The Allen Edmonds MTO Thread

[stephenaf2003]

I've avoided Meermin based on a lot of stories of very difficult break-in.

I’ve got two of their offerings in shell. A double monk, and a short wing. I really like both. I can attest that it has taken a while to break in the four pairs of Meermin shoes I’ve purchased.

 

[M635Guy]

I’ve got two of their offerings in shell. A double monk, and a short wing. I really like both. I can attest that it has taken a while to break in the four pairs of Meermin shoes I’ve purchased.

 

[stephenaf2003]

Interestingly, the boots I have from them required no abnormal break in.

 

[armedferret]

All due respect to the Great American* Shoe Company.

* - until such time as they've got full Taiwan construction up and running, at least

 

[M635Guy]

Interestingly, the boots I have from them required no abnormal break in.

Describe "abnormal" - any pain/discomfort?

It's very strange how the Reddit crew seems to accept a painful break-in for eventual comfort. All of my shoes are comfortable, and none gave me blisters, etc. The worst thing I've dealt with in years is having to train the tongue of my shell Grant Stones to curl up/out a bit so it wasn't rubbing on the front of my ankle, and the same kind of thing on my shell Indy boots at the top of the shaft on the right boot so it didn't rub my leg. Neither of those were actually painful.

 

[stephenaf2003]

Describe "abnormal" - any pain/discomfort?

It's very strange how the Reddit crew seems to accept a painful break-in for eventual comfort. All of my shoes are comfortable, and none gave me blisters, etc. The worst thing I've dealt with in years is having to train the tongue of my shell Grant Stones to curl up/out a bit so it wasn't rubbing on the front of my ankle, and the same kind of thing on my shell Indy boots at the top of the shaft on the right boot so it didn't rub my leg. Neither of those were actually painful.

That was in the context of, they had what I consider a normal break in for boots with a double leather sole. The only boots I’ve ever had no break in with, have happened to be ones with rubber soles.
But then, I’ve got plantar fasciitis pretty good, so my normal is no doubt different from yours. That condition forces me into an acceptance of some level of pain, regardless of the shoe, always.

 

[M635Guy]

That was in the context of, they had what I consider a normal break in for boots with a double leather sole. The only boots I’ve ever had no break in with, have happened to be ones with rubber soles.

Yeah - Dainite soles are all kinds of bad for me, but Alden's Commando sole works great and Grant Stone's new stud sole is also very good.

But then, I’ve got plantar fasciitis pretty good, so my normal is no doubt different from yours. That condition forces me into an acceptance of some level of pain, regardless of the shoe, always.

Dude - that sucks. Sorry to hear it.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Agree- I've never needed to break in the uppers of my AE's. As M635guy says, Danite soles definitely require some softening up. But I've never had to break in the uppers. Shoes with a lot of brouging, like the shell Cambridges, are a little tight at first and do rub a little. And most uppers will loosen up after a few wears. But the only time I've ever gotten a blister from AE uppers was when I wore brand-new Long Branches on a day when I spent 12 miles walking around NYC. A 12 mile hike on concrete in a brand-new pair of leather shoes is obviously going to result in a blister. But that unusual case is the only time it's ever happened. That's one of the best things about AE's, you don't really need to break them in. The fit will and are comfortable right out of the box.

 

[ace13x]

Never had any break-in issue either. Closest I came were Shell Dalton's. First wear out, drove off without the car keys to get coffee (don't ask, long story). Had to walk a few miles to resolve that fiasco.

I attribute this break-in nonsense to a life of sneakers and wide, square-toed bicycle shoes.

 

[madhat]

Never had any break-in issue either. Closest I came were Shell Dalton's. First wear out, drove off without the car keys to get coffee (don't ask, long story). Had to walk a few miles to resolve that fiasco.

I attribute this break-in nonsense to a life of sneakers and wide, square-toed bicycle shoes.

Daltons (calf at that), oddly, have been the hardest break-in of all my AE.

 

[BagleyBrown]

Sad but predicted news on the MTO front...
No plans to offer custom builds until at least the fall.

 

[stephenaf2003]

Getting these Shell Higgins Mills ready to break their maiden head tomorrow.

 

[madhat]

View attachment 955930

Getting these Shell Higgins Mills ready to break their maiden head tomorrow.

Wahoo! Looking good. The last MTO out of the gate, likely...

 

[stephenaf2003]

Wahoo! Looking good. The last MTO out of the gate, likely...

lol these have the potential to be historical...

 

[BagleyBrown]

lol these have the potential to be historical...

They look fantastic! Congrats on SQUEEZING through at last call.

Historical until they offer shell HMs in fall