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

[Grolsch]



Unless you have a plethora of #8 and no black, I'd stick with number 8. I could be wrong but I do think that the black will age and patina to a sarker brown #8 color, especially with application of #8 polish, but would take a long time. I have one pair of black cordovan, BBBF LWB. I wear them occasionally. If I didn't feel the need to own at least one pair of black shoes, I;d probably get rid of them.

Hi. Thanks for the quick reply. Well I don't have any #8 This will be my very first pair! Having used to wearing only black and multiple shades of brown mostly, I'm finding it hard to ignore the "burgundy" shade of a new pair of #8s.

Experienced owners have varied openions on how long it might take to develop a decent patina of a well worn look. Some suggests sunlight, Mc method or good old walking.

I'm confused! Do I want the burgundy color? No. Do I like the aged look? Yes. Guess I should just keep an eye on the classifieds and hope a pair turns up soon enough in 9.5

 

[randomkoreandude]

yeah these are mine. they are black, not #8

 

[Grolsch]

^ I conveniently took your pic from a random search for black shell cordovan. Hope you don't mind! Beautiful boots. And yes, I meant to post it as black itself.

I did try to get those SF Boots few months back. But the reply I got from Bryson of Leathersoul for any possible pre-order was:

We don't have this boot in stock at this time. We don't have any plans to order them and they are definitely unique and I can't offer any suggestions for a similar looking boot... Please continue to check our site as Tom is constantly thinking of new designs. If you need any further assistance feel free to e-mail me. Have a nice day!

So I envy you. Now on to alternatives...

 

[Beatlegeuse]



Hi. Thanks for the quick reply. Well I don't have any #8 This will be my very first pair! Having used to wearing only black and multiple shades of brown mostly, I'm finding it hard to ignore the "burgundy" shade of a new pair of #8s.
Experienced owners have varied openions on how long it might take to develop a decent patina of a well worn look. Some suggests sunlight, Mc method or good old walking.
I'm confused! Do I want the burgundy color? No. Do I like the aged look? Yes. Guess I should just keep an eye on the classifieds and hope a pair turns up soon enough in 9.5

Don't fear the #8....I used to think the same thing when I used to wear mostly black and dark brown shoes, but I think you will find that burgundy will quickly become one of your most versatile pairs of shoes.

 

[Joenobody0]



Quick question here:
Just pulled out a pair of #8 shell boots hat I haven't worn in a long time (maybe about 6-8 months), and there was a fog on a part of one of them on the side and along the lace holes (think wax buildup because it was like the fog when I used to wax my car in HS- '89 Lincoln LSC for those who care). It basically buffed off with a brushing but want to make sure that is in fact what it was....

It's the natural waxes coming out of the shell. I have a pair that "fogs up" after about a week.

 

[AlanC]



Quick question here:
Just pulled out a pair of #8 shell boots hat I haven't worn in a long time (maybe about 6-8 months), and there was a fog on a part of one of them on the side and along the lace holes (think wax buildup because it was like the fog when I used to wax my car in HS- '89 Lincoln LSC for those who care). It basically buffed off with a brushing but want to make sure that is in fact what it was....

It's called "bloom". Here's an extreme case:




BTW, the AlanC x Leather Soul x Alden contest boot has landed at my house. I'll try to get some pics up soon. They're gorgeous!

 

[zippyh]

So why does #8 seem to bloom more than the other colors?

 

[Morgan]

That's a good question. I discussed blooming with an Alden rep at LeatherSoul, and he said the cordovan is impregnated with so much oil/wax that it seeps out on warm days, and hardens into a whitish film when it cools off. It's like leaving a chocolate bar in a warm room, which will separate into cocoa butter and solids and take on a streaky white appearance. Since he explained this, I've noticed that it's most noticeable when it cools down after a day or two of very warm weather. The Alden rep said he used a hairdryer (from several feet away) to warm the shoe back up before brushing it.

 

[jasonfoote303]



Hi. Thanks for the quick reply. Well I don't have any #8 This will be my very first pair! Having used to wearing only black and multiple shades of brown mostly, I'm finding it hard to ignore the "burgundy" shade of a new pair of #8s.

Experienced owners have varied openions on how long it might take to develop a decent patina of a well worn look. Some suggests sunlight, Mc method or good old walking.

I'm confused! Do I want the burgundy color? No. Do I like the aged look? Yes. Guess I should just keep an eye on the classifieds and hope a pair turns up soon enough in 9.5

Here's my AF53's after about a year or year and a half of mild use. I've left them exposed to direct sunlight for some hours and they are stored in indirect light most of the time

I truly believe that the color change is from exposure to UV light which fades the red dye. Red usually fades more than other pigments. Black shell doesn't really fade FYI

Walking and polishing won't affect the color very much. It's the light.

 

[jasonfoote303]



That's a good question. I discussed blooming with an Alden rep at LeatherSoul, and he said the cordovan is impregnated with so much oil/wax that it seeps out on warm days, and hardens into a whitish film when it cools off. It's like leaving a chocolate bar in a warm room, which will separate into cocoa butter and solids and take on a streaky white appearance. Since he explained this, I've noticed that it's most noticeable when it cools down after a day or two of very warm weather. The Alden rep said he used a hairdryer (from several feet away) to warm the shoe back up before brushing it.

Let the shoe cool down completely before brushing! If you brush it warm, it will get swirly streaks. Nothing permanent, but it looks bad

 

[wj4]

Congrats to Leather Soul! I saw the new Big Black Book from Esquire and LS is mentioned as one of the best shops in the nation.

 

[unclesam099]

Unless you have a plethora of #8 and no black, I'd stick with number 8. I could be wrong but I do think that the black will age and patina to a sarker brown #8 color, especially with application of #8 polish, but would take a long time. I have one pair of black cordovan, BBBF LWB. I wear them occasionally. If I didn't feel the need to own at least one pair of black shoes, I;d probably get rid of them.

+1 on your comment. I have the same LWB and haven't worn them in months. Though they are nice, and different because they're on the Grant...

 

[commodorewheeler]



So why does #8 seem to bloom more than the other colors?

For me, black has gotten the most bloom, with #8 a close second. #4 has gotten the least.

 

[Morgan]

Cigar Longwing Bluchers:

 

[LukeM]

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Cigar Longwing Bluchers:

They kind of look like they are made from the side of a UPS truck. Fantastic shoes though