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

[WhoKnewI]



these are great. love the blue with the natural edge trim.

 

[mcbrown]



Epaulet...http://www.epauletshop.com/servlet/the-1216/*Alden-for-Epaulet-Brixton/Detail

Great, thank you very much.

 

[applky]

Sounds promising. WIll it completely keep the rain out? I'm planning on wearing these in London weather.

No, it won't. Suede is a porous, breathable leather, and while it will make them water-resistant, if you're worried about wearing them in torrential rain, you need another kind of shoe.

That being said, I've lived in London, and it will honestly depend on how rainy it is on that particular day.

suede won't be waterproof even if treated with a spray. they would be water resistant at best.
water also will get in through the welt stitching of any welted shoe.

I use Montana Pitch-Blend on my welts as well as on the uppers themselves (for calfskin shoes only) and it prevents water from entering the shoe. This is a crucial step in waterproofing a welted shoe.

 

[g.michael]



I agree with you 100%. Proportionately, they are the most narrow toe box/wide heel last that Alden offers. Completely impossible for me to fit in any size or width.

Sadly, I am partially in this boat as well. Have some Aberdeen NST's in my normal size that work only because they are lace-ups. The low vamp loafers I just got are driving me crazy with the heel slip even though they are pretty well broken in. The toe box feels great but the heel is too big. Who designed these lasts? The average human foot has a wide ball and a narrower heel yet Alden has these lasts that don't follow.

In this day and age of 3-D design, why doesn't one of these larger shoe companies take 3-D images of about 1,000 feet, run them through some computer modeling and come up with a few lasts that are truer fits than the legacy 1940's designs? This is rhetorical of course.

 

[applky]

PSA: Every now and then, people ask where to get the flat waxed 54" laces that come with Alden shell and some special makeup boots. The Alden NYC store on Madison Avenue carries extras for $6 per pair -- I picked up a few there yesterday. If you are not local, they seemed very willing to ship, although I'd imagine they'd charge you a shipping fee if you're only buying laces and not something more expensive.

(As far as I know, Shoe Lace Express has flat dress boot laces, but not waxed ones.)

They also have a new Alden-branded cordovan water protector spray that's apparently designed to protect shell from water spots. I did not buy it, but apparently it's straight from the factory.

 

[jasonfoote303]

I agree with you 100%. Proportionately, they are the most narrow toe box/wide heel last that Alden offers. Completely impossible for me to fit in any size or width.

Sadly, I am partially in this boat as well. Have some Aberdeen NST's in my normal size that work only because they are lace-ups. The low vamp loafers I just got are driving me crazy with the heel slip even though they are pretty well broken in. The toe box feels great but the heel is too big. Who designed these lasts? The average human foot has a wide ball and a narrower heel yet Alden has these lasts that don't follow.

In this day and age of 3-D design, why doesn't one of these larger shoe companies take 3-D images of about 1,000 feet, run them through some computer modeling and come up with a few lasts that are truer fits than the legacy 1940's designs? This is rhetorical of course.

I had a good laugh when I pictured Alden doing 3D CAD modeling! I'm pretty sure they are still using DOS machines with the green screens in the factory and fax machines are still preferred for orders.

 

[roboterkampf]

I'm so tempted by the latest Leather Soul saddle shoe offering as I love the contrast... but I am still LOVING these, which I only got from them a few months ago:

I really want a pair of short wings in Whiskey or Ravello.... any one making these at the moment?

 

[mcarthur]

whiskey ptb
argyles otc

 

[trunks206]



I'm so tempted by the latest Leather Soul saddle shoe offering as I love the contrast... but I am still LOVING these, which I only got from them a few months ago:

I really want a pair of short wings in Whiskey or Ravello.... any one making these at the moment?

Great LS saddles, I own a pair aswell. I was in D.C. over the weekend and I stopped into the alden store and Kathy has whiskey shortwings. Give her a call.



Very nice always Uncle.

 

[mcarthur]



Great LS saddles, I own a pair aswell. I was in D.C. over the weekend and I stopped into the alden store and Kathy has whiskey shortwings. Give her a call.
Very nice always Uncle.

thank you

 

[rennavate]

What's a good place to buy Alden cordovan belts? Are they worth it?

 

[Calikid]

whiskey ptb
argyles otc

Those shoes are beautiful! I love the variations of color!!!

 

[shasta]

what is the trick for touching up the natural antique oak edge?

I have the LSxSF #8 shortwings that have taken a couple shots to the edge on the toe

 

[mcarthur]



 


Those shoes are beautiful!  I love the variations of color!!!

thank you

 

[NAMOR]



Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

whiskey ptb
argyles otc

this looks great, uncle. Never a single scuff on your shoes

What's a good place to buy Alden cordovan belts?

i get my cordo belts from Brooks brothers during the 40% off sale right after Christmas.