[dylanmitchell]

Looking for business casual shoes that are comfortable when walking or standing, durable, and won't look at of place with Chinos or Khaki's in an office or when meeting with clients. Budget is $300 to $400 Goodyear welt for or up to $250 Ecco's or other non-resoleables. $450 and above is out of my range so Alden and others are out. Eccos last one or two years and Goodyear welt Redwings last a couple of years before needing new soles. I alternate shoes and wear them every other or every third day.

Here's what I've come up with, I'm open to other made in USA, Canada, UK, Europe or other countries known for making quality shoes.

Good year welt
Allen Edmunds Wilbert Comfort Shoe
Allen Edmunds Discovery Derby

Mephisto Melchior' Cap Toe Derby
Mephisto Marlon' Derby
Mephisto Plain Toe Derby

non resoleable

Ecco T1 Hybrid Plain Toe Derby
Ecco City Tray Plain Toe Derby
ECCO CityTray Avant Plain Toe Derby

 

[Vecchio Vespa]

Welcome to Ask Andy! Before you rule out Alden, check their factory seconds via Shoemart, about $200 off. If you go with a shoe that does not have a welt, you might give Mephisto a look. I once had a pair. They were very comfortable and, I believe, recraftable. Also Rancourt offers some nice stuff. Good luck!

 

[127.72 MHz]

The Allen Edmonds Wilbert has been my go to work shoe for a hospital environment for many years. I still have three new pairs that I purchased three or four years ago.

I have tried to have two pairs of Wilbert's resoled, one pair by Allen Edmonds and one by B. Nelson in New York City. Turns out, at least for me, that the leather insole was wearing through in several spots long before the new soles were worn out. (All of my shoes have shoe trees in between wearings.)

I occasionally wear a pair of Mephisto Marlon's to work. Like all Mephistos that I currently own or have owned in the past they are remarkably comfortable shoes. I will send my Marlon's back to Mephisto for new soles when needed. The four eyelet Mephisto strikes me as decidedly more casual verses the Wilbert, but perhaps that is just my impression.

I am not sure what model Echo's that I own. They are five eyelet derby/Bluchers. I see them to be fairly well made shoes but the sole is less rubbery as to compared to either the Allen Edmonds or Mephisto rubber-like sole.

Welcome aboard Ask Andy,

Post Script: I concur with Vecchio Vespa in checking out Shoe Mart for some factory second Aldens. I found it a bit more challenging to get a good fit with Alden's given the differences in Alden's last. (Especially the Barrie last which I plainly cannot wear.)

 

[Flanderian]

I don't often champion AE shoes, but given your requirements and preferences, this isn't a bad shoe.

At this price, while I normally prefer English of Spanish shoes, I'd seriously consider it myself!

https://www.allenedmonds.com/sale/m...MInKHEzKKb8wIVxtrICh2K8wEIEAQYASABEgLY_fD_BwE

 

[smmrfld]

Avoid AE…their quality is crap. Save until you can go with Alden…the higher initial price will be more than worth it over the life of the shoes.

 

[Mute]

Instead of AE, try Alden or if you wish to stay in the same price range, give Cobbler Union a shot.

 

[David J. Cooper]

I have 2 pairs of Wilberts. I totally disagree with the last two posts. I love them and have had my original pair recrafted once.

They are comfortable and look a lot better on my feet than in the AE photos. I have over a dozen pairs of AE shoes all bought since 2011 and have never regretted purchasing any of them. YMMV.

 

[eagle2250]

I have 2 pairs of Wilberts. I totally disagree with the last two posts. I love them and have had my original pair recrafted once.

They are comfortable and look a lot better on my feet than in the AE photos. I have over a dozen pairs of AE shoes all bought since 2011 and have never regretted purchasing any of them. YMMV.

The experience you report of your AE Wilberts almost perfectly mirrows that of my own. I've had two pair of Wilberts, having the first pair resoled once. My Wilberts have served me well and I suspect the second pair will one day survive me in this lifetime. Both pair proved to be great values in shoe purchases.

 

[medhat]

Unless things have changed drastically recently, AE is almost always quite a bit more formal/business appearing than either Mephisto or Ecco (both of which I've owned in the past). And while in the most formal of settings I prefer leather-soled shoes, I think I'm a dinosaur in that regards so the rubber sole on the other brands is not so much the differentiator, in fact a frequent go-to pair of work shoes for me are AE Strands resoled in Dainite. Also, really didn't care for the leather that Ecco uses, don't really remember for Mephisto. So in brief, I'd vote for AE, and I'd also give their seconds/ShoeBank a shot.

 

[Vecchio Vespa]

There are different kinds of comfort in shoes. There is the light pillowy feeling you get with soles like Mephistos or the solidity bordering on the orthopedic you get with Alden. Not suitable for work (or much else) I recently got some Danner hiking boots that are about the most comfortable shoes I have ever put on. Mountain Lights, made in Portland.

As regards AE, there may well have been changes over the years, but the recent ones I have seen look quite good.