In the world of American shoemakers, Allen Edmonds is a true survivor.
When cheap overseas manufacturing rocked the fashion industry, many of Allen Edmonds’ peers either shuttered or succumbed to fast fashion practices.
Like Rolex in the face of the quartz crisis, AE stood their ground. Today, they’re still a top American shoe brand serving up some of the best and most reliably built classics on the market.
Not only are they a go-to when considering quality footwear of any style, but they’re certainly worth our esteem.
Here are the five best Allen Edmonds Shoes for every occasion.
Table of Contents
How Did I Come Up With My List?
I wouldn’t say that I’m the president of the Allen Edmonds fan club, but I will say that I’ve probably tried 90% of the models on their website. It’s also possible that I spent a good three days total in all three of their New York store locations while creating this list.
In addition to those hours of hands-on reviewing, I’ve worn several AE dress shoes consistently in my decades as a suit. Some of those models include the Park Avenue, the Fifth Avenue, and several loafers.
And since no two pairs of feet are made alike, I consulted with colleagues, the nice sales associates at the Allen Edmonds stores, and every article and video review I could find regarding this brand.
5 Best Allen Edmonds Shoes for Men
Best Oxford: Park Avenue Oxford
If any model must be dubbed Allen Edmonds’ signature shoe, that honor would undoubtedly go to the Park Avenue. It’s standard and unadorned, but that’s the beauty in it. Not to belabor the Rolex comparisons, but it’s like the shoe world’s Submariner.
Sure, we all love it because it’s a classic that will always be relevant and can easily be dressed up or down. But, it’s deceptively different from other oxfords.
The Park Avenue is made using Allen Edmonds’ 65 last, which is narrow and especially long. This gives it a dressy undertone that levels up a casual outfit without looking out of place. Moreover, the wide range of sizes and widths ensures that even broad-footed gents can enjoy this sleek look—especially with the open-lacing design.
Since this is Allen Edmonds, of course, the shoe is fully welted all around and made with European calfskin. This makes the Park Ave water resistant and resoleable. Its strong and supple upper looks vivid regardless of which of the neutral yet expressive colorways you go for.
What I Like
- Made with Allen Edmonds’ 65 last, this shoe is especially narrow, giving it a chicer look compared to standard oxford shoes, without compromising its ability to be worn casually.
- As the brand’s tentpole design, this shoe is undeniably iconic, respected by the fashionable, the practical, and footwear fans alike.
- The textured cap on the heel adds traction, adding a level of security not always seen in traditional dress shoes.
What I Don’t Like
- Though the cork insole and leather-lined interior will eventually conform to your foot for a comfortably personalized footbed, you’ll have to work for it. As with any robustly built 360-welted leather shoe, this oxford requires a substantial break-in period.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
Several reviewers report that the Park Avenue’s good reputation is well-earned, with many claiming you can feel the lushness and smell the freshness of the leather right out of the box.
Many also praise Allen Edmonds for allowing you to customize your outsole, with rubber soles in different colors available.
As with my experience, reviewers mention that this shoe lasts a long time. It starts to fall apart at the heel first, but only after almost a decade of wearing it. Fortunately, it’s fully resoleable, too.
The Verdict
Several reviewers report that the Park Avenue’s good reputation is well-earned, with many claiming you can feel the lushness and smell the freshness of the leather right out of the box.
Many also praise Allen Edmonds for allowing you to customize your outsole, with rubber soles in different colors available.
As with my experience, reviewers mention that this shoe lasts a long time. It starts to fall apart at the heel first, but only after almost a decade of wearing it. Fortunately, it’s fully resoleable, too.
The Allen Edmonds Park Avenue is a true lifer, and as long as you’re willing to take care of the care leather and resole when the time comes, it might even outlast you. This is thanks to its gold-standard construction; the Park Ave is built with strong calfskin leather and is fully bench-welted all around.
