Allen Edmonds Appreciation Thread - reviews, pictures, sizing, etc...

[spitshine123]

My experience is different. My 5 lasted shoes are 9D and fit well. My 7 lasted shoe is 9.5D and is snug, bordering on too small. A 7 lasted shoe in 9D, for me, is unbearable.

I am on the same boat. The 7 last does not work for me because of the tapered toe. The 7 last is too short and narrow in the toebox for me, while the 5 is a great fit. That being said, the new regent streets in the 4 last fit me perfectly in the same size as my 5 last shoes

 

[kmdsimpson]



My experience is different. My 5 lasted shoes are 9D and fit well. My 7 lasted shoe is 9.5D and is snug, bordering on too small. A 7 lasted shoe in 9D, for me, is unbearable.

My experience has also been that I've had to size up 1/2 on the 7 compared to other AE lasts.

I think it is because the toe box is lower, so it pushes my toes down and forward.

But as usual, you have to try on the individual lasts to be sure of fit for your own foot.

 

[sartorialnoob]

I've been away too long it seems. I love the pictures here of the Amsterdam in Bourbon, but don't see it on AE's site. What last is it made on?

 

[spitshine123]

My experience has also been that I've had to size up 1/2 on the 7 compared to other AE lasts.
I think it is because the toe box is lower, so it pushes my toes down and forward.
But as usual, you have to try on the individual lasts to be sure of fit for your own foot.

I agree, each foot is shaped differently and its very hard to gauge what will fit who. The 7 last is strange also because it has a very wide heel in combination with the narrow toe, which is the exact opposite of my foot shape (narrow heel, regular to slightly wide forefoot)

 

[sartorialnoob]

By the way, those webgem shell boots have me drooling.

 

[James77]

Can anyone help me with the sizing difference between the 1 last and the 5 last?
I have the Dalton boot in an 8D and would like to pick up a pair of Fifth Avenue when the sale is on.
Thanks

 

[Quadcammer]



Great story,,, shoes above look fantastic and boy do I wish i could get a pair of brown shell Leeds...

Am I the only one who does not like the leeds? Its the quintessential blobby ugly plain blucher. In fact, i hate all PTBs.

yuck

 

[sartorialnoob]

Am I the only one who does not like the leeds? Its the quintessential blobby ugly plain blucher. In fact, i hate all PTBs.
yuck

I agree with you, to some extent. I do, however, like the Kenilworth in brown. It darkens just enough towards the toe to give it some character. I also think shell gives a PTB a little bit of character as well.

 

[bucksfan]

I pulled the trigger on the Amsterdams from UD yesterday....

I hope it doesn't take the full 4-5 weeks to arrive!!

Also, a few weeks ago, I ordered #8 shell Park Avenues from Sherman Bros. with the 15% off deal, but they said they were back ordered for a significant period of time. They allowed me the option to cancel, but I said HELL NO!!

I'll post some pics when they arrive. Those Amsterdams are killer!

And since the conversation turned to brown shell Leeds, I thought I would post a terrible pic of my rare Cigar Shell Alden PTB's on the Aberdeen last, which is a specialty shoe specified by a local menswear store in my area (Birmingham).

Unfortunately, the second time I wore them, I got caught in a very brief light rain and it left permanent welts on both shoes. I contacted Alden and they said give them to the store to send back for refinishing, so we will see. I have several pairs of AE shell now (all acquired within the past several months, but I have not experienced such welting that did not go away by itself or with a little brushing. My second pair, black shell cambridges, got caught in a big storm on my second or third wear and not a problem.









Here are some pics of the welting from the rain, which I sent to Alden customer service. Neither time, copious brushing, nor Saphir Reno would correct. Plus, the welts are raised in several areas.









Curious to know others' experiences with rain and shell. It's like my shoes caught the chicken pox!

That sucks. I have 1 pair that gets welts, my AE Bradley NSTs. I just try not to wear them when I think it's going to rain.

All shell, regardless of maker, should be treated with Alden Defender. It would have prevented your problem.

I need to check into this more - thanks.

Am I the only one who does not like the leeds? Its the quintessential blobby ugly plain blucher. In fact, i hate all PTBs.
yuck

I do not agree (no surprise there, probably since I now own 4 pair of them in shell). Of course, I don't mind blobby, in fact I prefer it to long, squared or "soft squared" toes.

For those interested, here is the "supplemental 2012" AE catalog I was referencing.

 

[reidrothchild]

I'm also generally not a fan of the Leeds. I tried it in shell, and I just don't know what it's use is. Casually, I'd prefer a boot, and the Leeds is just too clunky to dress up. If I were getting a PTB, it would most definitely be the Kenilworth over the Leeds.

 

[kmdsimpson]



Am I the only one who does not like the leeds? Its the quintessential blobby ugly plain blucher. In fact, i hate all PTBs.
yuck

I agree with you, to some extent. I do, however, like the Kenilworth in brown. It darkens just enough towards the toe to give it some character. I also think shell gives a PTB a little bit of character as well.

I don't own Leeds, but I do have the RL shell PTB. I didn't think I'd like PTBs until I tried them on in a store. It's kind of funny - it was sort of a bait-and-switch by the SA there. I wanted to try on the wingtip version, but they didn't have them. But I was sold on the PTBs as soon as I saw them in the mirror with jeans - they look awesome with denim. I guess she knew I wouldn't be able to resist.

Also, I sometimes enjoy having a simple design to contrast the other shoes I have.

But to each his own. Nothing wrong with not liking it for yourself.

 

[kmdsimpson]



That sucks.  I have 1 pair that gets welts, my AE Bradley NSTs.  I just try not to wear them when I think it's going to rain.  

I need to check into this more - thanks.


I do not agree (no surprise there, probably since I now own 4 pair of them in shell).  Of course, I don't mind blobby, in fact I prefer it to long, squared or "soft squared" toes.  

For those interested, here is the "supplemental 2012" AE catalog I was referencing.  

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Ah, so this shows the brown shell Dundee. I was thinking this might be in my future; but now this discussion of PTBs has me thinking it might look too similar to my current shoes.

 

[DJTraveler]

That sucks. I have 1 pair that gets welts, my AE Bradley NSTs. I just try not to wear them when I think it's going to rain.

I need to check into this more - thanks.


I do not agree (no surprise there, probably since I now own 4 pair of them in shell). Of course, I don't mind blobby, in fact I prefer it to long, squared or "soft squared" toes.

For those interested, here is the "supplemental 2012" AE catalog I was referencing.

I hope AE comes out with the Wide Basic Dress belt in Bourbon to match those new Bourbon shoes!

 

[random-adam]



But I was sold on the PTBs as soon as I saw them in the mirror with jeans - they look awesome with denim.

After a few months of owning black shell Leeds, this is precisely how I feel. I don't wear them with cords or wool slacks -- but put 'em under some dark boot-cut jeans and they do the trick.

 

[wigglr]

The jodox is pretty cool