Shell Cordovan vs. regular leather

laxexquis · May 16, 2009

What are the differences and the positives of the real cordovan?

Thanks
John

DandySF · May 16, 2009

Late last year I was in the local Alden store trying on calf loafers. The salesman brought out a pair in cordovan, which I was not looking for. As soon as I saw their sheen and color I was ruined for the calf. I've found that they do wear a bit warm.

laxexquis · May 16, 2009

Originally Posted by DandySF

Late last year I was in the local Alden store trying on calf loafers. The salesman brought out a pair in cordovan, which I was not looking for. As soon as I saw their sheen and color I was ruined for the calf. I've found that they do wear a bit warm.

When you say they wear warm do you mean literally?

Thanks
John

LeicaLad · May 16, 2009

Shell cordovan is denser, with tighter pores. It is warmer (hotter) than calf, but is better at repelling water.

Generally speaking, shell is not that great for the tropics.

laxexquis · May 16, 2009

Originally Posted by LeicaLad

Shell cordovan is denser, with tighter pores. It is warmer (hotter) than calf, but is better at repelling water.

Generally speaking, shell is not that great for the tropics.

Ok, that makes sense. So actually shell cordovan shoes would be great for the winter, (between warmth and how they repel water.

The reason why I ask all this is because I am currently looking to purchase a few Aldens. I live in new york hence temperatures can vary from 95 to 0. I am really only looking to purchase three of the same style shoes, one in tan, one in black and one in mahogany. Now the tan will defiantly be in calf, but I don't know whether of not to get the black and mahogany in cordovan. These shoes will be worn a lot, in snow, rain etc.

What do you think?

Thanks
John

Blackl3232 · May 16, 2009

Get the black in calf, and the burgundy in shell, imo.

I wouldn't get the same shoe in three different colors though...

JayJay · May 16, 2009

I wear shell cordovan year round, including in very hot climates. They are very comfortable for me however, others have found them to be too hot for summer.

laxexquis · May 16, 2009

Originally Posted by Blackl3232

Get the black in calf, and the burgundy in shell, imo.

I wouldn't get the same shoe in three different colors though...

Thanks for the input.

Just wondering why you think to get the black in calf and burgundy in shell?

Thanks
John

kolecho · May 16, 2009

I am with JJ. I wear shell year round in HK. No problem with overheating feet at all.

Busa Dave · May 16, 2009

I live in the DFW area and I wear nothing but Alden Shell shoes (few sharks from others) for almost 25 years and love them in the hot and the cold.. My new Cigar Cap Toes are on the way as of today!!

Chips · May 16, 2009

I am thuroughly tired of trying to remove scuff marks and bumps and such, on my shell wingtips. Nothing works regardless of what I try. On the other hand, my calf shoes always polish up amazingly well and look beautiful.

Tarmac · May 16, 2009

I go back and forth on the relative merits of shell. On the one hand they look great (to me), on the other hand I could totally understand if a n00b looked at them and thought they were made of pleather or vinyl.

I just wore my brown Darltons today and they kicked ass. They weren't hot even though it was 96 degrees out.

laxexquis · May 17, 2009

Originally Posted by Tarmac

I go back and forth on the relative merits of shell. On the one hand they look great (to me), on the other hand I could totally understand if a n00b looked at them and thought they were made of pleather or vinyl.

I just wore my brown Darltons today and they kicked ass. They weren't hot even though it was 96 degrees out.

Now I understand why it would be better to get shell in burgundy and not black (black will look like vinyl like you said).

John

furo · May 17, 2009

Based on the responses here I've come to conclude that shell cordovan is not even close to being worth the 2x to 3x markup from calfskin..

Does it last longer? What am I missing here?

TheFoo · May 17, 2009

The shininess of cordovan isn't a given; it depends on how much it's been waxed and buffed. My shell Aldens straight from the factory had a very nice matte finish.

Calfskin can be gorgeous in its own right, but I like that shell requires so little maintenance.

Shell Cordovan vs. regular leather

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