***The official Alden thread *** Share enthusiasm, reviews, sizing, advice, and photos.

Originally Posted by rick

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my alden shoe collection.

back row left to right
cigar longwingn shell
#8 longwing shell
nst calf
suede captoe
ptb cigar shell
black captoe shell

Originally Posted by rick

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my alden boot collection

back row left to right

nst shell #8
nst black calf
scotch grain burgandy
af84 wingtip brown calf
jcrew indy
wingtip black calf.


Nice collection, but you need some shoe trees!!!

Originally Posted by rebel222

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Nice collection, but you need some shoe trees!!!

i know is it to late.

Originally Posted by mechanical pencil

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Hey all,

I just got some new Alden chukkas in brown calf and the leather on the sides of the shoes seems really "wrinkled." Am I just being super picky or do these look kind of odd?
I have a pair of wingtips that have that. I never noticed it until this post but now I do. The location makes it a non-issue on my opinion, unless you are going to wear them with shorts?

Even then I doubt anyone would notice.

Originally Posted by bananananana

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That's bullshit if they're new from a store. Return them.

I'm not even sure how they wrinkled like that. I've never seen the sides of shoes to get wrinkled like that even from daily wear.
I have a pair of calf wingtips that did that. Not seconds either. Now I will probably notice this on all my shoes.

Originally Posted by gnatty8

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Crosspost, black pebble grain gunboats:

Shell:
I love the pebble grain's and may pick up another pair if I can get them on sale.

Originally Posted by arrow

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Another good release on LeatherSoul website... check it out.
Very nice!

Originally Posted by gnatty8

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I e-mailed Alden customer service asking where I could buy replacements and they sent me 3 pair in the mail gratis, you may want to do the same..
Yeah, I do not see the point in getting free laces if I did not like the originals. I need to get some that I like. Also I may go with a different color.

Originally Posted by RFX45

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Alden Ravello Shell Cordovan Hunting Boots

Yeah, those are ridiculous.

Originally Posted by Fiddy

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Just received my first pair of Alden boots -- these are the Aviators from Orvis.
Those are horrible. Just horrible!

(J/K, I really like those.)

Originally Posted by DrZRM

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Picked these up recently. Suede wingtips on Barrie. I tried one narrower than usual as well as sizing down 1/2 size and I like the fit, though I have to wear them with thin dress socks.
Very nice. Very versatile. I would not go narrower next time IMHO.

Originally Posted by mikesduc

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anyone have experince wth wome wearing alden? my wife wants a pair of LW's or the new boot on LS and she wears 8D womens. Thoughts?
Reall,y I am not sure how I feel about Alden becoming a women's shoe.

Originally Posted by rick

Click to expand...

my alden shoe collection.

back row left to right
cigar longwingn shell
#8 longwing shell
nst calf
suede captoe
ptb cigar shell
black captoe shell

Originally Posted by rick

Click to expand...

my alden boot collection

back row left to right

nst shell #8
nst black calf
scotch grain burgandy
af84 wingtip brown calf
jcrew indy
wingtip black calf.
Nice! Your Indy's look a little more worn than I would have expected for such a new release?

Originally Posted by rick

Click to expand...

my alden shoe collection.

back row left to right
cigar longwingn shell
#8 longwing shell
nst calf
suede captoe
ptb cigar shell
black captoe shell

is it to late for shoe trees

Originally Posted by rick

Click to expand...

my alden boot collection

back row left to right

nst shell #8
nst black calf
scotch grain burgandy
af84 wingtip brown calf
jcrew indy
wingtip black calf.

same question is it to late for shoe trees

Originally Posted by rick

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is it to late for shoe trees
I would say no. Especially if you are going to get them re-crafted. Even one or two pairs rotated would make a huge difference.

rick you an inspiration to us all

Originally Posted by Ahab

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I would say no. Especially if you are going to get them re-crafted. Even one or two pairs rotated would make a huge difference.

thanks

Originally Posted by jet

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rick you an inspiration to us all

thanks i want those ravello hunting boots from tassels they are out of my size. damm

Originally Posted by Ahab

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Very nice. Very versatile. I would not go narrower next time IMHO.
Yeah, I agree. When I recraft, I'll look into Alden putting them on a wider last (apparently they can do this with most shoes). I got them for a steal and figured I'd see how much play I had with sizing. I can certainly wear them as they are, but I'd prefer a D to the C. Rick, it's never too late for shoe trees. They will not make your shoes look new again, but they should help. The point of the tree is that after you wear the shoe all day and it is a bit damp from sweat and creased, It allows the shoe to dry more in its original shape, rather than just drying creased. That's why it's more important to use trees as soon as you take of the shoe for 24-48 hours than it is to store them long term. Once they dry, they are not going to crease on their own. Start with 2-4 sets of trees, see how much of a change you see. The more you have the more convenient it is (you are not always pulling out other shoes to get trees for what you are wearing) but you will certainly see results with just a few pairs. A collection that nice certainly deserves decent trees. Edit: Oh, and FWIW, I generally don't tree my Indys unless I get them wet in the weather. They look BETTER broken in and worn hard, I'm not fighting with the creases, I think they look better set.

rick-

Its definitely not too late for shoe trees. Cordovan shoes will always get some creases, but shoes trees also help absorb moisture which will prolong the life of the shoes.

EDIT- DrZRM beat me to it.

Yeah, ditto above info, and just remember that it's not just about appearances (controlling creasing) but more importantly about prolonging the life of the interior of the shoes. Interior damage is damage that typically can't be fixed during recrafting or otherwise. DRZRM, I'd start treeing those indys for that very reason.

Random Alden pics,