Customer Reviews Allen Edmonds Strand

As much as I love Allen Edmond shoes there seems to be an issue with quality consistency. The leather around the arch was in a way "crumpled" and had some strange stretch marks. This has affected the overall comfort in the shoe. Looking back even though that one shoe is a first it probably should have been a factory second quality. Unfortunately I was not happy with the pair that I received.

This is a minor issue however disappointing. The first time I wore the Strands the stitching on he left shoe above the throat broke. I own the Mcallister and 5th Avenue and never had an issue. Now the shoes look a slight different when tied.

I purchased these shoes a couple of months ago. I bought them in black since I loved the quality of the leather on the black Franciscans. Unfortunately, as other reviewers above mentioned, I've experienced the leather wrinkling, bowing and discomfort due to width. Additionally, only the leather on the toe looks as it should, the rest appears very odd/cheap looking. No amount of polish is able to resolve the issue and my Cedar AE shoe trees cannot keep the leather flaws from getting worse. This really detracts from the enjoyment of the shoe and it looks nowhere near the quality that it should. I also went through multiple shoes before this that I had to send back, due to quality issues. Although my Walnut Franciscan 2nds are flawless I will likely not be purchasing another pair of Allen Edmonds shoes.

I love the look of The Strand in the Walnut color to wear with both a blue suit and grey suit. I have 2 other AE shoes ( Park Avenue and Randolph ) but this one is by far the most uncomfortable because it is very tight fighting along the top of my foot. Even with it laced very loosely, it feels like it constantly tightens on my foot so that I am constantly having to unlace it and re-tie it so that it is has a looser fit. I am hoping that over time, the leather loosens up and maybe expands so that it becomes a comfortable shoe to wear because I truly like the look of the shoe. Thankfully I can unlace it often and no one can tell when I am sitting at my desk. But doing this every hour is a pain. So this might eventually be a shoe that is only worn on special occasions. Even though I most of my ratings are no more than 3 stars, I would recommend this shoe because of its look. But, I would let people know that I think it is a very uncomfortable shoe. That being said, comfort is a personal feeling, so what might not be comfortable to me, would feel fine to others.

I was surprised how quickly the sole of the shoe wore out. I had a hole in the shoe is less than 9 months. The heal of the shoe actually fell off and I learned the rubber heal piece was glued on and not glued and nailed.

I have a pair of brown shoes same style and size and they fit perfect. The black ones fit big. I'm not sure why but my foot slides and the top touches. I couldn't return because my black ones I needed for my wedding. So my black shoes will just sit in my closet.

I ended up returning them after exchanging them twice due to quality control issues (which were never solved), mainly uneven cuts on the panels. I expect the shoes would have been of a decent quality if the craftsmanship was better, but I certainly will not be buying any shoe that requires high level craftsmanship for AE anymore.

Compared to other same sized AE shoes that I purchased over the past few months, this one is too narrow to use.

I have been wearing Allen Edmonds shoes for over 20 years, have 9 pair. Really liked this shoe in the catalog so decided to order it in chocolate color. Was extremely disappointed. Not the quality I have come to expect from Allen Edmonds. The stitching on the toe was at best rough. The cut of leather on the toe was uneven, with one side sticking up in the air. Returned the shoes for a refund.

I just got my 3rd pair of AE Strands. I have walnut, black, and now coffee. I am really disappointed with the coffee. I just pulled them out of the box and they have some crazy discolorations near the laces, and some nicks on the shoe. One shoe doesn't even look uniform on the sole, one side looks blacker while the other side of the shoe looks normal brown. In a single section of the shoe, part of the shoe has the brown shine, while other parts don't. Really disappointed in as many defects as they have. I think they really need to be careful on marketing craftsmanship. The attention to detail seems to be lacking...I'd totally expect this shoe to be of factory 2nd quality..

This was my first pair of shoes, I went to the store in person to try on the shoe and it was a great fit after getting sizes of course. I walked in the shoes three times and they opened up to be a half size bigger, now my foot slides in them to the point I cant even wear them. I was told they use the same last as the Park ave but thats not the case the park ave is perfectly sizes as appose to the boat shoe show strand. Dont get me wrong I love the look and quality of the shoes but at this point they are momentos of the money I wasted..