Best Casual Shoe: Del Mar Woven Sandal
You know that old-fashioned adage that casual doesn’t have to mean sloppy? Allen Edmonds takes this to heart with the Del Mar Woven Sandal.
It’s designed with one thick strap that provides a lot of coverage, making this shoe less intimidating for those who aren’t always amenable to open-toed footwear. Plus, the cross-woven leather gives it a luxury factor that doesn’t compromise the overall relaxed look.
Sandals are an essential footwear staple every guy should have in his closet. If you only have one pair, choose a design you can wear in as many contexts as possible. The Del Mar is a perfect example.
Take this guy to the pool or the beach. I guarantee you that the flip-flopped masses will be inspired. It’s a classy warm-weather slipper, and a generally fashionable casual shoe.
What I Like
- The woven leather design makes the Del Mar a uniquely sophisticated slipper that can be worn with casual outfits, as an indoor shoe, and, of course, to the beach or pool.
- Its roomy and flexible construction provides breathability and comfort.
- The treaded rubber outsole, along with the molded rubber footbed, offers grip and stability, despite the spacious fit.
What I Don’t Like
- The two colorway options are pretty limiting. I’d love to see this shoe in a burgundy.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
Reviewers are impressed with just how grippy and stable this shoe is. A few mention how they thought their feet would slip and slide around inside since the fit is so roomy. Fortunately, the molded interior keeps your foot where it needs to be without constriction.
The Verdict
Allen Edmonds’ Del Mar Woven Sandal is highly adaptable thanks to its solid coverage and attractive leather weave design.
With its roomy fit, treaded sole, and molded footbed, this shoe effectively balances stability with comfort.
The Allen Edmonds Del Mar Woven Sandals are relaxed yet sophisticated. The flexible construction and slip-on design is comfortable and easy, while the woven leather upper provides undeniable class.
Upgrade Pick: Randolph Shell Cordovan
Some people think that if you’re going to invest a lot of money in a shoe or accessory, you should go for the most unique and eye-catching model available. I disagree.
If you go for a tried-and-true classic, you’ll have the opportunity to wear it on many more occasions and for years to come. Allen Edmonds’ shell cordovan version of the Randolph loafer is the perfect example.
AE takes the standard penny loafer design, but adds interesting details, like the raised stitching on the upper vamp and the strapped-in saddle that dips deep into each side. This balance of topography and sleekness makes this shoe easy to wear with jeans, formal trousers, or summer linens.
Also, the Randolph is made using Allen Edmonds’ 79 last. It’s a tapered and low shape, which is part of the reason that ornamentation can be added, the vamp stitching, for example, without the entire shoe looking bulky.
Shell cordovan is a special horse leather that’s extra fibrous. It’s known for its strength and, best of all, its high level of crease resistance. You can wear this shoe every day for the rest of your life, as long as you take care of it.
What I Like
- With its 360 bench-welted, shell cordovan construction, this shoe is durable, water-resistant, and crease-resistant, flaunting a vivid and lush surface.
- Allen Edmonds 79 last is low and tapered, which is formal and professional-looking with matching socks but also elegantly relaxed without.
- I love the level of customization offered—in addition to a wide range of sizes and widths, you can also choose different outsoles.
What I Don’t Like
- Before it’s broken in, this shoe has a pretty stiff sole, and the lip sometimes digs into your front ankle. This is normal for good leather shoes, but especially so with the shell cordovan.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
Many reviewers agree that this shoe is well worth its price.
Not only is it long-lasting and good-looking, but several reviewers report it being comfortable after it’s been broken in, thanks to that cork insole that will eventually conform to your foot.
This shoe also gets a lot of love for how beautiful the color is on the shell cordovan surface. Even the black variation looks less like a murky or stark black and more like a dimensional onyx.
The Verdict
Premium in both its construction and raw materials, the Allen Edmonds Randolph is an instant family heirloom thanks to its supple and tough shell cordovan upper.
