In the world of dress shoes, there has been this long debate about which is the best. This is why we are checking out two of the most popular dress shoe brands; Cobbler Union and Allen Edmonds.
Both Cobbler Union and Allen Edmonds are companies that make high-quality, handcrafted shoes. They both use traditional methods of shoemaking, and they both have a strong focus on quality and customer service.
The major difference between Cobbler Union and Allen Edmonds shoes is that Cobbler Union shoes are made from cowhide leather while Allen Edmonds shoes are made from full-grain leather.
First glance
The initial glimpse at a pair of shoes should provide you with enough information to determine if they’re a suitable fit for you, taking into account the shoe’s entire look, feel, and style.
Let’s see what our initial impressions of Cobbler Union and Allen Edmonds are:
Cobbler Union
- Cool design
- Soles are sturdy enough for regular use
- Soft and feels good on the feet
- Narrow toe box
These shoes have a very cool design, which makes them look very stylish and unique.
The materials used in making these shoes are also pretty good, so you can be assured that they will last for a long time.
The Cobbler Union shoes come in different types: there are boots, sneakers, and even dress shoes available in this brand.
You can choose from any of these options and then get your favorite pair of boots or sneakers at an affordable price.
The first impression of Cobbler Union shoes was that they were great value for money.
I ordered two pairs of Cobbler Union shoes online, one black and one brown. They arrived in a couple of days, which was great, and the shoes themselves were very well packaged.
I was impressed with the quality of the leather and stitching on both pairs and the price was very reasonable.
The soles look much better than on some other brands I’ve seen, and although they’re not as thick as some other boots out there, they seem to be sturdy enough for regular use.
The leather is soft and feels good on my feet. The shoe is well constructed and sturdy. I would say that this is an investment shoe that will last many years.
I’m not sure if this is how these shoes are supposed to fit, but they are very narrow at the toe box area and almost feel like they’re too tight for me in that area.
It’s hard to explain, but I think if you have wide feet or have trouble with shoes fitting too narrow in that area then these may not be the best choice for you.
Allen Edmonds
- Soft and flexible leather
- Thick sole
- Exceptional construction
- Well-fitting heel cup
I have been wearing this brand for about a year and have worn them to work every day since getting them. I have never had a pair of shoes that felt so comfortable from the beginning, until now.
The leather is very soft and flexible, yet it has enough structure to last a long time.
The sole is thick but not bulky (I ordered the lace-up version), which makes walking around in them feel like you are wearing sandals instead of dress shoes.
The quality of construction is exceptional: no glue marks or visible seams anywhere on the shoe, the stitching is perfectly even and straight, and the heel cup fits well around my foot without being too tight or loose.
I will say that they seem to be well made and the sole is thick enough that it doesn’t seem like it would wear out quickly.
There are two things that I don’t like about this particular model; however, they are not deal breakers at all:
- The lack of a double layer of leather on top of the toe box makes them look less formal than other models I’ve seen;
- The tongue on these lace-ups doesn’t stay down unless you secure it with an extra bit of shoelace (which probably isn’t necessary).
Cobbler Union vs Allen Edmonds: Comparison
| Features | Cobbler Union | Allen Edmonds |
| Construction | Blake stitching construction | Goodyear welt construction |
| Leather | Cowhide leather | Full-grain leather |
| stitching | Blake stitching with lockstitch upper sewing | Goodyear welt stitching with chain stitch upper sewing |
| Price | They are less expensive than Allen Edmonds. They cost between $350 – $500 | Allen Edmonds shoes prices start from $260 to up to $1000 |
| Build quality | The build quality of Cobbler Union is quite good. The leather has a nice feel to it. | The build quality of Allen Edmonds is also very good. The leather also feels great. |
| Insole | Leather | plastic and polyurethane |
| Outsole | Rubber sole | Leather sole |
| Fit and sizing | They have a narrow fit and they are true to size | They have a universal fit and they are true to size |
| Style | Dressy and formal | More casual and formal |
Cobbler Union vs Allen Edmonds: Construction
Allen Edmonds shoes are made with Goodyear Welt Construction, which means that there is a separate upper (the part you see) and a separate sole (the part you don’t see).
The soles can be replaced if they wear out, but not the uppers. The uppers are glued onto the soles. They are also hand welted using leather laces and waxed cotton thread.
This method makes it possible for the shoe to be resoled multiple times throughout its life cycle.
Cobbler Union shoes use Blake Stitching Construction which does not have a separate upper or sole.
Instead, the leather upper is stitched directly onto the leather sole at each row of eyelets with waxed linen thread to form a single piece unit known as the upper vamp.
This process requires less material and results in a lighter weight shoe than Goodyear Welt Construction.
In aspects of construction, Allen Edmonds is the clear winner.
Cobbler Union vs Allen Edmonds: Leather
Cobbler Union has soft leather that is very comfortable to wear, but the quality of the leather is not as good as Allen Edmonds.
The leather on Cobbler Union shoes parts easily, and it will not last as long as Allen Edmonds.
Cobbler Union uses cowhide leather while Allen Edmonds uses full-grain horween leather which is more durable and looks better than Cobbler Union cowhide leather.
Cobbler Union vs Allen Edmonds: Stitching
The Cobbler Union uses blake stitching while the stitching used in Allen Edmonds is a Goodyear welt.
The difference between the two is that the Cobbler Union has a tongue that is sewn to the upper using a lock-stitch machine.
The Allen Edmonds uses a chain stitch machine to attach the tongue to the upper. Both are very strong and durable, with different pros and cons.
But then, the stitching in Allen Edmonds is more durable.
