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

[Trapp]

Originally Posted by Mr.K

Not sure about the cost. I did the work myself.

Would you mind posting some pics of the results?

 

[sockpuppets]

This is my first experience with Aldens. I decided to get the two over at jcrew because I was sitting on a giant gift certificate so they were essentially free to me. However, I'm a bit of an 11E. That said, I don't even own a pair of E's because I only recently realized my foot was large. I've always just gotten my indicated size in D and made it work. These are no exception as they're not available in anything other than a D through my purchasing methods. I realize a couple of the lasts run 1/2 size large but I went TTS on all of them. The fit is acceptable- slightly tight on the top of my foot but a little bit of stretching and it will be fine. I don't slide around in any of these. The toe on the cap toe cordovans is quite roomy for me though. Here's the Chromexcel Plaza Wingtip Boots on the left (Plaza last) and the Alden for J.Crew cap toe cordovan boots on the right (Barrie last.)

Here's the Alden for J.Crew Indy boots on the left (Trubalance last) and Chromexcel Plaza Wingtip Boots on the right.

Here's a pair of rust Wolverine 1000 miles on the left and Alden for J.Crew Indy boots on the right.

Here's two pairs of Wolverine 1000 miles, black and rust. I wanted to put a black boot in there just to gauge the color temperature for you.

Alden for J.Crew cap toe cordovan boots on left, Chromexcel Plaza Wingtip Boots on right.

AldenÂ

for J.Crew Indy boots on left Chromexcel Plaza Wingtip Boots on right.

Rust colored 1000 miles on left, Chromexcel Plaza Wingtip Boots on right. Odd how the camera makes a chocolate boot look reddish.

 

[saracen]

Wow. Great boots and thanks much for posting this. Really helps a lot!

 

[sockpuppets]

In examing these new Indy boots I can't help to wonder what's going on over at Alden in terms of quality control:

 

[Trapp]

In examing these new Indy boots I can't help to wonder what's going over at Alden in terms of quality control:

lol

Love alden but they crack me up.

 

[sockpuppets]

Originally Posted by Trapp

Love alden but they crack me up.

Yeah I'm almost tempted to keep it just for the "character." Plus if anyone stole my shoes I'd be able to identify them in a lineup.

 

[GreatHighway]

Maybe there are others like that and the people that find them will win a tour of the factory with Alden's eccentric owner. If you behave yourself you may end up owning the place!

Really though. Nice shoes

 

[dunelly]

there's a pair of cordovan wingtips on ebay sz7. im a 6.5, how do their wingtip size? I dont want to an awesome deal

 

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by sockpuppets

Chromexcel Plaza Wingtip Boots have arrived.

Those are awesome. I really want a pair.

Originally Posted by sockpuppets

I have a cordovan barrie last I can put next to it for you. Give me a couple hours.

The photo seems really red to me. In person these are more of a chocolate color. I will put them next to a rust 1000 mile and see what it looks like when photographed. The chocolate isn't as "lush" as the leathersoul site makes it appear, at least to me.

Originally Posted by jhcam8

I see quite a few Alden's that look dull but brighten up handily when polished and worn a while.
+1 Juat brush them a lot an put on a little lightbrown wax. Also if you can get some Saphir that will help too.

Originally Posted by sockpuppets

This is my first experience with Aldens. I decided to get the two over at jcrew because I was sitting on a giant gift certificate so they were essentially free to me. However, I'm a bit of an 11E. That said, I don't even own a pair of E's because I only recently realized my foot was large. I've always just gotten my indicated size in D and made it work. These are no exception as they're not available in anything other than a D through my purchasing methods. I realize a couple of the lasts run 1/2 size large but I went TTS on all of them. The fit is acceptable- slightly tight on the top of my foot but a little bit of stretching and it will be fine. I don't slide around in any of these. The toe on the cap toe cordovans is quite roomy for me though.

Here's the Chromexcel Plaza Wingtip Boots on the left (Plaza last) and the Alden for J.Crew cap toe cordovan boots on the right (Barrie last.)

Here's the Alden for J.Crew Indy boots on the left (Trubalance last) and Chromexcel Plaza Wingtip Boots on the right.

Here's a pair of rust Wolverine 1000 miles on the left and Alden for J.Crew Indy boots on the right.

