Win 1 of 3 Pairs of Allen Edmonds Strand Cap-toe Oxfords for Primer’s 10th Anniversary!

Win 1 of 3 Pairs of Allen Edmonds Strand Cap-toe Oxfords for Primer’s 10th Anniversary!
We're celebrating Primer's 10th anniversary with huge giveaways all year long. Now's your chance to win our favorite classic shoes from an iconic American-made brand.

Welcome to our year-long series of monthly giveaways celebrating Primer Magazine’s 10th anniversary!

If you’re just joining the celebration, definitely read my full 10 year anniversary message to the Primer community.

And if you missed out on our previous giveaways, this is your chance to win.

Choosing this month’s item was easy – it’s a heritage brand I’ve loved and admired even before the days of Primer. This was one of my first major post-college wardrobe upgrades – a bump in quality as well as price. But in making that investment I discovered the difference that a well-crafted shoe can make.

Giveaway: 3 Pairs of Allen Edmonds Strand Cap-toe Oxfords

I’ve had my pair of classic Strands since 2010, and went on record praising their versatility, durability, and timeless style.  And a shoe that’s looked and felt good for almost 10 years isn’t easy to find.

Made in the US. Made to Last.

Allen Edmonds is close to celebrating a milestone of its own: founded in 1922, the brand has been making shoes primarily in Port Washington, Wisconsin, for almost 100 years. Originally, Allen Edmonds provided boots to troops during World War II – and you’d be hard-pressed to find a group rougher on footwear than members of the military.

Each pair of Allen Edmonds Strands carries that practical, hard-working soul (and sole), but with the design and detailing of a dress shoe. They’re crafted to be worn all day, everyday – day after day after day. Two of our readers commented on my original Strands post with testaments to their shoes’ longevity: one pair was 20 years old, and still going strong!

20 year old allen edmonds

A reader comment from my very first post on my Strands from 2010.

And if your Strands start to show their age, Allen Edmonds has a Recrafting service that will have soles, laces, and even leather looking good as new – something impossible with a pair of cheap fashion shoes.

Both Style and Substance

Finding a durable shoe isn’t difficult. Neither is finding a good-looking one. Finding one that is both? That's tough. The Strand is built from the ground up with 360-degree Goodyear welted construction, which is designed to last. The leather is smooth and supple, and the cap-toe style with broguing (the pattern of perforations) is appropriate for both casual and business occasions. Not all shoes look good with both  dress pants and jeans. The Strand does.

While the Strand is a shoe that can be dressed up or down, sometimes you want to change up your look. Allen Edmonds makes more than dress shoes – the brand offers modern, sleek sneakers that are polished enough to skew smart casual, as well as military-style boots based off the famed WWII service boot. (Here’s a visual timeline of the military origins of some of your everyday style favorites.)

New this fall is the rugged, 100% waterproof Ranger boot, which is designed for high performance in both urban and outdoor environments.

American Heritage, American Future

Some established brands rest on their (well-earned) laurels. Not Allen Edmonds. Instead of just being content to make quality, long-lasting footwear in the US, the brand is also partnering with fellow American crafters to form a community of makers. This partnership has created a full line of American-made apparel items, bags and accessories.

Partner brands include ALAN J (eyewear from State Optical, Vernon Hills, Illinois), American Woolen (fabrics, Stafford Springs, Connecticut), Civilianaire (denim, Los Angeles, California), Cockpit USA (outerwear, New York, New York), Korchmar (bags, Naples, Florida), Gitman Bros. (shirts, Ashland, Pennsylvania), Southwick Clothes (suiting, Haverhill, Massachusetts),Weiss (watches, Torrance, California) and Wigwam Mills (socks, Sheboygan, Wisconsin). View the whole collection here.

Not only that, Artisans of Freedom provides scholarships to support the next generation of crafters.

This Month’s Primer 10 Giveaway, With More to Come

In short, Strands are well worth the purchase – and if you can win a pair, even better. To enter, simply…

This giveaway has ended.

Andrew Snavely

Andrew founded Primer in 2008 and brings 15+ years of men's style expertise. Known for his practical, relatable approach to style and self-development, he has been a recognized speaker at conferences and has styled work for top brands. Off-duty, he loves photography & editing, and enjoys road trips with his dog, Leela. Raised in rural Pennsylvania, educated in DC, and living in LA for nearly 20 years, Andrew's diverse experiences shape the relatable and real-world advice that has helped millions through Primer. On Instagram: @andrewsnavely and @primermagazine.