www.allenedmond... - Take an inside look at the manufacturing operations at Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation in Port Washington, Wisconsin. See how Allen Edmonds shoes are manufactured from start to finish.
They are great quality all around, the reason I say that they are great is because I compare them to other shoes that I have and had. So based upon years of use these are quality from A to Z.
I used to buy somewhere ( And used mostly "Boat Shoes" ) else but since I bought my first Allen Edmond one year ago I have purchased 5 pairs. When I use them I have the feeling I had NEVER before actually had shoes on, like a perfect loving glove. I am impressed at their feeling, looks, quality. and...Price. They are just Greeeeat! I am just a happy costumer and glad I am buying "made in America"
This video instills faith in the company. Others can say they're handcrafted or that they're high in quality, but it shows the company believes in its products to put out a factory tour video like this. I see others complain that AE is using machines, well yeah, get with the times. It's not robots and androids putting the shoes together, still humans using their hands and eyes. It still takes skill in the craft to make proper judgments during construction, even with machines. If anything, machines make it possible to quickly make mistakes; the speed of those machines exacerbates the mistakes. They would have to be highly skilled to keep up accuracy and precision. They just don't have to use a needle for work that can be done more uniformly with a sewing machine.
smakfu 50 years, not 100. Welt sewers are usually 50 years old, everything else is usually a modern updated model. All round welt and 3 quarter welt are the terms youre looking for, not 365! Or 270, shanks and insoles are not dependant on these either, shanks are essential in any shoe for correct support of the foot arch, 3 quarter welts enable a close heel, you cant get a close heel with a stitched seat, you can only trim as close as the stitches and if its welted round the heel it must be stitched round the heel. Im such a shoe nerd
Good point regarding the machines. Of course if they did it fully hand made instead of the 400 per pair these shoes go for when not on sale they'd be closer to 4,000 and then the same people would complain that they cost too much. There is a middle ground where the hand crafted quality shines with the cost effective methods of modern manufacturing that respect the time worn engineering of great shoes and that is what AE's current process seems to be optimized for. I hope they change nothing about how they make their shoes for the next 100 years.
Brisdad53 Well, that’s just wrong. Uniformity and consistency is one of the many hallmarks of good quality. Yes, it must be skillful and error free, but it’s nonsense to Pooh-Pooh uniform sewing. It’s a plus.
Hands down, the best pairs of shoes I've ever owned and worn. I sent a pair of cordovan wingtips back to be recrafted and they came back like new. It may be time to buy another pair of casual shoes this spring. Thank you for the great work everyone at Allen Edmonds does to continue craftsmanship of Made in America.
Your store in Mebane, NC is great with a friendly, helpful staff. Bought two more pair this week. Kudos to everyone at the factory in Wisconsin! Y'all carry on the fine tradition of the American artisan/craftsman.
I have been wearing Allen Edmonds Shoes since 1958 and I am now 82 years old. I am rather very partial to the shell cordovan models and most of the 9 pairs I alternate wearing are shell cordovans! I really love these Allen Edmonds Shell Cordovans ...... EXCEPTIONAL SHOES!!!
Fabian Generao t We’re glad to know you have been enjoying your Allen Edmonds Shell Cordovan she’s all these years! We appreciate you for being part of the Allen Edmonds family and thank you for being a loyal customer!
Allen Edmonds - A few years ago, I started spending more money for my shoes because I got tired of buying new shoes every 6 to 8 months. Spending more money got me a better product, but not necessarily the best. And while I have always preferred leather stitched soles, I never knew why they were better. Your company has really taken great steps to educate men Who not only want a better product but wish to understand what they have. Great job! I look forward to doing business with you in the near future. 👍🏽
I have always loved Allen Edmonds shoes. Very classy. I just watched this video and it made me appreciate all that everyone does to make these great shoes. Thank you for this awesome story.
I bought a pair of Allen Edmonds shoes after I got my first "real" job. I moved to DC for that job after growing up in Wisconsin and could not have been more proud to support an amazing company from my home state. I will be a life-long customer, your shoes are an inspiration to what Made in USA means.
I bought my first pair of AE shoes a year ago. I've wore J&Ms for many years and still own a few pair. I plan on buying many more AE shoes in the future. I've been throughly impressed with the quality, durability and looks of the AEs. Also they are one of the few shoes still made in America.
07Horn I've bought 2 pairs of J&M's. First pair was double Monk cap toes and in less than a year the single stitching holding one of the caps came apart. Second pair were made in Italy and made the worse sqeeking noise with every step. I now own 8 or so pairs of AE and zero problems. Can't beat the quality for the price point.
