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

[enigma77]

^ +1. Always try loafers on. No laces and not much heel to speak of, so they better fit great!

Also FWIW I've always found different leathers to fit differently across lasts (i.e. 10D Barrie shell fits differently than 10D Barrie Chromexcel). Always try on...

 

[LeatherSOUL]

Originally Posted by JOA

Tom, I'd really like a dark brown suede wingtip boot, similar to the one that won your first Alden contest (Phil S.'s boot). Anything like that coming down the pike?

Great idea. None on order but we have Indy Boots and Tanker boots coming in dark brown suede.

 

[blue collar]

Thanks John_ and enigma77 for your reply. This is all because I have ordered a pair of Chromexcel LHS from Leather Soul back in October. (not able to try this shoe or last on because I live in Toronto) I wear a snug 11.5 D blucher on the Barrie but from what I have read/what people tell me the Van fits a little more narrow/ more snug than the Barrie so I went with an 11.5 E

I don't want to puss-out and order the D and have the shoe "balloon" out over the welt because of my wide/odd shaped feet. Tom has told me to stick with the E, i just wanted to hear what you guys have to say. Hope it works out. ugh life was less stressful when I had no idea who Alden was...

 

[John_]

I am not snug in either, but the Barrie is roomier, so it sounds like the right first choice...good luck!

 

[ennui]

Originally Posted by Cuttingboard

Lets see a picture of those bad boys!!

I've attached a few photos I took just now with my point-and-shoot. I'm looking forward to wearing them once the bad weather clears out from around where I live. I've heard these lighten up after a while - I'm looking forward to the patina.

 

[cimabue]

Nice LWBs in cigar! You have tremendous restraint. I had mine laced and on my feet before the UPS guy was back on his truck.

 

[zinman74]

Ooooohh, I'm getting GIDDY!

My first shell cordovan inbound, due on the 16th. J Gilbert Plaza last cap toe in color 8 with commando soul. I hope they fit!

 

[jet]

Originally Posted by ennui

I've attached a few photos I took just now with my point-and-shoot. I'm looking forward to wearing them once the bad weather clears out from around where I live. I've heard these lighten up after a while - I'm looking forward to the patina.

Been wanting these really bad for awhile think I need to pull the trigger soon, what size are they? They look wide for some reason.

 

[PorterInjax]

Originally Posted by zinman74

Ooooohh, I'm getting GIDDY!

My first shell cordovan inbound, due on the 16th. J Gilbert Plaza last cap toe in color 8 with commando soul. I hope they fit!

Good for you! The plaza last is my favorite for fit and the one you ordered looks great!

 

[ennui]

Originally Posted by jet

Been wanting these really bad for awhile think I need to pull the trigger soon, what size are they? They look wide for some reason.

I wear a 6.5E in the Barrie, so that's why they look wide. Also my picture-taking skills are known to suck. In real life they look fine IMHO.

I was thinking to wait it out for a ravello or whiskey longwing, but with my shoe size, I gotta grab whatever I can.

 

[jet]

Gotcha thanks, I'm a 9.5D in the barrie iirc.

 

[Walking Man]

Originally Posted by cimabue

Try laying a warm, moistened cloth across the scratch. Should cause the crushed grain to re-plump. Buff when dry.
Thanks for this tip, it helped a lot. There's still a line where the scratch is but it's not nearly as noticeable.

 

[lambchop]

Originally Posted by 100 yrs

anyone have any ideas as to the cause of heel pain experienced when wearing indy boots? would it imply the boots are too small or too big, or could it be the way i walk? i'm not talking about blistering caused by rubbing - it would best be described as a bruise. the boots don't slip when i walk, and fit relatively well in the toe area (could maybe be a smidge bigger). i am wearing wool socks. it's only happening in my left foot, and it's the back of the heel (i'm quite satisfied with fit of the right boot). i can't figure it out and it's driving me crazy. this is my second pair of indy's (went from 8.5 -> 9) and i am quite frustrated with sizing.

as i mostly wear desert boots, which are very unstructured, i figured there'd be some adjustment period for my feet going to the fairly rigid indy's, but i've probably worn them a dozen times or so which should be sufficient.

i read how comfy everyone says their indy's are. i dunno, maybe these just aren't for me, as much as i love the looks.

I've been having this exact same problem except on my right foot. It's a hard bruising feeling. I think it's from the heel being too tight. I tried not lacing it all the way up on that side but it didn't help. I'm also noticing that my little toe is starting to rub on that foot as well. I've decided that I ended up sizing a half size small. It's frustrating because I spent a good amount of time trying them on and making sure I had the right size. Even worse is that I bought cordovan indys after thinking I had my size all dialed in. I'm probably going to end up posting everything in B&S. I'm a 9.5D and thinking a 10D is what I need. The fact that you went up a size and it didn't work is not encouraging though. After all this, I measured a brannock device as 10.5D so I guess I've just been buying most of my shoes too snug. You might want to try an E size which would have a bigger heel cup and might fit better. Good luck.

 

[Aries83]

Originally Posted by LeatherSOUL

Great idea. None on order but we have Indy Boots and Tanker boots coming in dark brown suede.

I'll be visiting Honolulu at the beginning of January Tom, and was wondering if you'd have any Indy or Tanker boots in stock in cordovan? I'll definitely be popping in the shop.

 

[JOA]

Originally Posted by LeatherSOUL

Great idea. None on order but we have Indy Boots and Tanker boots coming in dark brown suede.

Tanker might be nice. Any idea on when you expect them?