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

[rydenfan]



nephew,
that is interesting, do you find this issue on all your barrie last boots. I have had the experience in which trying on a shoe the first pair does not fit right and then the second pair fits properly. if you can get to a brick and mortar store try on a boot going up a half size

Uncle,
It is actually an issue of width. The 8D fits me perfectly on Barrie lasted shoes. However the D in Barrie boots has become quite snug across the top of my foot.
I tried a 7.5E but in hour two of your break-in method determined that this fit was not correct. I am concerned if I move to an 8E it will be too big though. In speaking with Leffot they mentioned that a lot if customers have moved out one width lately in Barrie boots compared to Barrie shoes. So I was curious if you (or anyone else) had this same experience.

 

[ReppTiePrepster]

I'd be happy to.

The Alden for BB suede captoe blucher ( straight tip), shell captoe blucher ( straight tip), and shell captoe bal (perf tip) are all on the Snap last. I am 100% certain of this. I own them all. The Snap is one of my favorite Alden lasts.

The Alden factory shell captoe blucher (straight tip) and shell captoe blucher (straight tip with medallion toe) are on the Aberdeen. I own those models too. The Alden factory shell captoe bal (perf tip and straight tip) is on the Hampton (I have tried on the perf tip and used to own the straight tip).

Your Alden for BB shell captoe bluchers (straight tip with medallion toe), which have not been offered by BB for retail sale in recent years as I recall, are indeed on the Aberdeen. And they also are literally the same as the Alden factory shell captoe blucher ( straight tip with medallion toe) - to the point that they carry the same exact model number - 2145.

I wish BB would list the lasts on their website. But then again they don't even list that they are made by Alden .....

I stand corrected. Thank you SevenFTG!

 

[Alcibiades]



Uncle,
It is actually an issue of width. The 8D fits me perfectly on Barrie lasted shoes. However the D in Barrie boots has become quite snug across the top of my foot.
I tried a 7.5E but in hour two of your break-in method determined that this fit was not correct. I am concerned if I move to an 8E it will be too big though. In speaking with Leffot they mentioned that a lot if customers have moved out one width lately in Barrie boots compared to Barrie shoes. So I was curious if you (or anyone else) had this same experience.

All Barrie lasted boots I have ever owned fit narrower than Barrie lasted shoes in the same size. I had to sell several 10D boots (Color 8 and Ravello captoes come to mind) due to this issue as they were basically not wearable. I wear 9.5E in both Barrie boots and shoes, but the boots do fit narrower (particularly my tanker boot).

 

[mcarthur]



I'd be happy to.

The Alden for BB suede captoe blucher ( straight tip), shell captoe blucher ( straight tip), and shell captoe bal (perf tip) are all on the Snap last. I am 100% certain of this. I own them all. The Snap is one of my favorite Alden lasts.

The Alden factory shell captoe blucher (straight tip) and shell captoe blucher (straight tip with medallion toe) are on the Aberdeen. I own those models too. The Alden factory shell captoe bal (perf tip and straight tip) is on the Hampton (I have tried on the perf tip and used to own the straight tip).

Your Alden for BB shell captoe bluchers (straight tip with medallion toe), which have not been offered by BB for retail sale in recent years as I recall, are indeed on the Aberdeen. And they also are literally the same as the Alden factory shell captoe blucher ( straight tip with medallion toe) - to the point that they carry the same exact model number - 2145.

I wish BB would list the lasts on their website. But then again they don't even list that they are made by Alden .....

nephew,
thank you for the info

 

[mcarthur]



Uncle,
It is actually an issue of width. The 8D fits me perfectly on Barrie lasted shoes. However the D in Barrie boots has become quite snug across the top of my foot.
I tried a 7.5E but in hour two of your break-in method determined that this fit was not correct. I am concerned if I move to an 8E it will be too big though. In speaking with Leffot they mentioned that a lot if customers have moved out one width lately in Barrie boots compared to Barrie shoes. So I was curious if you (or anyone else) had this same experience.

nephew,
I have tried going up a half size in the barrie last but it did not work for me (to loose). I have done this in the store when trying on the boots. Try it and ascertain the results. It is possible that the boot in the barrie last does not work for you

 

[mcarthur]

#8 NST saddle
argyles otc

 

[Papa Doble]



Uncle,
It is actually an issue of width. The 8D fits me perfectly on Barrie lasted shoes. However the D in Barrie boots has become quite snug across the top of my foot.
I tried a 7.5E but in hour two of your break-in method determined that this fit was not correct. I am concerned if I move to an 8E it will be too big though. In speaking with Leffot they mentioned that a lot if customers have moved out one width lately in Barrie boots compared to Barrie shoes. So I was curious if you (or anyone else) had this same experience.