The shoe is far more narrow than the one i tried in the store. Therefore it is extremely painful to where. I love the product but the sizes are not consistent and now i have paid good money for a shoe that should be the most comfortable one i own. This is not the case.

Bought these because I loved the look. The fit was good, but after 4 months of average wear, the sole is separating from the upper in multiple places, as well as both shoes squeaking loudly. I don't baby my shoes, but I also don't destroy them. At this price point there should be more durability. Perhaps I received a faulty pair, because there is no reason to experience this much decay in this amount of time with this amount of use.

So...recently became crazy about AE shoes. Spent hours in web site for almost 2-3 weeks and also visited stores multiple times. Just got fascinated by these AE shoes looking at the web site. Finally ordered multiple pairs of shoes from A of various models. And this was one of them. While doing research I realized that AE has something called ShoeBank for factory seconds. I think the product that I received from AE should have gone straight to factory second. The sole was not well cut and finishing was not that good. Paying a premium price and that too for an american made should have been of high quality. It came as -if it was made abroad. Anyway going to call them and try to replace it. And if the floor quality as- such, I will rather go with factory seconds which anyway will have some cosmetic issues like this one and that too almost $100 cheaper.

Styling is good. Design and fit is good. Leather quality is good. Stitching is not very good: skipped stitches. Leather cutting - baroque details is not consistent.

Styling is good. Design and fit is good. Leather quality is good. Stitching is not very good: skipped stitches. Leather cutting - baroque details is not consistent.

The shoes were a custom order shoes as my exact size was not in stock. I ordered it and allowed for 4-6 weeks for the factory to build the shoe. The shoes were done a lot sooner in 2 weeks instead. The colour is a beautiful oxblood and the design is beautiful as it is a strand, and I have had other strands before! These particular shoes however heels didn't match up from left to right pair, broquing is assymetrical between left and right pair of you really look closely , but otherwise you can't tell, and there's a dent/creasemark on the inner side of one shoes where you can tell a machinist pulled the leather too tightly when doing the 360 welt resulting in a defect. I have around 15 allen Edmond shoes, mostly all first qualities, and I know my expectations for AE shoes are higher because of the nature of the price point, and I am much more critical, but I swear even cheap shoes from mass produce places like banana republic do not have defects, so maybe I'm not asking for too much. I decided to keep the pair because it is otherwise beautiful, and based on my 15 allen Edmond pairs, since they are handmade, they will have some defect, and you just have to accept what you are willing to forgive for otherwise nice pairs of shoes.

The shoes were a custom order shoes as my exact size was not in stock. I ordered it and allowed for 4-6 weeks for the factory to build the shoe. The shoes were done a lot sooner in 2 weeks instead. The colour is a beautiful oxblood and the design is beautiful as it is a strand, and I have had other strands before! These particular shoes however heels didn't match up from left to right pair, broquing is assymetrical between left and right pair of you really look closely , but otherwise you can't tell, and there's a dent/creasemark on the inner side of one shoes where you can tell a machinist pulled the leather too tightly when doing the 360 welt resulting in a defect. I have around 15 allen Edmond shoes, mostly all first qualities, and I know my expectations for AE shoes are higher because of the nature of the price point, and I am much more critical, but I swear even cheap shoes from mass produce places like banana republic do not have defects, so maybe I'm not asking for too much. I decided to keep the pair because it is otherwise beautiful, and based on my 15 allen Edmond pairs, since they are handmade, they will have some defect, and you just have to accept what you are willing to forgive for otherwise nice pairs of shoes.

Beautiful patterned shoe, perhaps my most favored of the Allen Edmonds line. Unfortunately I received a pair of Walnut Strands in which the left shoe construction was manufactured out of alignment. The superior and inferior lower half of the shoe deviates sharply from the midpoint of the shoe, starting under the bottom edging of the tongue, and continues deviating to the heel. One way of describing it in words is if one views a scoliosis of the human spine deviating to the right in one continuing bend. Have brought this to the attention of Holly D., Allen Edmonds Customer Service representative. Holly responded admirably and is seeing to it that the matter will be rectified to my satisfaction. I must also add that Holly really conveyed interest, one of A.E.'s great representatives. P.S. Have ordered an additional pair of Strands and awaiting their arrival, this one will be Oxblood in color. Jack L.

