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

[Dinosarti]



Dinosarti, I love the chukkas. Did you get the belt to match the shoes? I need a belt just like that.

Early birthday gift from my lovely wife. She got it with the shoes online from Alden of SF....

 

[NAMOR]

Alden Stitching Issue Update; The back stitching of my Grant lasted black shell captoe came undone. I sent the boots back to Alden and the fixed them and sent them back all within 3 weeks:

Before:



After:



the repair job doesnt look pretty but considering the severity of the tear, im both impressed and satisfied. Alden also threw in free shoe bags. BIg thanks to Beowolf who helped coordinate with theShoeMart

 

[zippyh]

Make sure you're comfortable with the Van last before you commit. It has a particularly low arch. I can't wear the lined versions, but I can wear the unlined with ultra thin socks.

If you want a shell loafer and can't fit in the Van, you should check out the C&J Harvard. They are very nice.

Agreed. I just sold my LHS because I couldn't reconcile my feet to the Van last and have switched to the C&J for Polo loafers, which work much better for me. I believe the C&J for Polo are rebranded Harvards - can anyone confirm?

The Polos aren't quite the same as the Harvards.
Polos are a full strap. Harvards aren't.

 

[NAMOR]

Oh hello there!

Alden Men's WHISKEY Shell Cordovan Hampton Last NEW US 10D RARE!!! $475 Shipped.

 

[burningbright]

^

And free shipping from Switzerland. Somebody kop those.

 

[NAMOR]

This may be my new favorite boot and guess what last its on? Barrie! The single leather sole gives the boot a much sleeker look and the boot is a C width instead of D. The combination of the narrower fitting and single leather sole makes the Barrie significantly more appealing, imo.

 

[TheWalrus]

Those are ridiculously good, NAMOR. I'm really thinking my next pair of boots are going to be wing tips.

 

[NewYorkIslander]



If one was to select the just 5 Alden shoes and/or boots for a business and casual wardrobe, what would the recommendations be in terms of maximum versatility?

#8 LWB
Cigar NST
#8 CapToe Boot
Suede Chukka
Ravello PTB
and so whiskey doesn't feel left out
Whiskey WTBoot

^

And free shipping from Switzerland. Somebody kop those.

If I could afford them both AND a good divorce attorney, I'd prob buy. Since I can't, I guess I won't get either.

 

[g.michael]



Alden Stitching Issue Update; The back stitching of my Grant lasted black shell captoe came undone. I sent the boots back to Alden and the fixed them and sent them back all within 3 weeks:

Before:



After:



the repair job doesnt look pretty but considering the severity of the tear, im both impressed and satisfied. Alden also threw in free shoe bags. BIg thanks to Beowolf who helped coordinate with theShoeMart

I don't understand--you're actually happy with that? It looks like crap. If the tear was your fault I can understand Alden just sewing it up. If the tear happened from normal wear, that's a manufacturing flaw and they should have come through with new boots or a merchandise credit of some sort. It looks like you could have stitched that yourself.

 

[Joenobody0]



I don't understand--you're actually happy with that? It looks like crap. If the tear was your fault I can understand Alden just sewing it up. If the tear happened from normal wear, that's a manufacturing flaw and they should have come through with new boots or a merchandise credit of some sort. It looks like you could have stitched that yourself.

I wasn't going to say anything about this, but I agree with you. Sometimes if feels like people have battered woman syndrome when it comes to Alden quality.

I'd be super pissed if that happened on a $200 pair of Allen Edmonds seconds. The fact that Shell Aldens cost nearly $700 and people put up with issues like this doesn't make sense to me.

 

[number9dream]



I'd be super pissed if that happened on a $200 pair of Allen Edmonds seconds.

The difference is that Allen Edmonds would have given him a brand new pair of shoes, no questions asked. I can say that from personal experience with shell cordovan strands that I took into the store to be repaired (and was mailed a brand new pair free of charge).

 

[HorseHide]



It looks like crap.

Crap is a nice way to describe it - I'd send them back and demand a replacement/refund/credit. How does that leave the Alden factory looking like that? Did someone actually look at the repair and say "That's a good job!"?

 

[wj4]

first off: I always thought Namor was in the states!

If my Aldens ever need a repair due to inferior quality control issues and they mistreat me or do a half effort job, I would be turned off from Alden in general.

 

[WhoKnewI]

Woah that repair is awful. Namor, def get in contact with Alden about this and just demand a refund or something because that looks awful. Even if I wore that boot and no one could see the messed up area, it would bother me just knowing that it was there.

 

[nurktwin]

Wanted to share my Alden experience. I picked up a captoe bal in calfskin a few years ago. Great quality shoe.

Last year, I bought a 990 in shell. But sent it back due to quality issues. See this thread from last year: http://www.styleforum.net/t/197865/alden-shell-cordovan-shoelace-hole-misalignment-is-this-normal

Fast forward a year later to now. I recently decided to give this model another try and ordered another 990 from a different online retailer. Received it. But haven't yet worn it.

I notice a weird "smudge" on one of the shoes. Anyone know what to make of this? The first pic below is the initial smudge out of the box. The second pic is the same smudge after I tried to remove the smudge with a damp cloth.

I really think this is a great shoe and want to own a decent example, but the quality issues are troubling. If I can get the smudge off, I'd be happy and will keep it. If not, I'll send it back. Thoughts on what this smudge is? Thanks.