($495) How after 101 yrs Allen Edmonds sold their soul

[@RoseAnvil]

For a free trial of Shopify, please go to shopify.com/roseanvil

[@didamnesia3575]

Honestly, this is a crap review. You don't need to be a shill, but this video was lazy

[@juanlemus5424]

Do one of Allen Edmond dalton wing tip boot

[@PlutoniusX]

How about no.

[@perennialmode1506]

Hey. Absolutely love your channel and content but why have you got a picture of the British King who abdicated (Edward the Vlll) for Brett Allen? 3min 10sec 😂😂😂

[@jacobbwalters8133]

The thing worth noting with Allen Edmonds is that you can almost always get their shoes in boots at a significant discount. The initial price tag might be $500, but the price you’ll pay is nowhere near that.

[@beijingbikinibottom]

Very important point to consider.

[@bobjohnson6321]

i have 20 pairs never once payed full price. average about 279.

[@jvc3312]

As of 10-27-23 you can buy these boots on sale for $349

[@pbenjlo]

Well, Red Wing shoes are never discounted, because the price shown is what it's worth. I hate brands that trick customers into thinking they had a great deal because they got it for 40% off. That's just not true.

[@jvc3312]

@@pbenjlo Agree that it is probably poor marketing to teach your customer base never to pay full retail as your product is always on sale. What's the message there? Your product is not worth the retail price or you are a desperate seller or both. Not the mark of a quality product.

[@CristianGeelen]

Do brands sometimes reach out and say that they improved the boot after you "exposed" them?

[@toneohm]

doubt it.. they're too 'big' to listen to a humble youtuber.., but im sure without their realization.., our boy Wes has an impact in their sales.., this channel is great, love that he does this

[@Sovnarkom]

yes Archibald London came out with their SF-01 v2 after he cut apart their v1 sneaker. After he cut up their v2, they created a v3 to incorporate his suggestions.

[@jimwinokur4144]

I wear a EEE. No one else even makes widths anymore. Thank you AE. There are a fair amount of sales

[@John-Edward]

I work at a store and we sell A&E as well as many other brands that are focused on Comfort and I’ll tell you that most of these compromises in the insole and such are related to modern customers! People keep wanting softer insoles! You should check out a classics like Park Ave. as they are still made with a non cushioned leather insole and I can’t speak to the health counter, but The Park Ave. or the Strand are better examples of traditional A&E quality. These newer products that only come in like D & 3E widths are made to feel like less “Break-in” is necessary.

[@andspenrob]

Would love to see "old AE" vs new AE, likewise Florsheims Imperials old/new, as there are diehard fans of the old bulletproof shoes who refuse to buy the newer, lower-quality construction versions of the same shoe.

[@rrg991981]

Their marked decline started around 2015

[@kenadkins8384]

This. Would like to see this series.

[@JJ-zr6fu]

My dad has a pair of 30 year old Johnston and Murphy that look amazing. It’s a shame what’s happened to the brand.

[@tucobakunin8250]

I had a pair of Florsheim wingtips in the 80s that took me nearly a decade of daily wear and abuse to finally destroy. They were nearly indestructible. I climbed mountains (literally) in them. The only Florsheims I have ever owned. Won't own another pair. They are mythological to me at this point. Reality could only let me down.

[@yes0r787]

I used to wear Red wing boots for work in the 80s and 90s. Ten I bought 2 pair of Red Wings in the past 4 years, returned them both without wearing them. The soles are nothing compared to what they were.

[@Thec0nv1ct777]

I do like to see like old boots vs their new counter parts. This way we can document the changes and all that

[@spencerstein8525]

Thanks...I have been waiting for you to do an AE review. I agree with everything you said, but note that AE is always running sales and there is no need to ever pay full price. The Carter boot is on sale on the AE site right now for $350. At $350 is not a bad proposition.

[@diver291]

I would never pay over $250 for an AE boot. They're just not worth that much.

[@moeck14]

Disagree, their MiUSA boots are worth $300-350. Anything imported, I would agree with the $200 range

[@arisgaliatsatos595]

Thats their real price but they chose to go the "Hey, you are getting a deal here" which is certainly not the case. Reminds me when companies bring up the prices before Black Friday and then the day of the Black Friday they do a "sale" which is the exact price the product was 4 months before.

[@claytonberg721]

Alden positions themselves as a luxury item and they don't run sales, save for their factory seconds. The reason Alden stopped making shoes for brooks brothers was because they didn't want to see them discounted. AE however has a few sales every year, along with some permanent discounts.

