duty for now. I do also find the regular MacNeil to be a sleeker shoe compared to the Alden LWB, and with a pointier toe than 65-lasted shoes, so I'm thinking the MacNeil 5 should look relatively "gun-boaty" in person. Hopefully my burgundy MacNeil 5 will be completed soon.

 

[NicNac]

Just picked up a hand me down pair of Waltons from my dad. Is it me or are they a wider looking shoe than my Daltons and Franciscans? My feet fit perfectly (10d) but when I look down at them they seem abnormally wide. Is this due to the split reverse welt?

Just curious....

Thanks!

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



Just picked up a hand me down pair of Waltons from my dad. Is it me or are they a wider looking shoe than my Daltons and Franciscans? My feet fit perfectly (10d) but when I look down at them they seem abnormally wide. Is this due to the split reverse welt?

Just curious....

Thanks!

The Walton is a wide looking shoe on a tricky, and somewhat seldom used, last (3 last). It is also a shoe that is seldom mentioned on here. It is a really nice casual shoe IMO. To get rid of its "wideness", I go up 1/2 size and down 2 widths (9.5D to 10B). The fit is great.

 

[JezeC]

Can somebody explain to me the differene between heather grain and scotch grain?

Is one leather superior to the other?

 

[NicNac]

Just picked up a hand me down pair of Waltons from my dad. Is it me or are they a wider looking shoe than my Daltons and Franciscans? My feet fit perfectly (10d) but when I look down at them they seem abnormally wide. Is this due to the split reverse welt?

Just curious....

Thanks!

The Walton is a wide looking shoe on a tricky, and somewhat seldom used, last (3 last). It is also a shoe that is seldom mentioned on here. It is a really nice casual shoe IMO. To get rid of its "wideness", I go up 1/2 size and down 2 widths (9.5D to 10B). The fit is great.

Thanks for your input.

The thing is the 10d in the Walton fit me quite well. I just have to get used to the "wideness" of the shoe.

 

[TLHouston]

When the Eagle County was being discontinued I decided to buy. I, like many of you, love the upper, but as for the factory sole, not so much. I bought the boot at $197, and sent it back for a re-craft to remove the rubber sole and go back with a double oak with a split reverse welt for $125 + $10 for a sole change from original. I was disappointed when my local store (New Orleans) called and said the upper was damaged during the process. Of course, there are no more uppers or complete boots in our solar system... Robin was great and offered me any shoe in store at full retail within the price range. I went with bourbon Dalton, and we shall see. I think I'll be pleased. Thoughts from Dalton owners?

So far we have:
Fifth Street- Brown Calf
Vernon - Black Calf
Park Avenue- Bourbon
Fairfax- Chili
Mora 2.0- Bourbon
McAllister - Walnut
Hanover - Black Calf
Hanover Burgundy Shell Cordovan MTO (pics on MTO Thread)
Strand - Brown Shell Cordovan

 

[Darkside]



When the Eagle County was being discontinued I decided to buy. I, like many of you, love the upper, but as for the factory sole, not so much. I bought the boot at $197, and sent it back for a re-craft to remove the rubber sole and go back with a double oak with a split reverse welt for $125 + $10 for a sole change from original.  I was disappointed when my local store (New Orleans) called and said the upper was damaged during the process. Of course, there are no more uppers or complete boots in our solar system...  Robin was great and offered me any shoe in store at full retail within the price range.  I went with bourbon Dalton, and we shall see. I think I'll be pleased. Thoughts from Dalton owners?

I own the Daltons in Bourbon and every time I wear them I decide they're my favorite pair. Until I put on my others. Then they become my favorite.

 

[cincikid]

Not exactly an AE shoe (it's Tricker's apparently), but I just couldn't help posting the picture from an eBay auction. It's a very rare, exotic and refined form of the OCD that the seller has.

 

[hohneokc]



When the Eagle County was being discontinued I decided to buy. I, like many of you, love the upper, but as for the factory sole, not so much. I bought the boot at $197, and sent it back for a re-craft to remove the rubber sole and go back with a double oak with a split reverse welt for $125 + $10 for a sole change from original.  I was disappointed when my local store (New Orleans) called and said the upper was damaged during the process. Of course, there are no more uppers or complete boots in our solar system...  Robin was great and offered me any shoe in store at full retail within the price range.  I went with bourbon Dalton, and we shall see. I think I'll be pleased. Thoughts from Dalton owners?

So far we have:
Fifth Street- Brown Calf
Vernon - Black Calf
Park Avenue- Bourbon
Fairfax- Chili
Mora 2.0- Bourbon
McAllister - Walnut
Hanover - Black Calf
Hanover Burgundy Shell Cordovan MTO (pics on MTO Thread)
Strand - Brown Shell Cordovan

I recently picked up the Dalton in Chocolate. This was my first AE boot besides the Cascade ankle boot. I really like my Dalton - in fact I'm a bit mad that boot season is ending and it will be the Fall before I can start wearing these again. I was afraid a boot would not be as comfortable as a shoe, but I was wrong. The boot does feel different, but it is extremely comfortable.

Here are my chocolate Daltons

Chris

 

[NicNac]



When the Eagle County was being discontinued I decided to buy. I, like many of you, love the upper, but as for the factory sole, not so much. I bought the boot at $197, and sent it back for a re-craft to remove the rubber sole and go back with a double oak with a split reverse welt for $125 + $10 for a sole change from original.  I was disappointed when my local store (New Orleans) called and said the upper was damaged during the process. Of course, there are no more uppers or complete boots in our solar system...  Robin was great and offered me any shoe in store at full retail within the price range.  I went with bourbon Dalton, and we shall see. I think I'll be pleased. Thoughts from Dalton owners?

So far we have:
Fifth Street- Brown Calf
Vernon - Black Calf
Park Avenue- Bourbon
Fairfax- Chili
Mora 2.0- Bourbon
McAllister - Walnut
Hanover - Black Calf
Hanover Burgundy Shell Cordovan MTO (pics on MTO Thread)
Strand - Brown Shell Cordovan

I own Walnut and Bourbon Daltons and love them both equally. I wear them with my suits as much as I wear them with jeans. I found that they took a little longer to break in compare to my other AE's but once broken in, they feel fantastic!

Congrats!

 

[LeviMay]



I own the Daltons in Bourbon and every time I wear them I decide they're my favorite pair. Until I put on my others. Then they become my favorite.

My wife just gave me an odd look as I laughed at this. Well done.