Allen-Edmonds Neumok - 5-65 Last

[justjcez]

So I purchased a pair of AE Neumoks which are an interesting shade of green. The look I'm a fan of, but as I've just put them on, they are a bit tight. Are there any guidelines for how tight a pair of shoes can be? I was sized as a 8E (Barrie Last) and the only shoes available online were D size width (yeah...I probably should have held out for the larger sized).

Question is: should I return these as they are snug (I can feel the pulse in my feet) or will they eventually relax and be comfy to wear? I've just started buying shoes and haven't really had to work the break in process or know how much give leather will have.

For more info on the 5-65 Last:
http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/AllAboutLastsView?catalogId=40000000001&langId=-1&storeId=1

 

[professorchaos]

Return them (before you wear them outside!). They say shoes stretch but if they hurt when new then I find they'll always hurt.

 

[jakespoppy]

Are they tight when you are sitting down? Or only when you stand in them?

I'll be interested to see what others suggest, as I've recently picked up a pair of AEs and after trying a D width I chose to go with an E width instead. My foot measured a D, although as I looked down at it, it appeared to me to be between D and E. The D width was tight enough when I walked around in them I felt like they would need to stretch out a bit to be comfortable, and I was concerned that they would make my feet hurt in the process. I had to wait for the E went to be ordered, but am very happy I waited, as they are very comfortable. I haven't had them for very long and have only worn them a couple of times, and will be curious to see if they stretch out now and become too loose, although I don't really think that will happen since my feet are not putting pressure on that would cause them to stretch out.

I suggest you hold off on wearing them, order an E width and try them, then return the pair you don't want. They are too nice of a shoe and have too good of a potential to fit very well to settle for a poor fit.

 

[Tim_McD]

Return them and try another size/width. It could be that the last just isn't for you, but better to resize and be sure

I tried going up and wider on a pair of MacNeil, but they were never right. I measure a 10 D and wear that in all my AE shoes, but the last for the MacNeil and my feet didn't align. I ended up with the McAllister - which has the same last as the Neumok you are wearing

 

[jpakstis]

I was told by my AE rep that you're supposed to "feel the shoe" so if its snug, that's good. I have found that initial wearings of my AE shoes (Strands, Park Aves, McAllister - all shoes on the 5-65 last) my feet might start to feel "fatigued" by the end of the day, but they've all broken in and feel great. I wear a 10 EEE but I originally got my Strands and PAs in 10.5 EEE because they fit better at first, but then wore in too much and my feet were sliding around in them.

If they are painful to wear, I would return them. If just feel too snug, I would continue to wear them. Where did you get them? I got my Strands and PAs from Nordstrom last year (the ones in the wrong size) and they actually exchanged them despite the fact that I have been wearing them for almost a year. And I got a pair of Prestons recently from AE themselves which did not break in the way I was hoping, and they let me return them despite the fact I wore them for about two months.

 

[Cannata]

Return them (before you wear them outside!). They say shoes stretch but if they hurt when new then I find they'll always hurt.

's
+1 I agree with Henry. If they hurt return them. After you wear them outside it's too late.

Steve

 

[justjcez]

Roger that. They were tight (could feel my feet throbing) when I was sitting down. I probably should have taken this as an immediate sign. I'm pretty impatient so I went for the D size as it would be delivered 3-5 weeks sooner, but will probably have to bite the bullet as it would be unfortunate to have a nice shoe that I never wear!

Thanks gents! Package has already been repacked, I'm sending this baby back!

 

[professorchaos]

Good deal. A good fit is key, especially with expensive shoes.

 

[Rivguy]

You have made the correct decision to return them and the advice above to do so is very wise. My experience with AE shoes which is very extensive is that if they do not feel right on first fitting, they will not feel right after break in. I find that certain lasts from AE just feel better than others right from the beginning so I have tended to stay with them when I can. My experience with AE is that they have some of the best customer service anywhere. I won't expand on that now, but they have gone over and above to satisfy their customers. I would contact them and express your interest in the shoe and see if they will find it for you in your size. I bet that they will. Good luck!

Regards,

Doug

 

[justjcez]

So I've been looking around and can only find these in EEE sizes. A couple of questions:
- Whatever happened to EE? I never see them when looking at shoes online.
- I'm told that each width sizing is 3/16th's difference, so this would mean that the difference between D-EEE would be 9/16? Or does it pretty much depend on the manufacturer?
- Just J

 

[avsmusic1]

So I've been looking around and can only find these in EEE sizes. A couple of questions:
- Whatever happened to EE? I never see them when looking at shoes online.
- I'm told that each width sizing is 3/16th's difference, so this would mean that the difference between D-EEE would be 9/16? Or does it pretty much depend on the manufacturer?
- Just J

I have wondered the same! I usually wear a 9.5EEE but I have trouble finding loafers that don't slide around once broken in so I ended up havign to go with 9.5E when I purchased my Maxfields. I too could "feel my pulse" for the first handfull of times I wore them. They aren't uncomfortable but I cant help but wonder if a EE would have been a better fit.

 

[AJC]

AE offers some but not all their shoes in EE, probably best to get that kind of size from them directly. When I got the 5-65 last I went from 12 D to 11.5 EEE and the shoes fit perfectly, of course I too had to wait but it was worth it.

 

[avsmusic1]

Can I just say it's a shame AE doesn't offer some of their more popular syles (Park Ave, Strand, etc.) in other lasts. To offer the most delirable styles on the last described as their "longest and narrowest" seems a bit silly.

 

[The Velvet Monkey]

I just recently purchased the McTavish, which I think utilizes the same last, and had a similar problem. One size and width was too tight, a width wider, too loose. Opted for the wider width and, while they do open up a little when I'm wearing them and feel looser than my other AE shoes, I'm glad of my choice--after a long day walking around Chicago my feet remained unmolested.