Allen Edmonds, the venerable American footwear brand, has been crafting quality shoes for 96 years. The Port Washington, Wisconsin-based company gained a loyal following after providing the standard-issue shoes and boots to the United States Army and Navy during World War II. After the soldiers and sailors returned home, they continued buying the brand. And that's because Allen Edmonds makes the kind of shoes you can have for decades—the ones you wear year after year and eventually repair rather than replace. Even today, the majority of their shoes are handcrafted at their headquarters in Port Washington, Wisconsin, using a 212-step production process.

But not everything's so old school. The company just unveiled a new branding and direction that updates its outlook for a younger generation. It's still a heritage brand and many of their designs remain classic and refined. But they're also embracing a fresh approach to more rugged, street-influenced styles while embracing new technologies, materials and performance innovations. The results are good looking shoes with plenty of well-engineered yet under-the-radar technical advancements that make for long-lasting footwear that is extremely comfortable. Herewith, a few favorites from the new lineup.