[Pebblegrain]

Hi, All-

I am interested in this nice looking pair of Macneils, however, I note that they are the "2.0" version.

How are they different from regular Macneils (other than the Dainite soles)?

Is the leather "full grain"? The AE website is suspiciously silent.

https://www.allenedmonds.com/shoes/...2.0-country-grain-wingtip-blucher/SF1082.html

 

[richard warren]

I don’t see anything to be suspicious about. Allen Edmonds is what it is: about as good a shoe as you can get in the real world, particularly at that price. That shoe is calfskin with a pattern stamped on it, so it is probably thick and not the best grade to start with, or else it would not be used to make pebble grain.

 

[Pebblegrain]

Thanks. I was thinking that the price was so good that you can't go wrong.

 

[richard warren]

Since you mention price, let me recommend this video that explains how prices are set in a market economy.

It's long, and possibly boring. In short, prices are set by what consumers are willing to pay, and the "factors of production" derive their value from that price. That is, calf leather costs what it does because people make and sell shoes from it, rather than shoes costing what they do because calf leather is inherently valuable. Allen Edmonds has a stock of shoes. It can sell them for what it can get (which is understandly less than what it might have been six months ago), or keep them. While it is possible I guess that they have recently just started making and selling lower quality shoes, I think the low price is just supply and demand in a time of economic "uncertainty" (actually tremendous distress).

 

[Tiger]

I don't see anything to be suspicious about. Allen Edmonds is what it is: about as good a shoe as you can get in the real world, particularly at that price. That shoe is calfskin with a pattern stamped on it, so it is probably thick and not the best grade to start with, or else it would not be used to make pebble grain.

There are many brands of shoes that are better - often much better - than Allen Edmonds, even in that price range. TLB Mallorca, Sons of Henrey, Cheaney, and Carlos Santos come to mind immediately. There are others as well...

 

[Pebblegrain]

There are many brands of shoes that are better - often much better - than Allen Edmonds, even in that price range. TLB Mallorca, Sons of Henrey, Cheaney, and Carlos Santos come to mind immediately. There are others as well...

Maybe this deserves its own thread, but isn't sizing in those foreign brands MUCH more limited than AE (and Alden, for that matter)? I am a 10 1/2EEE in AE. Some of those shoes from the makers you cite are truly beautiful, but I can't see where they have my size. In fact, I don't know how they even stay in business making medium-width-only lines. Perhaps someone can explain.

 

[August West]

Thanks. I was thinking that the price was so good that you can't go wrong.

Looks like available sizes are limited, which is likely another reason for the deep discount. I already have a couple of pairs of MacNeils in the closet, otherwise I'd seriously consider those.

 

[richard warren]

Try going down to a local store to try on a pair of TLB Mallorca shoes.

I dare you.

 

[Tiger]

Maybe this deserves its own thread, but isn't sizing in those foreign brands MUCH more limited than AE (and Alden, for that matter)? I am a 10 1/2EEE in AE. Some of those shoes from the makers you cite are truly beautiful, but I can't see where they have my size. In fact, I don't know how they even stay in business making medium-width-only lines. Perhaps someone can explain.

They are more limited, but still create wide widths. My statement, of course, was a general one; it was not meant to apply to every person, no matter how distinct their shoe size.

 

[Tiger]

Try going down to a local store to try on a pair of TLB Mallorca shoes.

I dare you.

Even easier - just log on to the TLB Mallorca website, and order your size. Perhaps a few minutes of research to be more certain about sizing might supply additional confidence. Also, the owner is very accessible, and responds directly to emails. I dare you!

It really isn't that hard - no need to make things so complicated when they aren't...

 

[blue suede shoes]

Please correct me if I am wrong, but I see nothing on their (TLB Mallorca) site where widths other than regular are offered.

 

[Tiger]

For a small surcharge, TLB Mallorca will customize shoes, including widths.

Again, I was initially countering a statement that was demonstrably false. The simple fact is that for the vast majority of people, there are many brands of shoes that are far better than Allen Edmonds and within the same price range. A little bit of research to determine sizing is all that's needed to open up a world of choice to consumers.

 

[Pebblegrain]

Postscript-

The shoes arrived today. I will be sending them back because the fit is a bit too snug, but I am shocked at the low quality of the finishing on the upper of one shoe. These were NOT seconds.

 

[Tiger]

Postscript-

The shoes arrived today. I will be sending them back because the fit is a bit too snug, but I am shocked at the low quality of the finishing on the upper of one shoe. These were NOT seconds. View attachment 47827

Sorry that this occurred, but I can't say that I'm surprised. Maybe Richard Warren can explain what happened with the shoe that is, "as good as you can get in the real world."

You may need to begin your search for non-AE shoes that have a wide width...including the custom option from TLB Mallorca that I recommended above.

 

[iam.mike]

I am shocked at the low quality of the finishing on the upper of one shoe. These were NOT seconds.

Curious: You bought those shoes directly from the AE website, and there was no mention of them being used/seconds? Can you provide more photos?

Those shoes look used, and I pretty shocked you got shoes that looked like that if they were supposed to be new.

 

[Guest]

Curious: You bought those shoes directly from the AE website, and there was no mention of them being used/seconds? Can you provide more photos?

Those shoes look used, and I pretty shocked you got shoes that looked like that if they were supposed to be new.

I can't post more photos, because I already sent the shoes back for a refund. I feel certain that the shoes weren't used, and I'm also sure that they were not sold as seconds. I ordered some Indian-made Florsheims to replace them, and I cannot imagine that the quality can be worse.

 

[Pebblegrain]

My Indian-made Florsheim Kenmoor IIs arrived, and they are much nicer than the AEs that I sent back. Now, I know that Indian Florsheims are but a pale shadow of U.S.-made, but I have a pair of black Indian Kenmoors that gave about five years of heavy service, including at least one resoling, before the uppers wore out. For a $225 shoe, that's not a bad deal, IMHO.

 

[iam.mike]

@Pebblegrain - We posted your original question on our FB page, and a representative from Allen Edmonds just shared the following answer:

The difference is that the Macneil 2.0 features a Poron cushion under the leather insole. All Macneil versions currently offered on our website are made using full-grain calfskin.

Obviously it's a little late, but wanted to circle back here to share the answer for future reference.

 

[winghus]

@Pebblegrain - We posted your original question on our FB page, and a representative from Allen Edmonds just shared the following answer:

Obviously it's a little late, but wanted to circle back here to share the answer for future reference.

I just saw this thread and was going to answer that the difference is a Poron insole. I have a pair and they fit much tighter than an older pair without the Poron sole. It's enough of a difference that I would never buy an AE with Poron insoles again, except that after having several other brands that are much better for equal or even lower price, it's been changed to "I will never buy an AE again".

 

[David J. Cooper]

When we were in Paris late last year, I visited a few shoe stores and found the Spanish made shoes, especially Carmina to be sleek and well made but tiny. In all sizes they were shockingly narrow and just didn’t suit me at all.

We also found the same thing at an Aigle store, where the largest boots they had were size 9us. I was told that they just don’t have many requests for anything bigger.

I later asked a sales person why he had spoken English to me as soon as I approached him. I made sure I was always wearing a blazer and tie when in the city to try to fit in. He told me because of my size he assumed I was American.