My Allen Edmonds McAllisters: 1 Year Review

In this video I review how my Oxblood colored Allen Edmonds "McAllister" wingtip Oxfords have held up since purchasing them a little over 1 year ago in September of 2017. I also talk about some of the things I've done to care for them. There is an error in the text on the video at 2:30 - it should say 9/16" not 916", my apologies.
I reference a couple other videos:
Here is a full review of these shoes shortly after purchasing them -
"Shoe Review: Allen Edmonds McAllister wingtip Oxford"
• Shoe Review: Allen Edm...
The beginning of this video has a good explanation of the difference between Full Grain Aniline leather and Corrected Grain leather - "High vs Low Quality Belts & How to get 'em cheap!"
• High vs Low Quality Be...
"How to apply protective half soles to your shoes (1 of 3)"
• How to apply protectiv...
"Why to & How to Install Heel Guards/Heel Taps:"
• Why to & How to Instal...
If you want to learn more about what Goodyear Welted construction is: "Shoe construction: Goodyear Welted shown":
• Shoe construction: Goo...
I purchased the 5mm thick heeling rubber and 10 iron thick soling leather from Landwerlen Leather in Indiannapolis, IA USA.
/ 169439136406831
Music produced by Alegal / Aq Xico.
My apologies, I believe my earlier videos have good content, but you'll see the video production quality is not nearly as good as the newer videos.

[@maurogarcia6512]

That is a beautiful AE shoe in the McAllister wingtip. The color, after your Saphir applications of both the Mahogany and the Black cream, turned out as a magnificent enhancement. Absolutely elegant. Thank you for sharing your video. Keep up the wonderful work. All the best!

[@ianbutler1983]

Robert, the soft lighting looks great on this video.

[@steadfastdriven4472]

Just bought my first pair of Allen Edmonds Strand cap toe oxfords i love then and want to preserve them for as long a i can.

[@brucecoyne5973]

I enjoyed watching your video; you are an excellent narrator and your points were all relevant. I just ordered a pair of McAllisters, my third pair of Allen Edmonds, at $225 direct from AE. My other pairs are at their one year anniversary and I'm still learning tips and tricks to properly care for them. Keep up the good work!

[@CobblerBob]

Bruce Coyne 🙏🏼 thank you! I know right now because it’s the end of the year they have some massive sales! Nice score! 👊🏼

[@jacksonj3082]

I have the McAllister in black and MacNeil Cordovan in Burgundy - love them both. You take care of the shoes and they will take care of you. I also like Alden. Nice video.

[@HoglyStevenson]

Fellow AE snob here as well...Thanks for the videos. Always good to learn more abut Fancy shoes. Keep up the good work Robert!

[@sloppydoggy9257]

I bought a pair of "dark chili" and it seemed way lighter than what I saw online. I bought their dark chili polish and it made the shoe much darker which now I love.

[@lsimpson50]

I also like the new color, a lot.

[@WeneedmoreY1outube]

Loved it! Took your thrift advice. Got a pair of santonis for $12... dressing them up! Burgundy cap toe

[@CobblerBob]

Harrison Wedgeworth nice! 👊🏼

[@benjaminschell2062]

While I have many Allen Edmonds shoes I do agree that their quality control is not always very good. Two things that I would mention looking at your shoes is the stitching that's off a little bit I would not accept them. And the color to me it looks more like a Merlot rather than Oxblood.

[@XGenBoomer]

I'm wondering if you have any experience with the AE Bond Street shoe..? Everyone slams it as being cheap looking and that it's corrective grain. Their website describes it as imported leather from Europe. I'm not sure what it is.. It seems like chromexcel in a way but I haven't been able to find any further information about it.. It gets slammed in the reviews and on social media. I own a pair and like you Bob, I am 11.5 3E and these shoes are really comfortable.. I believe they have a different last than the more popular AE shoes.. I like it. It's just different to me.. YMMV I was just wondering if you had an opinion on it. Thanks for the great videos.. 👊🏾

[@danjoe22]

I like all of your videos, you are a good amateur cobbler and I have learned a lot. You mention the weather conditions where you live to justify some of the things you do like install goodyear half soles on your shoes, even your Allen Edmonds. You say it is wet from October to April. I live in the midwest (Cincinnati), where it does rain a lot and wonder what part of the midwest you live in. To me , the wet winters are a nuisance but better than the snow belt of Western NY where I grew up.

[@CobblerBob]

joseph plumber thank you! I’m in Northeast Ohio (Akron). Even though we’re only 3 to 3.5 hrs away, yes, it snows a lot more here than there.

