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

[HorseHide]

Originally Posted by Tcameron

I, like anyone else with eyes, love these and the've been sold out for awhile. People are practically crying on the blog for more. Any ideas where I can get something similar? Love the color on these.

I know nothing about them (and I'm not sure they are "something similar") but I just saw these:

http://www.hipleeds.com/loake+bedale...boot-9672.html

 

[interlockingny]

Originally Posted by bond14

Question for the forum: If I am an 8.5 E in the Tru Balance, do you think I would be an 8.5 E in the Barrie last?

Any help is appreciated......

That's tough. I have found TruBalance to be a wider last than the Barrie. While the Barrie last offer more room in length, IMO.

That being said, 8.5E on the Barrie last should work for you. 8.5EE may be a bit too wide.

 

[enigma77]

Originally Posted by phantomx48

Wow, those look almost like Whiskey! They are definitely a lot lighter than my Ravello boots. Wonder if putting them in the sun will get them looking like that quicker? Anyone want to chime in?

Leaving shoes out in the sun I've heard is not a great idea. To get it looking naturally like that, or whatever your desired result is, you just have to wear them, I think. Leaving them out in the sun won't give a realistic impression of age because they haven't been on your feet as much. Also, I've heard that it can dry out leather if done too long. Not sure about that from personal experience though.

Originally Posted by jet

^really like those anybody have them in stock? look like barrie

I'd call LS or Leffot. With both of them, you never quite know what they have in stock. Epaulet has that model up for preorder (theirs has all eyelets, no hooks), but delivery is not until August.

 

[meadowstyle]

Originally Posted by LeatherSOUL

Yeah pretty much. It is justified though-inflation, increased cost of production-wage increases (employees are in a union), increased cost of materials-especially leather, etc.

Back in 2000 when I was selling Alden at a part time job, shell cordovan was $375.

So those $475 Indys are $525 in March 2012.

And those shell boots are $690 in March 2012.

I guess it's time to stock up.......

 

[Tcameron]

sellran - Sorry mate - I'm an 11D - But I may look at those ravello's more seriously.

HorseHide - Not really into those, just my personal taste, but thank you for the suggestion.

Originally Posted by sellran

I have a pair in 10D I've only worn a few times (the weather has been terrible). I'd be willing to sell to purchase another pair of shoes (been lusting after a pair of ravello boots recently). They are beautiful!

Originally Posted by HorseHide

I know nothing about them (and I'm not sure they are "something similar") but I just saw these:

http://www.hipleeds.com/loake+bedale...boot-9672.html

 

[dfagdfsh]

yo I am an 11d sell me your aldenz

 

[framus]

QUOTE I have found TruBalance to be a wider last than the Barrie. While the Barrie last offer more room in length, IMO.

That being said, 8.5E on the Barrie last should work for you. 8.5EE may be a bit too wide. UNQUOTE

Agree with above statement as I have two shell boots, one in Trubalance and Barrie. The problem with needing a Barrie in E width is that many of the rarer models only come in D width, so you are risking getting something too tight in width.

 

[WhatAboutBob]

Anyone have any advice or should I start a new thread? Sorry to be a bother - thanks!

Originally Posted by WhatAboutBob

At the beginning of December, I bought a pair of Indy 405 Kuro's from a local Cambridge MA retailer. They're 11D, a little big, but are really comfortable. So comfortable, I bought a pair of seconds from TSM in the 405 brown and hoping to someday get a pair of them in cigar (or another Alden boot)

I just noticed over the weekend that I am having a little separation between the vibram sole and the sole that the welt attaches to the shoe (if that's the correct terminology - it's definitely below the welt). I'm sure they can reglue it easily enough, I'm just concerned that with the recent weather, snow and water from puddles may have got between the top of the vibram sole and the bottom of the leather (or whatever it is) that it is glued to. I'm not concerned about what it looks like, because it will be reglued, I just don't want any rot to the footbed or underside of the uppers.

Is this something the retail shop will farm out to a cobbler or will these travel 40 miles or so back to Alden for them to repair?

Being so new, should I be entitled to a new pair or a refund?

I did not beat on them, I wear them to work in an office and outside in the snowstorm. I used a snowblower to clear 99% of the 2 feet of snow,

I'm a little shocked that they had an issue so quickly for a pair of $435 boot.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[borderline]

Originally Posted by WhatAboutBob

Anyone have any advice or should I start a new thread? Sorry to be a bother - thanks!

I would start by taking them back to the retailer and see what they say.

 

[TheWGP]

Originally Posted by meadowstyle

So those $475 Indys are $525 in March 2012.

And those shell boots are $690 in March 2012.

Not complaining about the increases, the economy is what it is and nobody can help it. This isn't that kind of post.

On the larger scale, though, do those of you with far more shoe experience/sales than I think there's a point at which it has to stop, or something has to change? Sure, EG's or JL's or G&G's are far more expensive at retail, (unless you buy from Tom on clearance

) but I think we can all agree that Alden's methods and quality differ from those top-tier brands in several ways. Not looking to debate or argue minute details - they're just different products beyond the basic fact that they're all men's shoes.

Seriously though, if 5% keeps being the norm, rounding up most years and down a few, it looks like in March of 2020 those shell boots will hit about $1020. Sure, that's a ways down the road yet, but is there a limit to it? Sure, prices will increase as long as the customer base will bear it, but what speculation do you have as to how far the base will bear it or what changes will have to happen, given current manufacturing and sales strategies/methods?

 

[jet]

Originally Posted by enigma77

I'd call LS or Leffot. With both of them, you never quite know what they have in stock. Epaulet has that model up for preorder (theirs has all eyelets, no hooks), but delivery is not until August.

thanks bro

currently getting pebble grain cap toes then cigar lw before i do those

 

[AlanC]

Originally Posted by TheWGP

Seriously though, if 5% keeps being the norm, rounding up most years and down a few, it looks like in March of 2020 those shell boots will hit about $1020.

Solution: Stock up now!

 

[TheWGP]

Originally Posted by AlanC

Solution: Stock up now!

Oh, I'm trying - I'm more interested in the sort of academic/theoretical sense of the question. Like I said, I'm not complaining about it - it just piqued my curiosity.

 

[geoffmartin17]

Originally Posted by AlanC

Solution: Stock up now!

Yes - i often buy extras of a really good shoe if i know i will want another backup!

 

[geoffmartin17]

Originally Posted by TheWGP

Oh, I'm trying - I'm more interested in the sort of academic/theoretical sense of the question. Like I said, I'm not complaining about it - it just piqued my curiosity.

The real problem is inflation - it is (on the lower end of estimates) at least 5% a year right now, so simply from a business standpoint, they would be fools not too. The German watchmaker SINN has also been on a price raising tear (much to my chagrin...)