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

[LeatherSOUL]

Originally Posted by johnnyrich7

Tom, in years past the cigar shell seemed very hard to come by, but now it seems to be much more prevalent. Would this be a correct assumption?

It's all timing...I remember 3 years ago there was a shortage of shell period...black and #8 included. Plus now there's a lot more smaller retailers who get 12 pair runs so it may seem like the colors are all over the place. The Alden Shops and the Shoe Mart will always get theirs though.

 

[Man with Apple]

Originally Posted by LeatherSOUL

It's all timing...I remember 3 years ago there was a shortage of shell period...black and #8 included. Plus now there's a lot more smaller retailers who get 12 pair runs so it may seem like the colors are all over the place. The Alden Shops and the Shoe Mart will always get theirs though.

Does shoe mart take precedence because they have been working with Alden so long? Or is it just that they do higher volume?

I have nothing but good things to say about shoe mart and their customer service, but I must admit that the first time I visited their website I couldn't help type the link a second time because I thought they would focus on high end like you guys at LS.

 

[eightdouble]

new 10.5 indy boots on ebay for 350 buy it now.

not mine, but my size.

good deal if you are looking for them in this size.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Alden-J-Crew...d#ht_500wt_770

 

[Dexter_]

Who dis???

Took a pic of the ad in the mall the other day.

 

[sockpuppets]

Originally Posted by eightdouble

new 10.5 indy boots on ebay for 350 buy it now. not mine, but my size. good deal if you are looking for them in this size. http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Alden-J-Crew...d#ht_500wt_770
He had others, I picked up a pair for 330 delivered. At that price I can deal with the jcrew finish on these.

 

[sockpuppets]

Originally Posted by eightdouble

not usually an NST guy, but damn these look good.

Not to beat a dead horse but I have yet to see a pair of LS shoes that look remotely like they're photographed on their website. But yes, those are looking quite nice.

 

[Horty]

Any thoughts on Indy sizing by leather: Aniline vs Chromexcel vs Cordovan?

I went to the Alden store in DC and tried on an assortment of Indys. The aniline (403) in 11C fit my heel well, but was a little tight on the widest part of my forefoot. The 11D fit ok, maybe felt a little spacious, maybe they could work with thick socks. However I wanted the chromexcel pair, which they didn't have in my size. The salesman said that the chromexcel runs a little larger than the comparable aniline and recommended an 11C. This was interesting to me because I often wear wide shoes, like sperrys in 11.5Wide.

Now I am totally leaning towards the #8 indys from TSM. They are available in 10.5D and 11D. Do the shells run larger than the aniline/chromexcel? Will they be bigger to the point of warranting the 10.5D, or will the 11D fit without being too spacious?

Thanks for any input.

 

[pebblegrain]

get your foot measured. go 1/2 smaller if on trubalance

 

[sockpuppets]

Originally Posted by Horty

Any thoughts on Indy sizing by leather: Aniline vs Chromexcel vs Cordovan? I went to the Alden store in DC and tried on an assortment of Indys. The aniline (403) in 11C fit my heel well, but was a little tight on the widest part of my forefoot. The 11D fit ok, maybe felt a little spacious, maybe they could work with thick socks. However I wanted the chromexcel pair, which they didn't have in my size. The salesman said that the chromexcel runs a little larger than the comparable aniline and recommended an 11C. This was interesting to me because I often wear wide shoes, like sperrys in 11.5Wide. Now I am totally leaning towards the #8 indys from TSM. They are available in 10.5D and 11D. Do the shells run larger than the aniline/chromexcel? Will they be bigger to the point of warranting the 10.5D, or will the 11D fit without being too spacious? Thanks for any input.
The chromexel stretches out differently but I wouldn't call it larger. If you're wide footed like me try a 10.5E otherwise "fit but wrong, go long." 11D. If the 10.5D fits but is snug it will stretch out just fine.

 

[MiniW]

I have a pair of the original 405's (cotton duck lining) in a size 8 D which fit me perfectly. In the past year I've tried on the 404 kudu 8D and the J Crew Indy 8D and both seem like a half size wider, and throws the look off for me. Again it pays to be able to try them on in person.

 

[Vinneus]

En Harny bikini copped! WTF?

 

[srivats]

Originally Posted by Dexter_

Who dis???

Took a pic of the ad in the mall the other day.

Epic.

 

[deltashell]

whiskey chukkas I picked up recently.

 

[Morgan]

Alden for Leffot ravello captoe boots. On the Grant last with flex welt. The Grant last hasn't gotten a lot of love here lately but I've always liked my shortwing 974's on the Grant. It's a little more streamlined and business-appropriate than the Barrie, although I can see how it wouldn't suit those with wider feet.

 

[Man with Apple]

Are those a recent pick-up Morgan. Love the color on those ravellos.

On a side note, I thought I would share a link I came across with you guys. It's everything you could want to know about welts:

www.barbourcorp.com/pdf/welting_catalog.pdf