I love this company. Made in USA. They stand by their product. I've had my best pairs for going on 12 years now, with re-soles, exchanges, re-sizes. I just ordered a new pair and sent two in for re-craft to renew some beautiful dress shoes for another 5-10 years. The new pair was returned for a defect, I know they're coming back fixed! Support companies that care about their team that takes care of our feet! Great video!
Michael Dew Michael, we regret to learn about the issue with your shoes. Thank you for contacting us about it. We're confident our team will make it right. Should you require further assistance please don't hesitate to contact us again.
Well Michael you are lucky that AE took care of you. They didn't for me. After their employee fit me improperly at the AE store in River Oaks (Houston), they denied my exchange since I wore them. The lying employee whom fitted me claimed the shoes would "break in". Shocker, they never did and after two weeks my feet literally bled. Take your business to Aldens or even Cheaney's has better customer service than Allen Edmonds.
Have had a pair of Park Avenue's for several years...excellent craftsmanship and extremely comfortable...highly recommend Allen Edmonds and will consider buying more when needed!
Love your shoes, absolutely awesome. Just want to thank you from a 30 year customer. Thank you to all of you staff. Really cool to see the love of shoes. Hope you all are around another 100 years. Best regards.
Dcguy Thomason We sincerely appreciate the kind words and we’re happy to know you have been enjoying your Allen Edmonds shoes all these years! Thank you for being a loyal Allen Edmonds customer!
This Cia is absolutely the best, I have no doubts about that. They truly care about their customers, what they have done for me as customer is beyond anybody's imagination.
You make such an excellent product. I've been wearing my Allen Edmonds Strand 5 days a week for the last 3 years, and it's by far the best shoe I've ever owned.
Just got my first two pair of AE. A pair of Leeds and a Lexington Cap-Toe, walked out with the Leeds and had to have the others ordered. But I'm excited. I hope I love them enough to start building a collection of AE.
Best value in dress shoes hands down. I bought a pair of black wingtips in 1992, after graduating from university. I still have them today, and they look like new. They are at AE right now getting new soles put on them for the 4th time, and they still look like new. Of course, one of the reasons AEs last so long is you can not have just one pair. I have 13, so that spreads the wear out among more shoes!
I just found a pair of like new allen edmonds at goodwill for 12 dollars..I purchased them laughing at how goodwill didnt know how awesome of a product they had. Best pair of shoes i own.
Interesting video. I’m recently retired. I’ve only purchased 2 brands of shoes over the years. Originally, I exclusively purchased Church’s Shoes from the UK. When Church’s exited the retail market in Chicago, (Circa 1999?), I discovered Allen Edmonds and have exclusively purchased AE shoes and have been very pleased with the quality and workmanship of these made in America shoes. Even though I retired over a year ago, I’ve added 12-14 pair of AE shoes in the past year. Yikes! Seriously, AE shoes are one of the finest shoes one can purchase, at least, in my opinion.
I wear both Allen Edmonds shoes and boots. I can not say enough about the quality and craftsmanship that they put into their product. After buying Allen Edmonds shoes and boots, you will not look at any other brands out there.
Also - I still have my first Saratogas purchased in 1983 or 84. Unfortunately I didn't know how to take care of them and in 6 months the insides were crumbling away - I didn't tree them and wore rayon socks. Cotton socks and trees are the rule. My oldest pair in regular wear is 25 years old, but they were re-soled by a local shop so can't be recrafted, but I still wear them and they still shine up decently. I owe it all to a salesman at Pogues in Cincinnati (long, long gone) who recognized that my high instep required the 3-last style shoe. I've been loyal ever since, although it would be nice if AE were to bring back the 'toga. I save my pennies and buy two pairs in each color. Black is really, really hard to find. Most of mine are burgundy.
Their product is top notch and well worth the investment! I have seen it first hand since the company I work for acquired the brand. They are the "Rolls Royce" of men's footwear and accessories.
Just bought a pair of AE’s Stirling boot and I must say that the quality of the craftsmanship and styling is superlative!!! My wife wishes this company never existed
If you made all your shoes in America, that would be great. I already own a couple pair of your shoes and plan on buying more. By the way the Elegant Oxford and Trenton and Health are your best marketing agents.
@Ghoststar2009 thanks for your comment & Question. We do still cut our leather at our plant in Port Washington, WI. Unfortunately we cannot manufacture styles that have been discontinued. Once a style is removed from our line, our equipment is retooled for any new patterns that come into the line. For styles manufactured prior to the fire in our factory back in the 1980's the patterns and dies would no longer be available. Retooling to replicate a style from the 40's would not be possible.
