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

[Ahab]

AldenXUgg
Snuff suede, plantation crepe soles.

 

[WatchGuy]

Those are great Ahab. Where did you get them?

Are those Leydon?

 

[jasonfoote303]

Originally Posted by Ahab

AldenXUgg

LOL!

 

[IamCargo]

Originally Posted by dunkin

All three of my laces were on different shoes and split in different places. Two of the laces (both on Indy's, one normal pair and a #8 pair with the waxed laces) showed evidence that they were going to sever eventually with fraying and minor rips, generally by the speed lock teeth, so I guess thats to be somewhat expected. The third pair, which split the other day, were on my black cordovan long wing boots and the lace broke in between the second and third lace hole from the bottom. it was pretty strange, I picked them up to put them on and the lace was broken, almost like someone cut them but they had been sitting in my closet.

agree

waxed lace + speed lock teeth are the murderer

the teeth will split the laces into 2/2+ pieces easily

luckily the dealer in my location offer the laces exchange in drop 1 get 1 free infinitely

 

[Trapp]

Originally Posted by IamCargo

waxed lace + speed lock teeth are the murderer

the teeth will split the laces into 2/2+ pieces easily

Is there an explanation for why speed hooks are used on almost every Alden boot? There seems to be an awful lot of people, myself included, that would much prefer eyelets all the way up. But you rarely see them made that way (I can only think of a handful of exceptions: examples being leathersoul's jumper boots and those incredible whiskey captoes from hong kong tassles.) I would jump at the chance to get a shell indy boot without those stupid speed-hooks. Same for nearly every other alden boot out there. They look better, they feel more solid, and they save the laces.

Why isn't that simple option chosen more when shop-owners are detailing the boots?

 

[makewayhomer]

Originally Posted by Trapp

Is there an explanation for why speed hooks are used on almost every Alden boot? There seems to be an awful lot of people, myself included, that would much prefer eyelets all the way up. But you rarely see them made that way (I can only think of a handful of exceptions: examples being leathersoul's jumper boots and those incredible whiskey captoes from hong kong tassles.) I would jump at the chance to get a shell indy boot without those stupid speed-hooks. Same for nearly every other alden boot out there. They look better, they feel more solid, and they save the laces.

Why isn't that simple option chosen more when shop-owners are detailing the boots?

my guess is customer feedback says they aren't "user friendly" enough. I lucked into a shell boot that is my size and it has eyelets all the way. but I have to undo the top few eyelets just to get my foot in. I don't think that would change if the boots broke in? at least now I know I would want speedhooks in a boot.

 

[makewayhomer]

I think this is the boot I want, in #8 plain toe, speedhooks, barrie, leather sole

 

[IamCargo]

Originally Posted by makewayhomer

my guess is customer feedback says they aren't "user friendly" enough. I lucked into a shell boot that is my size and it has eyelets all the way. but I have to undo the top few eyelets just to get my foot in. I don't think that would change if the boots broke in? at least now I know I would want speedhooks in a boot.

i agree with the word "user friendly".

i can foresee the situation if all are normal eyelets, it take much more time to take them on/off from feet. As long as all my other boots (6" or above) are using the speedhooks and work fine.

should focus on the waxed flat lace ?? good looking (as least attract me so much on my first boots) ..... but unfortunely easy broken.

then what about round lace ? seems not match the outlook. Need expert

 

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by makewayhomer

I think this is the boot I want, in #8

plain toe, speedhooks, barrie, leather sole

I posted this in black shell earlier in this thread:

I would love #8. I have been wearing this boot a lot in the snow and rain. I have not noticed any problems with the leather soles wearing heavier in the rain. I purchased mine from Leather Soul this summer. They remind me a lot of a better constructed Dr. Martens I had back in the day. They are heavier but may be even more comfortable.

 

[makewayhomer]

Originally Posted by Ahab

I posted this in black shell earlier in this thread:

I would love #8. I have been wearing this boot a lot in the snow and rain. I have not noticed any problems with the leather soles wearing heavier in the rain. I purchased mine from Leather Soul this summer. They remind me a lot of a better constructed Dr. Martens I had back in the day. They are heavier but may be even more comfortable.

v nice.

I'm hoping to snag something like it as a second. there is one I've been looking at but it has a huge commando sole and I don't want that.

 

[Cid]

Finally received my pair of suede unlined chukkas from theshoemart - size 11.5 B/D, but they fit narrow. Has anyone else experienced the same? Do they stretch much? My Barrie lasted shell chukkas fit great in size 11 B/D.

 

[glimmertwins]

Originally Posted by edmond_evo6

i think because of they are right and left shoes on the photo??

it's was funny i have found my boot have add a stitch but the blog's photo have not

Funny - I just looked at my pair I got from Leffot and I have the same thing as you - only on the left shoe though. So weird. Can't believe I missed that earlier. Damn, I have already worn my shoe every day for two weeks. What happened when you talked with Steve about it?

 

[AlanC]

Originally Posted by Cid

Finally received my pair of suede unlined chukkas from theshoemart - size 11.5 B/D, but they fit narrow. Has anyone else experienced the same? Do they stretch much? My Barrie lasted shell chukkas fit great in size 11 B/D.


My Barrie last chukkas are 9B, my unlined are 9.5C. I tried a pair of 9C in the unlined and they were too small. The 9.5C fits great. My 'standard' size is 9.5B.

Great looking shoes.

 

[dunkin]

I agree that Alden should def make more of their boots with the option of no speed hooks, but its probably easier for them and their retailers just to keep it speed hooks. I really like the speed hooks and how easy it is to get into the boots with them but they really are murder on the laces.

 

[Epaulet]

Got some more make-up shoes in stock today. An oldie but a goodie. The Color #8 Shell Cordovan Chukka on the Barrie last:

Color #8 Shell Cordovan Chukka: $595 And just a note: Alden recently raised all of their prices. So these have been billed out at their new cost, and they've got a new MSRP of $595. You might see it on Shoe Mart or so for around $565, but that's for older stock. Sorry about that.