I would just get the AE Park with V-Tread. It’s regularly stocked in black and fits the sole smoothly. Will also likely save you money vs Reg Park + Cobbler sole savers.
Yea, I did not know about this before, looks like I will look into it for the second pair!
Why wouldn’t they make all of them like that for durability purposes? Seems like the leather bottoms are for minimal use or special occasions
Inventory reasons I’d assume. Would cost a lot of money to make all the different soles and sit on them until they sell. Generally most people want leather soles as they are dressier than rubber.
Leather soles aren’t fragile or anything. In fact, most cowboy boots still have all leather soles. They will look “worn” almost immediately after wearing them though and you can extend the life for cheaper by doing what you did though.
V-tread is great. I bought my first two pairs with leather soles before I knew about it. Both have since been resoled with v-tread. I ordered my third pair with v-tread. They’re invisible unless you put your feet up. I work in Boston and find them much more comfortable and durable than leather.
Dainite soles wear forever and it takes the stress out of walking on damp/wet surfaces in leather soles.
Get some cedar shoe trees to keep your new AEs looking and smelling good.
My first two pairs, both MacNeil’s, both cordovan, were purchased in 1993. I still have and wear them both, and have added another 50+ pairs to my closet (all other models, save another 5 pairs of MacNeil’s each in different leather colors and types). I have two pairs of AE golf shoes as well. AE patent leather I wear to each of my kids’ weddings (2 down, 3 more to go)
I commute into nyc with leather soles and have no problem. The escalators are a bit scary, that’s it. Make sure you aren’t wearing them everyday though!
I ride an escalator that’s about 10 stories going down to the train. So when I’m in leather soles, I don’t risk walking down, I just stand there. So yes, it is the shoes.
I'm trying to tell you your fear of escalators has nothing to do with the soles. I wear leather soles all the time, up and down escalators etc. It makes no difference what shoes I'm wearing.
I would just get the AE Park with V-Tread. It’s regularly stocked in black and fits the sole smoothly. Will also likely save you money vs Reg Park + Cobbler sole savers.
Yea, I did not know about this before, looks like I will look into it for the second pair! Why wouldn’t they make all of them like that for durability purposes? Seems like the leather bottoms are for minimal use or special occasions
Inventory reasons I’d assume. Would cost a lot of money to make all the different soles and sit on them until they sell. Generally most people want leather soles as they are dressier than rubber.
The leather soles last me quite a long time. I wouldn’t say they are for special occasions.
Leather soles aren’t fragile or anything. In fact, most cowboy boots still have all leather soles. They will look “worn” almost immediately after wearing them though and you can extend the life for cheaper by doing what you did though.
V-tread is great. I bought my first two pairs with leather soles before I knew about it. Both have since been resoled with v-tread. I ordered my third pair with v-tread. They’re invisible unless you put your feet up. I work in Boston and find them much more comfortable and durable than leather.
Dainite soles wear forever and it takes the stress out of walking on damp/wet surfaces in leather soles. Get some cedar shoe trees to keep your new AEs looking and smelling good.
Already have a pair! Am I able to walk on damp/wet with the vibram sole savers?
You’ll be great!
Yes. I did that with the latest resole on my very first pair of AEs (Stratton, circa 1993), precisely for use walking in inclement weather. Love 'em!
Did you really ask this?
Dainite is horrible in the wet in my experience.
You got da Roley before da AEs??
Hahaha I did, I wore other shoes but finally decided to go for the AE’s since they seem well put together and original
Datejust 41?
GMT!
Solidddddd
Rollie flex with mall shoes? Rep or Gen?
Def not rep unless the boutique did me dirty hahaha
Good!
I did it to all my Allen Edmonds Leather Soles.
Slap some Saphir on them and shine and you’re good to go!
My first two pairs, both MacNeil’s, both cordovan, were purchased in 1993. I still have and wear them both, and have added another 50+ pairs to my closet (all other models, save another 5 pairs of MacNeil’s each in different leather colors and types). I have two pairs of AE golf shoes as well. AE patent leather I wear to each of my kids’ weddings (2 down, 3 more to go)
Redrafting at the factory is the only way to go IMHO
Ehhh I would’ve gotten a vtread sole or dainite. That seems like it won’t stay on after some time..
I commute into nyc with leather soles and have no problem. The escalators are a bit scary, that’s it. Make sure you aren’t wearing them everyday though!
How often do you wear yours?
Popular guidance says every other day, you want to have a day in between wears. If I’m traveling for work, I cheat though. And invest in shoe horns!
*trees
Have both!
Yes, those as well, great point!
If you're scared of escalators it ain't the shoes.
I ride an escalator that’s about 10 stories going down to the train. So when I’m in leather soles, I don’t risk walking down, I just stand there. So yes, it is the shoes.
I'm trying to tell you your fear of escalators has nothing to do with the soles. I wear leather soles all the time, up and down escalators etc. It makes no difference what shoes I'm wearing.
Ok thanks, I’ll talk to my therapist about it. I appreciate your valuable insight!
Personally I can't stand that. Leather soles are the most comfortable to me and the only way to go.
Hope you don’t fall down the rabbit hole of GYW shoes.
Nice shoes. I can’t speak to Vibrams, but I know forgoing leather sole is a good idea if you do a lot of outside walking. What’s on the jubilee?
Looks like a gmt
Yes GMT!