[@joshuacashen7289]

Very Nice! Thanks for the Oxford Style shoe info!!( no open Flaps)

[@raraavis7782]

Very nice - I really like the two tone effect. Did it with a pair of mine, that had a stain in front and it turned out quite well! So glad, I can get some wear out of them after all 👍

[@johnraeburn3675]

I learned a LOT from this video. Thanks.

[@CobblerBob]

You're welcome!

[@mariogarcia2841]

Thank you for you videos i like so much I apreciate the time yo share thank you Mr Powers.

[@thatxonexguy5438]

Oxblood McAllisters are just such a nice looking shoe. Definitely planning to pick some up sometime in the future if i can get them for a good price

[@CobblerBob]

Yes. I love the Oxblood/burgundy/merlot. I actually darkened these in another video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqrJp61-d6-Ap6M

[@thatxonexguy5438]

@@CobblerBob yes i've seen that video before! Thats exactly how i would want my shoes, but unfortunately Allen Edmonds doesnt make oxblood color shoes anymore as of earlier this year. That in combination with my odd size, i think out of luck for good haha. Love the vids btw!

[@bernardopena9665]

Thanks for another great video Robert! I'm also a proud owner of a pair of McAllisters walnut color that I have been adding some patina to by using a darker brown saphir products, I will really appreciate if you can do a video on how to get your shoes ready for the raining season, I leave in California and we had have a couple of rainy days already I have shine a few pairs of shoes to prevent them from getting damage but I like to see if you shine your shoes in any particular way to get them ready for wet environments.

[@missionimpossible4869]

Great looking pair of shoes.

[@ianbutler1983]

Thanks Robert.

[@mohdkafli3338]

Tuan nak jual 175 ringgit boleh la size 42 black ada ke ?

[@MrSquire10]

Thanks for the video, Robert. I understand you aren’t thrilled w the color, but I didn’t hear you mention what the actual AE color was named? I recently got a pair of McAllisters, but mine are much more purple/burgundy. Personally, I actually prefer the color as seen in your video. Thanks!

[@CobblerBob]

MrSquire10 - Good Point! 😣 they are “Oxblood”. I’ll edit the Description.

[@60zeller]

Still look sweet

[@ryantucker3659]

Bob, in your opinion, could one wear a pair of Oxblood Wingtips with a light gray or charcoal suit, or would it be dressing a suit down? I'd love to hear your take. My father always wore them with suits to work, but I am not sure how to gauge the formality since wingtips are technically oxfords, but replete with a maximum amount of broguing.

[@CobblerBob]

Ryan Tucker I think it partially depends on where you live, I’m in the Midwest US, most people here don’t even know the difference between in oxford in the derby. The level of shoes an Oxford and a derby and wear anything with a suit... it’s terrible around here, so in this area I’d say absolutely, no problem!Now if you were in London England, or somewhere where the standards are very high that may be a different story. In the USA I don’t think people really follow those rules very closely anymore. Therefore, I think it’s a good idea to still loosely adhere to them. It also depends on the occasion, I probably would not wear wingtip brogue Oxfords with a suit to an interview or funeral.

[@menslifestyleimprovement9882]

I purchased a pair of Walnut/Tan Allen Edmonds McCallister seconds but mine don't have the shoe stamped on the sole instead they have a small chip/gouge on each sole.

[@CobblerBob]

Men's Fashion & Fitness - Hmm... interesting... I wish we could post pics here so I could see.

[@migui8850]

I have the same problem with my park avenue shoes hitting my left ankle. My strands however, have been so comfortable since the get go-- I think they are the same last as the McAllister, yes?

[@CobblerBob]

Sorry for missing this comment, but yes, Park Avem Strand, Fifth Ave are all on the 65 last.

[@benjaminluispiscontedoming3444]

Hey Robert, just got interested in dress shoes. I recently saw your vid about shoe width and I do understand it very well, I have kind of a wide duck feet but not flat feet. I wonder if theres a way to know if you have a high instep, I could not find any info available. Im asking this because of the 65 last, its said that it is long and narrow and maybe it could create a V-gap en in high instep guys. Whats your opinion on this. Thanks.

[@CobblerBob]

Benjamín Luis Pisconte Domínguez the next time I go get a new pair of Allen Edmonds fitted, I’ll have to make sure and ask them! 😜 I believe you’re probably right, I probably do have a high instep. I was in martial arts for many years, that’s exactly the area of my foot that would hit the heavy bag, I wonder if that’s a factor, that area of my foot got built up?? It’s worse on my right foot, and that was my primary kicking leg. Don’t hesitate to go to and Alan Edmonds store, but just be honest with the sales guy, tell him you’re not ready to buy anything if you’re not going to. From my experience Allen Edmonds fitters know a lot, every other shoe store they don’t know squat.