[@jtee5957]

They seem to cut and stich their uppers in the Dominican Republic and "bottom" them in Wisconsin to claim the "hand crafted in USA." That would be okay, but a lot of the QC issues stem from the DR production.

[@1_lens_view]

While I’ve never owned their boots, I can say they still made good dress shoes at high but yet reasonable prices through about 2012. My pairs of AE were the most comfortable dress shoes I owned, and they lasted a long time. Now, prices are insane - three times higher or even more, and the shoes aren’t much different from lower-priced brands. I don’t buy AE anymore.

[@jake2011rt]

Yeah, I always thought AE's boots were the bridesmaids in their lineup. I feel like Trenton and Heath have done their dress shoes on their channel before, and the internal components were better.

[@jt1559]

I'm very glad that I bought my two pairs of Park Avenues (in brown and black) in 2012. They're great and are still going strong. As you've mentioned, their prices are insane now and it is debateable that the quality matches the price.

[@scootcha]

I just bought their Oxfords for their holiday sale. The shoes seem relatively good quality and were steeply discounted, but these will be the last AE's I purchase.

[@robd7934]

I few years back I got their wingtip Oxfords for $225 during their annual sale which was a good deal for that level of shoe. That said, full price for AE is definitely not worth it. For a little more you can step up to Carmina, which is made in Spain and has superior craftsmanship with none of the QC issues you find in AEs

[@Lmolina90]

Finally! Really excited to see AE on here. They got me with their looks and their 7,5EEE size in their Higgins mill and Park city boots. Both have major quality control issues, especially the newer Park City. A good run of thumb is to only buy this brand during a sale. The brand needs ownership that wants to do more than just turn it into a short term cash cow.

[@sausage_fingerz6802]

What are the Park City issues? Just ordered a pair on sale....but did only pay $145

[@cmiller7299]

I bought my AE Higgins Mill in Horween CXL 4 years ago for $295. I don't think I've ever not seen AE boots on sale for $395 or lower. I think it's a fair price for an American made boot in that range. I do think you missed the mark on why AE has a wood shank - it's target demo (white collar) flies a lot and I LOVE not having to take my boots off going through TSA pre-check. I've had zero durability issues with my pair, while I've had durability issues with other boots you'd say were built with better materials. You can only learn so much by just cutting a boot in half.

[@deloop]

For a while, AE even advertised this as a feature if I recall right.

[@javiervega1065]

in some states the minimum wage is 8.50/hr so there is no excuse for expensive overpriced junk.

[@prplhze2000]

Have the Brown CXL Higgins Mill. Love them. I'm not going to wear them to a work site but they have been subjected to a tougher test: The French Quarter and they always do just fine. Saphir now makes a brown cream for oiled/CXL leather that works real well with the Higgins Mill. Got the shell trunk show Higgins Mill boots too. Look and feel great.

[@theKashConnoisseur]

Fiberglass shanks are also metal detector friendly, and are not nearly as fragile as wood.

[@SkipShean]

I would love to see you review other Allen Edmonds shoes, if you could cut their dress shoes and look at those too. Very disappointing news, I’ve always liked A-E product over the years - but haven’t bought any in over 10 years so i guess that’s your point.

[@cjanquart]

I appreciate the history lesson/introduction you do with these reviews; also a shame that a premium brand cheaped out on materials and still charges premium prices. Thanks for continuing to call manufactures out on their BS.

[@NouYorker]

You gotta try Parkhurst Niagara boots. They're definitely the Indy killer you've been searching for.

[@nikitasavtchenko4418]

This and the Grant Stone Brass boot.

[@Booksandboots]

I hope he listens to us and try’s the Niagara and Brass boot. The Niagara is closer to the Alden look tho.

[@frenettaoneal2482]

Your findings pretty much hold up. I own many pairs of AE shoes and boots as well as the Kenton boots and Alden’s. This series has been VERY enlightening. Thanks.

[@american1911]

Don’t forget that AE is almost always running sales. I have a few pair of their boots that I paid between $170 and $298. They are good looking, comfortable and are holding up. I don’t use them for work, just casual outings.

[@rodneyat]

I agree that these are more like a $300-$350 boot. Which is more in line with what they generally sell for since they are constantly running sales. I am an AE fan, but largely because they offer the widths that I need. If I didn't need the widths, there are a number of brands I would probably be wearing instead.

