Breaking in AE McAllister with Dainite Soles

[Supersaiyan9000]

Hi - I've had my AE McAllisters for a little over a year and wear them 3-4 times a week. Even with repetitive wear over a long period these shoes just don't seem to want to break in!!! I've tried applying leather honey's leather conditioner, but that didn't work too well either. Looking for suggestions to make this >$300 purchase worth it!

Please let me know if you need any additional information that may help with your suggestion. I went in and got measured at an AE store, so I know that the size is correct.

 

[madhat]

I for one am not a dainite fan, so for me that's your first problem. Dainite can stay hard for a long time; many dainite soled shoes come with poron possibly to offset this.
Ok, now on to a non-biased comment. Is the sole or upper what doesn't feel like it's breaking in. Does it feel stiff or too tight? I know you got measured in store, but have you been measured a second time? The person that day may have misread or put you in what they had in stock that was close. Shouldn't happen, but it's a possibility if you're still having pain like it's not a correct fit.

 

[Supersaiyan9000]

I for one am not a dainite fan, so for me that's your first problem. Dainite can stay hard for a long time; many dainite soled shoes come with poron possibly to offset this.
Ok, now on to a non-biased comment. Is the sole or upper what doesn't feel like it's breaking in. Does it feel stiff or too tight? I know you got measured in store, but have you been measured a second time? The person that day may have misread or put you in what they had in stock that was close. Shouldn't happen, but it's a possibility if you're still having pain like it's not a correct fit.

The upper is definitely flexing with each step and feels like it is breaking in more when compared to the sole, so I feel like the sole is the primary culprit here.

Originally I was going to go for the leather sole, but because I live in New York, I ended up going for the Dainite thinking that it would provide all year round wear.

I’m guessing my best option will be to resole and get something more flexible?

Side note, some Cole haans have a really thin good year welted leather sole that are really light weight and flexible - why don’t the more classic shoe makers offer similar soles for their rubber option?

 

[konoyaro]

AE offers some of their shoes, including the McAllister, with a "V-Tread" sole that might be a option more to your liking.
I have a couple shoes from AE with both Dainite and V-Tread soles and the V-Tread does seem more flexible to me.

 

[madhat]

The upper is definitely flexing with each step and feels like it is breaking in more when compared to the sole, so I feel like the sole is the primary culprit here.

Originally I was going to go for the leather sole, but because I live in New York, I ended up going for the Dainite thinking that it would provide all year round wear.

I’m guessing my best option will be to resole and get something more flexible?

Side note, some Cole haans have a really thin good year welted leather sole that are really light weight and flexible - why don’t the more classic shoe makers offer similar soles for their rubber option?

Im fairly certain everything Cole Haan does is glued; I don't think they do anything welted. Unless you misspoke and are describing a thin rubber sole? If you're wanting something that has a very lightweight flexible sole but is still recraftable (GYW), the Allen Edmonds' speed or feather welt lines might be for you. I think unfortunately you made the wrong call with dainite wanting a flexible shoe. The standard leather would have felt great, and the v tread would have felt about the same with the benefits of a rubber sole guard.

AE offers some of their shoes, including the McAllister, with a "V-Tread" sole that might be a option more to your liking.
I have a couple shoes from AE with both Dainite and V-Tread soles and the V-Tread does seem more flexible to me.

The v tread is the best compromise sole in my opinion! If I feel I need a rubber base, that's the sole I pick. It feels as close to leather as possible.