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

[rostov]

It's my understanding that grain textured leather is (always? usually? sometimes?) corrected grain, which would explain this effect.

It's actually the definition of applying a texture to a leather that makes it "corrected grain". A corrected grain leather simply means that it has an artificial grain applied. Often this is done to hide the blemishes in leather that does not meet the cosmetic standards for use as full-grain leather. It does not necessarily mean that worse leather is used. I also understand that corrected-grain offers better water resistance.


The Duke and Gridiron are not calf-skin like many other Allen Edmonds shoes, but are made of steer hide such as used in footballs. I'm not sure how this affects water resistance, but the leather is notably thicker. Also, I'll note that my own Duke loafers have developed a cordovan-like roll to them, rather than calf-like creases.

Finally, in terms of the quality of the leather, it's worth noting the following page from Horween which says the steer hides they purchase are "generally considered to be the best available hide": http://horween.com/101/by-request-whats-the-difference/

 

[YoungSweet]



It's not often that I pull out dressy calf bals on the 5 last . . . but when I do I'm reminded why they're an AE perennial: This is why it's hard for me to get rid of any of my shoes, even with as many pairs as I have (just counting AEs, around 40). I might not wear these McAllisters more than a couple times a year, but when I want to wear them, I'm glad they're there!

Did you downsize half? I thought you were up to about 70 just a few months ago.

 

[random-adam]

So this is tomorrow, nine metro stops from my house:

...Wish I could go, but it'd have to be straight from the office, and it's not like our dog can let himself out. Hope other DC SFers can make it!

 

[Burzan]

Depending on the angle and the lighting my brown cordovan Strands show some great variation in color, I love it. Once the AE polish is off the natural color really starts to pop.

 

[WICaniac]

Thanks. Good points. I'm in academia where fashion is a pretty rare thing. I want to look sharp but not too out of place.

You don't need to look out of place to look stylish. If I had to pick one pair of shoes, however, I'd choose LWB (McNeil or McGregor) in brown. They are Ivy/trad and can't look too out of place, and they work well with what you're wearing.

 

[kentyman]

Speaking of which, any opinions on the Shelton? I saw a few on ebay and many seemed to have serious creasing across the vamp. Is this common?

I wore my Walnut/Brown Sheltons for the first time in a while yesterday to see if I wanted to keep them, and I re-fell in love with them. They're really sharp. There are some creases on the vamp, but nothing extreme especially compared to other shoes. I will say that they fit a bit more narrow than my other 1-511 shoes; the V is more pronounced than on my Finches, and the same size Burgundy Shell Daltons I'm wearing today fit perfectly. That said, with a thinner socks and a little breaking in, they fit well.

 

[kentyman]

It's actually the definition of applying a texture to a leather that makes it "corrected grain". A corrected grain leather simply means that it has an artificial grain applied. Often this is done to hide the blemishes in leather that does not meet the cosmetic standards for use as full-grain leather. It does not necessarily mean that worse leather is used. I also understand that corrected-grain offers better water resistance.

I guess I should've clarified that by "corrected" I meant not just a grain pattern imprinted, but also a fake plasticy finish applied. I may be confusing my terms. But it does make sense that you could add a grain pattern without adding an additional finish (presumably that's what grain shell cordovan is).

I guess my question is whether this is just imprinted full- or top-grain leather, or something worse with a fake finish added? If the latter, that'd certainly explain the waterproof behavior.

 

[peppercorn78]



I guess I should've clarified that by "corrected" I meant not just a grain pattern imprinted, but also a fake plasticy finish applied. I may be confusing my terms. But it does make sense that you could add a grain pattern without adding an additional finish (presumably that's what grain shell cordovan is).

I guess my question is whether this is just imprinted full- or top-grain leather, or something worse with a fake finish added? If the latter, that'd certainly explain the waterproof behavior.

The Horween web site indicates that it is not full-grain. It doesn't go into much detail.

 

[bellyhungry]

Decided to pull the trigger on a pair of Bourbon Dalton on the last day of the RDA sales today. Sized up to 10.5D from my normal 10D after trying them in store (10D is too narrow and tight.) Additional good news is, I managed to get Shoebank to honor the original RDA sale price of $219. It is to be delivered tomorrow. Here's hoping that there aren't any noticeable blemishes on them.

 

[halfnhalfnhalf]

Quote:

This is why it's hard for me to get rid of any of my shoes, even with as many pairs as I have (just counting AEs, around 40). I might not wear these McAllisters more than a couple times a year, but when I want to wear them, I'm glad they're there!

Did you downsize half? I thought you were up to about 70 just a few months ago.

Nah. 40 pairs doesn't count the Aldens, Rancourts, Carminas, etc.

 

[BackInTheJox]

Decided to pull the trigger on a pair of Bourbon Dalton on the last day of the RDA sales today. Sized up to 10.5D from my normal 10D after trying them in store (10D is too narrow and tight.) Additional good news is, I managed to get Shoebank to honor the original RDA sale price of $219. It is to be delivered tomorrow. Here's hoping that there aren't any noticeable blemishes on them.

Nice! How'd you get them to honor that price?

I ordered a pair of walnut Daltons on the second day of the sale, just before the price went up. Love the boots so much.

 

[YoungSweet]

Nah. 40 pairs doesn't count the Aldens, Rancourts, Carminas, etc.

Haha that makes a lot more sense

 

[JezeC]

wow 70 pairs?

how often to you polish leather shoes? you probably don't even need to polish considering your sizable collection. i typically polish after 15 wears per pair, and that may take you two years to get to that number, haha.

 

[Olifter]



The shop called a little while ago, and the cost is less than a pair of seconds boat shoes.  Back to checking out the sale!

Speaking of which, any opinions on the Shelton?  I saw a few on ebay and many seemed to have serious creasing across the vamp.  Is this common?

Not on mine.

 

[halfnhalfnhalf]

wow 70 pairs?

how often to you polish leather shoes? you probably don't even need to polish considering your sizable collection. i typically polish after 15 wears per pair, and that may take you two years to get to that number, haha.

Only about 10 of the pairs are dress calf, and I wouldn't wear any of them any more than a few times per year, so - not very often!