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

[polojock615]

So I just got my two pairs of seconds shell MacNeils. The black ones are so off center that they are going back. Now the burgundy I think I might hold on to. I know they're off center, but I don't know if they're so off center that it's a deal breaker. What do you guys think? THe burgundy also has a small scratch on the left shoe. Can this be buffed out? I'm new to the whole shell cordovan thing. I have included a picture of my well-worn calf MacNeils as a comparison for the off-centeredness

Here are the burgundy:
.

The scratch, near the welt:




The REALLY off-center win tip on the left shoe:




My favorite calfs:

 

[plei89]



I must be missing something because I don't recall ever suggesting that moving production to the U.S. would increase quality. Perhaps you're referring to my statement about moving to within striking distance of other brands? I meant price-wise. The point of my cordovan example was that AE's calf offerinsg are currently a value proposition at a unique price point and that they can't afford to increase their cost because they would then be competing with higher quality makers.

Ah... Gotcha! Agreed.

 

[PhiPsi32]

Same here, I wasn't commenting on differences in quality, only price competition.

 

[acousticfoodie]

Here's a picture of one of my factory seconds. I actually didn't notice this until much later since it's almost impossible to see and looks much worse with a macroshot zoomed in. Never the less, it is what it is. I will still keep the shoe since I got it for $130 and it's a discontinued model of an AE double monk I had my eyes on forever (can only find cheap throw away double monks and they are in the 150 range) I just hope it doesn't cause any structural problems effecting longevity...any thoughts?

 

[JubeiSpiegel]



Here's a picture of one of my factory seconds. I actually didn't notice this until much later since it's almost impossible to see and looks much worse with a macroshot zoomed in. Never the less, it is what it is. I will still keep the shoe since I got it for $130 and it's a discontinued model of an AE double monk I had my eyes on forever (can only find cheap throw away double monks and they are in the 150 range) I just hope it doesn't cause any structural problems effecting longevity...any thoughts?

Looks like small tears through the leather, not good i think...

 

[patrick_b]

Here's a picture of one of my factory seconds. I actually didn't notice this until much later since it's almost impossible to see and looks much worse with a macroshot zoomed in. Never the less, it is what it is. I will still keep the shoe since I got it for $130 and it's a discontinued model of an AE double monk I had my eyes on forever (can only find cheap throw away double monks and they are in the 150 range) I just hope it doesn't cause any structural problems effecting longevity...any thoughts?

Looks like small tears through the leather, not good i think...

I agree, that would be a return in my book. I'd actually worn my shoes outside before noticing the small tear. AE took them back without question. I'd tend to think that you could return yours as well.

 

[Onlyoneoklahoma]

I am returning a 10.5D players shoe because it is too narrow, I noticed a Mora is in my size, how does the 8 last fit compared to the 2? Should I just order it?

Also, how any pairs of Burgundy Cordovan is too many?

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

 

[reidrothchild]

I personally think the 8 last is great. Fits my foot as comfortably as the 5, but it's a little sleeker IMO. I tried the 2 as well, and it's just way too narrow in the toe box. I tried sizing up on the 2 and still couldn't make it work.

If you've got the money, there's no such thing as too much burgundy cordovan. If you're trying to establish a sensible rotation on a budget, I'd say 3 pairs of burgundy cordovan is too many if we're talking about AE's cordovan offerings. More than two AE cords would establish some redundancies.

 

[konoyaro]

I just received a pair of shell Leeds, size 12A from Shoe Bank. These were to be my first pair of shell cordovan shoes and I was pretty excited because AE typically does not have many models available in A width or narrower, let alone in shell. This is my first order from Shoe Bank so I was not quite sure what to expect.
On opening the box the first thing I noticed was that the shoes came in plastic bags. This kind of surprised me since I thought these would be considered something more of a premium model. Of the four AE shoes I own, these are the second pair that have come this way (McClain and McTavish came with proper shoe bags). What's the rule here with AE?

In general the shoes look nice but after closely inspecting them I'm not sure that I'm going to be keeping them. Even though they are seconds there seem to be too many flaws for my liking. What I've noticed so far:

• Lots of small dents, nicks or dimples. Some are on the side, some are on the toe.

• Uneven coloring on the toe of the left shoe - like a subtle tiger striping. Too bad one shoe has and the other does not.

• One of the shoes does not have eyelets that match up so the lacing seems crooked.

• One of the eyelet flaps has a pucker or blister where it was sewn to the shoe. This might flatten out a bit over time due to the tension of the laces, but then again it may not.

I'm still debating if I should keep these or not. If it were just one or two of the defects mentioned I probably would not think twice but cumulatively I'm having a hard time justifying it.

One thing that kind of surprises me is the number of defects on this pair and the fact that others seem to have noticed a fair number of flaws on the cordovan shoes they've ordered from Shoe Bank as well. I would have thought that when assigning staff for shoe construction, the more exotic leather would have been given to those who are more skilled or experienced.

 

[Winston S.]



On opening the box the first thing I noticed was that the shoes came in plastic bags. This kind of surprised me since I thought these would be considered something more of a premium model. Of the four AE shoes I own, these are the second pair that have come this way (McClain and McTavish came with proper shoe bags). What's the rule here with AE?

The two pairs of seconds I have (MacNeil and Strand) only came in the plastic bag, no shoe bags.

 

[SuitedDx]



• Lots of small dents, nicks or dimples. Some are on the side, some are on the toe.
• Uneven coloring on the toe of the left shoe - like a subtle tiger striping. Too bad one shoe has and the other does not.
• One of the shoes does not have eyelets that match up so the lacing seems crooked.
• One of the eyelet flaps has a pucker or blister where it was sewn to the shoe. This might flatten out a bit over time due to the tension of the laces, but then again it may not.

I think in general there are small things that may eventually even out ('tiger' stripes) and things that might eventually settle after wear (lacing which will eventually mold to your feet). It is more of a personal preference but I would probably look past a couple of things that will eventually settle in time. It is always a cost/benefits analysis with these things.

 

[lemmywinks]

Might be overthinking this a little but is the Walnut Strand a color that is suitable for evening wear or is it more of a daytime shoe?

And how does it look with a deeper grey suit?

 

[reidrothchild]

Those Leeds definitely have some noticeable defects but nothing that would cause me to return them. I think the discoloring in the finish will be lessened over time with polishing and would probably be remedied altogether by the $50 refinishing AE offers. That said, if it bugs you, you should return them and just pay $100 extra for firsts (assuming they have any shell firsts left in your size as part of the $399 sale).

 

[acousticfoodie]

I agree, that would be a return in my book. I'd actually worn my shoes outside before noticing the small tear. AE took them back without question. I'd tend to think that you could return yours as well.

Here's a picture of one of my factory seconds. I actually didn't notice this until much later since it's almost impossible to see and looks much worse with a macroshot zoomed in. Never the less, it is what it is. I will still keep the shoe since I got it for $130 and it's a discontinued model of an AE double monk I had my eyes on forever (can only find cheap throw away double monks and they are in the 150 range) I just hope it doesn't cause any structural problems effecting longevity...any thoughts?

 

Looks like small tears through the leather, not good i think...

Do you think these tears will reduce the longevity of the shoes life or prevent recrafting?

 

[JubeiSpiegel]



Might be overthinking this a little but is the Walnut Strand a color that is suitable for evening wear or is it more of a daytime shoe?
And how does it look with a deeper grey suit?

I like the strand as a day time shoe, with lighter colored clothing. I don't care too much for drastic contrast, between my trousers and my shoes. Just my opinion...