Question on different AE lasts

[Closer]

All of my Allen Edmonds are on the discontinued 4 last. How does that last compare to the 5 last? and also the 8 last?

 

[JLibourel]

The #5 last is a bit longer and narrower than the #4 last. I was told by one A-E sales rep that most men who find the #4 last a good fit also find the #5 last fits well. That has been my experience. Both are a good fit in my normal size, but I find to #4 a shade more comfortable to wear if a lot of walking is involved.

Not everyone finds this to be the case. Some men who find the #4 a good fit do not like the #5 at all. Others find they have to go to a shorter and wider size than normal to get a good fit with the #5. Since any store that stocks A-Es will surely have the Park Avenue, which is on the #5 last, you might try on a pair and see if they fit well. That should settle the matter much better than any counsel I or any other forumite could give.

Be aware that there are two #8 lasts. The old #8 was almost identical to the #4 except for its use of a cushioned insole. I believe it is still used today on the Ashton. It was also used for the Benton, which was discontinued a few years ago.

Then, there is the new #8 last that, I think, is A-E's most commonly used last for lace-ups. It is designed for men with high arches and wide heels. The old #8 is a very good fit on my feet. My heels flop around horribly in shoes on the new #8 last.

Hope this is of some help. I happen to be wearing the discontinued Hancocks on the #4 last as I tap this out.

 

[Tarmac]

I don't know why they use the new #8 so much. It's far wider in the heel than almost any other dress shoe I have ever tried on.

 

[constant struggle]

i would get the same size and width in both the #5 and #8 (new) last

 

[MetroStyles]

How do you find out exactly which last each model is?

 

[JLibourel]

For the Wisconsin-made shoes, it's the last number in the four-digit style code. Thus, the Park Avenue in black is 5615, the Ashton in chili is 1628, etc. I don't know how one determines the last of their made-in-Maine casual shoes or their Italian-made shoes.

 

[Closer]

Thank you everyone that responded. I want to especially thank Jan. I PM'ed him and asked him to weigh in here.

After posting, I also found these 2 helpful pages

1. http://www.allenedmonds.com/mens/vie...00000001.shtml

2. http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline...Id=40000000001


I do not think I like the #8 either. I had some Byrons and Reddings, both on the 4 last. I ordered some Mora, same size, and they were huge. -long and wide.

 

[JLibourel]

I am pretty sure the Redding was on the #8 last. That was that plain captoe blucher made exclusively for Nordstrom, right?

 

[Closer]

You are correct. I just checked the inside of my Reddings and the style number ended in 8. I really like my Reddings. I will definately get them recrafted soon.

What is confusing is that they fit me perfect in my normal size 8.5D. I wonder why the Mora I ordered in 8.5D was so off. They are both on the 8 last.

I have an 8E arriving tomorrow, so we will see.

I just remembered: I also have the Delray, wich is also on the 8 last. I can feel the looseness in the heel on that shoe. The toebox is also a little roomy for me. I do not wear this one too much.

 

[JLibourel]

Maybe because the Redding was a lace-up blucher you could accommodate for any looseness by lacing tighter unlike the double-monk Mora.