Thread: Casual Shoes - Allen Edmonds

I was considering posting this in the Finer Things in Life, but it's probably going to be misleading.

Anyways, I thought I need a new pair of brownish casual shoes, and since my local options are fairly limited these days, I went with online shopping. The ones that I liked best for what I'm looking for are Allen Edmonds Black Hills. However, when the shoes arrived, I must say that the quality wasn't what I expected to get from Allen Edmonds, or in any $250 pair of shoes for that matter.

The leather has distressed look, which is just fine, so I expected the creases and the variation of texture (that's the look I went for anyways), but that's not what I'm talking about when I say quality. There were scuffs, there was leftover whitish film on the eyelet tabs, the stitching looks like it was done by me (uneven)... I guess the scuffs may be just fine if I put a bit of netsfoot oil, or fromm strop dressing, it's leather after all, but the stitching is just plain poor.

Now, since those would've been my first pair on this Allen Edmonds last (65, their longest) I ordered as well a pair half size smaller with the intention of keeping the one that fit. The smaller size was just a tad too small, but that pair was significantly better made than the one that fits me, not perfect but good enough for a casual shoe to keep. So, my thinking went that may be I just got a fluke. So I sent both back and reordered two new pairs of the correct size. They just arrived today and craftsmanship is again nothing to speak about, so they will be going back. It looks like the one pair that was well made may have been the actual fluke.

Anyways, has anybody else noticed this? I've been quite happy with my dressy Allen Edmonds (they're certainly not where my Testonis or Ferragamos are but for the price are good), but they're from a number of years back, or it is possible that they put extra effort in those (after all they're about $100 more than the casual line). Or this may be the internet effect, and if I go to an actual store the quality there would be better.

Would love to hear other people's thoughts. Or may be you could suggest a good quality brand for casual shoes?

My Converse All Stars are well made, even those from China since they closed the USA plant down. Casual and comfortable too. I've got a pair of hi tops in black and another in red.

My casual shoes are Lands End slippers.

I'm not up with all this dandy talk about shoes. If you want a good pair of dressy boots that can be worn every day I'd recommend a nice pair of RM Williams riding boots. Excellent quality and they come in a variety of leathers. But they are boots, not shoes/loafers/whatever.

James.

No, I agree, you want craftsmanship for that price...esp in formal type shoes (i.e. not Converse)...

I think this is just indicative of impending world doom and a zombie apocalypse; quite frankly...

Well see you have to remember Carl that at the moment 250 USD is worth about 20 AUD, so we are talking some pretty bargain-basement shoes here....

James.

Hey Jimbo, after the uggs abomination I ain't taking no footwear advice from down under

But Allen Edmonds is basically the american equivalent of RM Williams - old timey company making pretty standard and boring shoes, but that's what I want. Otherwise I may turn into american and be wearing trainers, slippers, white socks... <shudder>

I got some well made footwear, Aussie made Redback elastic sides, and they look somewhat distressed after some years roaming the paddocks. I'll sell 'em to ya cheap if ya like.


Mick

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Well see you have to remember Carl that at the moment 250 USD is worth about 20 AUD, so we are talking some pretty bargain-basement shoes here....

James.

Yeah, I know, it's cool isn't it? We've been undervalued for years...But now you can hear the thunder ...