My new brogues

[longhuntr74]

I've been yearning for a pair of brown standard brogues (or wingtips, as we call them here on the left side of the pond) for some time now. I looked at virtually every brown wingtip out there on the market and the one that had been on the top of my list was the Allen Edmonds McAllister. I find this shoe really attractive due to its coloration...and certainly the quality of Allen Edmonds and the fact that it's made in the USA are selling points. Unfortunately, the price tag of $300+ has kept it on my dream list for several months.


Well after seeing an add in my most recent issue of GQ, I once again started to drool over a brown pair of wingtips and started surfing the net again. I happened across this pair (that I don't know how I missed before...maybe because I was looking for a lighter brown).


The color and apparent softness of the calfskin in the pictures grabbed my attention. This "Limited" edition also appears to have a slightly higher ankle than the standard models of this shoe and about every other wingtip I've looked at, a feature which I like. I also like the natural brown edge contrasted with the upper color. Zappos had one left in my size, so I snagged it. Received notice that the are on their way...I will try to post pics when I receive them and give them a trial run.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Excellent choice, and I hope they fit. If they do, I'd suggest that you have your local shoe repair shop put a thin rubber sole over the leather soles. This won't affect the flexibility of the shoe, but it will prevent slipping on damp or wet surfaces. It will also prolong the life of the shoe, as the rubber over sole will take 100% of the wear and tear, thus protecting and preserving the leather underneath.

[Highlander31]

Excellent choice, and I hope they fit. If they do, I'd suggest that you have your local shoe repair shop put a thin rubber sole over the leather soles. This won't affect the flexibility of the shoe, but it will prevent slipping on damp or wet surfaces. It will also prolong the life of the shoe, as the rubber over sole will take 100% of the wear and tear, thus protecting and preserving the leather underneath.

Congratulations. I own several pairs of Allen Edmunds. They are an excellent investment, and will last for decades (I have one pair that I purchased in 1990.) I've used the Vibram brand on all of them for years. On one assignment, the op required I cover ten miles a night (I used a pedometer to check the mileage.) This gave me the opportunity to see how far the the soles would go. The soles lasted 500 miles before I had to take the shoes in for a new set of the soles. The Vibram soles are simple for a cobbler to attach to the leather and can be replaced quickly. As M.o.R. stated, the rubber soles protect the leather underneath (I still have the original leather soles on my shoes.)

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Congratulations. I own several pairs of Allen Edmunds. They are an excellent investment, and will last for decades (I have one pair that I purchased in 1990.) I've used the Vibram brand on all of them for years. On one assignment, the op required I cover ten miles a night (I used a pedometer to check the mileage.) This gave me the opportunity to see how far the the soles would go. The soles lasted 500 miles before I had to take the shoes in for a new set of the soles. The Vibram soles are simple for a cobbler to attach to the leather and can be replaced quickly. As M.o.R. stated, the rubber soles protect the leather underneath (I still have the original leather soles on my shoes.)

The rubber soles I was referring to are at most 1/8 inch thick, and are intended to prevent slipping on damp pavement and the like. The Vibram's are great for out of doors, but some may find them a bit to "chunky" for dress shoes.

[Highlander31]

The rubber soles I was referring to are at most 1/8 inch thick, and are intended to prevent slipping on damp pavement and the like. The Vibram's are great for out of doors, but some may find them a bit to "chunky" for dress shoes.

That is the thickness of the Vibrams I have on my shoes. They are extremely flexible and unnoticeable. They cover the leather sole from the toe to approximately two inches short of the heel (the Allen Edmonds name in the sole is only partially covered.)

Our personnel were expected to wear a well made suit and shoes in order to blend in with our client's level of surroundings in the office (outside the office required the same attention to detail in apparel.) A thick rubber sole would have been a telltale sign of who the team personnel were. Of course, this did make for some interesting fittings with my tailor who preferred I come in before business hours.

[SlackerDrummer]

Excellent choice, and I hope they fit. If they do, I'd suggest that you have your local shoe repair shop put a thin rubber sole over the leather soles. This won't affect the flexibility of the shoe, but it will prevent slipping on damp or wet surfaces. It will also prolong the life of the shoe, as the rubber over sole will take 100% of the wear and tear, thus protecting and preserving the leather underneath.

Poor Mrs. MoR! You can't dance with all that rubber on your leather sole. James Brown would be appalled.

[English Bloke]

Nice shooooooees! I like shoes.

[Cygnus]

Poor Mrs. MoR! You can't dance with all that rubber on your leather sole. James Brown would be appalled.

I'm not sure that brown daywear brogues would be appropriate to wear to most dances and balls... though I have little doubt James Brown could pull it off.

I actually have a few pairs of Florsheim shoes and have liked every single one of them, though I don't currently own any of their wingtips/brogues. Given your review, I may have to remedy that!

[billmcc]

Poor Mrs. MoR! You can't dance with all that rubber on your leather sole. James Brown would be appalled.

MoR mentioned a while back that he wears special shoes when dancing.

[longhuntr74]

I don't think I am likely to be dancing in these shoes. As billmcc mentions...there are party shoes for that. To be clear...I bought these shoes for dual purpose. In my current assignment, I wear "business casual" almost every day to work...sometimes a suit even...so they will get the most use over the next year or so in that mode. I do believe that I'll be wearing them as daywear with my kilts as well.

To Jim and others who have posted...I'm aware that A-E is in a different class than Florsheim (made one at a time in a US factory vs. mass production import). Florsheim used to be in that same class...I remember a couple of pair of Florsheims that my dad had and wore several times a week to work in the late 70s and early 80s....they were built. Like most other commercial goods, Florsheim has since gone overseas. I don't necessarily equate foreign made with poor quality, however. Like anything else, they can be great or a lemon.

This model is one of Florsheim's more expensive shoes...and I'm hoping that the higher price equates to higher quality. I have a pair of black "Lexington" wingtips that I was somewhat disappointed in and would not recommend to others. They are ok for what they are...but the leather is pretty stiff, the heel is a plastic spacer, and the sole is glued on, not sewn. This model, which costs about $50 more than the Lexington, appears to be made of better materials with a goodyear welted real leather sole and heel. If I am not happy with what I see when I receive these new ones, I'll simply send them back and put that money away in my Allen Edmonds piggy bank.