Style-wise, this shoe is elegantly low and understated but has interesting details like thevamp stitching and strapped-in saddle.
The Allen Edmonds Randolphs are made out of lustrous, crease-resistant, and durable shell cordovan. They’re also bench-welted all around, providing stability and durability for a long-lasting, high-quality piece of footwear.
Best Boot: Higgins Mill Chromexcel Boot
The Higgins Mill Boot became an instant classic when it debuted in 2016, thanks to its slicked-out take on the traditional logger boot. Even looking at Allen Edmonds 1757 last, which this boot is made on, you’ll notice that though the profile is slim, the toe is still round and full.
It’s an effective balance of practical-casual and modern refinement, with the latter beautifully exemplified by that stacked heel.
I love the Chromexcel version because it suits the wearable workwear vibe of the boot’s architecture. It looks and feels soft, as if it’s been lightly worn-in, with a slightly greased appearance.
You don’t want this boot to be too neat-looking. That slight sheen ups the ruggedness since it brings out the grains and different tones of the surface.
And just as the upper straddles the line between function and looks, the Dainite rubber sole is grippy and strong, but not as visually aggressive as a deep-lugged outsole.
What I Like
- Thanks to AE’s 1757 last, this boot perfectly balances dressiness, seen in its sleek profile, and ruggedness, seen in its rounded and full toe.
- The chromexcel upper is soft and exquisitely oiled, giving the boot a gently worn-in, casual yet refined look.
- Grippy and strong, the Dainite rubber outsole is still subtle enough to pair well with the dressier components of the sole, such as the stacked heel.
What I Don’t Like
- It’s a bit tight around the ankle at first, though you can always keep the lacing a bit loose until the boot’s been fully broken in.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
With over 500 positive reviews on Allen Edmonds’ website alone, this is definitely a beloved boot model.
Function-wise, reviewers report that the Dainite soles aren’t just great with traction, picking up minimal dirt and mud, but also incredibly easy to clean. Add points for convenience.
The Verdict
If you’re looking for a classic, all-purpose boot, I highly recommend Allen Edmonds’ Higgins Mill. The chromexcel variation is particularly versatile since the leather is soft and strong, and the rubber outsole is subtle yet functional.
The Higgins Mill Boot is an Allen Edmonds classic featuring a refined logger design. It's also highly functional, with a grippy yet light rubber sole and convenient speed hooks.
Best Loafer: Grayson Tassel Loafer
I love a tassel loafer, but it’s not often I’ll spotlight one as an overall best. They’re often too detailed or too casual and just not chameleon enough when it comes to different dress codes.
The Allen Edmonds Grayson Tassel Loafer, on the other hand, is a combination of best practices. It takes design inspiration from more formal loafers while maintaining the effortless look of a traditional tassel loafer, allowing you to wear this shoe with shorts, jeans, and even a tuxedo.
The toe has a soft point, a signature of Allen Edmonds’ 97 last, and a flat toe area. It doesn’t dramatically dip from the top, giving it a more understated aesthetic. Meanwhile, the tassel’s leather strap is woven through the collar, giving it beautiful, abbreviated detail.
The Grayson almost looks like a formal leather slipper that simply has tassels on it. It’s a unique take that doesn’t look off-script—a tricky balance to achieve.
What I Like
- The 97 last has a pointed toe that isn’t overtly sharp, which dresses up its otherwise classic American shape for more versatility in formal situations.
- Cleaner than the average tassel loafer, this shoe is uniquely familiar yet distinct.
- This shoe comes in a dark navy colorway, a more elusive shade among dress shoes. It’s unique and can be styled like a brown or black shoe.
What I Don’t Like
- The heel is a little slippery until you’ve scuffed it up a bit. I wish AE rubber-capped it like they do with their other dress shoes.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
Reviewers praise Allen Edmonds for their modernized take on a tassel loafer. Since it’s classic yet unique, many even report multi-generational praise within their households, dads loving it as much as their sons.