Here's two pairs of Wolverine 1000 miles, black and rust. I wanted to put a black boot in there just to gauge the color temperature for you.

Alden for J.Crew cap toe cordovan boots on left, Chromexcel Plaza Wingtip Boots on right.

AldenÂ

for J.Crew Indy boots on left Chromexcel Plaza Wingtip Boots on right.

Rust colored 1000 miles on left, Chromexcel Plaza Wingtip Boots on right. Odd how the camera makes a chocolate boot look reddish.
This is a very nice collection of boots. You have done well.

As for the pictures, do not get hung up on the colors as the pictures will look different on different monitors. Also I find the flash does change the color of shoes when I take pictures. The flash is brighter than the lighting you will usually see the boots in is my only guess.

Originally Posted by sockpuppets

In examing these new Indy boots I can't help to wonder what's going on over at Alden in terms of quality control:

LOL! I LOVE that! On work boots I would not have a problem with that. It is cheeky and like the boot is winking at you. I may even accept it on a saddle shoe. On dress boots and shoes I think I would have to try to get it resolved.

Originally Posted by sockpuppets

Yeah I'm almost tempted to keep it just for the "character." Plus if anyone stole my shoes I'd be able to identify them in a lineup.
I like it.

 

[jhcam8]

SOCKPUPPETS: thanks for posting all the comparos - nice work!

 

[Trapp]

Originally Posted by Ahab

Ha, it reminded me of an eye when I first saw it too, except instead of winking it was fixing me with a lifeless, psychotic stare, like Michael Myers

I like it.

 

[saracen]

Originally Posted by sockpuppets

In examing these new Indy boots I can't help to wonder what's going on over at Alden in terms of quality control:

I actually think that's kind of cool.

But yes, I agree. Alden's quality control is definitely lacking. How can one miss something like that?

 

[dport86]

Originally Posted by sockpuppets

I have a cordovan barrie last I can put next to it for you. Give me a couple hours. The photo seems really red to me. In person these are more of a chocolate color. I will put them next to a rust 1000 mile and see what it looks like when photographed. The chocolate isn't as "lush" as the leathersoul site makes it appear, at least to me.
I just got the NST Hawaiian tankers in chromexcel from Leathersoul and I too found the color to be much less rich/deep/lustrous than the photos. IN fact, I wish mine were chocolate brown--they are quite light--reddish/midbrown/tan/dogshit colored. I asked Bryan the LSBH manager what they do to photograph them and he told me nothing, no tweaks. Maybe it's just lot variation, but mine are significantly less brown even than other Horween chromexcels I've seen (like the Timberland Abingdons). So be aware when ordering.

 

[saracen]

Originally Posted by dport86

I just got the NST Hawaiian tankers in chromexcel from Leathersoul and I too found the color to be much less rich/deep/lustrous than the photos. IN fact, I wish mine were chocolate brown--they are quite light--reddish/midbrown/tan/dogshit colored. I asked Bryan the LSBH manager what they do to photograph them and he told me nothing, no tweaks. Maybe it's just lot variation, but mine are significantly less brown even than other Horween chromexcels I've seen (like the Timberland Abingdons). So be aware when ordering.

The problem is white balance when they (or anyone) takes the photos. The best bet (for non-photographers) is to take the shoes outside and take the photos in natural sunlight. Tungsten, and fluorescent lights can all alter the white balance quite a bit if the camera isn't set right.

 

[MiniW]

Originally Posted by dport86

I just got the NST Hawaiian tankers in chromexcel from Leathersoul and I too found the color to be much less rich/deep/lustrous than the photos. IN fact, I wish mine were chocolate brown--they are quite light--reddish/midbrown/tan/dogshit colored. I asked Bryan the LSBH manager what they do to photograph them and he told me nothing, no tweaks. Maybe it's just lot variation, but mine are significantly less brown even than other Horween chromexcels I've seen (like the Timberland Abingdons). So be aware when ordering.

hey, if you like the fit of the shoes, and are only concerned about the color. I think the color can be deepened/enriched with some Obenauf's LP. It definitely worked wonders for my original waxed leather indy's. The great thing is that the leather becomes only slightly darker with each application. Use a hairdryer to melt it in the leather and use a cloth to wipe off the excess. With 2 or 3 coats I am pretty confident that the brown will be a rich dark shade. Just be confident that you can apply an even coating each time. I hope this helps.