I’m looking for long narrow shoes. These do not seem to be available in the U.K short of hand-made shoes. I have been recommended Allen Edmonds shoes. Specifically their Provo and Kenilworth brands. These are not cheap - and I’ll have to import them from America to the U.K. - so you can add 40% for shipping and import duty to the price. And, of course, returns are going to be impossible.
According to their size and fit guide I’m U.S. size 14, with a B width (edging on A).
I don’t know anything about the fit personally, but I’ll say that my uncle makes a point of buying their shoes from the factory store when he visits relatives in Wisconsin. He’s a neurologist who lives in Texas and travels to Wisconsin at least yearly, and when he wants or needs new shoes, he’ll make the side trip. He doesn’t believe in spending a lot on clothes generally, but the shoes are worth it to him.
(bump)
I got a pair and wish I hadn’t. Quite heavy and stiff even if the size and shape are ok.
I cannot praise Rokport (Anniello model) highly enough though. If you can find them in that size, I’d rather go with that.
More generally, since you have unusual feet, perhaps it would be particularly important to try them before you buy them, which crosses out ordering them online without first having tried them in a store.
Allen Edmonds are heavy and stiff because they are a hand-crafted quality shoe. That’s also why they are 3-4x as expensive as a pair of Rockports.
One niece thing about Allen Edmonds shoes is that you don’t have to throw them out or buy new ones when they wear out. For $100 they will refurbish your old ones.
I love them. I’ve worn them for decades. They got me through internship and residency, frankly. I could wear them for over 24 hours at a time, without my feet giving out. And without the shoes disintegrating.
I own 4 pairs, I have my old ones rebuilt at the factory when they start showing wear, they fit me like custom-made gloves, they last forever and ever when proper care is taken, and they’re worth every penny.
My favorite style is the York boot, but sadly they stopped making them a while back. That’s okay, my two pairs should last until they start producing them again. Their Ashbury works well for me too.
Quartz, if you have specific questions, email me. I live a few miles from their factory. Where I can get their factory seconds, which are flawless also, unless you use a microscope to find imperfections.
I am also size 14 and bought my first pair a year ago (for a long time I’ve worn J&M). They are definitely a little stiffer, but so far they’ve stayed in great shape despite almost daily use…and as someone mentioned upthread, the refurbishment option is a bonus.
What makes them quality shoes? The leather looks nice, it’s true. That burnished burgundy color on mine is quite nice. Aside from that?
Having worn them for a year now, on and off, I can’t say it’s comfort. The sole is very stiff.
Is it durability? I can see durability as a major component of quality. Although for the cost of refurbishing, I can get another pair of Rockports.
Every decade, I get a pair refurbished for about $100 or so. Pretty good deal, IMHO.
And maybe yours aren’t comfortable, but mine sure are.
And this is impossible as I’m on the other side of the Atlantic.
I’ve emailed them. I’ll see what response I get.
And thanks for the offer, Qadgop. I may well take you up on it.
I you like a “soft, flexible shoe” AE’s are not for you. Rockports are the way to go. I have a number of both AE’s and Rockports and Rockports will wear out far faster than AE’s. AE’s are more heavily built with thicker, stiffer leathers and can usually be re-soled (with reasonable care) several times. AE’s generally look much more professional than Rockports and will take a lot more abuse before looking wrinkled and tatty. Johnston Murphy used to compete with AE’s but their quality today on their mid-line shoes is much poorer than in years past.
You really can’t tell the difference between this and that?
The Rockports are perfectly serviceable shoes, but the AEs are works of art. Some people get a lot of joy out of owning well crafted things made with fine materials. Think of like living in a beautiful old house versus living in a new development- the old house might be less comfortable. but some people just love the craftsmanship and history.
I just took my knee-high boots in to get resoled, and the shoemaker just raved about the quality of the leather. She said she just loves taking care of quality things. I love owning things like that as well- things worth caring for, worth repairing. It’s refreshing in a time when so much is disposable.
I can tell the difference in how it looks and that one method of fabrication is more involved than the other.
I guess I don’t care about what goes into something (the inputs), only what I can get out of it (the outputs). Perhaps I’m in the minority, but I’d only call something well-crafted or a material fine in terms of its outputs, not how difficult or rare it is.
The burnishing of the color and the durability are two outputs where A&E does beat Rockport.
Can you get factory seconds online? I currently own a new pair. It’s rather stiff, but the quality of the leather and the workmanship is really impeccable.
I’ve never worn them, but I am a man who appreciates high-quality shoes and from your link, all I can say is - damn, those look class. Straight-up, sick high-class. I want a pair, but on my current salary I can’t go that high. I’ll keep them in mind for when I need to seriously upgrade my footwear and have some cash to spend.
I invested in a nice pair about 1985. I still wear them occasionally, and they are still the nicest pair of shoes I own.
If you want a flexible shoe available in the UK look for Ecco (made in Sweden). They may run too wide for you however.
I fond them much more comfortable than Rockports.
Dunno whether they’re seconds, but they do have a more affordable clearance section online.
Well, the leather looks nice for one.
They can be a bit stiff. But then again, they are dress shoes.
One thing you can see is how the soles are made. Rockports and Kenneth Cole Reactor shoes use some sort of molded rubber. AE uses layers of leather. When rubber soles wear, they eventually crack and become unwearable. The leather soles wear out more evenly and they can be repaired when they wear out.
I like mine. They are well made.