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

[Dewey]

Snap last is like the Barrie -- good toe room -- with less volume and a more narrow heel. Your size in the snap is probably the same as your size in the Aberdeen / Copley / Hampton / Plaza ... one width or one half size greater than your Barrie size.

Grant is like the Barrie, but smaller.

This information I received from Alden a few years ago when I wrote and asked too many questions.

An Alden salesman once told me that the Snap IS the Grant, i.e., that they are two names for the same last. It does seem that the shape and fit is similar. But, I don't own any Grant last shoes, so I can't confirm this. Perhaps someone with the Grant longwing and the Snap captoe in the same size can say how identical they are.

 

[makewayhomer]

yeah, just a ton of variation. below is a picture I took in BB of straight tip bluchers. I was pretty sure these were Alden shell, just like the ones right next to them

color?

I think they were originally #8, they had just been displayed forever

 

[david3558]

More pictures coming tomorrow, as it's dark out. Excuse the bathroom setting - best lighting in the apartment on short notice.

Alden for Leather Soul: The Ultimate Jumper

 

[FENWAY]

^ Stunning

I was shut out...the search for the 11 D 's begins

 

[trunks206]

David,
Those look great! Did you treat them or something? They look much darker than on the website, but wow I like the look ALOT!

 

[makewayhomer]

those look real nice but as someone living in a snowy environment I image I would develop a love/hate relationship with that sole. it must be death on ice. so it's kind of a perfect boot for anywhere warmish, but not for the winter anywhere cold.

 

[.field]

They really do look incredible. I missed the 12D's by an hour..

 

[david3558]

Thanks everyone, I'm originally from LA so hopefully I'll get to wear these when I'm back this summer.

@trunks206, I haven't done anything to the leather, frankly that's the nature of chromexcel, it's a beautiful leather and all my Alden's have had it!

 

[ClassyCanuck]

Hi guys,
Just curious.
If I wanted to order a pair of Alden's how would you receommend I go about this. On the Leather Soul site I read the following:

"In this day and age of the internet, sometimes our online customers forget we are a brick and mortar store, first and foremost. We prefer to recommend a size based on personal fittings and learning from each customer how they prefer to fit in their shoes.

Because it is very difficult to recommend a size without seeing a customer in person, we will not recommend a size over email or phone UNLESS you can provide well fitting sizes of brands of shoes we currently offer ourselves. Just because you wear a size 10 in Nikes doesn't mean we can relate that to a pair of Edward Greens. Thank you for your understanding."

Now, I have never purchased a pair of Alden's or any other shoe that they may stock.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Dewey]

^ I would go to a store that sold brands they carry, get fitted, and wear the shoes for six months. Then evaluate if the sizing was ideal. Seriously, that is a good policy and even better advice for someone looking to get his first pair of Aldens.

 

[david3558]

Thanks for not starting a new thread like everyone else

Anyhow, I'd recommend going to a local shoe dealer and getting measured on a Brannock device (look it up on Google if you don't know what it looks like). Once you know that measurement, you're good from there (generally speaking), it's worked out for me and I've ordered Alden's over the phone and web all the time. Same goes for Red Wings if you wanted a pair of those too.

This link below is honestly a great reference, I have experienced many of those 'lasts' so I can agree that it's really accurate.

http://www.alden-of-carmel.com/index.cfm/fitting.htm

For instance, if I was measured on Brannock to be a 9D, I would be a 8.5D in any Trubalance boot/shoe (including the famous Indy boot aka 405). If the shoe I wanted happened to be in the Plaza last, I'd have to buy the same size.

Hope that helps

 

[wj4]

If you guys ever plan on calling Shoemart in regards to Aldens, I highly suggest asking for Joe. He and his brother are the owners. He has a thing for Aldens as well. I called him to ask why the Indy's do not come with shoe bags and he stated that he has no idea why, but only the special edition Indy's come with them.

I also asked about upcoming shoes and he told me what models are suppose to be coming in sooner or later.

 

[ClassyCanuck]

Thanks very much for the help guys.
We'll see what I come up with.

 

[zippyh]

Originally Posted by wj4

I also asked about upcoming shoes and he told me what models are suppose to be coming in sooner or later.

And...?

 

[wj4]

Originally Posted by zippyh

And...?
And...that's about it.

He said the natural chromexcel Indy's will be back in stock in 1-2 months. He also said they plan to order some whiskey's, but don't know what to actually yet. I threw my 2 cents in and recommended what I wanted. I asked for those 2 in specific because I want to buy them.