[@claytonberg721]

Alot of people say that, and don't buy northampton brands because they say they need wide sizing. The thing is AE offers these crazy EEE sizings on all their lasts, but brands like crockett and jones might only offer standard and wide but they have lasts and models that are specifically designed for wide feet. For example I wear 8.5EEE in the Allen Edmonds 65 last. But I have a pair of Crockett and Jones Whitehall in 8.5UK standard width, and the whitehall are much wider and fit much, much better.

[@colt-_-jonson1743]

300 dollars for carboard? consumers really deserve to consume only slop i swear

[@usmnt4423]

I’m super interested in more AE cut-in-half videos. An Alden alternative you have to try is Parkhurst’s Niagara

[@coryernewein]

Been watching/binging your vidjéos for the past few months and just stumbled onto some Timberland "Barstow" moctoe boots for $150🇨🇦...I would love your review of them, they seem decent for first time heritage style boots. My father owned his a successful leather shop in the 80's and 90's, I learned alot and forgot until I found your channel, what a pleasure it has been🤙

[@jbatman9990]

Been wearing numerous different AE shoes for a long time, over 20 years. I have kind of odd feet and they have a couple of lasts that just seemed to work better for me than some other similar brands. The older shoes I had were definitely built better than my newer ones and the QC was probably a little better as well. I have a newer pair of Higgins Mill and would like to see a review of those as they seem to be their most popular boots. AE always has sales which seem to make them a better value.

[@arisgaliatsatos595]

When someone alway has sales, it doesn't mean you get a deal. You just get the real price of the shoe. Classic marketing.

[@MrSoymilk2]

All their boots have basically the same construction just a different last shape. Everything in this video applies to the Higgins Mill too.

[@aaroncordle232]

I agree that the MSRP is too high. The point has already been made that they run significant sales throughout the year. I got a pair of the Park City waterproof for $175 feom their website. New, non-blemished. I also like that they offer many styles in EEE width for people like me with hooves for feet!

[@JJ-zr6fu]

I don’t know about this boot but the Higgins mill definitely feels a lot better than Thursdays including their made on the USA boots.

[@williammarshall468]

I’ve never seen that boot before. It must be new.

[@robd7934]

QC issues are my biggest complaint with AE. Always issues when you inspect the shoe. For a fraction of the price, Thursday's have far fewer issues

[@JPspinFPV]

I have a pair of Allen Edmonds dress shoes from around '06. I purchased them at a steep discount as I was working for an online distributor at the time. If I recall correctly the retail price then was $525 USD. It's definitely not a pair of shoes I would just wear around, and they are very handsome. For a couple hundred bux I still consider that purchase a win.

[@robertsandgren9389]

Great video! So glad to see Allen Edmonds here, since I've been considering them. They are good looking. When cut open, they REALLY look like a barely Thursday quality boot, at the price of a truman boot.

[@gnarl12]

Get them on sale

[@superfluid]

Great history lesson on the company and cut in half segment. I just bought this boot 2 weeks ago, I like it, but seeing this video I'm glad I got it on sale.

[@alanc6468]

ITSHIDE is high quality, they are on par or greater in quality than Dainite. Their soles are British made and have been used mainly for European shoe brands.

[@boots_4_me]

The Grant Stone Brass boot is an Alden Indy alternative and the Ottawa’s are an Alden Tanker alternative.

[@pivotallever]

Sort of, I own several pairs of both brands and Alden makes a noticeably nicer shoe. The Alden LHS is on another level than the Grant Stone Traveler, it’s not even close. Grant Stone is good value for the money, way better than Allen Edmonds.

[@nathansabo2861]

Both of my AE shoes were bought from their seconds. You get a significant discount and neither of mine had any noticeable defects

[@bztrain]

Same

[@faeriesmak]

If you live anywhere near Port Washington they have a factory outlet store as well.

[@A55-s9d]

Allen Edmond could have sponsored the video, released a collaboration boot, or even given a commission on sales........

[@chinatownboy7482]

They could not be shaken down.

[@TylerSnyder305]

As always there will be people who own and like them, and refuse to accept the flaws because they payed way too much for them.

[@UnknownUser-rb9pd]

They have almost permanent sales. This is a $300 boot and will spend most of its time heavily discounted. Another factor is that AE makes their shoes and boots in a really large range of widths, up to 10 widths in some models, far more than any other manufacturer. And that means a lot more costs in manufacturing, stock control etc. I don't own any AE by the way, just pointing out that many people buy them because they really struggle to find shoes elsewhere that fit them and AE should be given credit for that.

