From the Mailbag: Allen Edmonds 5th Ave. $221.21
(reg. $295/$325)
Half a dozen years ago I bought a pair of ultra-cheap but still good looking black lace ups off Zappos for $60. I just recently retired them to the “wear only with jeans” pile. Four years back I bought a pair of Steve Madden moto boots for $85 and they’re now just starting to fail. And I just spent $25 to refurbish my go to black dress/hybrid boots that I picked up off Piperlime a few years ago when they were on sale for $60. They look good as new.
But for every inexpensive shoe success story, there seems to be another story that’s equally as disappointing. (We’ll get to one in a second.) Buying a pair of cheap shoes is a risk. But what is cheap, and what is expensive? Consider the following question, and give your answer in the comments section below. To you, what constitutes an “expensive” pair of shoes? Is it $90? $125? $300?
And while you think about that, read this email Eric S. sent in. Because he makes a great case for taking the plunge, and splurging on an incredible pair of shoes which happen to be on sale for an extremely fair price
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Hi Joe,
Great blog; I’ve been following it for months. I have a tip for you to consider. It’s far out of the price range of what you usually recommend, but hear me out. It’s the Allen Edmonds Fifth Avenue dress shoes, on sale for $229 down from $325 until Oct. 12. (Note: Endless has them for $221
I just bought two pairs, black and brown, after a lifetime of never having bought any shoes over $100. I decided to do so because I realized that sub-$100 dress shoes can be … risky. In June, I bought two pairs of Aldo Hepworths for $70 each after seeing your recommendation of them. It’s been less than four months, and they’re falling apart even though I’ve been wearing them on alternating days and using shoe trees. Granted, I have to wear dress shoes every day, but I’m sure many of your readers do too. I hope I can wear the Allen Edmonds shoes for years.
I would highly recommend that people try them out in a store first before ordering online, especially if they have never owned expensive dress shoes. I usually wear a 10.5 for running shoes; I found out to my great surprise in an Allen Edmonds store that I’m actually an 8.5 EEE (that’s ultra wide). Apparently, my feet are really wide for their
size, and I’ve been buying huge shoes just to fit the width. I think Nordstrom’s carries Allen Edmond shoes, although they may not be on sale there. The sale prices apply in Allen Edmonds stores as well.
– Eric
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He makes a great case. And the Allen Edmonds 5th Avenue is a terrific shoe. Made in Wisconsin, built to last, and engineered to be refurbished once worn down. At well over $200 they’re certainly an investment
Ive really been debating picking up a pair of either 5th Avenues or Park Avenues. The price is high, but a nice black cap toe is something you can keep wearing for a while.
Ill have to see if there are any store locally that carry them so I can try them on first.
I have a pair of the old Clifton’s, which from the look is the model before the 5th ave. I have done the $40 BOGOs from Payless but these are now my go to shoes. I would recommend that you get shoe covers, or as my mother-in-law would say “Those were rubbers before rubbers were rubbers”
Generally, AEs are “timeless” which is shorthand for “staid” or maybe “old fashioned.”
I don’t care about all that. Recently bought a few pair of AEs at Endless during Bing Cashback. At the effective price of $150-200, they’re a steal for the quality and rebuildability. Note, though, that the rebuild will probably cost $100+.
I just bought a pair of AE’s “Strand” brogues on this sale after having bought a pair of “Park Avenues” last year. Gotta tell you, these things are awesome. They are classic, look great, and are very comfortable – every pair of AE has a layer of hot cork laid between the sole and the welt that molds to your foot over time. the parks were my first expensive shoes, but i don’t think i’ll every buy another pair from macy’s again
It’s definitely worth paying extra for shoes. Basically when I think of cheap shoes, I think of a trendy shoe that you won’t wear in a year. They won’t last that long anyway (wearing them 2-3 times a week).
On the other hand, pay twice as much for shoes that last 5-10 times longer, and it’s definitely a deal. (And at the end of that time, get them refurbished for $60.)
But if you want a kill of a deal, do what I’ve done successfully: I’m wearing black Allen Edmonds Park Avenue oxfords right now. I bought them on eBay for $60. I’ve bid on a lot of them because they tend to go for about $100, but I didn’t want to spend more than $70, so I just kept trying.
They’re in great condition, they look terrific, and they will last me for years and years.
I bought a pair of brown cap toes Allen Edmonds on eBay earlier in the year for $50, and they too look terrific.
But, yes, get your feet measured. Nordstrom does carry AE. AE has a list of which lasts are used for which shoes, so you can even find which last fits your foot best and work your way from there.
