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Allen Edmonds x Massdrop Unlined Chukka Boot Review/Info

M635Guy

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Cross-post from the AE thread:
Got my shipping notification for the MD chukkas :bounce2:

Shipped FedEx SmartPost :cloud:

Hopefully NJ-->NC won't be bad...

I thought I'd seen folks say that they shipped from AE directly?
 

M635Guy

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Mine arrived (cross-post from the AE thread from yesterday)

My MassDrop Chukkas arrived today!
4p4NVtZ.jpg

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I've seen a few complains about cuts/marks in the suede, but I don't appear to have any of those on either pair- the leather looks great. One heel has a nail pattern that comes close to the edge - not concerned about that. Two other complaints I've seen are also present in mine:
  • They smell pretty strongly of glue or something like it, especially the chocolate pair. Considering a single sole and no lining, I'm not sure what to make of it. Maybe it is just part of C.F. Stead's tanning, but it seems like it would be something more construction-related.
  • They both have a pretty visible toe puff (think Armedferret also noted this on his). It is crooked on one of the snuff shoes. I'm not sure what to think about this. If it "wears in" and becomes less of an obvious line, I don't care. If it becomes more prominent, I'm concerned. It seems like I read somewhere that this was new for this run (might be wrong), but either way I'd like to hear from some other folks, especially any time-on-the-feet perspectives.
Overall, I'm pretty smitten. They are slipper-like in terms of comfort. I mean that literally. I don't know about walking yet, but they are just plain softness on my foot in a quick try-on. I think I've got a bit of a high-volume foot, so I'm not sure they close as much as one might like. I think I don't care.
 

kentyman

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They smell pretty strongly of glue or something like it, especially the chocolate pair. Considering a single sole and no lining, I'm not sure what to make of it. Maybe it is just part of C.F. Stead's tanning, but it seems like it would be something more construction-related.

Mine smelled like waterproofer to me, so I tested them under the sink. Yep, they've definitely been waterproofed!
 

M635Guy

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I've had some comments on Reddit that it begins to disappear/collapse as you wear it (which I understand is what unlined shoes are supposed to do). I'm going to eyeball the snuff pair again this morning, and probably wear them.
 

M635Guy

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Maybe a silly question but shoe trees are a yay or nay with an unlined shoe like this?
I'd vote "yay" with the qualification that they shouldn't be overlarge. I think this leather is hardier than we think, but I'd want to avoid risk if stretching. There isn't creasing or vamp shape to worry about here, but the desiccant effect of the trees is still the main benefit. I do think some structure between wears isn't a bad thing.

My Woodlore Epic trees fit well.
 

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