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

[bananananana]

Originally Posted by Hot Dog Day #49

Nah, that's bullshit. This increasing is web pricing. If you can find a place that sells Alden locally the prices will always be lower. There's a really great place near where I live that's an Alden retailer and they have the Indy for 385. Most of the calf leather shoes are below 400.

lol, it's the evil Alden retailer cartel.

I'm pretty sure that retailers are locked into a set or minimum price.

 

[harrythedog]

Originally Posted by Hot Dog Day #49

Nah, that's bullshit. This increasing is web pricing. If you can find a place that sells Alden locally the prices will always be lower. There's a really great place near where I live that's an Alden retailer and they have the Indy for 385. Most of the calf leather shoes are below 400.

i wish it was! but it's not just shoemart, and it's not just web pricing. it's across the board, web and brick and mortar operations

 

[jhcam8]

Originally Posted by david3558

Great winter boots, had no idea this boot even existed. Where'd you pick up these?

Originally Posted by interlockingny

Looks like something from J. Gilbert

Correcto

 

[scb]

anyone know who else has ravello chukkas besides the Shoe Mart and Alden Shop in san francisco? I slept on the 10.5s at the shoe mart and now they're sold out. san francisco doesn't have 10.5 either

anyone else stocking the ravello chukka?

 

[interlockingny]

Originally Posted by scb

anyone know who else has ravello chukkas besides the Shoe Mart and Alden Shop in san francisco? I slept on the 10.5s at the shoe mart and now they're sold out. san francisco doesn't have 10.5 either

anyone else stocking the ravello chukka?

I know Alden SF can check to see if Alden DC has any onhand.

Did you try the Alden NYC store?

 

[geoffmartin17]

It has to do with the union that alden employs...

They have a lot of power (given their years of training, etc.) and can dictate a lot in the company.

Btw, just ordered three pairs of corodvan shoes on the plaza last from j gilbert - yenni is very good to deal with!

 

[scb]

Originally Posted by interlockingny

I know Alden SF can check to see if Alden DC has any onhand.

Did you try the Alden NYC store?

Going to call them tomorrow. Thanks

 

[Atwigman]

"Alden refuse to compromise on quality" as if Alden offered quality. Only thing nice about Alden is the leather.

 

[undarted]

Guys, here's a mystery. I did some reading and research, but I still can't decide. I need advice for the barrie last, to find the closest size in D-width for a plain toe cordovan boot (only D sizes are available) For reference, I am a 7.5E on the 403 boot, trubalance last, boot, chromexcel leather. Fits pretty well. I'm also a Clarks Desert boot 8, chucks 8 (kinda tight on the width). I think I have a somewhat girthy foot. I do know that a cordovan barrie 7E was a little too tight for me. The question is, 7.5D or 8D? Some of the variables: Last: From reading on the forum, the different lasts are comparable, although some claim that the barrie is a little narrower than the trubalance. Leather: cordovan fits looser than calf, but chromexcel also fits larger (so a wash?) Length/Width compensation: I read that Barrie lasted whole sizes are mostly equivalent to a half size longer but narrower shoe, e.g., 7E to a 7.5D. But how about for half sizes; would a 7.5E be an equivalent 8D? To make things even more confusing, I read that a 7.5D is not really equivalent to a 7E, it's actually wider by 3/16". A sales rep recommended either 7.5D or 8D for me, which is why I'm asking if anybody with experience has a recommendation of one over the other. I cannot afford to order both to try on and send one back. Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[darnold]

Originally Posted by undarted

Guys, here's a mystery. I did some reading and research, but I still can't decide. I need advice for the barrie last, to find the closest size in D-width for a plain toe cordovan boot (only D sizes are available) For reference, I am a 7.5E on the 403 boot, trubalance last, boot, chromexcel leather. Fits pretty well. I'm also a Clarks Desert boot 8, chucks 8 (kinda tight on the width). I think I have a somewhat girthy foot. I do know that a cordovan barrie 7E was a little too tight for me. The question is, 7.5D or 8D? Some of the variables: Last: From reading on the forum, the different lasts are comparable, although some claim that the barrie is a little narrower than the trubalance. Leather: cordovan fits looser than calf, but chromexcel also fits larger (so a wash?) Length/Width compensation: I read that Barrie lasted whole sizes are mostly equivalent to a half size longer but narrower shoe, e.g., 7E to a 7.5D. But how about for half sizes; would a 7.5E be an equivalent 8D? To make things even more confusing, I read that a 7.5D is not really equivalent to a 7E, it's actually wider by 3/16". A sales rep recommended either 7.5D or 8D for me, which is why I'm asking if anybody with experience has a recommendation of one over the other. I cannot afford to order both to try on and send one back. Thanks in advance for the help!
The operative question here is where the 7E Barrie is too tight for you. If the answer is the toebox, you probably can't take a 7.5D. A 7.5E Trubalance will be much wider than a 7.5D Barrie in the toebox, regardless of leather. 8D is a big maybe, but don't push it if it isn't gonna work.

 

[marg]

I got an 11.5eee in the Indy calf but I fit fine in the 11.5e cordo longwing. You should be fine with the d width in cordovan.

 

[Dewey]

Originally Posted by geoffmartin17

It has to do with the union that alden employs...
LOL @ throwing a union under the bus, at the first chance

Originally Posted by undarted

Guys, here's a mystery. I did some reading and research, but I still can't decide.
Sizing calculus is alchemy. Shoe fittings are too subjective to make your calculations with enough precision. It is alchemy. Don't get too wrapped up in trying to reason it out, you are wasting your time. Get both the 7.5D and the 8D, try them on carpet, and pick the winner. Or go for the larger size and make it work. The only sure loser is the shoe that is too small.

 

[wj4]

Was browsing on Barneys.com as usual and was surprised to see Aldens are sold on the site now.

 

[geoffmartin17]

Originally Posted by Dewey

LOL @ throwing a union under the bus, at the first chance



Sizing calculus is alchemy. Shoe fittings are too subjective to make your calculations with enough precision. It is alchemy. Don't get too wrapped up in trying to reason it out, you are wasting your time.

Get both the 7.5D and the 8D, try them on carpet, and pick the winner.

Or go for the larger size and make it work. The only sure loser is the shoe that is too small.

Sorry for calling it like it is. I love alden, but we all know this is why the prices are going up as much as they are.

 

[pebblegrain]

Originally Posted by geoffmartin17

Sorry for calling it like it is. I love alden, but we all know this is why the prices are going up as much as they are.

you mean demand?