Allen EdmondsMen's Park Avenue Cap-Toe Oxford Dress Shoe

I am a teacher. I am on my feet most of the day and need comfortable shoes. I also can't afford to spend a lot of money on a luxury purchase without a good reason. Because I need comfort, I have been buying Rockport shoes for years. However, I was sick of having to replace each pair every year to year and a half. Further, while I don't want to be too dressy (I'm a teacher and wearing a suit and tie everyday would be out of place), I do want to bring my look up from the business casual (sometimes on the most casual end of "business" casual) that I've done the past few years since I want to move into administration (the old "dress for the job you want" idea). So, I needed to get some nice dress shoes to go with the sport coat or blazer and chinos combo that I've moved to (sometimes with, sometimes without a tie), and most Rockport dress shoes don't look very dressy. I knew from experience that Bostonians or Florsheims might be pushing it on comfort if I'm always on my feet, and from what I've been reading, their quality has really gone downhill. Also, I have a hard to fit EEE to EEEE foot. From online reviews, it seemed that Johnston and Murphy or Allen Edmonds might be the way to go for nice dressy shoes that are still comfortable and available in wide widths, and I like that the Allen Edmonds, while not much more than the J&Ms, are made in America. So, I decided to give them a try.While I have read reviews from people who have had their Allen Edmonds shoes for many years or even a decade or more, I cannot comment on durability or longevity since I've only had these shoes for a few days. However, I can comment on other aspects of the purchase.First, quality to the degree I can ascertain at this point (workmanship and materials) appears to be as good as I expected from all the reviews I've read. You can tell from the stitching, and the look, smell and feel of the leather that these shoes are in a totally different league from shoes from Florsheim or Bostonian. They look and feel quite solid.Comfort, for new, unbroken-in shoes they are incredibly comfortable. Since I've been wearing Rockport, they are a little tight on the top of my foot (not in the width) because this style shoe fits tighter that what I've been used to (but they aren't uncomfortable, I just need to get used to real dress shoes again). Otherwise, they felt terrific- plenty of cushioning for my feet and easily wide enough for my very wide feet.Style...I love cap toe dress shoes. When I worked in business, that and wingtips were all I bought. They look terrific! If I don't polish them to too shiny a polish I can even just barely get away with wearing them with jeans.So, on a teacher's budget were they worth the cost? Well, I've gone and ordered a pair of Allen Edmonds McTavish wingtips in cognac. If they last less than half as long as I expect them to from all the reviews they will still be a bargain.Edit: Just a quick update: 2 years later and they still look new. They are definitely durable, long-lasting shoes.

I love Allen Edmonds. They make the best men's shoes available in the U.S. These shoes fit so well. The leather is top quality, and it takes a high shine.For people who are uncertain about buying such a pricy shoe: it's worth it, in this case. Cap toe Oxfords are the classic men's dress shoe. They will always be appropriate for work and formal occasions. Allen Edmonds shoes will be with you for life, and they will always fit well and look good. One $300 pair of quality shoes is a better deal than three or four pairs of inferior shoes. It *is* worthwhile.And finally, the WIDTH: Allen Edmonds makes shoes in widths from AAA to EEE, so you can get the perfect fit across. It's not just a choice between "medium" and "wide", like most shoe manufacturers. And with such a range of widths, they're a blessing for MEN WITH WIDE FEET, like me. In other brands, like J&M, I typically go with a 13 Wide, which is too long and still too narrow. AE's 12 EEE is the perfect fit for me.

Absolutely beautifully crafted shoes. The pair I received were in perfect condition. The front of the shoes were a little too narrow for my feet (tight around the sides of my big toes), otherwise they fit well. I'm a size 9 D (really on the bigger end of a C width) and tried a size 9 D in these shoes. I've had problems in the past with boots and shoes I've been fitted for rubbing on the sides of my toes. I really wish these shoes fit my feet as they are incredibly beautiful. I ended up returning them because they didn't fit.

I have had outstanding experiences with Allen Edmonds and ordered these shoes as I liked the color. I realized they were being sold at full price and where not a bargain, but I thought they were worth the investment. I was wrong. I ordered one pair and returned it as the leather was hard, dry, and contained numerous other defects. I ordered a second pair, hoping for a different result. The second pair had a large distortion on the welt that created a bump where you heel would be in the shoe. The defect made the shoe entirely unwearable.The price listed is full price for an Allen Edmond's shoe. I have ordered several pairs of Allen Edmond's factor seconds. The shoes received from Amazon/Zappos were far worse than any factory second I have ever received. Beware. You will pay full price for shoe that should be heavily discounted.

This is an outstanding, elegant shoe. Made to the highest quality standards here in the USA. Relatively pricey, perhaps, but an exceptional value. If they are like my other Allen Edmonds shoes, these should last forever.

Desde que se sacan se ve la calidad en los acabados y valen mucho la pena. El cuero y la suela se ven muy bien. Como dato extra normalmente en tennis uso 9.5 y en estos me quedó perfecto 9 normal.Tengo también unos Paul Evans un poco más caros , y la verdad que en calidad estos están muy similares.

I have a pair of Allen Edmonds wingtips I bought over 20 years ago in size 10 AA that fit well but are well broken in so my initial order was for a pair of the Park Avenue's in that size. When they came I could barely get my feet into them and they were actually to tight and I doubt I could get them broken in. The size 10 A is still a snug fit but not to the point of being painful. I am going to stick with them since I also have a pair of Shreveport's which uses the same last but in a 10 B and they are actually slightly wide. My experience with my prior pair is that they do stretch somewhat as they break in and once they do they are ususally quite comfortable. I appreciate being able to swap out the AA's for A's at no cost to me.

Smell & feel reminds me of my childhood going to the shoemaker! High quality old school!!

I seem to be very attracted by the Allen Edmonds look, kinda vintage look. Already had a couple pairs of different models. I have to admit that their finishing is not the best among other brands such as Carmina, Cheaney, Vass etc. But at the right price, that means at discount it makes sense.

Returned immediately. The shoes were slightly different sizes even they were both said they were 8.5 regular, and there were multiple flaws in the leather, with dyeing problems and frayed edges on the soles. The worst part? The two brown colours didn't even match! Not even two different shades of the same brown, but actually different browns. Like, mahogany and chili or something like that. I should've taken a picture but I was so razzed I packed them up right away and sent them back. Terrible.

I was hesitant to order these given the other (and only) review. However, given there are so many different colours and sizes, I assumed their situation was particular to their shoe. In Canada, we can't buy factory seconds from Allen Edmonds which is very frustrating. And, even if we could, we would pay a restock fee for a return. Given Amazon's free refund, I thought I would take the risk in purchasing these and I am glad I did.First, a star is docked because these are FACTORY SECONDS yet it is not stated clearly anywhere. That is very shady. However, based on price, I assumed this to be the case and tempered my expectations accordingly. Despite this, the only noticeable defect to make them a factory second is on the underside of the heel. It doesn't affect performance and no one will ever see that.I was nearly ready to buy a pair of Park Avenues from Allen Edmond's despite their outrageous price, but despite how expensive they are, shipping isn't even free. Save yourself 900 CAD and pickup a pair here! I am glad I did.

Looks and feels premium.

This is a pretty good deal for AE. They are a factory second though, you could guess that by the price. Mine had about 8 minor imperfections, nothing serious and all can be fixed or hidden with some sole paint and leather cream. I have spent $700 on AE direct from AE that showed up in way worse condition. I will buy these again and touch them up.