Allen Edmonds Bayfield boot- any experiences?

Originally Posted by deveandepot1

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The problem is irl they look like this:


Well, that's not really a problem for me. I was planning to buy the Red Wing GT until I discovered they don't make them in wides. I was worried that the Bayfield would look too "dressy" and that the Wolverine would be a better bet. I'll find out today.

Wow. I got my boots in today, and I don't know wtf you guys are talking about. I wear a EEE, and even in this size, they don't look too chunky to me. Granted, I'm not going to wear these with a suit—and I see how these could be perceived as a bit too "chunky" for that setting—but for wearing with jeans, and for the price and given AE's reputation, I think these will do the trick. It was that or the 1000-mile (I can't afford the Indy boot), and I think these are worth it for the price difference and the rubber soles (more versatiltiy in terms of weather).

I'm going to look them over a bit and walk around in them before I decide to keep them, but they met my expectations.

I might post pictures later.

Svenn, did you get yours? What did you think?

^They're NOISY! is it normal for a shoe to be so crinkly/squeaky?? It sounds like someone's opening a plastic bag or something when I'm walking around, lol. My other complaint is they have the clunky slap sensation when walking on hard surfaces, I guess I could get used to it but I'd prefer a softer, more flexible sole... will it get softer with wear?? Other than that, I'm quite happy. I assume they'll get more comfortable as I wear them in? I might go jogging in them or something to achieve that. Here they are with suit trousers: This is not a good characteristic of boots, looks a little hoaky: and with jeans: What do you guys think of them with jeans? They might look a little too dressy I think if everyone else was ultra casual.

Well, those jeans look a little beat up and I prefer dark jeans, so maybe that's a poor sample. They look great in the other pictures.

I haven't noticed the noises you're talking about. But I haven't worn them outside the house yet either. (I don't want to wear them outside until I'm sure I'm keeping them.) I think they're pretty comfortable, but I haven't paid attention to the flexibility. I would think they will break in over time and get more flexible. I remember everyone complaining that, for example, Red Wing GTs are extremely uncomfortable until broken in. I find the Bayfields pretty comfortable out of the box, though.

My only concern is sizing. I'm wondering if I should have gone down to an 8. My heel feels like it's sliding forward slightly rather than resting against the back of the shoe. However, the last time I thought I'd need to size down to an 8 (with the McClains), it was way too small, so this is probably the right size and I'm just being picky.

Maybe another user will have input on the breaking-in period.

Originally Posted by enarchay

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I haven't noticed the noises you're talking about.

Really? Mine are really squeaky... did I lace them wrong or something? Is black squeakier for some reason than your burgundy?

Originally Posted by enarchay

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I remember everyone complaining that, for example, Red Wing GTs are extremely uncomfortable until broken in.

Well it's good to know that's true for at least one other shoe.

Originally Posted by enarchay

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My only concern is sizing. I'm wondering if I should have gone down to an 8. My heel feels like it's sliding forward slightly rather than resting against the back of the shoe.

I felt like that too, until I put in some padding inserts... without them the interior sole seems really hard to me.

Originally Posted by Svenn

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Really? Mine are really squeaky... did I lace them wrong or something? Is black squeakier for some reason than your burgundy?

Now that you mention it, I do hear a little squeaking when I flex my feet as I walk. But I'm afraid this will turn into an episode of Seinfeld.

I felt like that too, until I put in some padding inserts... without them the interior sole seems really hard to me.

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I'll walk around in them a little more and let you know what I think. I may take pictures tonight but my camera/photography sucks so I'm not sure it's worth it.

Any consensus on how these fit, especially width wise? I wear 9e on the 5 last. Not sure about this one though.

Again in those pics, they look like security guard shoes to me. Something about the height of the toe box, the think sole, and the dull corfam shine.

Trying to think of a better $260-ish dress boot with rubber soles. I think any clearance Brooks Brothers would be a better bet.

Originally Posted by kentuckyboy

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Any consensus on how these fit, especially width wise? I wear 9e on the 5 last. Not sure about this one though.

I wear the McClain in an 8.5EEE and the Everett in an 8.5EEE. I forget the lasts these shoes are on. I got the boots in 8.5EEE and they seem to fit fine.

Here are some pictures. My camera really sucks so I'm sure these would look better with better photography. http://s802.photobucket.com/albums/y...ots/alt005.jpg http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/y...ots/alt007.jpg http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/y...ots/alt008.jpg http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/y...ots/alt009.jpg http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/y...ots/alt002.jpg http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/y...ots/alt003.jpg For my purposes, I think they look good. As I've said numerous times, it's either these or the 1000-mile. But I think these would be more versatile due to the rubber sole. Plus, they were $80 cheaper, they fit (sizing for Wolverines could be tricky), and I can't seem to find the 1000-mile in a wide online anyway. What do you guys think? Are these a good bargain for wearing in this way with jeans?

Yeah, I've decided to keep them. I think the price, rubber soles, fit, and comfort justifies keeping them instead of getting the 1000-mile.

I think if it wasn't too expensive, you could probably special order them with the executive rubber sole. That would reduce the chunkiness factor a bit. If you managed to get them on a 270 degree welt, that would improve it a bit, too.

The truth of the matter is that as far as the general public is concerned, few people would give the Bayfields a second look if you were standing up.

Originally Posted by Svenn

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This is not a good characteristic of boots, looks a little hoaky:

You don't have them laced all the way up. That will solve the problem.

Yep, probably why they're making the slapping/squeaking sounds too. Those little rivets up the side are functional, not ornamental.

I solved the squeaking sound- I put some vaseline and wd40 on the inner tounge behind the laceholes and that solved it completely. thank g-d, i was really worried about it.

Originally Posted by Geoff Gander

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I think if it wasn't too expensive, you could probably special order them with the executive rubber sole. That would reduce the chunkiness factor a bit. If you managed to get them on a 270 degree welt, that would improve it a bit, too.
how is the executive rubber sole different? could i add it later? The chunkiness stems I think from the stiff, heavy heel, which is only mitigated partially by the thin layer of rubber on the bottom of it. I don't know what a 270 welt is, could someone explain it to me and is it an alteration i can make?