Allen Edmonds Dalton Wingtip Boot – $329 ($445)
NOTE: This sale price is due to their currently running Rediscover America Sale. There are plenty of other models getting substantial cuts right now, but $116 off the Dalton is a very, very kind discount.
The Allen Edmonds Dalton is one of AE’s most popular models, and for good reason. They just might be the quintessential 21st century American smart-casual shoe. They’re as high/low as it gets. The soul of a snot-kicker with the sleek profile of a dress shoe. Made in the USA, Goodyear welted, recraftable, and the kind of shoes you enjoy taking care of after you’ve put them through hell (which is also kinda fun).
A boot built on the AE 511 last, Daltons have a perfectly shaped, rounded point to a toe that still offers good room in the toe box. They’re the kind of shoes you can wear with slimmer dress socks + tweed pants one day, then switch to thicker wool socks and jeans the next.
Burnishing gives subtle color variation and depth through the leather.
An open-laced derby style with reinforced eylets and nicely pliable calfskin, the Dalton’s wingtip and broguing is a reminder that all those punches and perforations used to help drain water while walking across wet landscapes. You’ll want to opt for something else if you’re gonna go knee deep in a bog, but for daily urban use? You’ll be able to get from point A to B with more protection than what a standard dress shoe would offer. Want a sole built to take the wet and nasty weather boot season can produce? Opt for the optional Danite rubber sole. Those are also getting knocked down to $329 during the rediscover America Sale.
Shape: Slim but not pointy. Perfectly balanced.
The Dalton looks great with suits made from flannel, corduroy, moleskin, or tweed. Something with texture and weight. But the open-style blucher/derby lacing, plus that true wingtip and heft of a boot might (might) overwhelm a slim standard worsted wool number. But they’ll excel with all kinds of business casual wear, as well as jeans and sweaters on your down time, and they’re anything but clunky, classic work-style boots. There’s more room in the toe, but the height of the toe box isn’t some bulbous thing. Far from it. Fit is true too. A 10.5 D fit my 10.5 D feet great out of the box. If you’re a wide? Get a wide. They make them in both E, and EEE widths (as well as the standard D and narrow B).
I believe the technical term is… “yowza.”
Available in just about every color you could want. Dark brown, black, oxblood, dark chili, and the walnut shade seen here. And that walnut option is gonna stand out. Especially against deep shades of blue like dark wash jeans or navy cords. Wear them with either of those, plus a blazer, and you’re ready for a date or to head to a beer tasting/tap takeover with pals (or, a date at a beer tasting… which would be perfect). Or kick back at home with some casual chinos and a thicker wool shawl collar cardigan. Life’s too short to save your good shoes for only special occasions.
Besides, these can take it.
Enter here to win a pair of Calfskin Allen Edmonds Walnut Daltons in your size and width. Deadline for entry is 11:59 pm ET 10/11/16. Many thanks to Allen Edmonds for providing a pair for giveaway. Good luck!
UPDATE: Congrats to A. Shiau who won the drawing for the AE Daltons!
Note: If you’re the type who’ll roll the dice on a pair of factory 2nds from an AE factory outlet or the Shoebank, you should know that 2nds quality Daltons are currently marked down to $259. Head here for more info on how 2nds sales work, then head to Shoebank.com to see if they have your size.
