Are Allen Edmonds with rubber patches on the sole inferior?

[waterpig]

Inferior compared to the identical shoe with a full leather sole? I've noticed that shoe makers will usually denote their lower end shoes by putting rubber strips or patches onto the sole.

You can see what I mean here:

 

[NoVaguy]

Originally Posted by waterpig

Inferior compared to the identical shoe with a full leather sole? I've noticed that shoe makers will usually denote their lower end shoes by putting rubber strips or patches onto the sole.

You can see what I mean here:


I don't think so, at least with AE. I think they put them on in response to customer demand. My only AE with this sole (the AE Holt) seems otherwise the same as all of my other AE's.

 

[waterpig]

No offense, but I hate your state. I was stuck in traffic for endless hours all throughout Virginia. Not to mention that thirty or forty state troopers that lined I95, causing brakes to slam and tempers to flare.

Other than that, thanks for your input!

 

[Tarmac]

wtf, waterpig, where do you live?

Anyway, for whatever reason AE does seem to reserve the full leather sole for some higher models like Park Avenue, Mora, Macclain, etc. Not across the board, but as a rough generalization. Even more rarified is their combination heel which they seem to only use on the Leeds and the Macneil

 

[boston009]

I am thinking of buying the 'Burton', which is a nice looking shoe, but have hesitated because of this sole. Are they rubber strips on a leather sole, or are they rubber inserts put into a leather sole? Do they feel/behave more like a leather or rubber sole when walking? I too would appreciate some detailed feedback from someone who has one of these shoes...

 

[Ace Rimmer]

I'm wearing a pair of AE Saxons right now that have the rubber strips. I have a pair of AE Drydens on the way from STP that also have the strips. I have not noticed a difference in the sole quality in these shoes over the all-leather soles from AE (e.g. my AE Niles).

Boston, from what I can see the strips are rubber inserts, not "stickers" on the outside of a leather sole. With the amount I wear my AEs (I walk to work), if they were stickers they would have worn off long ago.

 

[grimslade]

The combination heel is used for cordovan models. The stripey sole (a technical term) is used on somewhat more casual designs.

 

[DuncanM]

I have to be careful of full leather soles as they are a death risk when going to a metro station in the rain. I am thankful for the rubber strips.

 

[alliswell]

Originally Posted by waterpig

Inferior compared to the identical shoe with a full leather sole? I've noticed that shoe makers will usually determine their lower end buyer by putting rubber strips or patches onto the sole.

Fixed.

 

[TCN]

As good a post as any to mention that I just had a superb experience with Allen Edmonds' customer service. They might not be as refined as other brands, but I intend to look to them first for my casual shoes. American made, and great customer service . . . they've at least earned a bit of loyalty from me. Okay, climbing off of soap box, carry on.

 

[Henry Boogers]

E has chosen to put this sole on some recent models, but these shoes sell at the same retail price as those without the strips. I tend not to like them, myself, but I don't think it denotes and lack in quality as much as a more casually designed shoe I would imagine.

 

[archibaldleach]

Hmmm, interesting comments. It could just be one particular exception to the rule, but anecdotally, when I wear my Drydens when the ground is wet, my feet get much wetter than when I wear Park Avenues or any of the pure leather souled shoes. Just food for thought.

 

[jml90]

It's the same shoe with little rubber things so you don't slip.

 

[distinctive]

Not inferior... however in the dozens of AE shoes I've handled, I've seen this sole many times get damaged around the rubber parts, creating a crack if you will. I'd say they wear faster than a full leather sole.