[@mattaltea]

@@UnknownUser-rb9pd I have 3 pairs of AE boots in the 1757 Last, 2 Higgins and 1 Freeport. I've never paid more than 200 for any of those pairs. I would swear off them but the last is more or less a perfect fit for my foot. They always have sales and should never be bought for anything more than 300

[@arisgaliatsatos595]

I am honestly surprised how many wide feet guys exist in USA. I have never seen these kind of sizes in this side of Europe.

[@rondejean7668]

@@UnknownUser-rb9pd well said. I love my suede cap toes I got from them earlier this year. I would have never paid the $475 list price, I paid just under $200 and there it is a steal.

[@UnknownUser-rb9pd]

@@arisgaliatsatos595 People tend to have wider feet in Northern parts of Europe and the UK but don't have the choice that AE provides. I suspect most people just buy larger sizes than they need (going up a size is the equivalent of going up a width as shoes scale up in all dimensions) Also, it should be noted that many of those width sizes that AE do are narrower than normal widths right down to AA width.

[@ksgould1992]

Trenton and Heath at the Potter and Sons channel point this out ever time they resole an AE--cardboard/leatherboard heel stacks--and they replace the heel stacks with stacked leather.

[@A55-s9d]

Cobblers like leather heel stacks because they can take them off without breaking, and then reuse them. It saves time and money. However, the bonded leather heel stacks work as designed. While they are on the shoe, they don't melt, disintegrate, or fall apart. The heel stacks don't break until a cobbler removes them. They don't otherwise fail under normal wear and tear.

[@theKashConnoisseur]

@@A55-s9d That's the issue though, leatherboard makes the repair more expensive for the customer, and makes the footwear more disposable. When people spend this kind of money on shoes, there's an expectation that you'll be having them worked on over time. Disposable fast fashion is a social blight that fills our landfills with cheap, imported trash. Invest in well made, long lasting, repairable products. It's good for you, good for the economy, good for the environment.

[@seankeaney823]

A couple of notes, it may list for $500 but right now you can get them for $350 and their other mock toes the Freeport also a $500 list is on there sight for $250. And that seems to be where their products sit if you are willing to wait a bit. I have one pair of their waterproof boots and 3 of their normal construction… Though I like that they are waterproof, I prefer the feel of the other boots better. The lining leather has a more natural feel in the non waterproof boots.

[@bobjohnson6321]

i agree the hard felt thing, fake heel stack, and the plastic counter are disappointing. i have many pairs with an average price of 279. its hide soles are from united kingdom and many of the leathers i have from them are Horween or Badalassi. i really like the comfort and the style they offer although not this model. Got the rare ultraviolet Horween shell Cordovan with JR soles for 825 from there recent trunk show. Viberg 2 years ago 1450 with UVshell.

[@nickdubya1215]

3:13 Hey animation person: Pretty sure the picture of "Bert Allen" is actually the former King of England, Edward VII, Duke of Windsor

[@funkijote]

Yo, this is weird maybe, but I find this channel really relaxing, keep it playing in the background even when I'm not watching

[@coreyradtke3497]

I do like AE. Especially how consistent their sizing is. For what it's worth, no one pays MSRP for them .They're always running sales for 25-40% off which makes the shoes very comparable with others in the same price range.

[@duethe6929]

no

[@scootcha]

They should price their shoes according to what they are worth. Not trick the consumer into thinking they are getting a good deal. That is unethical. Also, what do you mean by "consistent sizing"? I never have a problem with buying the right size from other brands.

[@declanvillar5557]

RoseAnvil, then gentleman you used in your thumbnail is actually a good friend of mine. He’s a big Allen Edmonds fan, but does not work for the company. I think changing your thumbnail from AE’s derpy model, to one of their fans without asking to use his imagine is not only wrong, but flat out rude.

[@robertmorgan8754]

I'd love to see you take apart their Higgins Mill boots. I have two pairs bought around 2016-ish, and they're wonderful boots. They fit perfectly, but I have noted some quality control issues with their shoes over the past 5-10 years. It would be interesting to see if the newer boots are better or worse than the even slightly older ones since the company last changed hands.

[@aphantasiagreyman8445]

As someone who owns over 20 pair of AE shoes and boots I can say quality is the biggest issue as of the last 5 or so years. I think the older staples like Strand, Park Ave, 5th Ave may still be somewhat decent but the new stuff like that boot you cut, nope. At this point I'm really glad I already have all the shoes and boots I will ever need. Everyone's quality seems to be taking a hit. I would really love to see you cut some AE shell Daltons in half. AE has some king of middle layer material between the shell and the lining that makes these some of the noisiest, squeaky boots I have ever owned. They are literately too noisy to wear in an office environment.

