Winstonmok vs Winston Verse
A mini review here, but also looking for input on my decision, as I have analysis paralysis :P
TL;DR: which ones do you like better and which should I keep? Winstonmok for $160 or Winston Verse for $100?
I recently got a pair of the Allen Edmonds Winstonmok, a gray suede rare longwing derby (not blucher). They were on sale at Nordstrom and I planned to wear them with casual outfits (jeans, chinos, untucked shirts, sweaters).
Then I saw what I thought were the same shoes on sale at Nordstrom Rack for a better price, so I ordered them as well. Once they arrived, I realized that they were a slightly different shoe; these are the Winston Verse.
Here is AE's blurb about the Verse line:
>Introducing the Allen Edmonds Verse Collection, where classic craftsmanship meets contemporary innovation. This collection takes our iconic styles like the Park Avenue Oxford, Randolph Penny Loafer, and Strand Oxford and updates them with a more relaxed fit. Features like kid goatskin linings offer a supple, less-structured feel. The textured rubber soles provide flexible comfort and increased durability. Our CustomCork™ insoles mold to the shape of your unique foot for a custom fit. All of these characteristics combine to offer greater freedom of movement without compromising the timeless elegance Allen Edmonds is known for. Whether you're heading to the office, a casual outing, or an evening event, these shoes blend heritage style with everyday wearability. Experience the perfect fusion of tradition and innovation with the Verse Collection.
In addition to the soles being the main difference, they also have gray flat cotton laces and a bit darker welt than the Winstonmok, which have brown round laces, a lighter welt, and the Dainite sole.
Both pairs are firsts, and here are the AE product pages for the Winstonmok and the Winston Verse.
Everything else seems to be the same... uppers, MiUSA, 65 last, etc. Both have the same MSRP of $450, and interesting that the Winstonmok is cheaper on the AE site ($330) vs the Winston Verse ($380). Does that mean that the Winstonmok has not been selling as well, so they have to discount it more? My case is the opposite... I got the Verse for cheaper than the Moks.
Pros for Winstonmok
- I like the Dainite sole, and I feel like it's a known quantity
- Slightly prefer the brown round laces I think
Cons for Winstonmok
- More expensive. $160 I think, and the Verse was $100
- Slightly prefer the darker welt
Pros for Winston Verse
- Slightly prefer the darker welt
- Cheaper. $100, compared to $160 for the Winstonmok
Cons for Winston Verse
- I'm worried that these new crepe soles won't be as durable as the Dainite, and they don't look as good
- Flat gray cotton laces are a little annoying to keep flat, and they're not waxed at all, so I feel like they won't be very durable. Still, I could always replace them with brown round waxed laces.
On my feet, I didn't have strong opinions about one vs the other. So I'm leaning toward the Verse since they are cheaper, and it would basically be like someone paying me $60 to pick those haha. I am a Frugal Male Fashion guy at heart! Hard for me to justify a 60% cost increase when I like both of them...
My only hesitation is the sole... $160 is still a great price for the Winstonmok firsts, and I like Dainite, so it would be the safer choice.
Does anyone have experience with the Verse soles? How have they been holding up? Any thoughts would be appreciated :)
EDIT: I just checked out the reviews for both on the AE site. Some people have said that the Verse sole has come unglued, so now I'm leaning back toward the Winstonmoks haha. Curious if anyone has experienced the Verse sole issue though!