So I know allen edmonds gets a lot of love around here and for good reason. From time to time I see mentions of Alden. Just curious but what other relatively high end shoe makers are out there that you guys would recommend. You often hear about people talking about Bruno Magli or Salvatore Ferragmo shoes as high end. Are they just a designer brand? Is it just hype?
Shoe Makers Options
- Thread starter Boro62
- Start date
I have many pairs from Ferragamo. Love them. They fit me well. I've got an alligator pair of one buckles that were rather pricey, but man do they look good. I have a 10 year old pair of boat shoes that I still wear, and tons loafers that are at least 8 years old and look great.
Gucci loafers used to be great shoes, but that was 30 years ago, I think they have gone downhill, but I haven't looked in a while.
I only have a few pairs of Magli, and I think the Ferragamos are bettter IMO.
Alden's are HD shoes. I need a pair of their cordovan penny loafers soon. My Weejuns are from the cheapo era.
I'm not a AE fan, don't like the styles much.
Used to love Church's, but don't see them around like before. I have 2 pairs of wingtips that are 20 years old and still great.
Gucci loafers used to be great shoes, but that was 30 years ago, I think they have gone downhill, but I haven't looked in a while.
I only have a few pairs of Magli, and I think the Ferragamos are bettter IMO.
Alden's are HD shoes. I need a pair of their cordovan penny loafers soon. My Weejuns are from the cheapo era.
I'm not a AE fan, don't like the styles much.
Used to love Church's, but don't see them around like before. I have 2 pairs of wingtips that are 20 years old and still great.
I got a pair of Laszlo Vass recently on a trip to Budapest and am very pleased with them.
Up until a few months ago, a $120 pair of Florsheim was the nicest pair I've ever owned.
Picked up a pair of AE "Strand" and really like them. Will likely pick up a pair of Aldens when I can budget them.
Picked up a pair of AE "Strand" and really like them. Will likely pick up a pair of Aldens when I can budget them.
I usually visit the Ferragamo store in Chicago when I'm there but haven't been impressed with their styles or quality as of late.
There's so many varying degrees of quality and craftsmanship when comparing shoe manufacturers. It really just depends on how much your willing to spend.
AE
Alden
Rider Boot Co
Grenson
Ralph Lauren
Carmina
Crockett & Jones
Gaziano & Girling
Alfred Sargent
Vass
Edward Green
Lobb
Just to name a few but there's more but not sure your budget!
There's so many varying degrees of quality and craftsmanship when comparing shoe manufacturers. It really just depends on how much your willing to spend.
AE
Alden
Rider Boot Co
Grenson
Ralph Lauren
Carmina
Crockett & Jones
Gaziano & Girling
Alfred Sargent
Vass
Edward Green
Lobb
Just to name a few but there's more but not sure your budget!
- Thread starter
- #6
Hmm ok, lets say a budget up to $500
I think Allen Edmonds get a lot of mention because they are high-end, but still inexpensive when compared to other high-end shoes. This naturally leads to more people owning them and therefore more people talking about them.
I like Allen Edmonds, but I think I will look at Alden next time. I am not too happy that more and more of Allen Edmonds' shoes are made outside of the US, but that is just my opinion.
I like Allen Edmonds, but I think I will look at Alden next time. I am not too happy that more and more of Allen Edmonds' shoes are made outside of the US, but that is just my opinion.
- Thread starter
- #8
I did not know they were getting made outside of the US. That is a huge turn off. I've been thinking of a pair of aldens next also.
I wear a very narrow show, and that pretty well limits me to Allen Edmonds as they make a variety of styles in narrow and very narrow shoes.
AE and Alden are both going to fit nicely within that budget as long as your tastes don't lean toward Cordovan. If so, then you're looking at a touch over $600.
Same here. 11.5-A in Strand fits nicely.
Carmina makes a narrow last (Armoury, Simpson, Ueteum).
- Thread starter
- #12
I'm on the complete opposite end when it comes to shoe sizes, im a 11.5 EEE. I know AE makes shoes in my odd size, do any of the other shoe makers?
Some companies are more hype and some are more substance. I don't know about the Italian makers, but the English ones centred around Northampton can be very highly regarded.
At that budget, I'd say look at Alfred Sargent and Corckett & Jones ... their "best" grade of shoes probably cost a bit more (???) but you can get almost as good for under that cost.
I'm on the wide side as well, EEE to EEEE width and finding stock to try on is really difficult. AE stocks many widths in their shoes, Alden may stock an E, but they will make up a EEE if it's available in a last/style at no additional cost. You just have to wait for them.
AE has lines of shoes that are made outside of the US. The "ae" lower-end line is made in Central or South America, I believe, and their "Italian" line is made in (you guessed it) Italy. But their mainline shoes are all made in the USA. I doubt that will ever change.
