Alden 986 & 9901 vs Brooks Brothers 034H & 091H - Page 2

That's not necessarily true. Some people wear their Barrie size in the Van last, some wear their normal size.

That certainly seems to be the case and I probably shouldn't have spoken in absolutes. My experience says "Barrie size". Also everyone I've talked to at Alden in SF suggested taking the Barrie size as, at least, a starting point.

I'd suggest 10C in the 986 would be the correct place to start. You really can't beat trying these shoes on in person. If it's not possible order multiple pairs and keep the one that fits best.

I have a lot of experience with Alden shells and BB-Alden shells. I wear a 9.5 in most shoes, but go down all the way to a 8.5 in the BB-Alden unlined LHS. Four reasons: the van last is roomy, the missing liner seems to make the interior of the shoe roomier, the unlined leather seems to give more and conform better, and the last thing I want is a loafer slipping around on my foot. But my sense is that most people go down just half a size.

I would say the benefits of the unlined shoe are: it is cooler (good in the summer), better with no socks (the lining can and will develop holes around the toes with no socks), conforms better, and is more flexible. The benefits of the lined shoe are ?

I just ordered a pair of whiskey shell BB-Alden unlined LHS today! Coming from New York, should be here in a week.
Edited by 89826 - 7/16/12 at 12:52am

Nurktwin,

Sorry for the delayed response. What you say makes sense, but again most people only go down half a size in the BB unlined version. So that is where I would start.

Unlined will ripple more when you break them in. However, they will be more comfortable from the start.

I can't wear the lined version due to the low instep. I can just barely wear the unlined version.

I own the BB version, and I've "caught and released" the Alden version. They were sized the same - I took both .5 lower than my measured size (same length as the Barrie).