[@benjaminluispiscontedoming3444]

​@@CobblerBob Thanks for the fast response! In fact I live in Peru, going to an Allen Edmonds Store is planning a trip to the US. I just wanted to hit the right size, my only inquiry is just the instep. Btw I think your Allen Edmonds 65 last fit right to you, Reddit shows some Vgaps in the same last that are so pronounced and a return is neccesary. Thanks again.

[@luisrosas300]

I have the same shoe within a month of using them, they look like the are 10 years old. The finish its not the best. Sending them back to AE for a refinish.

[@CobblerBob]

Really? Wow. My guess is you are probably doing one or more of the following to cause this: 1. If at all possible, do not ever wear them 2 days in a row. 2. Do you religeously install shoe trees when you remove them? They must fit well too. Snug enough to straighen out the vamp, but not tight enough to stretch them. 3. How often do you polish them? 4. Moisturize them. See my Playlist "Before and After" - you'll see dozens of examples of how just doing the above things will make most shoes look almost new.

[@jracer7189]

Same last name just curious

[@CobblerBob]

👊🏼😃

[@williamreymond2669]

Hmm... you are almost exactly my AE shoe size, except I also have tall arches so AE oxfords tent to be less forgiving of than derbys. Still, AE shoes are about the only shoes that I can buy that actually fit me. Think about it the number of supposedly top American brands their top of the line "recraftable," made in the USA, 'hand stitched' are not available in either half sizes or widths? Who would spend $300+ on a pair of shoes or boots guaranteed not to fit you???

[@CobblerBob]

William Reymond - with high arches do you find that when you wear Oxfords the eye stays are very far apart, creating a very wide Vee? In other words do you find that the flaps don’t come anywhere close to closing?

[@williamreymond2669]

@@CobblerBob Yes, wider at the top than at the bottom

[@Mario22149]

I disagree. For some reason, the 65 last looks very bulbous and clunky to me. Even the Park Ave looks funny to me. Not very refined or elegant. Don't get me wrong, AE makes some quality shoes but their popular models don't call to me. I would wear the Strands but probably only in walnut and with a pair of jeans.

[@CobblerBob]

askemone - I get it. Taste is VERY subjective.

[@Mario22149]

@@CobblerBob Absolutely. For a suit, I would prefer wearing Spanish or English shoes. Carmina or Crockett and Jones have some nice oxfords. For AE, I think the Bond Street oxfords look pretty nice. I just wish they had more colors and were offered with the nicer soles. Keep up the great work, Bob! Thanks for sharing your hobby with us.

[@jracer7189]

Where you from

[@CobblerBob]

John Powers - my dad’s side of the family is from Oklahoma. My mom is Japanese. You?

[@jracer7189]

Robert Powers family is primarily from Ohio that moved from Kentucky many years ago.

[@Nalot56]

I can help you with the rubbing on your ankle bone. Write me back and I’ll tell you how to adjust it.

[@CobblerBob]

tolan65 - do tell!!

[@Nalot56]

Robert Powers With the palm of your hand, press on the heel cup from the outside of the shoe, so that the leather on the outside-back of the shoe touches the insole. Massage and kneed the leather all the way around the heel cup similarly. Afterwards, you should notice a substantial difference and the leather should no longer rub against your ankle bone. Old-school trick.

[@CobblerBob]

🤔😲 I will try that!! Thank you!

[@ALLKINDSOFDANA]

Isn't it considered a crime to resole Allen Edmonds shoes with rubber that covers up part of the famous name? When you sit down in company, any admiration they may have for your footwear will evaporate when they notice the seemingly unprofessional repair job underneath. It would help if AE provided rubber patches that matched the shoe colour, and embossed their name closer to the heal out of the way. On a side issue, if you have time how about making videos of your family's footwear?

[@CobblerBob]

Friends of DANA - I will not sat you’re wrong. That is a factor, and yes, I do not LIKE that part of the logo is covered. And I know AE sells both rubber/leather combo soles as well as rubber Dainite. I think that gets deep into the old fashioned art of Men’s dress shoes... I’ll say this, I live and work in a largely suburban Midwest area and the VAST majority of men don’t even know what the difference between an Oxford and a Derby is, let alone get into that level of minutia. The practicality (protection from wear, protection from wet, and slip resistance) of having rubber half soles just overrides that in my mind. Each is to make up their own mind. Remember, there are days I will be making several hours of sales calls driving, getting in and out of the car and walking quite a ways in them outdoors.the weather here can literally be sunny and 60 in the morning and snow in the afternoon and i hate being caught without galoshes, which seem like a pain to put on when it’s simply wet, but not precipitating out.

[@DrQuadrivium]

It's good to have a harmless hobby but it's also alarming to realize how much shoe snobbery there is in America. .

[@JohnMaxGriffin]

What prompted this comment?