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

[MrDV]



Isn't it PatrickB who is also able to get mirror-like shines on his shell?  If not for him, I would also be as skeptical as you.


+1

You are right, Patrickb is a pro.

 

[aldenwear]

If you are handy you can make a " tongue trap" if you are able or willing you will need to cut a piece of thin leather and punch a couple small holes. If interested I will post a how to

I would be grateful for a "how to" if you would be willing to do it. Thank you.

 

[Resistant]

Congressman David L. Dilbeck Method

Erb Crandal:: Why are you all shiny?

Congressman David Dilbeck: It's Vaseline.

Erb Crandal:: Oh. Oh! It's Vaseline.

Congressman David Dilbeck: You've never covered yourself with Vaseline?

Erb Crandal:: No, no, not unless I have third-degree burns. No.

Congressman David Dilbeck: You don't know what you're missing. I've got it all over. It's down in my boots. I can feel it squishing between my toes.

​

Stick with Mac Method

 

[mediahound]

Frankly, I'm awfully tempted to try Lexol on my older shells:

Really impressed with lexol for dry shell

 

[Resistant]

I saw the tongue trainer before, worth a try if you say it works. I did not want to stitch the side of the boot to hold the thing in place as is exampled somewhere on this thread.

I will check with my cobbler about a tack stitch to keep it in place but I did want to avoid that since he is an Alden dealer and the boots are purchased elsewhere.

Overall I will try the trainer first. Surprisingly a pad under the tongue did not work



Quote:
Truth is spoken here.

Avoid the "oh ****" moment I had when I picked-up shoes and was asked by the leather guy what kind of leather is that

grease covered **** show drenched in dust for only $4 and a line of beautiful women out the door; I have no idea what goes on there, my shoe guy fixed them for free

 

[Shawnc]



Chasing uncle Mac's shine is like trying to catch a unicorn sliding down a double rainbow. It is not going to happen. The man cheats. He employs a team of oompa loompas who brush and buff 24/7. In addition, his rotation allows him to wear each pair a handful of times a year. (I was trying to be funny, except for the last sentence)

For regular upkeep I wipe w damp cloth, brush each shoe 7-10 mins, quick buff w old cotton tshirt.

To bring back the pop in used and abused shell,
I brush a lot, apply little saphir renovator with my finger, brush a lot again, use very very very little kiwi, brush a lot again, quick buff w cotton tshirt.

I recommend you take care of your own shoes, most shoe shine places have no clue how to treat shell.

I started shining my own shoes about a year ago. It was tough initially but now I don't mind it. And I like the results much better. Rarely do I go to a shoe shine place anymore. I must confess though that these were shined once at a shoe shine shop, before I knew what shell meant. They were so dull that I shined them myself as soon as I got home. I definitely agree with your statement.

As for the advice, your method makes sense to me. I've got some Saphir on the way (with the dear bone) and once it arrives, I will give your method a try. Thanks for the tips and advice.

 

[hoit1981]



Leather Sole recently had a few pairs left of their Brown CXL NST boot

Yeah I saw them but I would need a 12.5 or 13 depending on last. I guess I'll give them a jingle and see if I can get on a pre-order - it's a great looking makeup!

 

[static age]

1. I am looking to buy the lined, barrie-lasted, snuff suede bluchers from Need Supply, but I need some direction with sizing.

Current shoes that fit well:
BB straight tips, #8, 9.5D
Jumper boots, CXL, 9D

2. Is there a consensus on whether Nano Protector alters either the color or the hand of the suede?

Always appreciate the guidance!

 

[Numbernine]

Ok guys I realized a pic is worth a thousand words . It helps if you dampen the base of the tongue throughly the first wearing but not necessary.I use it for@ 20 wearings . Anybody wants one Ill send it to you on a first come basis

 

[El Argentino]



Frankly, I'm awfully tempted to try Lexol on my older shells:

PatrickBooth swears by Lexol - says it's the only thing that really nourishes the leather deep down. He's of the opinion that Reno really only cleans and brightens the surface. Not sure I totally buy that yet, but photos like this lead me to believe PB.

After seeing that, I'll probably be purchasing a little thing of Lexol just to have on hand.

Ok guys I realized a pic is worth a thousand words . It helps if you dampen the base of the tongue throughly the first wearing but not necessary.I use it for@ 20 wearings . Anybody wants one Ill send it to you on a first come basis

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

This is a great looking idea. Ingenious.

 

[WiredandTired]



Chasing uncle Mac's shine is like trying to catch a unicorn sliding down a double rainbow. It is not going to happen. The man cheats. He employs a team of oompa loompas who brush and buff 24/7. In addition, his rotation allows him to wear each pair a handful of times a year. (I was trying to be funny, except for the last sentence)

For regular upkeep I wipe w damp cloth, brush each shoe 7-10 mins, quick buff w old cotton tshirt.

To bring back the pop in used and abused shell,
I brush a lot, apply little saphir renovator with my finger, brush a lot again, use very very very little kiwi, brush a lot again, quick buff w cotton tshirt.

I recommend you take care of your own shoes, most shoe shine places have no clue how to treat shell.

Don't think Mac would let somebody else touch his Aldens. I am of the opinion he has forearms like Popeye and Arnie's biceps from his signature method.

 

[kwhitelaw]

Does anyone know of a retailer with CXL (either natural or brown) NST boots in stock or with a pre-order?

maaaaaaay get lucky at LS. i got a pair of natural nst boots there awhile back. not a very popular model, might still have some stock

 

[hoit1981]



maaaaaaay get lucky at LS. i got a pair of natural nst boots there awhile back. not a very popular model, might still have some stock

No luck. Was told they didn't have any in my size and there are no pre-orders due to Alden's 20+ month wait times.

I'm trying to figure out what the Tanker style number is - is it 4020?

 

[MrGuy]

As promised, natty cxl tassels from BB. Procured during most recent sale. Loving them. Paired with j crew bowery oxford cloth. Loving these pants too. Other than my Alden's, favorite recentclothing purchase

 

[BeSpiffington]

^^^ MrGuy, great looking tassels sir! ^^^