Review: Allen Edmonds Jefferson

Pretty fancy bag but I believe these bags are for any AE shoe.

For some reason, I liked the way the bag was shaped to fit the shoe box. It wasn't sliding around while I left the store and walked the mall and call me snooty, but it felt like a nice touch of detail.

You can see the roughness to the box. It serves to make the box more rigid and structurally sound. This isn't a shoe box to "just throwaway."

The black shoe covers (or whatever they're called, I'm not a shoe specialist), are well built but I believe just a different color than my Strands (walnut).

The shoe trees are well built and my first from AE. $20; I'll probably stick with these from now on instead of shopping around to save $10. They're full Cedar and the toe has a spring. They also aren't as red as depicted in this photo.

I think this is the most important photo: notice the sheen or lack there of. There isn't much shine and when I wore the McAllister and the Jefferson at the same time (different feet obviously guys), this shoe was much more dull (aesthetically) and that attracted me to this shoe entirely. This review is to discuss aesthetics and build anyway, rather than fit, which can be discussed as I wear them more in the Reddit post.

Again, a more dull appearance but through here (the lace area) is where you can feel a distinct difference in supple-ness (is that a word?). They feel as broken in as my nearly year old Strands. Just as I read this and touch the shoe, I regret not purchasing the strand in this Independence collection style (which is only offered for the Strand, 5th Avenue, and McAllister).

Even inside here, more supple leather. The side of the inside of the shoe is almost suede-like and just superb. I don't know different leathers, but this is different leather.

Just a side detail shot. What a wonderful luster.

I'll never look this closely at a shoe but still, it looks great.

Some more differences underneath compared to the McAllister. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is a double-thick sole. The leather is also more durable (maybe?) and slippery-ier currently. I would have strong concerns on marble or smooth surfaces (my office is carpet so oh well).