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

[mcarthur]



I have tried both Reno and Venetian and I have stuck with Reno. The primary differences for me are:
1. Price - Reno is more expensive. Not a plus but these are $700 shoes we are dealing with here. I don't care much about a small difference in price and don't need a lifetime supply of shoe treatment sitting in my drawer. A tiny little bottle of Reno consumes little space and the ritual of using it feels more luxurious to me than opening my giant tin of Venetian.
2. Smell - Venetian smells too much like a chemical for me. I have grown to like the smell of Reno.
3. Applicability - I can dab tiny amounts of Reno on my shoe since the creme is more consistent
4. Shine vs. Luster - I found that the Reno brought out the luster in the cordovan more so than Venetian which made the shoes appears a bit too shiny.
Some of these differences are highly subjective, but I would hesitate to describe Reno as "hype". It's a wonderful product.

thank you for your analysis

 

[ElDave]



It looks like tan or snuff suede. If those are from the seconds list the colors are sometimes wrong or best guesses. Part of the charm of the seconds list.
Today, White (HOT) Suede saddle shoes on red brick sole:

I've never seen the white on white suede saddle... what an awesome design. This is fantastic - hope you enjoy.

 

[velomane]



I would like to know that Alden cape toe boot from J gilbert is the same color as Leather soul cap toe color 8 or not





Please give me advice because i would like to buy the boot from Leather soul and Leffot but they aren't available , but j gilbert is ready to shipped right now

Hey chanakit,

My understanding is the Leather Soul #8 boot should be arriving in a month or so. Have you tried contacting them? If they're not already sold out, you may be lucky enough to get a pair. What size are you?

 

[wj4]

Black shell LWBs today:

 

[chanakit]

I try to contact OKI who told me that my 8D was sold out already

I'm not lucky

So i try to find another NST boot in color 8 or in whiskey

i have to buy it in early time due to i have to go back my country in july, so i can't wait the product in next year or early new year

 

[PhiPsi32]

^^^ I hope you get them. Safe travels.

 

[chanakit]

Thank you in my wish list i wanna get these

-Alden Day tripper
-AldenXLeffot NST whiskey
-Alden AF53
-Alden leather soul cape toe


But i would like to know

NST boot in color by Leffot,Context,Leather soul,The shoes mart are very similar right but in my opinion AldenXLeffot is unique or the picture lie me.

Although i have to go back, i still stay in this web board. Moreover, in next year if possible i wanna attend to NYU. i will come back here USA i love this country.

 

[PhiPsi32]

NYU? You shouldn't have too much trouble finding Aldens then!

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



I have tried both Reno and Venetian and I have stuck with Reno. The primary differences for me are:
1. Price - Reno is more expensive. Not a plus but these are $700 shoes we are dealing with here. I don't care much about a small difference in price and don't need a lifetime supply of shoe treatment sitting in my drawer. A tiny little bottle of Reno consumes little space and the ritual of using it feels more luxurious to me than opening my giant tin of Venetian.
2. Smell - Venetian smells too much like a chemical for me. I have grown to like the smell of Reno.
3. Applicability - I can dab tiny amounts of Reno on my shoe since the creme is more consistent
4. Shine vs. Luster - I found that the Reno brought out the luster in the cordovan more so than Venetian which made the shoes appears a bit too shiny.
Some of these differences are highly subjective, but I would hesitate to describe Reno as "hype". It's a wonderful product.

A very decent comparative analysis by Kippy ....
1. I agree that the small difference in price fades into irrelevancy given the shoes/boots at hand. The huge tin is just that - huge (even silly, IMO). So I opt for the small bottles of Venetian which are, not surprisingly, too small.
2. I concur.
3. I concur.
4. Reno is better at bringing out the luster. However, I never found that Venetian made my shoes too shiny.
An added 5th point. Reno is great on shell and calf. Venetian is decent on shell; however, I have found it almost totally useless on calf when compared to the various quality calf shoe creams on the market.
I don't know that I will altogether quit using Venetian, but I will use it less often.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



Could you share your experiences and use history of defender? I have some but am never really sure when in the process to use. Often, I put some on if the forecast calls for any possibility of rain. However, it seems to dull the shine on my Ravello LWBs. Do you brush after applying? Buff?

I personally only use it between shell treatments, not as part of my shell treatments (but that may work just fine as well). I have not experienced it dulling the shine of any of my shell colors - 8, black, 4, cigar, ravello, or whiskey.
1. clean shoes with damp cloth - let dry (5 minutes)
2. spray defender on clean cloth and apply to entire shoe (I apply a moderate amount ) by rubbing in evenly, but not applying a great amount of pressure - let dry (10 minutes to be safe)
3. buff with clean polishing cloth

At the beginning of step 3, a guy can also use a horsehair brush as well, but I have not found it necessary.

 

[WhoKnewI]



Black shell LWBs today:

These are so underrated

 

[closerlook]

ravello LWB, from the book of mac.

nephew,
looking very good

thanks, mcarthur.

 

[felixkcma]

Thanks! Sorry for the poor pic. Got them off Tassels as they are on sale and this is the last pair in my size!

TASSELS MTO by Alden

- Navy Flexwelt Collection

- Snuff & Navy Suede

- Barrie last

- Flexwelt system (weather proof flexible oiled sole)

- Five polished brass eyelets

- Tone matching waxed shoelaces

Just sprayed waterproof to protect them.

 

[kippy]



thank you for your analysis

Happy to contribute Uncle Mac.

A very decent comparative analysis by Kippy ....
1. I agree that the small difference in price fades into irrelevancy given the shoes/boots at hand. The huge tin is just that - huge (even silly, IMO). So I opt for the small bottles of Venetian which are, not surprisingly, too small.
2. I concur.
3. I concur.
4. Reno is better at bringing out the luster. However, I never found that Venetian made my shoes too shiny.
An added 5th point. Reno is great on shell and calf. Venetian is decent on shell; however, I have found it almost totally useless on calf when compared to the various quality calf shoe creams on the market.
I don't know that I will altogether quit using Venetian, but I will use it less often.

Thanks for point out about the use of Reno on calf. I had no idea one could use it for that purpose. I should also mention that I still make use of my Venetian for other leather and consider it to be a quality product.

On another note, I watched a video from a British shoe make whose name I cannot remember at the moment and they put conditioner on the soles of their shoes. Does anyone on the forum do this? Is it necessary to condition the bottom of your double leather soles? What could the purpose of this be?

 

[justsayno]

to prevent drying and the possibly the splitting of the soles

Happy to contribute Uncle Mac.
Thanks for point out about the use of Reno on calf. I had no idea one could use it for that purpose. I should also mention that I still make use of my Venetian for other leather and consider it to be a quality product.
On another note, I watched a video from a British shoe make whose name I cannot remember at the moment and they put conditioner on the soles of their shoes. Does anyone on the forum do this? Is it necessary to condition the bottom of your double leather soles? What could the purpose of this be?