[@claytonberg721]

I usually buy a pair of strands each year on the trunk show. The clicking is just not up to what you'd like to see. Carmina usually has a custom shell cordovan sale twice a year that brings their prices down to AE trunk show prices but I don't know their lasts that well.

[@andrewpalmer840]

Yes, ever since the Calares takeover basically only the old line models like the PA, 5th Ave, and the Strand are still worth their (sale) price. Otherwise it has become a fashion brand. One time, they were a premier shoemaker- my cobbler admired the fine stitching density on my pair of their 1980s era Lloyd wingtips (the ones with the awesome 7 eyelets) and remarked how better they are than the more contemporary models

[@claytonberg721]

@@andrewpalmer840 The lloyd is a good model, but they aren't worth the premium they demand on ebay. I had a pair but like nearly all AE lasts I need a EEE in them. I get my shell AE shoes fixed for stitching issues more than anything else. The stitching in the uppers comes apart somehow.

[@justinpatrickhoffman]

I appreciate your transparency and the work you do!

[@timstalam]

i just bought some AE boots on sale :/ makes me wish I put the moderate price tag on another brand

[@robd7934]

I was strongly considering Allen Edmonds boots during their annual sale but didn't pull the trigger. So glad I passed on the boots now that I know that the quality is similar to my Thursday Boots that are a fraction of the price. I've owned several AE shoes and noticed that the last pair I ordered was lower quality that past pairs. Sadly, the quality and craftsmanship is just not there anymore and they lost me as a customer

[@jonathanshumpert9549]

I bought a brand new pair of Allen Edmonds for $20 at a garage sale. The model is The Ranger. I have not been able to find much online about the construction. They are the nicest boots I own, so I'm happy with them.

[@hmApollo101]

Allen Edmond boots might be bad, but their dress shoes are still highly respected. I would love to see a leather cap-toe oxford comparison from you

[@michaelbradley6915]

Me too!

[@JJ-zr6fu]

I recently got some suede chukkas from them they’re great

[@daves8255]

Everything here regarding AE boots applies equally to their dress shoes-drastic decline in quality with an inverse raise in MSRP over the last ten or so years

[@hmApollo101]

@@daves8255 yeah I stand corrected on this, found some of their newer shoes at Neiman Marcus and there just felt so cheap, the outsoles especially.

[@theKashConnoisseur]

Trenton and heath take apart a lot of AE dress shoes, and they've repeatedly noted how the newer stuff is made of lesser quality, cheaper materials.

[@TheRacerRich]

The thing about AE is you can pretty often get them for like 40% off, at at that price they aren't bad.

[@MrFarang10]

I would like to buy a Rose Anvil handmade boots. Waterproof, durable. If breathable, thats a bonus. 1 for fashion, 1 for work. Mannnnn, this channel and this guy is great service to people. Thank you 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@timparker5953]

Itshide made boot soles for British commando boots in ww2 and beyond and the originators of the lug sole now used by vibram, timberland et al

[@michaelshannon1509]

I think the Parkhurst Niagara Moc Toe is above the Allen Edmonds and Alden. I'm glad I passed on Allen Edmonds before and Alden never made sense to me at their price range. I would definitely like to get your opinion and take on the Parkhurst. It is the Moc Toe I bought and am enjoying this Fall.

[@yeadogthazmyboi]

Grant stone!

[@axmajpayne]

I just looked them up and I'm impressed. It's rare for a shoe/boot company to tell you what every part of their boot is made out of.

[@r3fotzirx]

Andrew Svisco is a real one frfr.

[@randynovick7972]

Totally agree about the Niagara.

[@michaelshannon1509]

Agree, they are a winner! I wear these too but their moc toe is not my favorite. Diesel and Norweigen split toe are great and QC is the best! @@yeadogthazmyboi

[@boots_4_me]

If you’re looking for $500 moc toed boots, look for Grant Stone Brass and Ottawa boots. You can’t beat GS’s quality, build, qc, and price.

[@williamswiger7547]

Have had around 5 pairs of AE boots over the last several years. All models had really loose grain after 1-2 wears. They were comfortable like sneakers, but the quality of the leather and materials seemed cheap. I only bought them when they were on sale.

[@johnperniciaro6798]

Barker makes a similar boot to the Indy called the Inidana. Barker is an English brand, but they do make one that looks like an updated version of the 405. So maybe they have a good one.

