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

[RogerP]

I put them on my shoes as an alternative to recrafting I can have 5 topys put on for the price of one trip to ae or alden or 3 for a trip to b nelson not to mention the worry of having your shoes in the mail .
I notice no difference in breathability between my shoes with and without
the only real difference I am aware of is better traction
yes you can see the topy when sitting with your legs crossed but thats the only time i dont find them visible when standing
as for the cool stamp just wear your shoes till the stamp is worn off before putting topys on
there are levels of aesthetic to the bare leather sole that i can understand but dont necessarily share
i think it just boils down to what you prefer there are advantages and disadvantages to both there is not really a "better "solution
but aint that the way of most first world problems

Agree completely. I have topys on probably half my shoes and notice ZERO difference in breathability as compared to regular leather soles.

 

[mexicutioner]

FWIW, I believe Nick from B. Nelson (pretty well known for their recrafting on the Alden thread) has said that there's no difference in breathability between topy'd and non-topy'd shoes.

 

[RogerP]

Well my first pair of AE's come today, the Townleys, first impressions are wow these things barely weigh a thing. The finish was not as bright and didn’t have as much shine as I thought it would being cordovan, probably due to the cream issue. I'll post pictures of them tonight.

What cream issue?

Looking forward to your pics.

 

[Winston S.]



anyone know if the $35 off card included with recrafted shoes stacks with anniversary pricing?

I would assume so, it's like a gift card, correct?

It's not like a gift card. Here is the fine print from the card Card only redeemable at Allen Edmonds Retail Stores, allenedmonds.com (enter card number at checkout) and select authorized dealers. Not redeemable at Allen Edmonds Outlet Stores. Not valid with any other offer. Card is good for single receipt purchase of Allen Edmonds shoes only. Limit one card per pair of shoes purchased. Card is not redeemable for cash and cannot be replaced if lost of stolen. Void if altered, copied, or sold through any online auction. Not valid on previous purchases. Card is valid in the U.S. only and will expire within 75 days of receipt. Questions, please call 1-800-235-2348.]/i]

Do you guys bother with Sole Savers or Topy sole pads with your new shoes?

When I started reading SF, I thought I may have been swayed to not get them, but I have shoes that are at least 5 years old that have not had to have their Topy redone yet. I have not really been getting Topys for a period, but now think I will probably get them all of my shoes going forward. It's just way more cost efficient.

Everyone thinks Allen Edmonds shoes are made in the USA and it's true they are able to brand them as such, however I just learned that they stitch the uppers in the Dominican Republic and then ship them to the USA to final assemble the shoes...: http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2007/04/30/story1.html?page=all and http://www.styleforum.net/t/228354/...-in-the-dominican-republic/0_100#post_4903126

From the quote that you provided from the AE CEO it seems like most and the most important part of the production of the shoe is done in the U.S.

I don't think it's just the handsewn models, but could be wrong. From the 2nd link above: "the part of the Goodyear welt process that's also done in the DR is the cutting of the upper leathers, sewing of those pieces together and "hanging" of the lining" doesn't sound like just hand sewing to me. I personally don't care if they are made in Siberia. But billing themselves as just seems disingenuous, at best.

I mean if you want to be picky about it being a great American shoe company doesn't necessarily mean everything needs to be manufactured in the U.S. They could have all the production done outside of the U.S. and they still would be an American shoe company, e.g., Apple, Ralph Lauren, etc.

 

[frogwash]

Regarding where the uppers are cut/sewn. Paul said is's duplicative, depending on orders. It's also already been stated in articles, that overall it does not save them money due to the shipping, it is just to meet demand. To me that says it's just for what is best for workflow, so that we can get our shoes in the most timely manner possible. If it is duplicative, to me, that indicates your upper may be done in the US or it may be done in the DR.

I had some Fifth Street boots that had some problems. They first said 6-8 weeks for replacements. Paul got involved and on the third day, new ones were on my feet and I'm in California!!! There's no way this could have been accomplished if these were cut and sewn in DR. This proves that this process is genuinely duplicative and can be done either here or there.

Anyhow, Paul and their customer service are the absolute best and your particular AE's may be 100% USM or it may have had a step done elsewhere for expediency's sake.

 

[Busa]

Thanks- actually that got me looking at lasts, and on the site you can pick a last that is a shape you like and see every shoe they make on that last! Cool...

Have you taken a look at the Parkway? This shoe is a bit more European influenced than the average AE shoe IMHO. There are several user shots in this thread to give you an idea.

 

[DJTraveler]

Does anyone know how I can bookmark this thread in IE or Chrome so that the most recent post appears on the page after clicking the bookmark?

 

[Calder]

Does anyone know how I can bookmark this thread in IE or Chrome so that the most recent post appears on the page after clicking the bookmark?

Yes. Set the bookmark to head to http://www.styleforum.net/forum/newestpost/141581

 

[Blunosr]

Looking for an opinion so I thought I'd come to the experts.

I'm looking at picking up another pair of AE's - was planning on bourbon strands, but the recent sale on walnut mcallisters has piqued my interest. Now I'm considering getting both, though for roughly the same price I could get brown shell strands.

I've always thought the brown shell strands to be incredible, but I also like the versatility afforded by the two different colors.

Any advice?

 

[frank212]

Uh, oh, I'm not enamored with my new black shell Leeds. They look institutional, as in worn by an asylum orderly. Is it an acquired taste or did you guys like yours from day 1?

 

[cbtaylor]

Looking for an opinion so I thought I'd come to the experts.

I'm looking at picking up another pair of AE's - was planning on bourbon strands, but the recent sale on walnut mcallisters has piqued my interest. Now I'm considering getting both, though for roughly the same price I could get brown shell strands.

I've always thought the brown shell strands to be incredible, but I also like the versatility afforded by the two different colors.

Any advice?

If you do not have a very vast rotation, I would probably get the strands and mcallisters. But you are correct, the shell strand is gorgeous

 

[random-adam]



Uh, oh, I'm not enamored with my new black shell Leeds. They look institutional, as in worn by an asylum orderly. Is it an acquired taste or did you guys like yours from day 1?

I like mine a LOT... but pretty much only with denim, and any sleekness concerns are mitigated by the fact that a 14AA shoe is going to be long and slender regardless of last.

 

[DJTraveler]

Does anyone know how I can bookmark this thread in IE or Chrome so that the most recent post appears on the page after clicking the bookmark?

Yes. Set the bookmark to head to http://www.styleforum.net/forum/newestpost/141581

Thanks!

 

[Numbernine]

I usually avoid discussions of this sort on style/fashion threads but there seems to be a good deal of concern in regards to AE production of shoes in DR and perhaps rightfully so but the major issues seem to be about quality or whether or not we , the consumers, are are being " deceived" by AE .i belive the real concern is as to whether or not the same rights protections and fair share of the profits are being extended to the Dominican workers as to the American employees . This is the first question I ask when I decide how to spend my discretionary dollars and as hard as it might be to admit to oneself $300 shoes are a luxury ill afforded by a great deal of the worlds population . Ive been around here for very close to 70 yrs and if i know one thing its that if we dont start asking ourselves this question our kids are going to be lucky to be making shoes for less than a living wage .
Ive done my research and pretty sure i know how im going to deal with this info i would hope others do the same

 

[jkater1]



 What cream issue?

Looking forward to your pics.

I was told that AE uses a lot of shoe cream on their shell so it can look dull sometimes. I just brushed them for a 5-10 mins and they look better already. Don't want to hit them up with reno in case I end up returning.