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

[rmspawn]



Those Alden #8 LHS looks so good... might be my next pair or the tassel loafers...
anyway guys which lwb? Ravello, whiskey or cigar? for a casual outfit.. matching it with jeans, chinos

Cigar for a more subdued look and Whiskey for more pop. I vote for you to get a pair of Cigar PTB's, a pair of Whiskey LWB's and some Ravello WT boots. This is the Aldenoholics thread after all.

 

[rmspawn]

The newest addition to my Alden lineup. Model 4065 from the shoe mart. Black cordovan cap toe boots on the Grant last. I sized up, from my usual 8.5D on the Barrie, to a 9D for this boot. The fit is spot on. Thanks to the gentlemen who provided sizing info.

 

[HorseHide]



You mean the Rancourt for Ralph Lauren loafers?
Just a warning but those are pretty low vamp too.

I thought they were by an English maker (C&J maybe?) but I'm not sure.

 

[CTYGGG]

Alden Whiskey LWB

That's a beautiful shoe. Interesting, it sorta looks like ravello in the some of the pics.

Thanks! It's remarkable how different shell can look under various lighting conditions.

...

Alden Whiskey LWB

nephew,
enjoy wearing your good looking whiskey lwb

Thank you.

Alden Whiskey LWB

Nice shoe--interesting that the issue of the missing perf appears on this pair as well.

Thanks! Never even noticed the missing perf, won't bug me in the slightest for no Alden is perfect.

 

[CTYGGG]



Those Alden #8 LHS looks so good... might be my next pair or the tassel loafers...

anyway guys which lwb? Ravello, whiskey or cigar? for a casual outfit.. matching it with jeans, chinos

I'd go cigar first with ravello a close second and whiskey last. This could be because I don't own cigar or ravello in the LWB, yet.

 

[hkpm]

Just got my Whiskey Tanker Boot. Absolutely love it.

But I found a hole at the heel of the boots, both of them have it. I can see the hole inside as well.
The salesperson told me the all chukka style (with shell) and tanker style (NST) have this hole at the heel, and it is normal because the way Alden made the boots will leave the hole on the boot.
Then I checked several boots in the shop and confirmed all have the holes, but not on Indy or cap toe.
I am curious that I don't recall anybody here mention it.

 

[rosenkruez]

Can I see some aged natural chromexcel boots pics? I just bought a new pair of Indy natural CXL and I'm not sure I like the color more than standard 405 brown. Will they ever turn darker to the point of brown chromexel?



I really like the 360 welt better than 270 ones so I'd love to keep them but can't stop thinking about 405...

 

[El Argentino]



Can I see some aged natural chromexcel boots pics? I just bought a new pair of Indy natural CXL and I'm not sure I like the color more than standard 405 brown. Will they ever turn darker to the point of brown chromexel?

I really like the 360 welt better than 270 ones so I'd love to keep them but can't stop thinking about 405...

If you use something like Chelsea or Manchester Leather Food on them, they'll darken up considerably. For example, had a pair of light brown Clark's Buschacres that went from this:



to this:



with about two applications. (I know, I know, no need to comment on the state of the shoes. They're beaters that took me through South America)

It may do wonders for my football boots, but I will be purchasing some Saphir from here on out for my most recent acquisitions.

 

[captainfunk]



Can I see some aged natural chromexcel boots pics? I just bought a new pair of Indy natural CXL and I'm not sure I like the color more than standard 405 brown. Will they ever turn darker to the point of brown chromexel?

****** phone picture, but you can easily see the difference, especially if you look near the eyelets and compare to the toe. These are about a month old from leffot and have a few coats of Montana Pitch Blend on em...

 

[zippyh]

You mean the Rancourt for Ralph Lauren loafers?
Just a warning but those are pretty low vamp too.

I thought they were by an English maker (C&J maybe?) but I'm not sure.

Oh, you were talking about the Cordovan Marlows. Those are indeed C&J.
The made in USA Polo loafers are from Rancourt.

 

[mcarthur]



The newest addition to my Alden lineup. Model 4065 from the shoe mart. Black cordovan cap toe boots on the Grant last. I sized up, from my usual 8.5D on the Barrie, to a 9D for this boot. The fit is spot on. Thanks to the gentlemen who provided sizing info.

enjoy wearing your good looking boots
black shell is definitely understated

 

[mcarthur]



Never even noticed the missing perf, won't bug me in the slightest for no Alden is perfect.

nephew,
very well stated!

 

[g.michael]



Thanks! It's remarkable how different shell can look under various lighting conditions.
Thanks! Never even noticed the missing perf, won't bug me in the slightest for no Alden is perfect.

The missing perf wouldn't bother me either--it's almost like an unstated Alden trademark. Kinda cool if you know to look for it.

 

[MickCollins1916]



This is conjecture on my part, but I believe the reason the mac method works is because shell, and to a lesser extent CXL, are already very oily leathers. Polish adds some oil (and possibly wax) to leather, which primes the fibers in the leather lay such that the shoe shines when buffed. I believe shell is basically already primed to shine, so you just need to do the part of a shoe shine that brings out the shine in the lather. CXL is similar, but I think it can only really be brought to a glow, a la calfskin leather with creme polish.

For similar reasons, I don't think the mac method can do much for more than a scuff or shallow ding. If it's shallow enough that rearranging the oils in the leather can fill it in/cover it up, you're good to go, but otherwise you'll need to either live with it or use a polish that will fill in the ding.

Thanks, and I concur. I have learned not to fret about minor dings and dents, as I am hard on the shoes I wear often. They're just gonna happen, and it's not worth getting worked up about. After all, they are shoes and they're meant to be worn.

J Crew CXL Indy boots today.

 

[Roguls]

This is my Alden collection. There are many like it, but this one is mine.