[@faeriesmak]

I am here for the history! I live rurally outside of Belgium, WI and it’s pretty neat to see such a small town spawn something like Allen Edmonds. I have heard that the fire was pretty horrible and they almost lost all of their designs as well but they were still being stored in their Lake Church building at the time of the fire. It’s too bad that they are not doing great. The lump of glue would be an automatic no from me, especially with foot issues.

[@randynovick7972]

I have 2 pairs of AE boots and my dress shoes are AEs. The dress shoes are great - totally comfy. The boots, though - both are Higgins Mill waterproof service boots - they hurt my feet - like serious pain - after a couple hours. I got them for winter wear for those days of slogging through the snow to and from the office. I think it's the last shape that makes them so painful. For some reason they just make for really fantastic pain. I like the materials used on them, I like the look, I like the lug soles and I like that they are fairly lightweight - but I don't wear them anymore. It's sorta sad. AE has a lot of shell cordovan boots and shoes and I've actually been to Port Washington, so I've got good appreciation for the brand, but I just can't buy from them anymore.

[@Andy-ft1hj]

I would love to see you cut some of my favourite shoes/boots the Tricker's Stow or Bourton

[@aido8787]

Love the composition and the editing of the close-up pans on those shots of the bisected boots. Very visually interesting :0

[@shaynelaw9629]

Great video with so much to offer. Entrepreneurial insight and inspiration, brand history of an iconic (maybe once iconic?) American shoe brand, and then your quintessential boot deconstruction. Enjoyable and informative. Thank you for doing what you do!

[@trex1448]

I have 2 pairs of cordovans that are flawless. Guess I will hold onto them.

[@iulianavram8023]

Hey man, try cutting in half a pair of Limmer boots, or a pair of Schuh-Bertl boots from Munich, some of the best boots in the world . And I can give you more proper boots brands made in Europe

[@nathanbaker1868]

The men in my family have a long history of brand loyalty to AE and I remember being shown pairs of 30+ year old shoes and told to buy quality because it lasts a lifetime. Well, I have 3 pairs of AE and have shopped their shoes repeatedly, but decided a couple years ago I’d never buy another pair unless they’re vintage. Their shoes today rarely even reflect the frequent 50% off sale price. In the last 5-7 years, I often couldn’t tell the difference between 1sts and factory 2nds because the 1sts had such poor finishing. And that’s not to even mention what’s on the inside, which is even worse. It’s a sad tale, because they were once known for quality and I would today pay more than $500 for well-made lifetime shoe, but AE just doesn’t make them anymore

[@widgetmaker]

You asked for alternatives, i reckon crops the pond and see how the old british brands are doing. Churches (probably over priced), crockett and jones, cheaney (probably upped their game), loake (feel are struggling), etc.

[@gr8990]

As some have already stated, AE is like Florsheim in that there is a difference between the new and old versions of certain shoes. However, I really enjoy my AE oxfords with the Dainite rubber soles. Super comfortable and amazing traction even after four years.

[@kartikchary]

Can't speak for the boots but " I have boots on the " Itshide " commando outsoles and they're comparable to a vibram 430 mini lug outsole if not better. They provide better traction on slippery surfaces than the vibram mini lug and are pretty versatile.

[@chanceopinion]

Especially that cheap, thermoplastic contrefort is telling this shoe is not meant to last long. Great breakdown and review once again.

[@JJ-zr6fu]

Can you do one of their popular boots like the higgins mill and popular shoes

[@chadvholtkamp1]

Bought my first pair of AE in 1994 for $300. Still have them. No way they haven’t cut costs without raising prices through the roof.

[@Finn4591-w9t]

They are currently on sale for less than $300

[@jmarth523]

Ok, they're on sale for something resembling what their full price should be, given materials used. They still sell them at that inflated price

[@zanderrose]

@@jmarth523They’re on sale for like 9 months out of the year. It’s a deceptive business practice and it’s annoying, but it’s also deceptive to act like people who know anything at all about this brand are actually buying them for 500 dollars

[@theKashConnoisseur]

Its the same marketing gimmick you see on factory direct overseas wholesalers. Oh look, everything is 70% off, what a deal! But in reality, everything is cheap junk and the "sale" price still represents an inflated cost for the low value of the product.

[@harrythedemigod]

I like that you give the history of the brands so we can see how they landed in these situations.

[@thomaschristopherwhite9043]

I love this channel. Keeps the big boys on their toes. Seeing this I'm gonna go get the j.crew kenton.

[@PersecutedTruth]

What a name, john stolenwork and to buy allen edmonds!

