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

[LeatherSOUL]

Originally Posted by AR_Six

Literally NOTHING in the works? Like you're not working on any new stuff? Or just nothing like that?

No ravello shell cordovan boots in 11D like he asked.

 

[gnatty8]

Originally Posted by enigma77

Can we have a moratorium on calling natural Chromexcel "natty"?

Yes, please. When I first started seeing this, I assumed it was a tribute by Alden to my Alden addiction..

 

[Marvinjake]

Does anyone here have evo pics of the plain toe boot #8 in crepe sole?

 

[Marvinjake]

Tom, do you have any shell tankers in size 7.5D?

 

[triumphman]

So I had purchased a pair of kudu chukkas from a local retailer and had to order the size as it was out of stock... It's been ten days so I contacted them today and told me that they are on backorder. How long do you think it will take for me to receive the shoes as they are a Xmas gift for my brother in law...

 

[Man with Apple]

Originally Posted by Joenobody0

I feel your pain. No pair (and I mean no pair) of readily available Aldens fits me. Every single pair of my shoes are narrow width. Even worse, I take a 7.5 in a lot of lasts. It's impossible to find a 7.5C at any Alden retailer.

Going down .5 results in essentially one letter width drop. You can use this knowledge to see if a narrower width would be helpful in your current size if you can't stand to lose the length. Even though the wait is long, pre-ordering your optimal size is the best way.

This is why I have a love/hate relationship with the Alden boots. I wear size 9 in most shoes, so I sized down on my chromexcel Indys and they fit well. Then when I was looking at the color 8 cap toe boots in the grant last everyone said to go with a 9, but I decided to go with an 8.5, and I think they fit better than my Indys. I just prefer the little snugger fit.

So now my sizing is all jacked up because maybe the 8D's in the Indy, or maybe even the 8E's would be my best bet, but unfortunately, those sizes are rarely in stock anywhere, so it's a matter of ordering and keeping, or sending back and hoping the other size fits better.

It's maddening....sorry for the rant by the way.

 

[edubs01]

Generally speaking how much room should you have in the toebox length? I have heard a thumb's width is proper.

 

[gnatty8]

Originally Posted by edubs01

Generally speaking how much room should you have in the toebox length? I have heard a thumb's width is proper.
I wouldn't buy shoes on a rule of thumb like this. Walk around in them (on carpet of course) for a few minutes, and try them on later in the day as opposed to earlier.

 

[Man with Apple]

Originally Posted by edubs01

Generally speaking how much room should you have in the toebox length? I have heard a thumb's width is proper.

In my Indys I have about 3/4 of an inch to an inch.

Tom had mentioned going with an 8E, but I am just concerned that they will be too wide. Anyone with 8E's that can provide measurements?

Tom, any possible help you can give here in terms of measurements or additional thoughts? I would really like to sort this out because I know you guys have some Indy variations coming along and I don't want to make the postal carriers any richer than they are already.

 

[zinman74]

Ok, here are my J. Gilbert Plaza last cap toe boots in Color 8 with commando sole. Sorry the pics aren't great, but you can get an idea of the shape and the deep color.

And with the other Aldens I own.

These boots are by far my favorite purchase since I got this ridiculous footwear bug. As far as sizing goes, my right foot is a 10D, where as my left foot is a bit shorter and narrower. I wear a 9.5D comfortably in the Barrie last and a 10D in the Hampton last. At first, I was worried that the 10D in the Plaza would be too long. Turns out, they fit fine. I have between 3/4-1 inch of room in the toe box, but that isn't a problem, given that the Plaza last seems to fit narrower overall from the heel to the toe. They fit a bit more snugly than my Barries.

As far as the look goes, I was also a bit concerned that the toe would be too square. Not the case. The boot works fine as a casual boot with raw or dark denim, or with wool trousers. As Alden of Carmel describes "a soft, square toe". I am not bothered by the commando sole.

 

[geoffmartin17]

Those look great; im sad i missed them; do you know if they're going to do a reorder?

 

[SLAB]

My Alden boots (top right and bottom row)

 

[zinman74]

Nice SLAB, love the Roy's too!

Not sure about the re-order Geoff, but give Samantha a call at J. Gilbert. These went so fast, I can't imagine there not being a re-order. Funny thing is that I originally called to get a pair of the tan wing tip boots, I'm glad they were out if them.

 

[hooker4186]

Stranded in London with no baggage for 5 days and counting en route from Nairobi to Haiti. Sure am glad I opted for my 405s instead of my Churchs suede chukkas.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

[jhcam8]

Originally Posted by zinman74

Ok, here are my J. Gilbert Plaza last cap toe boots in Color 8 with commando sole. Sorry the pics aren't great, but you can get an idea of the shape and the deep color.

These boots are by far my favorite purchase since I got this ridiculous footwear bug. As far as the look goes, I was also a bit concerned that the toe would be too square. Not the case. The boot works fine as a casual boot with raw or dark denim, or with wool trousers. As Alden of Carmel describes "a soft, square toe". I am not bothered by the commando sole.

VERY NICE