I’m sure the expressive colorways like burgundy and navy also make this shoe more interesting. They’re not as standard as traditional brown or black but equally as easy to style.
The Verdict
The Allen Edmonds Grayson does everything a loafer should do: It’s appropriate with a suit, and it’s appropriate with chinos or jeans. Whether you wear it casually or formally, it brings an effortless class to your outfit.
It then levels this up by combining tassel details with a formal, but not overly sharp, rendition of a classic American silhouette. It’s a standard but still unique.
The Grayson is a clean, classy take on the American tassel loafer, making it easy to wear with a range of outfits. Since this is Allen Edmonds, it’s made out of supple full-grain leather and is 360-bench welted for maximum, resoleable durability.
3 Key Things to Consider When Choosing an Allen Edmonds Shoe
Here are some qualities about Allen Edmonds that you’ll want to think about before purchasing a pair.
- Materials: As mentioned, Allen Edmonds makes their classics in different materials. Full-grain calfskin is the standard, but maybe you want to upgrade to shell cordovan if your lifestyle might subject your shoes to more of a beating.
If your day-to-day is pretty casual, you might even want a “sneakerized” version of a certain dress shoe. - Break-in period: Allen Edmonds dress shoes require a real, traditional break-in period. If you have a wedding to attend in June, make sure to order your dress shoes a good month in advance to make sure it’s perfectly broken in by the time the wedding rolls around.
You also don’t want the first time you wear a pair of 360-bench welted, full-grain leather shoes to be an extra long workday that has you constantly on your feet.
- Price: Allen Edmonds are premium shoes. There’s no getting around the fact premium shoes come with a premium price tag. Maybe you really want the shell cordovan version of a model, but it’s just not in the cards for you budget-wise.
Full-grain calfskin is still a high-end, durable option and will cost half the amount. You can also keep an eye out for occasional sales throughout the year.
Instant Heirlooms
The Allen Edmonds Park Avenue is an icon for a reason. It’s well-built, on-template, and a reliable and adaptable dress shoe.
The Allen Edmonds Park Avenue is a true lifer, and as long as you’re willing to take care of the care leather and resole when the time comes, it might even outlast you. This is thanks to its gold-standard construction; the Park Ave is built with strong calfskin leather and is fully bench-welted all around.
The Del Mar is classier than the average sandal, easily worn at the beach or just casually strolling around town. On the other end of the spectrum, the Randolph is a refined loafer, made especially luxurious with a shell cordovan construction.
Another AE icon, the Higgins Mill is a cleaned-up take on a vintage logger boot that’s as functional as it is handsome. Meanwhile, the Grayson levels up the American tassel loafer by making it minimal and sophisticated, but still relaxed.
The Grayson is a clean, classy take on the American tassel loafer, making it easy to wear with a range of outfits. Since this is Allen Edmonds, it’s made out of supple full-grain leather and is 360-bench welted for maximum, resoleable durability.
Truly, there’s an Allen Edmonds shoe for every occasion. It’s certainly convenient that you can choose your fighter all from the same place.
FAQs
What is the most versatile Allen Edmonds shoe?
The Allen Edmonds Park Avenue is probably their most versatile shoe and can be worn in a wide range of dress codes.
What is the difference between Allen Edmonds 64 and 65 last?
Both have a dressy, narrow look, but the 64 is more spacious across the ball of the foot and forepart. This makes it more relaxed, both in fit and looks, though it’s still a perfectly acceptable dress shoe shape.
Is Carmina better than Allen Edmonds?
It depends on your preferences. Both use premium materials and advanced, sturdy craftsmanship. Carmina is slightly more expensive because Allen Edmonds focuses on classics, while Carmina delves into unique remixes and distinct details.
Does Allen Edmonds use full-grain leather?
Yes, Allen Edmonds uses different kinds of full-grain leather, from tight-grained calfskin to soft chromexcel and fine shell cordovan.
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