[@mindtraveler2350]

Agreed with this review. I have a number of Allen Edmonds shoes and each one has disappointed me in some way. I noticed very fast west of the soles and the heel stacks are insanely low quality. I cannot justify giving them money any longer. It’s a shame but American manufacturers clearly only care about the bottom line, and we all suffer for it.

[@TheGunDude]

I love these videos. You’re crushing these companies making garbage products for too much money.

[@colintidwell8902]

1. They are more known for their dress shoes and for years boots have been a secondary product. The dress shoes come with a full veg-tan leather insole, no foam. 2. Everyone knows you shop their sales. Everyone shop during their two giant annual sales in April and October.

[@duethe6929]

no

[@theKashConnoisseur]

If they run constant sales, the true value of the shoe is closer to the "for sale" price than the retail price. In other words, you've fallen for a marketing gimmick. I'd argue that with the construction on display, they're not even worth 195. There's been better made boots shown on this channel that cost less.

[@joewellfair8238]

Why does the OG Alden sit at the top of the list? It seems like half the competitors are equal or better at a lower price. I was shocked at how much cardboard was in that thing.

[@andrewdoeshair]

I got a pair of their shoes in roughly 2010 and I still wear them today, they’re amazing. I got a pair of boots from them in like 2014 and they fell apart at the seams in a surprisingly short time. I haven’t even considered them again since those boots

[@kenliu8721]

would love to see this done on a higgins mill boot

[@Calonggehk]

I just bought 2 pairs of AE dress shoes online with the memorial day discounts and I can say this is the highest quality shoe I’ve ever had in my entire life. It looks good, It firs great, it has some weight to it and it feels fantastic. Im also very happy to know that when my shoe gets old I can send it back to the AE recrafting department so it can get renewed

[@HorizonsleatherBlogspot2012]

For $250 it's a good boot. In the past, I've searched the second hand market for AE and snagged a couple pairs almost never worn for a bargain. It's a real shame for sure that they are so expensive.

[@JimIBobIJones]

A lot of your complaints just seem to be that you don't like the traditional materials used. Itshide is a Dainite competitor based in Northampton England. Its a proper oldschool rubber sole producer for welted shoes. Much better than Vibram IMHO... Also cork filling is much more traditional than leather - its the way welted shoes were made for centuries.

[@ro5omax]

Yikes... I really like AE and have multiple pairs of their dress shoes. Those seem to be well-made, though sometimes there are QC issues. I also own their Higgins Mill and Hamilton boots, they look awesome and feel comfortable, but now I'm wondering if they are as awful inside as the moc-toe ones in the video. Of course, I got both of them on sale for about $250/pair, so I don't feel swindled like I would had I paid the full price. Thank you for your excellent informative videos!

[@StriderX04]

My first pair of boots after finding this channel and stridewise and getting into all this stuff was the Allen Edmonds Landon cap toe. Found a great deal on Amazon, I think I only paid $210 for them. Would be disappointed if I learned the heel stack was cardboard, but overall it’s a great and comfy boot with dainties soles and I’m still happy with them for the price, especially since I could find them in an 8EEE so easily

[@StriderX04]

The other thing about Allen Edmonds pricing is that you don’t really have to pay retail for them like you would with an Alden or something. The cutting corners that came with the corporate sellout also comes with the opportunity to find them on clearance

[@justsomeguy5470]

​@@StriderX04There's also factory seconds that go on sale as well

[@claytonberg721]

Every shoe/boot made by allen edmonds has a leather board heel stack. You'd have to go back to the 70's to find one that wasn't leatherboard.

[@areallyboredguy5825]

I was just looking to see if you had an Allen Edmonds video last week!

[@Mustang1683]

Yeah. I bought a pair of AE shoes. There was an oversewn seam in the left shoe that rubbed against my foot and made it impossible to wet after about 2 hours. They would not take it back. Haven’t bought another pair since.

[@jimstallings3]

I have Allen Edmond Patton Boots. Love them. I also have several other pairs of dress shoes. Might be what they used to be. Still great shoes.

[@andrescevallos6008]

1. You shoud pick the bench welt construction. The weather proof boots or shoes from allen edmonds is no the ideal for cut in half because they are the modern styles. If you want to compare with other brands you should pick the bench welt construction boots (traditional construction) 2. You must wait for sales . Some times you can find a pretty good boot por $200

[@chinatownboy7482]

I just bought the "Astor" wingtip boot. One Oh Five. I expect it to be built for comfort, like this boot. At the end of the day, the boot will last for years to come. Allen Edmonds will recraft them at the factory. Or you can find a cobbler of your choice to build them in a different fashion.