I've tried on the Alden for JCrew perf cap toe boot in 11 D, and own Leffot tanker boots in 11 D. 11 D fits pleasantly snug in both of these models, and I could not go down to an 11 C.

Without question, both of these boots fit smaller than an 11 D barrie shoe, which convinced me to try on 10.5 D and 11 C barrie shoes. I determined that 11 C fits better, and about the same as the above two boots, so in my experience barrie high* boots run a size narrow. I do not yet own any barrie shoes, but will soon.

* Note that I once tried on an 11 D barrie chukka, and these fit even bigger than an 11 D barrie shoe, to the point that I thought they might be an 11.5 D that was mismarked.

For reference, I also recently picked up a pair of unlined suede Leydon chukkas in 11.5 D that seem to fit well (I do not need an E width). I went with 11.5 D based on the guideline to go up one size in both length and width from your barrie size for the Leydon. This perhaps further reinforces that my barrie shoe size is 11 C.

 

[chipshot]



nephew,
thank you
the tassels are on the aberdeen last which is the most difficult last to fit properly

Because of the added length .. Jim of Alden SF suggests on the slip on's Aberdeen last tassels go down 1/2 from Van and Barrie. I have a low volume foot so this might work for me. The Aberdeen tie model he suggests TTS. Wondering what Uncles take is on this staple shoe sizing?

 

[Don L]

I go up 1/2 in Aberdeen due to narrow-ness

 

[MoneyWellSpent]

Howdy all! Another one of my recent pickups... Cigar Captoe Balmorals.

I haven't yet put them on a foot and will post some more pictures of them in use soon, but here is a preview. Someone asked for an "in the wild shot" and this is as close as they have gotten so far.

From the ShoeMart (incase Bootmaker Edition doesn't give it away). Enjoy!

Those are beautiful.

 

[MoneyWellSpent]

PSA: The one-piece Horoween shell belts are now available for sale on their site

link - http://horween.bigcartel.com

Every time I go to that website, I am reminded about those Handsewn Chromexcel Oxfords (sold out). How the heck did those only cost $50.00?

 

[Yaniel]



The AE chili edge dressing applied to Alden's antique edging will make it slightly darker with a hint of red. Level of shine is determined in large part form the way in which one applies said dressing (wiping off excess shortly after application reduces the shine - i recommend this route).

Using the chili dressing produces the look i personally prefer, and I use it on numerous Alden models - whiskey, ravello, cigar, snuff suede.

I have walnut polish as well as chili edge dressing so I'll compare them both.

Do you have any experience with Allen Edmonds Natural edge dressing? I have a pair of natty cxl PTBs that I need to do the edges on too and really don't want to add color any color to them, but just protect them.

 

[aldenwear]

Every time I go to that website, I am reminded about those Handsewn Chromexcel Oxfords (sold out). How the heck did those only cost $50.00?

There was only one of them and they were mock up. I suspect they were wearable, but may not have been ready for prime time.

 

[MoneyWellSpent]

I have walnut polish as well as chili edge dressing so I'll compare them both.

Do you have any experience with Allen Edmonds Natural edge dressing? I have a pair of natty cxl PTBs that I need to do the edges on too and really don't want to add color any color to them, but just protect them.

It sounds like the natural edge dressing is exactly what you are looking for then. It is perfect for sealing the leather, and adds a nice sheen to the sole and heel edges while not altering the original color of the leather. I use it on my shoes with a natural welt and think it looks great.

 

[MoneyWellSpent]

There was only one of them and they were mock up. I suspect they were wearable, but may not have been ready for prime time.

Ahh, that makes more sense. I didn't see them until they were already sold out, so I didn't know the background on them.