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

[P. Bateman]

Bit the bullet and just ordered these.

 

[localman]

J. Crew Cap Toe again.

 

[Moss]



looks like the milkshake suede from bureau belfast (but not). where are these?

Is that first chukka the unlined in snuff?

 

[Soylent Green]

For all you Alden cordovan chukka owners (Barrie last), during the break in period, could any of you feel the stitches on the outside of your feet (midfoot) during the break in? I have two pair and they both rub my foot in the same place. I don't think it's a width issue, but a protruding stitch, and it's been my assumption that it would wear off after a while. Just curious about others' experience.

Relatedly, do any of you wear a barrie lasted chukka in a different size from a barrie lasted plan toe blucher?

 

[CTYGGG]



For all you Alden cordovan chukka owners (Barrie last), during the break in period, could any of you feel the stitches on the outside of your feet (midfoot) during the break in? I have two pair and they both rub my foot in the same place. I don't think it's a width issue, but a protruding stitch, and it's been my assumption that it would wear off after a while. Just curious about others' experience.

Relatedly, do any of you wear a barrie lasted chukka in a different size from a barrie lasted plan toe blucher?

The shell chukka can be a tough fit until you have your correct size dialed in. Does your foot slide in easily with the shoe horn or is it a tight squeeze? The vamp on the chukka can be on the low side for people with high arches. I hope the problem resolves itself or on the next purchase you may need to go up a width.

 

[seer]

For all you Alden cordovan chukka owners (Barrie last), during the break in period, could any of you feel the stitches on the outside of your feet (midfoot) during the break in? I have two pair and they both rub my foot in the same place. I don't think it's a width issue, but a protruding stitch, and it's been my assumption that it would wear off after a while. Just curious about others' experience.

Relatedly, do any of you wear a barrie lasted chukka in a different size from a barrie lasted plan toe blucher?

Yep, except I have a pair of calfskin chukkas in barrie last with the same issue. It's getting less as I wear them.

 

[Joenobody0]



The shell chukka can be a tough fit until you have your correct size dialed in. Does your foot slide in easily with the shoe horn or is it a tight squeeze? The vamp on the chukka can be on the low side for people with high arches. I hope the problem resolves itself or on the next purchase you may need to go up a width.

Good point on the low vamp. That leads to the third horizontal crease up in the middle of the vamp that you often see on broken in Barrie chukkas. Mine has it and it presses on my foot in an uncomfortable way.

 

[herrmj]

So I ordered a 12.5 C 986 from Alden SF online. It gets here, and feels a bit too wide. I call up the store, ask if they have a B width in stock, and they offer to ship it out to me at no extra charge. All they asked is that I return the pair that doesn't fit promptly. Holy customer service batman!

 

[Alcibiades]



Well, looking at the B&S listings in your signature, it seems you might be a Barrie 10. Don't mean to cost you any money, but AoC has a pair of whiskey longwings listed on its irregulars page in that size. I've found Adam's standards to be very high.

Thanks... I will investigate

 

[FrankCowperwood]



Sorry for the delayed response.

I sized down a half size and they fit me perfect. I also own the J. Crew Indy's which I also sized down a half size with. Those are a bit more roomy but fit good as well. Also for more pics you can check my profile there are a few more.

As a side note I really can't say enough good things about J. Crew's customer service. I received a pair of the cap toes as a gift and after slightly less than 2 months the speed hooks started tearing through the leather. After getting the order number they sent out a replacement pair immediately, then upon receiving those and seeing some textural abnormality on the toe of one of the boots they sent out another pair; unfortunately with some scratches that were deeper than the finish of the boot, so after contacting them again they are now sending out another pair overnight and hand checking them to make sure they are blemish free.

All that without having to plead or beg or anything like that. Just stated the facts and they were happy to help. Naturally these ones will be hand checked and chock full of scratches and they will pull a 180 on me and not accept an exchange, but I'm hoping not.

Just wanted to share that for anyone that has a pair of J. Crew boots and may be experiencing some problems.



Great thanks for the reply!

Glad to hear you've had a good experience with J Crew and the boots look great in your photos. Enjoy wearing them. On the other hand, one does wonder whether this very lenient return policy isn't at least partially responsible for the quality control issues people seem to experience with J Crew in particular. I envision a conveyor belt of returns and reshippings to different customers until someone keeps them. Just a thought.

 

[CharlieAngel]



I couldn't resist

Jeremy scott x aldens?

 

[abam]

Any idea what's going on here on the vamp below the brogued portion? Been wearing them, and it looks like parts of the finish are flaking off.

 

[El Argentino]



Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Any idea what's going on here on the vamp below the brogued portion? Been wearing them, and it looks like parts of the finish are flaking off.

2nded - under some light my LWBs look like there are similar spots. Just figured it was natural Alden QC crap.

 

[zazaza]



2nded - under some light my LWBs look like there are similar spots. Just figured it was natural Alden QC crap.

these are shell, right?
have you tried brushing the heck out of them?

 

[lummers13]



Any idea what's going on here on the vamp below the brogued portion? Been wearing them, and it looks like parts of the finish are flaking off.

I wanna say it's the shell 'blooming?' I'd go with what zazaza said about just brushing until your arm's gonna fall off.

Here's what AoC has to say "Often on new shell cordovan shoes, a white, waxy substance will form. This is also normal; the residue from the tanning of the leather. To remove the white wax, simply wipe off with a paper towel. To remove the wax in difficult areas, such as between stitches, use a toothbrush." It's just a by product of the tanning process no? Since it's stuffed with so many oils right?

Here's the link: http://www.alden-of-carmel.com/index.cfm/care_of_shell_cordovan.htm