Worn AE since I was 20 years old. I have had a total of 10 pairs and even handed down a few. Just bought a pair of Daltons and McAllisters for another few years...
Just found out AE makes quality all leather wide shoes. I just bought 5 pairs on its website, returned 3 for varies reasons. All my shoes are to be AE from now on.
I love my Flatirons that i just purchased, but I wish they had a more pronounced arch. I wouldn't hold that against any shoe manufacture since i have especially high arches, but the shoes do feel flatter on the inside than others I have owned. All in all though very high quality, very happy with them, and I would recommend them to anyone. Plus and orthotic... ;-)
I have a question about Lasts. At 4:20 Jim talks about he 50K lasts in inventory. Is this simply Shoe x Size x Width? Or is there more to it? If I was going to buy a pair for my adult son as a present, can I just look at his size of another shoe....or do I need to have him get sized for AE shoes?
I live in Wisconsin and I always wanted a pair of Allen Edmonds shoes. Problem is I have a very wide foot width 6E. I need to call them and see if they can make them?
Such a shame the River Oaks (Houston) store improperly fit me in Strands and lied saying they'd break in. Two weeks later my feet literally bled, and now Allen Edmonds denied my exchange saying I wore them. I'll be taking my business to Alfred Sargent or Aldens.
Awesome video. You guys make the best dress shoes. I own a pair of Salvatore Ferragamo's, but they rarely get worn. My AE's look better and are far more comfortable. In constant rotation right now are my Jackson's and Pesaro's!
I have 4 pair of AE shoes in my closet right now. Please, please don’t sell out or compromise your quality. American made, by American workers, with American quality. I would gladly pay 50% more for that. Quality is always a better value in the long run.
In the "Shoe of Tomorrow" video they bragged about "nailless heels". Why the change to nails? I am glad you can "recraft" the shoes. I was just thinking I don't know if I could find a leather repair place that does resoles anymore. Shame, it used to be every town had one. You could get boots or even leather jackets repaired. I guess everything is throw away now.
I love American Made shoes and boots. Is it true that you are making the 1000 Mile Boot for Wolverine? And if so is there a way to obtain seconds from you?
Don't you think it's sad that American made products are a rarity these days? I mean the fact that it's a marketing point says a lot. Not that I blame them for doing it. Hell it shows pride.
I am an AE customer and just today saw an Allen Edmonds commercial on NFL Network, it included some great quotes, such as, 'a sea of mediocre will never yield an ounce of great'. Is this commercial available somewhere on RU-vid?
Are you talking about this commercial ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7v8JaV8Sp5I.html&lc=z22mexnqop2ffv05e04t1aokghgecleczkpazmlgkzzprk0h00410
truebeliever At Allen Edmonds, we believe the right fit is vitally important. If you are a first-time Allen Edmonds customer, we recommend a professional fitting by an Allen Edmonds associate at your nearest retail location or an authorized Allen Edmonds dealer. Thank you for your interest in Allen Edmonds!
I'm having a discussion with a friend of mine. Does Allen Edmonds utilizes staple side lasting or bed lasting? Specifically, on a Strand. Btw, I own 2 pairs and waiting for a third, a Strand.
I love your shoes; they are the finest available. I have but one question, could I order a pair of discontinued shoes, like something from the 1940's? Do you still cut and make the uppers at your factory in Wisconsin? Thanks so much.
Best shoes in the World... I have been wearing AE shoes for 32 years! and had many o pair recrafted ... costs plenty up front, but the BEST Value for your dollar. Plus, feet are comforatble
Dear Allen Edmonds team: At 3:14, what is the model of the weave shoe she’s sewing? The color looks olive, but I don’t think you had the Strand Weave in burnished olive (3393) 9 years ago. I sure would love to know so I can let the guys know at our enthusiasts Facebook group. Many of have acquired the burnished olive recently and we’re crazy about it. Hope to hear from you!
do you guys make shoes for other people or just for your company? i have finally finalized designs on my shoe line and am looking for a factory to make for me
Also, unless you live in a major city - and I mean major major - there's no place to buy AE shoes except to go direct or drive to the nearest factory outlet if there is one. The retailers in my area listed as "carrying" AE on their web site never even heard of them. I have to drive from Cincinnati to Jeffersonville OH to an outlet store - AE closed their retail store in Rookwood Commons several years ago. A long way to go to get another pair rejected for recrafting. From now on I mail them in and I'm only out the shipping if they come back.
