The Official Alden Thread for 2017 - Share Reviews, Sizing, Advice, and Photos.

[M635Guy]

Natural Chromexcel is like Whiskey very subject to being different shades, particularly at their start. They vary from a Cream-ish color to a Graycast Brown. It is just a feature of being an undyed color.

-Mike

Interesting. Is "Whiskey" Alden-speak for glazed natural shell?

 

[mdubs]

No. Whiskey is an official color from Horween. It is glazed and distinct from Natural.

-Mike

 

[peppercorn78]



Interesting.  Is "Whiskey" Alden-speak for glazed natural shell?

Whiskey is dyed. It's an actual color. Natural or saddle is undyed

 

[TexasTexter]

Interesting. Is "Whiskey" Alden-speak for glazed natural shell?

Seems tantamount to Allen Edmonds Natural or Walnut to me. Doesn't Alden treat their shell though with proprietary ingredients?

 

[mdubs]



Seems tantamount to Allen Edmonds Natural or Walnut to me.  Doesn't Alden treat their shell though with proprietary ingredients?

Yes, but Whiskey is a legitimate Horween Color. Allen Edmonds does not own the Natural color like I have heard they do the Walnut Shell Color and Alden owns the Ravello and Cigar Colors. Alden does add a resin to their Shell.

-Mike

 

[mdubs]



Interested that you mention that. This is a common problem I have with loafers, I suppose they should be sized based on my long arch length.

Unfortunately the common half down is far to small. Toes touching the end and sides, and from what I know shell won't stretch.

Loafers are a 3 Dimensional fitting problem. You can not compensate fit by tying laces looser or tighter on them. So I am not surprised that some size differently.

-Mike

 

[TexasTexter]

Interested that you mention that. This is a common problem I have with loafers, I suppose they should be sized based on my long arch length.

Unfortunately the common half down is far to small. Toes touching the end and sides, and from what I know shell won't stretch.

maybe go up a width?

 

[M635Guy]

Those look lighter to me...I was expecting the color of my AE Higgins Mill.



Is it supposed to be darker with Alden?

AE chooses a very "golden" shade of CXL, which is a shame. I like my natty CXL Academys, but wish they were a more Alden-esque shade of CXL.

You're going to love what they become (and IMHO those are a much better starting point than any HM I've ever seen) - be patient.

 

[ScarsdaleVibe]

Yes, but Whiskey is a legitimate Horween Color. Allen Edmonds does not own the Natural color like I have heard they do the Walnut Shell Color and Alden owns the Ravello and Cigar Colors. Alden does add a resin to their Shell.

-Mike

Funny, because based on your posts I'd've assumed you owned all those yourself

 

[peppercorn78]



Funny, because based on your posts I'd've assumed you owned all those yourself

He doesn't own them, but as the Mayor, he levies a hefty tax...

 

[TexasTexter]

He doesn't own them, but as the Mayor, he levies a hefty tax...

Or he's secretly a private Alden investor. LOL

 

[Kahuna75]

my Van size seems to be 1/2 size down from TTS...i do wish it had a touch more pinky toe room. Some day will try a 12.5e loafer to see how that fits.

 

[RuleOfRescue]

Fellas,

Black Alden shell cordovan question.

After a long long (perhaps typical for Alden black shell?) preorder wait time and acceptance that the edge was not antique as ordered, I was hitting my stride with these (http://epauletnewyork.com/products/alden-x-epaulet-black-shell-cordovan-ryden-boot) and feeling good about long term potential. I've worn them ≈6x in fairly typical NYC weather, sans salt from winter storms. Always used a long shoe horn, always with shoe trees, etc.

When putting them on this last week I noticed a distinct "wear spot" on the tongue of the boot - see pictures below. It is as if something "ate" through the a layer of black dye revealing a different tone leather beneath. Perhaps the underlying (undyed?) cordovan?

Question is, what (if anything) should be done? I was thinking of slapping on some black alden wax paste and wearing onwards. Is it worth bringing by the Alden Madison Ave store? I've heard Alden customer service of late has been lacking. This is a minimal blemish on an otherwise beautiful boot, but...I expect a bit more from Alden if this is a defect. I'd be in quite a twit if this was on the vamp or shoe exterior.

Any thoughts? Much appreciated!

 

[TexasTexter]

Fellas,

Black Alden shell cordovan question.

After a long long (perhaps typical for Alden black shell?) preorder wait time and acceptance that the edge was not antique as ordered, I was hitting my stride with these (http://epauletnewyork.com/products/alden-x-epaulet-black-shell-cordovan-ryden-boot) and feeling good about long term potential. I've worn them ≈6x in fairly typical NYC weather, sans salt from winter storms. Always used a long shoe horn, always with shoe trees, etc.

When putting them on this last week I noticed a distinct "wear spot" on the tongue of the boot - see pictures below. It is as if something "ate" through the a layer of black dye revealing a different tone leather beneath. Perhaps the underlying (undyed?) cordovan?

Question is, what (if anything) should be done? I was thinking of slapping on some black alden wax paste and wearing onwards. Is it worth bringing by the Alden Madison Ave store? I've heard Alden customer service of late has been lacking. This is a minimal blemish on an otherwise beautiful boot, but...I expect a bit more from Alden if this is a defect. I'd be in quite a twit if this was on the vamp or shoe exterior.

Any thoughts? Much appreciated!

Ouch!

 

[metranger8694]

@RuleOfRescue

Is that from wear from the inside of the eyelet?