The Official Alden Thread for 2016 - Share reviews, sizing, advice, and photos.

[ClassyCanuck]

Just these gunboats today

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[Matty123]



Yes, they do.

Well ****.... Alden must not like us then.

 

[Dbc0919]

Just noticed two pairs of shell boots in 9.5 posted on ebay (different sellers) straight from the Shoemart seconds list at $200+ and $300+ profit. Am I the only one who gets seriously irritated by this?

 

[GONZOtheMAN]

Is this a concern with the commando sole- any easy fix? These indys are still pretty new!

Shoe Goo would help

 

[Darkside]

These beauties just came in today. I am a hair over 12D Brannock and these fit very comfortably in 11D.

My only concern is if the eyelets are too close when laced tight, as I know the CXL does stretch.

Any thoughts?

 

[peppercorn78]



Hi All, 

I'm mostly a lurker and love seeing all the great Alden love and tips on general care. I'm looking for some advice. I read the opening post, but there's a lot to digest and I'm looking for the best possible direction to go for my specific situation. 

I've come to the point where I'm able to afford one pair of cordovan shoes or boots. I want them to be brown and although Color #8 looks fantastic, it just wouldn't work with my wardrobe. I just celebrated the birth of mydaughter by purchasing a Nomos Tangente watch that has a wonderful brown Horween cordovan strap (they use Horween even though they're a German company) and I've had an AE brown cordovan belt for a couple of years. 


I'm currently very tempted to order a pair of Allen Edmonds Dundees in brown cordovan. I know it would match my belt and be much closer to my watch strap than color 8. However, I have a pair of Indy boots and Alden Suede PTBs and there is something these boots and shoes have that my AE Park Avenues don't. It could be the fuller last, it could be a more classic cut, it could be that Alden isn't owned by a huge Private Equity firm, I don't know.

Long story short, I want to buy a pair of Cigar Shell shoes or boots on the Barrie last. My order of preference would be LWB, Chukka, PTB or some kind of ankle boot. How would I make this happen? I don't mind waiting if I"m ultimately going to end up with some footwear that I'll cherish in a way that I could never do for the Dundees. 

The Dundee is a fine shoe, and the AE 1 last fits me very well. If you get a great fit and want the shoe right away, I would go for it. However, if you don't mind waiting (could be up to a year or two), there are concrete reasons why you feel a difference between AE and Alden.

One is the arch support from having a steel shank keep the Alden shoe together. AE uses a 360 degree welt with no shank. It's kind of their trademark historically. Another is the greater care that goes into Alden stitching the welt and finishing the sole edge. Another is the higher number of stitches per inch in the sole stitching. That gives it a closer, tighter feel. Also, the insole leather seems thicker and more robust than AE's to my eye. It looks the same as the insoles on my Carminas and Lobbs. It's just a nicer shoe all round. But you'll have to be reeeeeaaallly patient.

But again, the Dundee is still a great boot, and in the end, whatever last fits you best should be what helps make up your mind. I haven't had good look fitting in the Barrie last, and my Dundees feel perfect on my foot...

 

[mdubs]



snuff indy

Spoiler

Cool Indy Boot DV!

Spoiler

Cigar chukka via Alden of SF.

Great Cigar Chukka. Looking good.

Spoiler

The Ravello NST Boot is untouchable and can't be matched.

#9015 today

Spoiler

A very classy model my friend!

It's a Cordovan LWB kind of Monday

Spoiler

It is always a Cordovan LWB kind of day. Looking good!

