So, are Allen Edmonds really that good?

[mfer]

So, I just picked up some Allen Edmonds because of a recommendation from a acquaintance of mine. He talked up how they mold to your foot over time and how you can recondition them. Said they hold up well.

I tried on a pair yesterday and bought them. But before I wear them, I was looking for comments from people who own them and wear them. Do they really last a long time and is the reconditioning of them in 3+ years worth it?

I bought them because I've had a few pairs of $200 shoes that last me like 1.5 years and they do not hold up well. They don't look very good for very long.

I know, looking for feedback after I bought them, but I haven't worn them and can return them in 30 days if I change my mind.

Here are the ones I picked if anyone is curious. I actually didn't like them when looking at them, but the sales guy basically made me try them on. They look better on my foot, then they do on the shelf.







What is funny about this is that I drop $300+ on watch "shoes" frequently without a second thought, but buying real shoes at $300+ is hard for me!

[robertneville]

i like them. keep them clean and polished, and they will last a long time! enjoy!

[Dr. Robert]

Very sharp! Get shoe trees, keep clean, they'll last a long time.
For your next pair check out Alden shoes....out of new England, hand made, wear well.
have 2 pair of good shoes, black & brown, alternate use, use shoe trees, they'll last forever.

[Grissom]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

Very sharp! Get shoe trees, keep clean, they'll last a long time.
For your next pair check out Alden shoes....out of new England, hand made, wear well.
have 2 pair of good shoes, black & brown, alternate use, use shoe trees, they'll last forever.

Agreed....definitely get shoe trees!!!

Originally Posted by robertneville

i like them. keep them clean and polished, and they will last a long time! enjoy!

x2! I have worn Allen Edmonds for years, and even after 10 years, they look great and have always worn well. I buy them from Nordstrom, so on top of everything else, they stand behind them 100% basically forever.I have never had to have them reconditioned. I went from Bally to Allen Edmonds, as I was simply too hard on the Ballys, and worn them out very fast

I would purchase them when Nordstrom has a sale, and buy a few pairs in different colors. Haven't had to buy them in probably 6 or 7 years.

Good choice, if you like their look, and if they fit and wear comfortably, for you!

[Brunotheboxer]

Originally Posted by mfer

They look better on my foot, then they do on the shelf.

Please no Foot shots. It goes against forum rules.

[CL65AMG]

I have worn Allen Edmonds for years...they are great. On average, mine have lasted me well over five years with very consistent wear.

[Paracentesis]

I hope you realise that, without a "foot shot", your alleged ownership of these alleged shoes will be called into question?

[renfield33]

As an experiment I want to get a pair of proper english shoes. Unfortunately the $600 entry point is keeping me from performing the experiment.

[Sejanus]

I have a pair of Allen Edmonds as well and they are extremely comfortable and have been since I bought them (even without the wearing in period).

They polish up better than other shoes I have owned so I think it was a good buy personally.

With a wearing rotation I have no doubt they will be great for a long time.

[mfer]

Thanks for the comments guys (even Bruno). Sounds like they can talk the talk and walk the walk....bad pun intended. I'll keep Alden in mind, but pretty much impossible to find in my town. We don't have many luxury stores here.

[mfer]

I didn't double post this!!!!

[Speed]

Hey Mik,

Church's English Shoes make the best wing tips IMHO. I had a pair private labeled by Brooks Brothers years ago when I was a banker. Now however...IF you can find them, they are > $725 or so. Classic like Rolex tho.

http://www.esquire.com/style/fashion...Q0307fiveshoes

[HL65]

Originally Posted by mfer

Thanks for the comments guys (even Bruno). Sounds like they can talk the talk and walk the walk....bad pun intended. I'll keep Alden in mind, but pretty much impossible to find in my town. We don't have many luxury stores here.

Been wearing Alden's for years. I have them resoled every 3 or 4 years but they seem to last me forever!! If you can find them well worth it! I used to wear Allen Edmonds but once I changed to Alden I was hooked!
Ps-- both great shoes though!!

[kmangino47]

+1 they will last forever if u take Care of them. My dad has like 4 or 5 pairs, the oldest is 20+ years! Polish and resole and look like new.

I got 2 pairs 1 black 1 brown. The best shoes around, I'm hooked!


