BoydsShoes
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2018
- Messages
- 169
- Reaction score
- 442
You know, I think you're absolutely right.
The Indpendence Line was presented as if it were a higher option than the standard, but it is strange how some elements of it are simply not that great. I purchased the Jefferson 2.0 because of how nicely it felt in store and I was able to get my exact size with my favourite colour, but even the lambskin lining is inferior to the standard leather lining, in so much as it shows obviously more wear from only a year of wearing.
I am not intending to get the soles fixed anytime soon, but I've even noticed separation that none of my other Allen Edmonds have. I am actually thinking of contacting them about this, as I feel the quality might be beneath what I have come to expect from AE, especially at the higher price point these retail at.
One other things about slippery soles: the heel plays a role in this too. I have two pairs of shoes that have highly oiled double waterlock soles. One of them has a "Thomas" rubber heel, while the other has a combination heel that is basically mostly leather interface with the ground. The one with the rubber heel does not slip, while the one with the combination heel is like walking on ice. Interestingly, the latter was a mistake, because the person designing the special make up knew that the rubber sole was necessary with a highly oiled sole. The factory made a mistake.