Just these gunboats today

Spoiler

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I needn't repeat myself. Looking good bud! -Mike

 

[husbands]

here's my alden collection

back row (from left)
color 8 plain toe boot / anatomica via seconds, suede LWB on crepe / alden DC, black calf shortwing commando / alden of carmel
front row (from left)
color 8 LWB waterloc sole / leffot via seconds, red-ish cigar LWB / alden of carmel second, whiskey shortwing / alden DC

I wear the boot, cigar LWB, and suede LWB the most, but hoping to get a new job where I'll wear them all more often

 

[Teeka]

NYC Tanker x Misterfreedom Sportman Slacks

 

[Kahuna75]



Hi All, 

I'm mostly a lurker and love seeing all the great Alden love and tips on general care. I'm looking for some advice. I read the opening post, but there's a lot to digest and I'm looking for the best possible direction to go for my specific situation. 

I've come to the point where I'm able to afford one pair of cordovan shoes or boots. I want them to be brown and although Color #8 looks fantastic, it just wouldn't work with my wardrobe. I just celebrated the birth of mydaughter by purchasing a Nomos Tangente watch that has a wonderful brown Horween cordovan strap (they use Horween even though they're a German company) and I've had an AE brown cordovan belt for a couple of years. 


I'm currently very tempted to order a pair of Allen Edmonds Dundees in brown cordovan. I know it would match my belt and be much closer to my watch strap than color 8. However, I have a pair of Indy boots and Alden Suede PTBs and there is something these boots and shoes have that my AE Park Avenues don't. It could be the fuller last, it could be a more classic cut, it could be that Alden isn't owned by a huge Private Equity firm, I don't know.

Long story short, I want to buy a pair of Cigar Shell shoes or boots on the Barrie last. My order of preference would be LWB, Chukka, PTB or some kind of ankle boot. How would I make this happen? I don't mind waiting if I"m ultimately going to end up with some footwear that I'll cherish in a way that I could never do for the Dundees. 

I would wait for cigar alden also...however the Dundee is a better chukka than Alden's imho...you can have a long wait for the cigar chukka so get a second dundee brown shell in the meantime...let's face it if AE shoes added the weight of a steel shank...many would live them more...there is something damn fine about the heft of an Alden

 

[bespoken pa]



I would wait for cigar alden also...however the Dundee is a better chukka than Alden's imho...you can have a long wait for the cigar chukka so get a second dundee brown shell in the meantime...let's face it if AE shoes added the weight of a steel shank...many would live them more...there is something damn fine about the heft of an Alden

The shell is finished better also. I will agree with you the three eyelet design of the dundee is superior to the alden model.

 

[chai Sataanfa]

Cap Toe Ravello on Modified last

 

[HenryIII]



Cap Toe Ravello on Modified last

Daaayyyuuum!!

 

[mdubs]



Cap Toe Ravello on Modified last

Spoiler

Your Ravello Cap Toe boots look terrific!

NYC Tanker x Misterfreedom Sportman Slacks

Spoiler

Your Color 8 Tankers are looking superb! Enjoy them.

here's my alden collection

Spoiler

back row (from left) color 8 plain toe boot / anatomica via seconds, suede LWB on crepe / alden DC, black calf shortwing commando / alden of carmel front row (from left) color 8 LWB waterloc sole / leffot via seconds, red-ish cigar LWB / alden of carmel second, whiskey shortwing / alden DC I wear the boot, cigar LWB, and suede LWB the most, but hoping to get a new job where I'll wear them all more often

You have a great looking collection my friend. You have done well via the seconds list! -Mike

 

[Watchman1]

Hi All,

The Dundee is a fine shoe...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kahuna75

The shell is finished better also. I will agree with you the three eyelet design of the dundee is superior to the alden model.

IMO, (take it for what its worth...) the Dundee is one of the only shoes that AE makes that is comparable and maybe even a little better than Alden.

The Alden will definitely be finished better and more sturdy in overall design. But, as others have noted that Alden Cigar Chukka is typically not available.

The Dundee has the 3 eyelets and is on the 1 last, which is a little more aesthetically pleasing IMO. And it is available.

One thing you can do and has already been suggested, is buy the Dundee and wait on a list for the Alden. When the Alden comes, sell the Dundee on B&S...

In all seriousness, the Dundee is a great boot!

Thanks.