***The official Alden thread *** - Page 2597

Well, I tried and I'm not sure what else to do. I think that the one shoe is ruined. I almost wish it would've gone onto my shell chukkas above where the suede were stored, it would be so much easier to clean!

they're definitely not ruined. have you tried a suede cleaner? worse comes to worse you can send them to b. nelson.

 

Thanks, but your last comment nullifies your previous comments.  The "Mac Method" isn't a secret (at least not in these threads).  As a few others agree, broken in shoes does not prevent toe wear ultimately.  It prevents un-necessary excessive wear due to stiff shoes.  I go beyond the 3 separate wearings, and did so before I ever heard of the "Mac Method" simply to ensure proper fit. 

i had to exchange a sweater at j. press. i used USPS priority and it took 2 days to go from Seattle to NY. meanwhile the return package from j press to Seattle is taking 7 days using ups.

why am i sticking up for the usps, i have no idea.

 

Are you serious, or being facetious?  If the only concrete your shoes see is from your car to your office and back, then I get it.  I'm just wondering if (and how) you really only wear your shoes on carpet. 

ups is the worst mail service of the big 3. hands down.

No, I didn't try a suede cleaner. The wax seems to be set into the suede, so I'm not sure how much a cleaner would help. I'm considering sending them to B. Nelson.

I think what Mac is referring to is within the context of trying new shoes to determine if they fit well. Although some distributors will not accept returns on shell shoes with creases, keeping the soles like-new will definitely get a higher asking resale price on auctions, B&S, etc.

I'm in a similar situation - from to the house to the garage to the car, from my spot in the parking garage 10 feet to the elevator, and from then on it's all carpeted. The only real wear is if I have a long walk to a restaurant from the parking lot or something. But, Mac also has a very large rotation, while I end up repeating shoes 2-3 times per month.

Bucksfan, good to see you on this other Americana thread! I am so totally on the other range of the spectrum. Living in NYC and one who would rather walk 10 blocks then hop on a subway for 1 stop, I think I must range anywhere from 4 to 5 miles during a workday and more on weekends (which is a reason why I wear my double leather soled Aldens then). I don't know if it's just me but I do find some satisfaction getting wear out of my shoes.

^ good to be seen, thanks. I am beginning to increase my Alden collection, so I figured I'd start adding to the conversation over here

How long does a double sole last you, out of curiosity? I have them on my Alden for j. Crew captoes and Chukkas.

I rotate shoes a fair amount so they last quite a while, at least a little over a couple of years? I don't however, wait until I get to the cork, I get resoled when it gets to past the first leather layer and starts to show the middle leather layer. Most of my walking is also on concrete so the wear is pretty rough.

If you transition out, all the guys in the AE threat will lose their 'insider' Definitely prefer Alden to AE for more casual footwear!

Thanks everyone, maybe the photos are a little dark, here is a comparison with my Ravello PTB

Anyone thinking of having the Tamara that is posting on Leathef Souls website as a courier for the Cigar Jumpers?

Have you tried a suede brush on those suede's with the wax?

Edited by Don L - 12/8/12 at 1:38pm