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

[NYDRH]

Taste is a strange thing. I actually like the look, which is why I have been considering them for my next Alden purchase. I'm primarily business casual and I like how they allow you to take a very sharp shoe and make it appropriate for an outfit that is a step or two down from wearing a suit. I think I prefer commando's for the same reason. The look doesn't concern me. My reason for asking is because I wanted to make sure there wasn't something functional I was missing.

Thanks for the response.

On Friday docalden posted some shot of a new acquisition on crepe, and he noted his pleasant surprise. I think functionally they are great, comfortable, grippy and there is a nice bounce in the heel (which i appreciate on days like today where I'd prefer walking 20 blocks rather than get in train). I don't notice a clicking sound either as was mentioned earlier.

I'm a convert for sure, when I first saw a shot of them online my immediate reaction was "why?" particularly when coupled with the moniker "all weather walker" which sounds like to me like a marketing catch phrase from '50's aimed at the 75 and over consumer doing laps at the local mall in the mornings.

All kidding aside I think if you go for it, you'll be happy you did.

 

[tifosi]

4060 captoes again today. I enjoy cooler weather even more, now!

 

[MoneyWellSpent]

A question this morning for the faithful. Which Horween leather is tougher for just knocking around, CXL or shell cordovan?

I would say that cordovan is tougher. It just depends on how badly you want to beat up a pricey cordovan shoe/boot, I would say. If I had unlimited resources, I would have cordovan for beating up on.

Depends on what you mean by tough. Cordovan is usually a stiffer leather. Remember, Horween CXL is used in shoes such as boat shoes which demand a softer leather. That said, CXL is very durable, can be water treated with stuff like Montanta pitch blend, and I think feels better for just "knocking around."

I agree with the others that it depends on what is meant by "tough." Technically, the denser the fiber mat structure of the leather, the longer lasting it should be. Also, the thicker the piece of leather, the more durable it should be. Shell is far denser than CXL, but it may or may not be thicker. There is a lot of variance in the thickness of shell.

In the end, I would still put my money on shell as being tougher. The question is, which leather are you more prone to baby vs. beat-up? I'd wager that it would be easier to "let it go" and allow your CXL to get more beat up.

 

[Don L]

#8 WT Boot from AOC

 

[Alcibiades]

Nice boots, Don L - I have a pair preordered. How often do you wear them?

On another note, so many unworn Leffot Alden boots (color 8 tankers, naval boots, etc) are popping up on eBay for $850-$875 lately. It looks like guys are preordering these boots and attempting to flip them for 100 bucks or so on eBay.
1) I'm not seeing many of these auctions actually price for that much
2) Is it worth it to really make $50 or so on these after eBay and PayPal fees?

 

[BeSpiffington]

MWS, I don't baby my shoes at all, I just wear them. I ask the question because I'm looking for a go to winter/work wherever, and whatever, I end up doing regardless of conditions boot that's totally comfortable and requires minimal care. I'm trying to decide between the Epaulet Innsbruck Indy and the TSM #8 Indy, both of which are on commando soles. Today I'm using this thread to help me decide how many paychecks ahead I need to plan before winter inundates us here in Minnesnowta. Thanks everyone for all the input.

 

[MrDV]

suede ptb x jcrew

 

[sazon]

I know I posted a few pix last night, but I love these so much that I had to wear them today and wanted to share a few shots. One in the natural light (through a window) and one with no direct light.

 

[tifosi]



MWS, I don't baby my shoes at all, I just wear them. I ask the question because I'm looking for a go to winter/work wherever, and whatever, I end up doing regardless of conditions boot that's totally comfortable and requires minimal care. I'm trying to decide between the Epaulet Innsbruck Indy and the TSM #8 Indy, both of which are on commando soles. Today I'm using this thread to help me decide how many paychecks ahead I need to plan before winter inundates us here in Minnesnowta. Thanks everyone for all the input.

Be, I though about using my incoming #8 Indys from JGilbert for the same purpose. I have 2 shell boots, now and another on order which I did not think I would have when I placed the pre-order for the Indys. I can use the other 3 pairs the same as I was intending to use the Indys. Two captoe are a little dressier and the #8 tanker from Leffot is a bit more casual and I can use it in place of the Indys. I may use the Indys as my daily boots instead of spending another $488 on a pair of CXL Indys. The #8 are on commando and with a little waterproofing should be some awesome daily boots IMHO.

 

[katch]

Quote:
Every time i see this boot my jaw drops. I have the Jcrew boots and the RL Lindrick and these are the ones that I drool over time and time again. Enjoy

 

[BeSpiffington]



I may use the Indys as my daily boots instead of spending another $488 on a pair of CXL Indys. The #8 are on commando and with a little waterproofing should be some awesome daily boots IMHO.

tifosi, this is kind of exactly how I was trying to rationalize the price, read investment, of the TSM #8 Indy's. I've already got the Crew pct's and the Leffot #8 Naval boots, both really nice, but I wouldn't use either one for just running out the door. You know, shovel a little snow, go grocery shopping, pick up the kids, walk the dog, and other vicariously idiotic treadmill activities one is called upon to do throughout the day.

 

[tifosi]



tifosi, this is kind of exactly how I was trying to rationalize the price, read investment, of the TSM #8 Indy's. I've already got the Crew pct's and the Leffot #8 Naval boots, both really nice, but I wouldn't use either one for just running out the door. You know, shovel a little snow, go grocery shopping, pick up the kids, walk the dog, and other vicariously idiotic treadmill activities one is called upon to do throughout the day.

I agree, Be. Writing that response to your post basically made up my mind, actually. I don't see any reason to spend the extra $$ on a CXL Indy when I have a shell Indy. Some Alden defender (or similar) and something to protect the welt/sole edge and I think I'll be good to go.

 

[Alcibiades]



tifosi, this is kind of exactly how I was trying to rationalize the price, read investment, of the TSM #8 Indy's. I've already got the Crew pct's and the Leffot #8 Naval boots, both really nice, but I wouldn't use either one for just running out the door. You know, shovel a little snow, go grocery shopping, pick up the kids, walk the dog, and other vicariously idiotic treadmill activities one is called upon to do throughout the day.

All your color 8 Indy boots would need over time would be brushing and maybe some Venetian Shoe Cream and Leather Defender occasionally. I've thought about a "beater" cordovan boot like that for a while. I may actually move my Color 8 tankers to this type of duty....

 

[tifosi]



All your color 8 Indy boots would need over time would be brushing and maybe some Venetian Shoe Cream and Leather Defender occasionally. I've thought about a "beater" cordovan boot like that for a while. I may actually move my Color 8 tankers to this type of duty....

Alcibiades, what would you suggest for the welt area?

 

[MoneyWellSpent]

MWS, I don't baby my shoes at all, I just wear them. I ask the question because I'm looking for a go to winter/work wherever, and whatever, I end up doing regardless of conditions boot that's totally comfortable and requires minimal care. I'm trying to decide between the Epaulet Innsbruck Indy and the TSM #8 Indy, both of which are on commando soles. Today I'm using this thread to help me decide how many paychecks ahead I need to plan before winter inundates us here in Minnesnowta. Thanks everyone for all the input.

I don't baby my shoes either, and didn't mean to insinuate that you do. I was simply using that possibility as a reason to tip the scale in one direction or the other. Babying shell is rather popular, so I wasn't going to be surprised if you leaned in that direction, and I don't try to remember who does and who doesn't.