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

[cfrp]

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-01-17/all-the-presidents-shoes-inaugural-product-placement

 

[New Shoes1]

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-01-17/all-the-presidents-shoes-inaugural-product-placement

I don't know whether to laugh or feel pity for AE that the picture of the Park Avenue for the article is showing signs of the cursed bowing.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



I don't know whether to laugh or feel pity for AE that the picture of the Park Avenue for the article is showing signs of the cursed bowing. 

No kidding - I thought of the same thing.

 

[coolarrow]

There is a new in box (seller claims it's overstock) pair of Walnut shell Dalton size 9.5D on eBay, with a buy-it-now price of $449.99...

Excellent price, I'd have pulled the trigger if it's in size 10D. You are in luck if your feet are size 9.5.

I seem to recall a sale on some boots where they were a little too roomy. Are boots a little bigger than shoes(even on the same last)? A lot of folks here ordered the boots from the Jeffersonville outlet. Can't remember the model, though.

 

[jjr4884]

I just picked up a new pair of double monks,
will I need to buckle them every time
or do they break pretty quickly?

I unbuckle them when I take them off just so the straps aren't stuck in the buckle the entire time. Idk... maybe it doesn't do any good, but for the peace of mind, I would like the leather straps to last as long as possible.

If they are new, the buckle closest to your ankle should be able to stretch a little. That was the flaw when the Neumora's were made, the leather had no play, so the first leather strap/buckle would break relatively quickly because there was no give.

 

[Elythor]

I have a pair of Park Avenue bought from eBay and a pair of Strands from Nordstrom (bought through proxy), both size 8D. I find that the PA fits quite well but Strands are quite snug. The toe box of the Strands are a bit tight so much that after a full day of walking my pinky is red from rubbing.

They are done with the same last so I just assumed Strand would fit the same as PA. (I got the PA before purchasing Strands) Any idea what I can do to remedy this? The Strands are still fairly new so should I just wear them more to break them in? I have currently a medium size Woodlore shoe tree that I stuck into the Strands in hopes of expanding it out a bit more (AE recommends small Woodlore shoe tree). Don't know if that'd do anything.

 

[coolarrow]

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-01-17/all-the-presidents-shoes-inaugural-product-placement

Hate to bring politics into this, but the AE CEO was a big supporter of Wisc Republican governor Scott Walker. Maybe that's why the President went with another brand:

http://mythoughtsideasandramblings.com/2011/02/18/scott-walker-and-the-companies-supporting-him/

 

[TheSizzle]

I have a pair of Park Avenue bought from eBay and a pair of Strands from Nordstrom (bought through proxy), both size 8D. I find that the PA fits quite well but Strands are quite snug. The toe box of the Strands are a bit tight so much that after a full day of walking my pinky is red from rubbing.

They are done with the same last so I just assumed Strand would fit the same as PA. (I got the PA before purchasing Strands) Any idea what I can do to remedy this? The Strands are still fairly new so should I just wear them more to break them in? I have currently a medium size Woodlore shoe tree that I stuck into the Strands in hopes of expanding it out a bit more (AE recommends small Woodlore shoe tree). Don't know if that'd do anything.

In my experience, wearing them should cause them to feel more comfortable. For one, the leather will start to wrap your foot more appropriately. At the same time, you'll compact the cork in the footbed, which will allow your foot to settle a bit lower and create a bit more room in the shoe. Leather lotion wouldn't hurt either.

 

[New Shoes1]

I have a pair of Park Avenue bought from eBay and a pair of Strands from Nordstrom (bought through proxy), both size 8D. I find that the PA fits quite well but Strands are quite snug. The toe box of the Strands are a bit tight so much that after a full day of walking my pinky is red from rubbing.

They are done with the same last so I just assumed Strand would fit the same as PA. (I got the PA before purchasing Strands) Any idea what I can do to remedy this? The Strands are still fairly new so should I just wear them more to break them in? I have currently a medium size Woodlore shoe tree that I stuck into the Strands in hopes of expanding it out a bit more (AE recommends small Woodlore shoe tree). Don't know if that'd do anything.

