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

[WhatAboutBob]



The first time I ordered from shoemart I dealt with one of the owners. It wasn't an ideal experience.
ever since then I've dealt with Mark Waters who has been nothing but wonderful. He's even gone as far as taking multiple pics of a given shoe if I have questions about the condition of any of their 2nds. Can't recommend him enough.

Thanks, always dealt with Joe, but he could never send pix...

 

[NotClever]

Maybe it is the photo but they seem burgundy to me. I think the custom bookmaker edition is a fancy way of saying they Alden made that make-up for them specially. by just putting on the commando sole I think might "qualify" them as a "special make-up". However they are a good looking pair of shoes and I do love a commando sole.

Well, there is such a thing as "bootmaker edition" which Alden stamps onto the insoles of some models. I've been curious what it actually means as well, as I haven't seen the topic come up since I've been reading about Alden.

 

[Soylent Green]

So I recently purchased a few pair of Alden cordovans in the barrie last. I have plenty of room in an 8.5 D on them. But I also purchased a pair of suede chukka - but in 9D. Although I have a finger of space between my big toe and the end of the shoe on the suede chukkas, the toe box still feels tight. Does this stretch out or give way over time (today is the first time I'm wearing them out)? I don't know if sizing up would help or if there would be simply too much room in the shoe.

Anyone with both the barrie last cordovans and the suede chukkas able to share their sizing information? How much larger do you size up for the suede chukkas vs. the cordovans on the barrie last?

 

[ghdvfddzgzdzg]

the toe box will stretch out some, probably more easily than they would in a shell shoe.

 

[brokeassp]



sizing question: How do 8.5C and 9B compare in widths to 8D? I have some 8D Barrie chukkas that are, in the heel, close to fitting but a tiny bit loose, but a little too short overall (some pinky toe squishing.) I measure a 9B on the brannock and I'm doing a preorder.

8.5C seems like your size. If you`re a 9B, on the brannock, you size down 1/2 for the barrie last but YMMV! Although I am not sure how close the width on a lower size vs. your brannock size. People usually size down 1/2 for the barrie/tb/modified/etc. lasts but I usually read about them keeping the width-ie. sizing down to 8.5D from a 9D

 

[sazon]

For those of you who admire Uncle Mac’s pristine long wings in the exotic shell colors, and who happen to be a 8.5 D in the Barrie, there is a great opportunity coming your way. Keep an eye on “Mac’s Treasures” or PM me for details…

 

[FrankCowperwood]

The most recent addition, #8 LWB.

 

[sazon]



The most recent addition, #8 LWB.

excellent choice. looking good!

 

[Simplicio]

I was just in the Alden New York Store and decided to try out a pair of LHS loafers in cigar. I wear a 9D Barrie, so that was where I started with the Van last. But this was clearly not a good fit. My heel came right out of the shoe. So I tried the 8.5D on the advice of the salesman. This seemed to fit better. It was shorter, but I still had adequate room in front of my toes. It was tight over the top of my foot, but the guy assured my that that was what I wanted, since they would certainly stretch out. So I got them, despite the fact that I had never worn a size 8.5. Then I tried them on again when I got home. After about 10-15 minutes (on carpet) I realized that they were very tight in the width as well, and that this was fairly uncomfortable. I worried that they might never become comfortable, so I decided to take them back this morning. The store was good about accepting the return, although they said (different guy this time) that they thought that the shell would stretch out eventually, as much as it needed to. Maybe, but I didn't want to run the risk. I tried on a 8.5E (wider). This was more comfortable, but I still didn't feel sure about it. I've never worn a wide size before, and I was concerned about the possibility that they might stretch out. So I decided to just pass on the shoes.

Has anyone else sized down to wear the Van last, and does this seem to work? The posts that I have seen indicate that most people take the same size as in the Barrie last. I like these LHS loafers, but at the moment I fear that the Van last might not work for me.

 

[Dr. D]

It's not just you- it's the design of the LHS itself that is tight. The LHS have a very low vamp, which makes it unwearable for some. There are several threads at AAAC trad forum discussing this topic. Furthermore, the low vamp is more pronounced in the lined LHS than the unlined. I can say from personal experience that my lined ravello LHS feel much tighter vertically then my Brooks Brothers unlined LHS.

 

[HorseHide]



It's not just you- it's the design of the LHS itself that is tight. The LHS have a very low vamp, which makes it unwearable for some. There are several threads at AAAC trad forum discussing this topic. Furthermore, the low vamp is more pronounced in the lined LHS than the unlined. I can say from personal experience that my lined ravello LHS feel much tighter vertically then my Brooks Brothers unlined LHS.

+1 I have tried everything to make the shell LHS work for me - they doesn't. I have a high instep and the Van doesn't accomodate it. I've tried to have shoes stretched, etc. Doesn't work for shell. I did grab a pair of the CXL that LS made up recently (and are available for pre-order currently). The CXL does stretch and they are quite comfortable.

 

[Joenobody0]



I was just in the Alden New York Store and decided to try out a pair of LHS loafers in cigar. I wear a 9D Barrie, so that was where I started with the Van last. But this was clearly not a good fit. My heel came right out of the shoe. So I tried the 8.5D on the advice of the salesman. This seemed to fit better. It was shorter, but I still had adequate room in front of my toes. It was tight over the top of my foot, but the guy assured my that that was what I wanted, since they would certainly stretch out. So I got them, despite the fact that I had never worn a size 8.5. Then I tried them on again when I got home. After about 10-15 minutes (on carpet) I realized that they were very tight in the width as well, and that this was fairly uncomfortable. I worried that they might never become comfortable, so I decided to take them back this morning. The store was good about accepting the return, although they said (different guy this time) that they thought that the shell would stretch out eventually, as much as it needed to. Maybe, but I didn't want to run the risk. I tried on a 8.5E (wider). This was more comfortable, but I still didn't feel sure about it. I've never worn a wide size before, and I was concerned about the possibility that they might stretch out. So I decided to just pass on the shoes.
Has anyone else sized down to wear the Van last, and does this seem to work? The posts that I have seen indicate that most people take the same size as in the Barrie last. I like these LHS loafers, but at the moment I fear that the Van last might not work for me.

The Van last can be very hard to fit. I've had success with the unlined Alden for BB shoes. Besides that, I haven't been able to get it to work. If you really want this style of shoe, consider the C&J Harvard. My pair is much more comfortable over my instep.

 

[wmb]



Recently purchased a pair of Color #8, cordovan PTB's and fell in love. Found this forum and read almost all of the 1400 pages. Filled with envy, went to ebay and purchased a brand new pair of Scotch Grain PTB's with commando soles, originally from Shoemart for about $320. Some pictures below. Question: Did I get a good deal price wise or did my envy get the best of me?

those are nice -- perfect for bad weather. keep them and wear them! they will last you a long time...

 

[mcarthur]



The most recent addition, #8 LWB.

good looking gunboat, enjoy wearing

 

[mcarthur]

cigar ptb
argyle otc