Beautiful patterned shoe, perhaps my most favored of the Allen Edmonds line. Unfortunately I received a pair of Walnut Strands in which the left shoe construction was manufactured out of alignment. The superior and inferior lower half of the shoe deviates sharply from the midpoint of the shoe, starting under the bottom edging of the tongue, and continues deviating to the heel. One way of describing it in words is if one views a scoliosis of the human spine deviating to the right in one continuing bend. Have brought this to the attention of Holly D., Allen Edmonds Customer Service representative. Holly responded admirably and is seeing to it that the matter will be rectified to my satisfaction. I must also add that Holly really conveyed interest, one of A.E.'s great representatives. P.S. Have ordered an additional pair of Strands and awaiting their arrival, this one will be Oxblood in color. Jack L.

After a more than a year of waiting and saving up money, I finally ordered my first pair of high end dress shoes, the Strands in Walnut. Absolutely gorgeous. Opening the box itself made me excited to wear these shoes. As soon as I wore them, I knew something wasn't right. They felt tight and uncomfortable. Granted I was wearing the wrong socks at the time, I didn't want to take the risk so I took them to a store to make sure I had the right size. After a few trials with better socks, I was told that the size I initially ordered, 10.5D, is the size for me and that in around 10 wears, the shoe will break in and conform to my feet. This was my first leather sole shoe and I didn't know how comfortable shoes should be before their break-in period, and not knowing any better at the time, I took the advice. The first time I wore them the experience was awful. I had to walk for more than 40 minutes too and by the end of the night I could not wait to get them off my feet because it was hurting so much. Now 2 months later, with a few more wears in, they have definitely stretched out a little bit, and the sole feels much better than before, but are still pretty uncomfortable. I actually had to make sure I put some duct tape on my heels before wearing them so that the constant rubbing and friction does not cause blisters. Maybe going a width higher would have helped making them more comfortable around the laces/vamp. I really wish I had bought the right size. I did not expect such a negative experience. If in a few more wears it does not feel passable, I will probably sell them off. Just make sure you get the right size. Other than that, shoe is extremely well built and the materials and build quality feel amazing. I have heard great things about the company and will make sure I buy the right size next time I get the opportunity.

After a more than a year of waiting and saving up money, I finally ordered my first pair of high end dress shoes, the Strands in Walnut. Absolutely gorgeous. Opening the box itself made me excited to wear these shoes. As soon as I wore them, I knew something wasn't right. They felt tight and uncomfortable. Granted I was wearing the wrong socks at the time, I didn't want to take the risk so I took them to a store to make sure I had the right size. After a few trials with better socks, I was told that the size I initially ordered, 10.5D, is the size for me and that in around 10 wears, the shoe will break in and conform to my feet. This was my first leather sole shoe and I didn't know how comfortable shoes should be before their break-in period, and not knowing any better at the time, I took the advice. The first time I wore them the experience was awful. I had to walk for more than 40 minutes too and by the end of the night I could not wait to get them off my feet because it was hurting so much. Now 2 months later, with a few more wears in, they have definitely stretched out a little bit, and the sole feels much better than before, but are still pretty uncomfortable. I actually had to make sure I put some duct tape on my heels before wearing them so that the constant rubbing and friction does not cause blisters. Maybe going a width higher would have helped making them more comfortable around the laces/vamp. I really wish I had bought the right size. I did not expect such a negative experience. If in a few more wears it does not feel passable, I will probably sell them off. Just make sure you get the right size. Other than that, shoe is extremely well built and the materials and build quality feel amazing. I have heard great things about the company and will make sure I buy the right size next time I get the opportunity.

The shoes have wrinkles in the quarters, just above the welt, just forward of the heel cap. It looks like they were not properly stretched on the last to work the wrinkles out. I returned them for replacement and got a pair back that were worse.