I think Eric is wrong to say that AE sizes their shoes small – they size them properly, where most athletic shoes, and cheap shoes are a crap-shoot.
Allen Edmonds have an added bonus – their re-crafting service. Once the shoes have worn, for around a $100 send them back in a prepaid envelope. They come back with the feel of your broken in shoes but the look of a new pair. I have one pair I re-crafted twice before retiring them – 15 years of use with me not using cedar shoe trees and wearing them 2-3 days a week. $500 for 15 years. A great deal on dress shoes.
BIG fan of Allen Edmonds. They never wear out and they wear great. Word of caution: as the letter from Eric noted, go to an AE store and have your foot sized professionally. It’s the difference maker.
I took a chance in 1987 when I paid $80 for a pair of A-E Park Avenues (factory seconds) at the Outlet while I was in WI on business. I had never heard of A-E before, but I liked them so much, I called to get another pair in a different color. I wore both pairs for over 20 years, had them recrafted several times and finally had to dispose of them because the recrafting over the years lowered the back of the shoe to a point where they became unwearable. I think A-E’s are the best on the planet for the price. Please note that they have sales and if you get on their list, they tell you when they are coming up. The also discount the recrafting service during some of those sales (15% off). Shipping is always free and the discount can apply to shoe care accessories, etc. I am a total fan of A-E shoes, especially since I have over 10 pairs. I might also add that from time to time I go into Nordstroms’ for a shoe shine, because it is also the best deal: $2.50 plus tip and many times I see bags of shoes from customers who bring them in for a shine. I shine my shoes almost every day but I use the A-E shoe shine products for a great quick or more professional shine based on my schedule.
I actually picked up a pair of AE Strand’s like DocRugby to review on Primer in a few weeks. They are beautiful shoes and you can FEEL the difference. Leather soles and quality all around. I think the real kicker is the recrafting service — these shoes can literally last a lifetime.
It’s funny, guys will drop hundreds of dollars on a nice suit and pair it with $40 cap toes. These are my first pair of good dress shoes and it really livens up my gray suit.
You guys are starting to convince me that catching a sale on Allen Edmonds is worth the investment. I do own something that’s made by them, although not shoes. I own a pair of their shoe trees. And I just stumbled across their trees at Endless, on sale for a little over $20. Not bad. Just a heads up for anyone in the market…
Joe – I really enjoy your site and I check in often. I also think that AE makes phenomenal cap toe and wing tip shoes that are worth the investment. As someone mentioned earlier, you can find steals on eBay or at thrift/vintage stores (think Bobby from Boston instead of Goodwill:) Another easy way to prolong the life of AE or any dress shoe is to visit a cobbler/shoemaker and have him put heel taps on the bottom of the front AND the heel of your shoe. While plastic taps are ok, rubber is ideal.
First, never buy shoes mail order.
Second, the worst thing about cheap shoes is that they are not good for your feet.
@Kelso: I currently have 7 pairs in regular work-day rotation. All but one was purchased online. Seems to work for me, so “never” might be a little harsh.
I’m OK with buying expensive shoes if I can wear them with more than just suits. Any recommendations for shoes I could wear with jeans and dark suits?
I have five pairs of AE shoes. I’m not wealthy by any stretch…merely an average grad student with a part-time job. But from an early age my family impressed upon me the importance of spending good money on two things: food and shoes.
We all eat, and paying for premium vegetables, meat, fruits and spices will keep you healthier and happier than cheaper alternatives.
As for shoes, most people spend the vast majority of their lives on their feet, usually wearing shoes. Treat your feet well, and they will treat you (and your ankles, knees and hips) well for a long time to come.
Plus, as has been noted by other posters – a classic shoe NEVER goes out of style.
The AE Fifth Avenue just arrived in the mail, in several sizes — I’m disappointed. It’s like it’s designed to make your foot look short and stubby. The part with the laces is usually long, and the cap on the toe is unusually short. Both of these things make your foot look shorter.
Put it next to the Cole Haan Air Jefferson Cap Toe, and the Jefferson just looks much better — sleeker, lengthens the foot. The Fifth Avenue made it look like I had size 6 feet rather than size 10. Short and stumpy.
Also really dug into the bottom of my foot in an odd place (just in front of the heel, on the outside of the foot), in all sizes I tried.
Sorry, I noticed a typo… I meant to say “The part with the laces is UNusually long” — there are more eyelets than on other shoes, and it extends further down the foot
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Expensive to me would be 300$.