Problems with Allen Edmonds

[neilxvx]

Hi everyone. It's been a while since I've posted on here. Hope all is well.

To the point. The only shoes I wear for work are Allen Edmonds. I love this brand of shoe. Just three months ago I bought a pair of the "Clifton" style. It's a black shoe with a very traditional style capped toe.

Now I'm a fairly young guy--22. This is my second pair of Allen Edmonds (I also own the Park Avenue style in dark brown.) I've honestly been disappointed with this shoe.

First off, let me preface this by saying I know my basic about shoe care. I polish them at least twice a week using a brush, boot creme, polishing cloth, and always put them in shoe trees when I'm not wearing them. That said, these shoes are almost unacceptable to wear now, after just three months.

I started noticing about a month after I bought them that between the cap and the laces, the leather was folding and creasing. Actually both shoes had TWO completely seperate folds just in that small area. I didn't know what else to do since I was already strict about using shoe trees and polishing. So I figured once the leather loosened up maybe it would level out. Well it never did.

Then one day I looked down and noticed that the texture of the leather at the toe of the shoe looked strange. When I felt it with my fingers, it felt like the leather had bubbled up and then dried leaving an uneven finish on the shoe. I tried to "grind" it down by buffing the leather vigorously with a cloth. That definitely didn't work. I asked a couple of co workers and they said that it looked like the leather got wet. I did wear them a couple of days when it was raining but every they got wet I took a towel and dried them off.

On top of all that, after only three months the heel has completely worn down to the nails that hold it onto the shoe, and most of the sole is pretty much gone.

I bought these shoes from Nordstroms and spent quite some time getting the right size and everything. I'm very disapointed in this shoe. I've had my Park Avenues for a year and they look newer than this 3 month old shoe.

I sent an email to Allen Edmonds but their response didn't sound very promising. I guess I should just pay the price and have them sent back to their factory and have them refurbished. Any ideas on getting them repair? Are they repairable? Should I have to pay to get them refurbished or is this my fault?

Thanks.

 

[Jim]

Neil,
Are you wearing these shoes every day?

I would urge you to use this service for repair-

http://www.bnelsonshoes.com/high_grade_shoes.asp

 

[red71veloce]

I have several pairs of Allen Edmonds including the "Clifton". I don't wear any one pair everyday for an extended period and have not had any trouble with them. That being said, I have read threads elsewhere that say they aren't made like they used to be made. It sounds as though you just got a bad pair, but who knows? If you like the shoe have it refurbed...if not put 'em on the 'bay. The soles and heels wearing down are one thing....conditions vary. The deep wrinkles are troubling, but if you are using shoe trees and it still happens.....not good, but what can you do? The "bubbling" of the leather....sounds defective to me.

Tracy

 

[DaveAri]

Contact (262) 235-6529
[email protected]
A while back I spoke with a Debra, they will help you.

 

[leighton]

The answer is quite clearly incredibly simple.

You bought the shoes from Nordstroms. Nordstroms has an extremely liberal return policy. Trust me, I see what gets returned at Last Chance. Get your money back. Buy different shoes.

 

[DaveAri]

The answer is quite clearly incredibly simple.

You bought the shoes from Nordstroms. Nordstroms has an extremely liberal return policy. Trust me, I see what gets returned at Last Chance. Get your money back. Buy different shoes.

Nordstroms will make good. I still think AE are the best, could have be a defect and would not give up on them.

 

[Saxmoore]

Nordstroms will make good. I still think AE are the best, could have be a defect and would not give up on them.

Agreed. I bought a pair of Park Avenue because the saleslady swore it would be the most comfortable shoe I ever wore and if they weren't I could bring them back. I wore them for a month and my knees would ache after wearing them and standing on hard surfaces for a few hours. I took them back and traded up to a pair of Mephisto that have been perfect. I think I just can't wear a leather soled shoe

 

[neilxvx]

Thanks guys. I didn't think about just taking them back to Nordstorms. I would like to maybe just get a new pair, because I love the style of the shoe, it's a very classic/traditional look that I love.

 

[cvac]

You really need to get a pair of overshoes for when it rains. A lot of people swear by Tingleys or Totes. Both of those brands can be had cheaply if you look around. Personally, I splurged for a pair of Neos because I wanted something that would keep my pants from getting dirty and something that would work in the snow.

If you only wear two pairs of dress shoes all the time they're going to wear out fairly quickly.

