Allen Edmonds Recrafting. Is it worth it?

Wow, this is a fantastic educational video. When I saw the title I thought you’d naturally say “I’m better!”, but you didn’t. This makes tons of sense, and seeing this really helps. You guys are great!

i have done both AE recrafting and local cobbler. It all comes down to relationships, and how much you want to spend. I have had good results with both. If I like how the shoe is broken in, I just have my local cobbler do a resole and ask them to keep the welt, if possible. Which my local guy usually does. I have bought some used shoes that needed the recrafting. Vamp was all stretched out, or footbed was all worn, and no doubt so was the cork filling. And for $125, the standard recraft is a good deal. As for the shoe shown in the video, it was the third recrafting, and AE did offer the customer a new shoe. And, he was still able to take it to Wyatt for a re do, so the customer came out ahead. As for myself, I likely would not take my shoes in for an AE recrafting 3 times. I have been wearing Allen Edmonds for almost 20 years and haven't recrafted more than once in that time. by the time a pair of shoes has been re soled twice, I pretty much relegate it to either an old beater shoe, or a special occasion shoe. Either way, it isn't getting a lot of use.

Very educational. I’m a bit of a Saddleback Leather addict (bags), and their marketing focuses extensively on customer education. They repeatedly say their bags have as few stitching holes as possible because closely spaced holes cause weakness in the leather, like perforated pages in a school notebook. Your video absolutely confirmed that for me. Good leather is very strong indeed, but it’s not indestructible.

I have sent 4 pairs to be recrafted by AE. They have actually lost a pair and they just gave me a pair of factory firsts from a store, and that for a pair of seconds I bought from shoebank for $78! If they mess things up, they will make sure you are compensated. All my other pairs, they have done a great job. If you have an older model, and your soles aren’t offered, you can simply ask them for a different sole free of cost, and they will do it. I had a pair of leather sole shoes converted to Dainite soles, and they feel like the pair they should have originally shipped out as. They added a leather midsole, free of cost. Unfortunately on your website, leather midsoles with Dainite or Vibram Eton packages require extra charge of $30. Plus I have to pay for shipping. With AE, I just pay $125, and I get free shipping both ways, and I typically get my shoes back in 2 weeks. I understand digging into the welt weakens the leather, but the Dainite resoled pair, for example, was actually stretched out (I tree my shoes regularly and condition them), but they were independence models, and the leather is soft and can stretch out. After recrafting by AE, they feel tight again. Plus, for someone losing weight, older shoes which were bought half a size larger, recrafting does a great job in “tightening” these older, larger pairs. Finally, I have seen you mention AE cutting into the welt numerous times of Facebook forums, and you are correct. However, I believe you should also mention that it is not only AE who does recrafting this way. All the major shoemakers such as Alden, Crockett Jones, Cheaney, Carmina, etc, use the same technique of ripping out old welts and sewing in new welts. I have seen all the factory videos from different manufacturers. So AE is using standard industry practice. Rewelting is an extra charge of $50-$60 from most cobblers. I will definitely send shoes which are expensive and also tight fitting to you or other cobblers, but other regular pairs of AE, I will send to recrafting.

Great video! I appreciate the breakdown.

Great Information on the different types of sole leathers, very useful 👍.

That sole comparison was super helpful

Tony and his team just re-crafted and upgraded my brand new 1000 Mile boots. They did an amazing job. My older AE dress shoes will be headed to Tony for a re-craft in the future. They are around 20 years old and I have some ideas I want to bounce off of Tony.

Awesome recraft!! Good content!!

Good job 👍

Tony, thank you for this informative video. I used AE's Recrafting service 3 times so far. The first time, I sent a pair of Fifth Avenues in Merlot, and they ruined the upper. It was returned to me with severe scuff marks. AE found a pair, even though the color was discontinued, and replaced the shoes. The second time, I sent McAllisters in Dark Chili, and they came back with no visible problems. However, your video points out the issues that were created on the upper that I can't see. Most recently, I sent back the Fifth Avenues that were the replacements. Funny how the original soles wore through so quickly, when those shoes got worn about once a week in a rotation. Those shoes were returned but the refinishing of the uppers was only average. I could have acheived that finish by myself. I will certainly be in touch to discuss your recrafting services. Also, I want to ask about a pair black of Park Avenues that sustained water damage. I spoke with a local cobbler who did provide much hope. I look forwad to speaking with someone at Wyatt & Dad.

There are craftsmen and artisans. Craftsmen have their place. Artisans are artists. In this video you see an artisan at work and the art is the work. Beautiful.

Your Video Is Well Explained And I Love It. In My Own Opinion, As A Shoe Lover, It Is Much More Better To Have A Shoe Repaired By A Cobbler Not By Allen Edmonds.

I only use AE when I break a welt. Local cobblers are great if you don’t need a new welt.

I cannot believe that A.E. would not try to use the original welt holes when recrafting. 😂😂😂 I own a few pairs and the quality has decreased as time goes on. I will be sending every pair of shoes that need work to you guys! The work you do is amazing, and I appreciate when you tell me something will not work, rather than just giving it a go. Looking forward to the next video

I have watched...countless cobbler YouTube videos. Countless cobblers. I must say...of them all...these guys are the best. That is not to say...that the others are bad. Just that these guys...really know what they are doing. There are couple of cobblers on YouTube...who are very popular, (I won't mention their names), but I am just not as impressed as most of their commenters are. But THESE guys...are who I would want to "re-craft" my shoes...bar none. Wyatt and Sons...may be a bit more expensive, but I am sure it is well worth it. Best cobblers on the internet right here. Bar none. Well done.

Are you posting a video with the repair, very interesting to watch how you did it

Certain jobs are just too good a deal to pass up at least a first round at AE. It costs $140 and no shipping to convert a xl Henry to a blue dainite sole with a new leather midsole and new stacked leather heel (which I think is unavailable in USA). Much harder to justify replacement of a house leather sole.

so let us know how the ae shoes turned out

There is a time for a shoe to go to shoe heaven I'm extremely happy with Allen Edmonds's recrafting