rumata13I disagree. At an equal price, Carlos Santos is superior in every way except range of widths and ease of recrafting.
Of course, for sheer affordability, AE on sale (especially seconds) is hard to beat. But even by that metric, Carlos Santos on Saks Off Fifth is in that range too when the right sale hits.
tegeus-Cromis" superior in every way "
Sure, sure, especially that rubber sole on Carlos, that's waaay better that AE's leather-cork welted construction...
rumata13It’s a Dainite sole. Those in the know are aware that leather soles and Dainite soles are considered equally good; which is superior is a matter of preference and intended use. Check the catalogue of any good shoemaker—including your beloved AE—and you’ll see leather sole and Dainite versions of the same shoe selling at the same price.
And these are Goodyear-welted just like AE. Dainite sole or leather sole has no necessary connection with whether a shoe is Goodyear-welted or not.
Comparing like for like (AE Dainite with CS Dainite, AE leather sole with CS leather sole), you need only touch and wear an AE shoe and a CS to tell that they are miles apart in materials, construction, and finishing.
rumata13You really don't know what you're talking about. Outsoling material has no relation to construction. Dainite can be equally as expensive as leather soles. If you want premium, look for JR Rendenbach or Baker's leather sole. Those are couple of the leather outsoling options worth a damn.
Like AE, these are GYW. They probably use cork filling to fill up the extra space created with the gemming of the insole. Don't talk as if you know what is going on within CS vs AE - you cannot see the inner materials used.
rumata13Own both. Both have different quality ranges.
AE Independence line is probably closest in quality to Carlos Santos. AE is the shoe of presidents. It is a cost effective way to quality. That being said, they are not on the same level as Carlos Santos. My Chelsea's are lighter then a pair of running shoes. Just a visual inspection and you can see the difference from stitching to the smoothness of the calf leather to the way the leather was cut. Pick them up and put them on and you can feel the difference in quality.
If you were to draw a Price vs Quality graph AE is hard to beat.
However, If you can get a pair of Carlos Santos at AE prices it becomes a no brainer.
Of course, for sheer affordability, AE on sale (especially seconds) is hard to beat. But even by that metric, Carlos Santos on Saks Off Fifth is in that range too when the right sale hits.
Sure, sure, especially that rubber sole on Carlos, that's waaay better that AE's leather-cork welted construction...
And these are Goodyear-welted just like AE. Dainite sole or leather sole has no necessary connection with whether a shoe is Goodyear-welted or not.
Comparing like for like (AE Dainite with CS Dainite, AE leather sole with CS leather sole), you need only touch and wear an AE shoe and a CS to tell that they are miles apart in materials, construction, and finishing.
Like AE, these are GYW. They probably use cork filling to fill up the extra space created with the gemming of the insole. Don't talk as if you know what is going on within CS vs AE - you cannot see the inner materials used.