You should consider exchanging your PA's for a different size. While I have had shoes that were too narrow at the ball of my foot stretch with time, I have never had a shoe that was too tight in the toe box stretch to become comfortable. The suggestion to apply leather lotion to soften up the leather is also a good suggestion when breaking in AE's that are the correct size.

 

[zerostyle]



I don't know whether to laugh or feel pity for AE that the picture of the Park Avenue for the article is showing signs of the cursed bowing. 

For some reason it seems really common on the Park Avenues compared to the other models for some reason. I have a pair right now that fits loose on my right foot. I'm trying to decide if I want to exchange it for another pair in the same size without bowing or go with down a half size and up a width.

 

[gooter]

anyone have both the Bayfield and the Dalton and can comment on the length? I have Bayfield's and they are just barely long enough, anything shorter and it would be too small. I want to get the Dalton but am not sure whether to get the same size or size up.

 

[brokencycle]



I just picked up a new pair of double monks,
will I need to buckle them every time
or do they break pretty quickly?

I just undo the top buckle.

 

[evolved]

anyone have both the Bayfield and the Dalton and can comment on the length? I have Bayfield's and they are just barely long enough, anything shorter and it would be too small. I want to get the Dalton but am not sure whether to get the same size or size up.

I have both of them in 11B. The Bayfield fits perfectly and the Dalton is a bit loose, if that helps at all.

 

[WiredandTired]

I have a pair of Park Avenue bought from eBay and a pair of Strands from Nordstrom (bought through proxy), both size 8D. I find that the PA fits quite well but Strands are quite snug. The toe box of the Strands are a bit tight so much that after a full day of walking my pinky is red from rubbing.

They are done with the same last so I just assumed Strand would fit the same as PA. (I got the PA before purchasing Strands) Any idea what I can do to remedy this? The Strands are still fairly new so should I just wear them more to break them in? I have currently a medium size Woodlore shoe tree that I stuck into the Strands in hopes of expanding it out a bit more (AE recommends small Woodlore shoe tree). Don't know if that'd do anything.

Would wear them for maybe 4-5 more outings, and then re-evaluate the comfort. Another option is to bring them into a nearby retail store to get stretched slightly. They have a shoe stretcher with a small round attachment that stretches the point of discomfort out. I did get a pair of kenilworths stretched, I let them be stretched for 3 days, it helped with comfort but is a little looser than I wanted, so I would let them stretch for 1 or maybe 2 days.

 

[mingus2112]

I've convinced myself this post has been much anticipated. . .so just go with it! Got my shell Polos back from Nick at B. Nelson and couldn't be happier! Photos are weird. They were pretty scratched up and cruddy when I got them, but the uppers don't look so bad in the photos. I got them back WORLDS better, but the photos just don't do them justice! The back story (so you don't have to look for my previous post) is that I grabbed these burgundy shell AE Polos on ebay for twenty-some dollars! They had been resoled with a half sole at some point. I was going to get the heels changed but decided to go whole hog with B. Nelson. Double JR soles and JR heels, metal toe taps. And. . . .

And here are some spoilered pics of before/after comparisons. first pics are before and second pics are after. . .

Spoiler: Both shoes together

Spoiler: Soles

Spoiler: Front part of sole

You can really see how much nicer he got the leather in this shot. It doesn't show as well in the wider shots, but it's VERY nice!

Spoiler: Back

Spoiler: Toe

And a couple more new pictures for good measure!

I can't say enough how pleased I am with their work. I really love the "antiqued" stained sole edges. The soles themselves are almost to pretty to mess up and walk on! I also can't say enough what a great guy Nick is and how great my experience with B.Nelson and VIP was. They were very upfront about everything, including pricing. When you take away the extra for the metal toe tap, it was only a bit more expensive than Allen Edmonds' recrafting - which wasn't even an option with these shoes. I went in with realistic expectations (the shoes were beat a bunch) and those expectations were exceeded. Thanks again to Nick and everyone there!

Side question! Does anyone know how to find out how old these shoes are? Any idea when they stopped making the Polo?

-James