[@annoxelia5440]

I own two pairs of AE dress shoes, both are at least 20 years old. They have gotten decent use, but not as much as they deserve, and are still in mint condition because I take care of them. Saphir is your friend :) They are the most comfortable dress shoes I've ever put on my feet. I can't speak to the current quality but mine are flawless.

[@AlbertJagnow]

I had a pair of Allen Edmonds and they were very comfortable with almost no break in time. They fit my foot shape perfectly. However, I never got another pair because they wore out so fast, it didn't seem worth the cost.

[@whereRbearsTeeth]

Of course there was no break in time. They are made out of foam as opposed to leather. You sacrificed quality and durability/longevity for immediate comfort.

[@tenantrep]

For years I purchased my AE’s for retail or on sale. My last 4 pairs I purchased gently worn on eBay. Just bought a near new pair of Graysons which retail for $395 for $60 bucks plus tax and shipping. $78 all in. Asking was $109. They literally look new. Takes time to find the right pair but the savings is unbelievable. Make sure the soles are almost new and inners are clean with clear letters and your good to go. Will never buy new again.

[@Benjels480]

Can you please do some Filson boots? I want to know if their stuff is actually any good or if it’s straight garbage.

[@dnairish]

Always wait for Allen Edmonds sales

[@hankhillsnrrwurethra]

@@GombySprangster yeah my Higgins Mill weatherproof have that lining so I'm a little bummed. But they were seconds and dang are they comfortable

[@dnairish]

or that lol@@GombySprangster

[@mrfiggster]

I like the new in shoe camera angles!

[@XXXENOWRAITHXX]

I'd say try cutting their dress shoes in half. And a benefit of AE is that they have a large range of sizing. I think their used/discounted boots and shoes can be a great deal

[@StolenAlias]

As love when you expose the corporations. Do oak street next, I have a feeling that they’re more expensive than they should be.

[@koryleach9660]

AE also has sales all the time. I’ve NEVER paid retail for any of their products.

[@as94583]

The thing is that nobody with half a brain pays full price for Allen Edmonds. They almost always have a 20% off sale running and you can regularly get them for 40-50% off in seasonal sales. I'm fairly certain this is their business model (similar to J Crew) where they build their boots so they are profitable at the sale price point and have them almost always on sale. You mentioned them being closer in quality to the MiUSA Thursday boots and I think that's the price point that people should be buying Allen Edmonds at. I personally am willing to pay a bit of a price premium to be able to try out the boots in store first. I was able to try on a Higgins Mill pair at the AE store in Atlanta and the rep was happy to order me a pair online for the clearance price ($250).

[@markgillum5709]

Thanks for the great video. I own a good deal of Allen Edmonds shoes, and am glad the boots I own are dress boots and not necessarily moc-toe boots. Excellent job capsulating the history of the brand, as well. As far as the moc-toe goes, i much prefer Grant Stone, Parkhurst as they are better made and offer better value. I would like to see your take on Allen Edmonds' other moc-toe, the Freeport. Wonder if the same corners are cut there. The Parkhurst Niagara is also one I hope you get around to.

[@saint_snow]

Itshide is a british company. They made the origianl commando sole and have been around since the thirties. Great soles at least. Still have an old pair of AE park aves from yesrs ago that were really well made back when AE was still decent before their rebranding.

[@philschiavone101]

A few things that you are missing. 1. AE does not sell their boots for MSRP. I bet you got that Carter for $350. 2. I have the Dalton, 1A, Fifth Street that all have full leather insoles. They just don’t sell as much as the HM. Which has a texon insole. 3. They sell to many shoes to let them stay in the last for 3 days. They use wet glue without letting it cure. Welts are sewn on in 45 seconds. No time to make a welt joint. 4. AE has never used a steal shank. It is part of their marketing. I am disappointed with the buying public. They just want a gym shoe feel.

[@watso014]

You can find these boots for considerably less on sale. AE runs these often. No, it’s not a $500 boot, but I’ve never paid more than $200 and I have 3 pair. I wear them often and I like them

[@ryancraig4811]

Ironically, just wore my 4 year old Thursday boots for the first time this fall today. Not missing anything I guess. Have accumulated 4 pairs of AE dress shoes over the last 15 years or so. Decent quality/price ratio when on sale.

[@gnarl12]

Sizing. AE boot lasts are IMHO better than Thursday