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[Mac-Apple]

Allen Edmonds are great shoes, ,and should last you a while. They can always be sent back to Ae to have them resoled ,and brought back to new for around 75$ I prefer Johnston and Murphy ,and Cole Haan for dress shoes.

[kareemthedream33]

Those are really sharp shoes! I have two pairs of dress shoes, both Salvatore Ferragamo, one black, one brown. I think they are of impeccable quality. Try them out if you get a chance.

[marcinthemiddle]

I used to rock Tod's...and now find myself wearing a lable called "To Boot New York"-
Great quality- sharp, stylish, made in Italy- and really comfy for all day wear!

[onkyo]

Great looking shoes.... let us know how they wear.

[sushisummo]

Awesome shoes........worth the money

[Lion]

Mik, those shoes look great...let us know how you like them!!!

[fusionstorm]

Originally Posted by kareemthedream33

Those are really sharp shoes! I have two pairs of dress shoes, both Salvatore Ferragamo, one black, one brown. I think they are of impeccable quality. Try them out if you get a chance.

This.......

[joeychitwood]

I have one pair of black AE shoes for when I dress up, which occurs rarely (basically weddings and funerals.) They are actually very comfortable and look great year after year.

[GoldenBear]

They are awesome and worth every penny. I have had a pair that I got almost 20 years ago. I bring them in every few years to be resoled. They keep getting more and more comfortable and broken in. Just like a pair of comfortable old shoes...oh wait....

[conrail]

Those look very nice!

[Rolex116520]

Originally Posted by Speed

Hey Mik,

Church's English Shoes make the best wing tips IMHO. I had a pair private labeled by Brooks Brothers years ago when I was a banker. Now however...IF you can find them, they are > $725 or so. Classic like Rolex tho.

http://www.esquire.com/style/fashion...Q0307fiveshoes

Church's , Crockett & Jones or the french made Weston's are great value , or go one step beyond and have french made John Lobb's . Well taken care of they last las long as a Rolex

[Sperry]

Very sharp!

The shoe's mold, it's "Last", varies from model to model. You might find one brand that builds a shoe o a very close model of your foot, and stick with that one.

I have owned AE, but went over to a slightly better shoe, the Alden.

Both are shell cordovan leather, one black, and the other, cordovan.

Both 1.5 years old, and I can bring them to almost new-looking condition when I please.
That particular type of leather wear like iron.

The cordovan shoes went back for a bit of stitching [free], and came back looking new.

I expect them to last almost a decade before I have them recrafted [about a hundred dollars or so].

So, the investment pays for itself in just a few years. Three or so.

I wear one pair, lest them rest over night, to cool off, and insert their trees in the morning, when selecting the other pair. Before each wearing, a black or brown buff brush to remove the dust. Never any wax, or maybe very sparingly. It easily builds up on this type of leather. Just heel dress every month or so.

Aldenshoe.com

[Ed Rooney]

Great shoes, but get "Topi" soles put on them so that you don't have to do a full resole every few years.

Shoe tree, don't wear them on consecutive days, and topi soles and they should last indefinitely.

There is a big difference between $150-200 shoes and $300 AE's.

[mfer]

Don't wear them on consecutive days? What does that do, besides wearing them less?

[Sperry]

You want the moisture content to drop. Perspiration and all that.

One lets the shoe "cool off" before inserting the trees.

The cedar trees help to minimize creasing & keep the inside fresh.

Oh, and to clarify, I gave my AEs to my brother, and bought one, then another, pair of Aldens.

I'll probably get a third pair in a few months. Should have made the investment years ago.

[scarhead]

Allen Edmonds are great shoes. The manufacturing process is really great for a massed produced shoe. I'm not sure if they still offer bespoke ordering, but they did a few years ago. I have many pairs of Allen Edmonds and they are very comfortable especially once they get worn in. I agree 100% with alternating your shoes from day to day and using shoe trees when the shoes are not in use. If I can offer one suggestion that would be to purchase very good quality shoes that will last a lifetime. Take care of them by conditioning the leather and then resole them. You will really appreciate them when they get worn in. They are the same thing as a vintage leather jacket that gets worn in nicely. A prime example is a leather jacket worn by police officers, the vintage bomber jackets (as long as they are 100% leather) or fine leather gloves. After years of use and taking care of them they become soft.