Cobbler Union vs Allen Edmonds: Build quality
The build quality of Cobbler Union is excellent, particularly for the price point. The leathers used are very nice and the stitching is top-notch.
The blake stitching construction gives them great durability, as does their use of rubber soles.
There are no loose threads or glue marks visible on the surface of the shoe, and there are no gaps between the sole and upper.
The leather uppers feel thick enough that they should stand up well to everyday wear.
The build quality of Allen Edmonds is also excellent, but I would say that they are more durable than Cobbler Union due to their use of a sturdier sole material leather as well as better eyelets on their shoes (Cobbler Union uses metal eyelets which can break).
The leather uppers feel thick enough that they should stand up well to everyday wear.
Cobbler Union vs Allen Edmonds: Insole
The Cobbler Union insoles are made out of leather, while the Allen Edmonds insoles are made out of plastic and polyurethane.
They both have different strengths and weaknesses when it comes to their construction materials.
Allen Edmonds has better durability than Cobbler Union because it is made out of plastic instead of leather which can wear out over time and become less effective at supporting your feet when walking or standing on them for long periods of time
But then, Cobbler Union insoles are more comfortable than Allen Edmonds insoles.
Cobbler Union vs Allen Edmonds: Outsole
Allen Edmonds uses a traditional Goodyear welt. The outsole is made of leather and the heel is stitched on. This means that you can easily replace the sole when it wears out, which is pretty nice.
Cobbler Union uses a split-sole construction with a leather insole and rubber outsole. The rubber outsole is glued to the leather upper, so if you want to replace it, you’ll have to re-glue it as well.
This makes the shoe unsuitable for long periods of wear or rough environments like construction sites or hiking trails.
Cobbler Union vs Allen Edmonds: Sizing and fit
Both Cobbler Union and Allen Edmonds shoes are true to size.
But then, Allen Edmonds has an edge over Cobbler Union because they have a universal fit while Cobbler Union shoes tend to have a narrow toe box resulting in a narrow fit
Cobbler Union vs Allen Edmonds: Style
Cobbler Union, which is known for its sleek, modern designs, and Allen Edmonds, a classic American brand with a more conservative aesthetic, are two of the most popular men’s dress shoe brands.
The styles are fairly similar, with some key differences in design. Cobbler Union tends to make more casual shoes than Allen Edmonds does.
It also has a wider variety of colors available than Allen Edmonds does at any time – though that changes often as styles come and go from season to season.
Cobbler Union has two main lines: Classic and Heritage. The Classic line includes oxfords, boots, loafers, and chukka boots.
The Heritage line is Cobbler Union’s more casual line of footwear. In addition to oxfords and boots, you can also find sneakers here.
The look is more rugged than the Classic line, with a focus on comfort rather than formality.
Cobbler Union is a clear winner in terms of style as they have a large array pf different styles with a lot of varieties.
Pros of Cobbler Union shoes
- They are handcrafted by artisans who have been trained for decades in the art of shoemaking.
- The materials used for their shoes are carefully selected and sourced from around the world.
- They offer a wide range of styles, colors, and sizes to choose from.
- All their products are made with 100% leather uppers and leather linings (with the exception of their suede collection).
- The soles of Cobbler Union shoes are also made of leather and they have a rubber outsole that provides traction on slippery surfaces like ice or snow.
Cons of Cobbler Union shoes
Poor Quality Leather
The leather used in their products is not very good quality. It is not as durable as it should be and tends to get easily damaged by water or other elements present around us.
The leather also causes itching or rashes on your feet if you wear them for long periods of time without any protection like socks or stockings.
Uncomfortable Fit
Their products are not designed for comfort but for style only! This means that they are not made to fit perfectly well on your feet as other brands do.
Pros of Allen Edmonds shoes
Sole
The soles are hand-sewn and hand-lasted with steel shanks for strength and durability. It takes 12 days to make each pair of Allen Edmonds shoes, so you can be sure that they will last a long time!
Construction
The construction of Allen Edmonds shoes is also top-notch. They use Goodyear welted construction methods.
This means your shoe will never wear out on the sole or heel because it has been stitched together with waxed threads instead of glue-like many other brands use today.
This method can also be repaired easily by any cobbler or mender who knows how to do it properly. In fact, it has been estimated that 90% of all cobblers in America know how to resole an Allen Edmonds shoe!
Quality Materials
Allen Edmonds uses only the best materials available in their products including full-grain leather uppers and soles made from European oak trees
Style
Allen Edmonds has many styles available that will suit any man’s taste or lifestyle from business casual to formal wear. You can find something for every occasion at this brand!
Cons of Allen Edmonds shoes
- Premium price tag
- Limited color options
Shop Allen Edmonds Shoes ONLINE
Cobbler Union or Allen Demonds? My Verdict
After comparing the features, pros, and cons of Cobbler Union and Allen Edmonds shoes, here’s my verdict.
Allen Edmonds is better than Cobbler Union. But why?
The answer is simple: craftsmanship.
Allen Edmonds has been in business for much longer, and they’re still going strong because they do things right.
When you buy Allen Edmonds shoes, you’re getting a quality product that will last a lifetime. Their shoes are handcrafted by skilled leather artisans using high-quality materials like full-grain leather and brass eyelets.
They use Goodyear welted construction, which means their shoes are resoleable and can be resized again and again. In other words, they’re built to last!
Cobbler Union has only been around for about 10 years, so there’s no way their products can compare with those made by Allen Edmonds.
That’s why when it comes to quality men’s dress shoes or casual sneakers, there’s only one choice: Allen Edmonds!
Conclusion
I hope you’ve now seen the reasons why Allen Edmonds shoes are better than Cobbler Union. I hope this article helps in your next shoe shopping!
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