Also, you didn't say anything about conditioning the leather. That's not the same as whatever boot creme you're using. What exactly are you using btw? Your best bet is to use cream polish followed by a thin coat of wax polish. AE makes a wax/creme combo in a tube that's pretty good, but separate cream and wax is the best way.

For conditioner, AE makes a shoe conditioner/cleaner product that is well worth the coin. As far as the sole wearing out quickly, keep in mind that leather soles, when wet, will wear down very quickly. With a thick leather sole, it's going to take a few days for it to dry out. If you wear them again before the sole is dry, you're going to have the same problem. Again, that's why you wear overshoes in the rain.

 

[Rudy Vey]

Never wear the same shoe continuously. Change them every day, let the worn shoe dry out over night and then put it on a cedar shoe tree. Do not put the shoe tree in the shoe after you take it off. There is a lot of moisture and if put on a shoe tree directly after wearing them, mold may form on the inside. Trust me, this is true, it had happened to me. I was advised to put the shoe tree directly inside after I take them off, but I have a pretty sweaty foot, so there is a lot of moisture in the leather that needs to evaporate first, the cedar shoe trees are able to adsorb a certain amount.

 

[cvac]

The mold thing is pretty common. AE actually sent me instructions for removing the mold from one pair of my shoes. If you have sweaty feet do not put your shoes next to your air conditioner/heater or in any dark place. Mold will definitely start to grow in there.

Letting the shoes dry out for a bit before putting the cedar tree in is a good idea.

 

[neilxvx]

I looked at Neo's, Totes and Tingleys and I don't like the looks of any of them. I have to dress very nice for work and these just won't work.

 

[cvac]

You take them off once you step in the building. You don't wear them around inside all day. Overshoes are meant for people "who dress nice" because they save your expensive shoes from getting ruined. Go to any state that has a snowy winter and I guarantee you'll see some well dressed men in suits wearing overshoes on the way to work.

 

[Stormin]

You take them off once you step in the building. You don't wear them around inside all day. Overshoes are meant for people "who dress nice" because they save your expensive shoes from getting ruined. Go to any state that has a snowy winter and I guarantee you'll see some well dressed men in suits wearing overshoes on the way to work.

Here in Seattle I saw them all the time on men saving their shoes from the onslaught of nature, which inspired me to get my own. They are an essential in a bad climate.

 

[Cuttingboard]

I looked at Neo's, Totes and Tingleys and I don't like the looks of any of them. I have to dress very nice for work and these just won't work.

Since you live in Houston, I doubt you'll need them!!

Like others have said, these overshoes are made to be worn to work while commuting in the rain or snow/slush and removed once you arrive at your office. By commuting, I mean subway, train or bus, not automobile. My Bogs worked great this morning while commuting in 22" of snow and slush.

 

[BullGoose]

Neil,
Are you wearing these shoes every day?

I would urge you to use this service for repair-

http://www.bnelsonshoes.com/high_grade_shoes.asp

Thank you for the resource! I have bookmarked the site.

 

[cvac]

You can actually wear them walking back and forth to your car if the weather is bad. My father did this. And I think having a pair of overshoes (and a decent raincoat and umbrella) is a good idea no matter where you live. Even Houston gets heavy rain sometimes.

Since you live in Houston, I doubt you'll need them!!

Like others have said, these overshoes are made to be worn to work while commuting in the rain or snow/slush and removed once you arrive at your office. By commuting, I mean subway, train or bus, not automobile. My Bogs worked great this morning while commuting in 22" of snow and slush.

 

[neilxvx]

Well the problem is that I have to walk outside between buildings all day long. There's no way I could slip on those shoes every time I walked outside, that would be terrible. Guess I just have to get a couple of not so nice rubber soled shoes. Thanks guys.

 

[leighton]

Well the problem is that I have to walk outside between buildings all day long. There's no way I could slip on those shoes every time I walked outside, that would be terrible. Guess I just have to get a couple of not so nice rubber soled shoes. Thanks guys.

I read on the internet that leather soled shoes are just as waterproof as rubber soled shoes. Of course, its the internet. Maybe someone can confirm this fact or bust the myth.

I'm actually more concerned about water damage to my uppers than stepping in puddles.

 

[82R100]

I read on the internet that leather soled shoes are just as waterproof as rubber soled shoes. Of course, its the internet. Maybe someone can confirm this fact or bust the myth.

Um, no.