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

[CHRK33]

^ My sentiments exactly...In fact Tanner Goods in natural is my go to as well. Great minds think alike.

 

[mtc2000]

Originally Posted by DeclanM

Hi all

Have been reading here for a while but it's my first time posting, so please be gentle if this question has been asked before.
I'm looking to buy my first pair on boots, and have my eye on a pair of Alden Indy's. Problem is that I live in Australia and I don't know of any places where I live that sells them, so I must go online. I tried to buy them off Shoe Mart recently, but for some reason they don't ship the Indy's internationally. Can anyone give me some reliable online shops where Indy's are available and won't cost me an arm and a leg to ship to Australia? Any help would be much appreciated.

Try email Leather Soul, the sponsor of this thread. Otherwise, the Alden Shop in San Francisco. I know both places regularly ship overseas. But shipping ain't going to be cheap. EMS is going to cost you near US$60. These Indy boots are fairly heavy to begin with. Good luck on your search.

 

[Cid]

Originally Posted by mediahound

Cool cordovan shoe shine video, click the 'I AGREE' to watch:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: No media files are hosted on these forums. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website. We can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. If the video does not play, wait a minute or try again later. I AGREE

TIP: to embed Youtube clips, put only the encoded part of the Youtube URL, e.g. eBGIQ7ZuuiU between the tags.

Great info -thanks for sharing. Wondering how to source that oil infused deer bone + what is the fabric composition of that buff cloth (looks like cotton chamois).

 

[imatlas]

If I wear 9EEE on the Barrie, what size Truebalance should I look for? I'll try to find someone with a model that I can try on, but that's a tall order.

 

[Burra]

Originally Posted by marg

it's not the lace that's the problem, it's the eyelet. Some part of the eyelet needs to be filed down, or it should be replaced. take them to a shop and they will fix it for you.

Thank you Marg, it is my eyelts, not the speed hooks. And yes, I read about it, and was prepared for it Ahab, but I just think 8 wears and it begins fraying is still a little bit surprising. Thanks for your sympathy. My tears haven't worked yet.

 

[imatlas]

Originally Posted by Cid

Great info -thanks for sharing. Wondering how to source that oil infused deer bone + what is the fabric composition of that buff cloth (looks like cotton chamois).

I don't know about a full femur like they're using in the video, I've never tried using one for shining my shoes, but I have something similar that I use for bookbinding, called a "bone folder". They only run a few bucks, and it's easy to infuse it with oil - just leave put it in a shallow dish, cover with a light vegetable oil and soak overnight. Take it out, wipe it well and let it dry for a few days. The oil will dry out over a few years so you need to repeat this process every once in a great while.

 

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by CEE88

Sorry, just a few miles, but ....

Notes:

* Alden 45193H Reverse Chamois Boots ... a/k/a the "Little Tank."

* Inspired by boots of the the 1st and 2nd World Wars.

* Horween oiled chamois leather is turned to it's roughout side for ease of care and wear tolerance.

* Rumor: you can beat them up, clean them out, oil them, and brush them and they will be no worse for wear (not enough miles, or hard wear, for me to verify as yet).

* Natural plantation crepe sole (which is super silent), made in two colors, Tobacco or Earth. Tobacco (pictured) is a true brown finished with a light antique stain on the flat welt. "Earth" is really a dark brown, but in most lights, appears all but black or charcoal. The finish of the Earth boot is meant to accentuate those black tones, with black edge finish, stitching, eyelets, and laces. Both looked great in the store - but the decision was made for me (no Earth in my size so I happily went with Tobacco).

* Barrie last - but seems to fit a bit snugger than Barrie last shoes.

* Current status: the footware I want to have in the rotation more often.
Thanks for posting. these look fantastic! It is so hard to reisist but I cannot justify this right now.

 

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by Burra

Thank you Marg, it is my eyelts, not the speed hooks. And yes, I read about it, and was prepared for it Ahab, but I just think 8 wears and it begins fraying is still a little bit surprising. Thanks for your sympathy. My tears haven't worked yet.
That's the problem. You *think* it is too early to start *fraying*. Even after you read about it. I will tell you I moved to rounded nylon laces and no problems at all after a few wears. They do not look as good but I will keep my eyes out for a flat pair of nylons. Also my laces on my ultimate indy's are still original but show some majore wear and I have had them for over a year.

 

[zippyh]

Originally Posted by Cid

Great info -thanks for sharing. Wondering how to source that oil infused deer bone + what is the fabric composition of that buff cloth (looks like cotton chamois).

Deer bone from a Suitable Wardrobe (actually you should go to Men's Clothing forum and click the affiliate banner so sf gets a cut if you buy).
http://store.dynend.com/deerpolishingbone.aspx

 

[CTYGGG]

I'm loving my pair of Little Tanks that I purchased. Not many miles on them and I just posted them a few pages back. Gotta say the plantation sole is really growing on me it makes the boot flexible right out of the box and ultra comfy for walking. Nice rugged casual boot and low maintenance as well.

 

[Ag229487]

Just won these today; if they don't fit I will sell them for what I paid plus shipping...

Suede Unlined Penny Loafer - 10D

Do these run true to size?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

 

[lxlfeng]

does anyone know the difference between leathersoul cordovan NST high boots and alden + context cordovan tanker boots?

the only difference i see is the extra leather tab that the context boots have

Some help will be greatly appreciated!

 

[MiniW]

I think the tab is pretty much the only change. Another thing that is similar with both models is that they are both usually out of stock in your size. Good luck!

 

[mediahound]

Originally Posted by Cid

Great info -thanks for sharing. Wondering how to source that oil infused deer bone + what is the fabric composition of that buff cloth (looks like cotton chamois).
I sorta wonder if the deer bone really actually does anything. EDIT: Okay, I watched the video again. I guess it really does work and can even help with scuffs and the reducing the white areas in cordovan folds. I also saw Alden SF use a small deer bone once one another customer's shoes but I didn't know what it was at the time. Again, video is here:

 

[Hot Dog Day #49]

I have a pair of #8 PTBs and they're a bit dark. If I leave them out in the sun for a few days or whatever will they lighten up? I've seen some #8's that seem much lighter than mine.