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

[misterjuiceman]

If that were true, then the tongues of all his boots would slip over.
Some boots are just made with the tongue crooked and it slips over. I've got a pair of suede Indy boots where the left tongue slips to the right.
Crockett & Jones boots typically have the left side of the right shoe's tongue stitched down to prevent the slippage. (And of course the right side of the left boot's tongue).

I think the shoe contributes to it, but I think depending on how you walk, you can avoid it entirely. I have one boot from Alden that's more prone to it--all of my boots from them readily do it on the right, one does it very slightly on the left, but the tongue is thinner. And as you mentioned, C&J boots stich the tongue, so I haven't noticed it on them. Strangely enough, I just took off my boots the other day and the stiching on one of them ripped.

 

[MarioImpemba]

Dark Brown suede chukka Leydon last

Those socks look badass.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



So the Leather Soul black shortwings in size 9.5D arrived yesterday... I normally wear 10D/9.5E in barrie (brannock size 10E), so I was planning on sending these back to get the 10D version... However, after looking at the length of this shoe (and given I intend to wear it with suits and dress pants), I decided to try them on. They fit fine; they are snug (similar to how my Ralph Lauren Marlows fit), but they fit. So I am decided to keep them. I know have Aldens in sizes 9.5D, 9E and 10D on the Barrie Last (in narrower lasts, I have to get 10E). I will post pics this weekend.

Good post. I have more than one size in nearly every Alden last, e.g., Barrie in 9D, 9.5C, 9.5D. Handmade shoes will never fit exactly the same as another pair in the same size/model. Sometimes the fit will bit very similar, but, IMO, never exactly the same.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



Also, does anyone know what US size an Italian 42 converts to? There seem to be conflicting answers based on my search results.

The website itself has a conversion table. I imagine that is what they go by. But as for sizing, buyer beware. Their table says: 43 equals 9.5US and 9.5Uk? No table I have ever seen puts US and UK sizes the same?? Also, I have seen other tables that put 43 at 10US. And another - Alden Shop of SF - puts 43 at 9US.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]

Does anyone own the Alden for BB calfskin PTB? If so, any comment?

It is on sale right now for $328 and I have been considering a PTB (non shell) I can wear in inclement weather. I do know this PTB is on the Barrie, whereas the made for BB shell PTB is on the M-58 (like Barrie) last.

Thanks guys.

 

[bearspoke]

Hey all,

So I took my brand new #8 LWBs out for their first sunny day of wear yesterday and in the sunlight I saw that what appeared to be some minor color variation was quite a bit worse than I had imagined.


I've buffed my heart out but this doesn't seem to be a smear of polish or anything sitting at the surface. .What do you all think I'm looking at here and what should I do about it? I'm brand new to the world of shell but from what I've been able to find online, shell isn't likely to be impacted very much by polishes and other treatments I can do on my own. Considering how much these shoes set me back, I'm a bit disappointed and wary about making sure I get these taken care of now so that I'm not kicking myself down the road. I contacted Alden and they referred me to the retailer. I bought them from NRO and they have proved to be somewhat less than accessible.

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[terradilavoro]



Thanks. Does Alden do European sizing specifically for European markets? The reason I ask is I'm wondering if something Mauro Poluzzi's site marks as a 42 is actually stamped "42" on the inside of the shoe, or if it's stamped "9" (or something else) and they're just doing their own conversion on the site.

Hi kgmessier,

i am a German native guy and bought Aldens in Germany, Great Britain and Italy. For these 3 countries i can definitely proof the stamped sizes inside the shoes are based on US sizes.

cheerio
Joachim

 

[mcarthur]



New CXL jumper boots, maiden voyage.

nephew,
enjoy wearing

 

[mcarthur]

ravello nst
argyles otc

 

[lagsun]

I had one of my first Alden sightings this morning as I took BART from the East Bay into San Francisco. I believe the sharply-dressed man was wearing a pair of Ravello wingtip boots that looked great paired with dark jeans and a belstaff leather jacket. Now I really want to add Ravello to my collection....

 

[blue collar]



I had one of my first Alden sightings this morning as I took BART from the East Bay into San Francisco. I believe the sharply-dressed man was wearing a pair of Ravello wingtip boots that looked great paired with dark jeans and a belstaff leather jacket. Now I really want to add Ravello to my collection....

I can imagine this is very rare. Not that Alden as a company is all that rare, but i dont think that would ever happen to me in Ontario, Canada...

Toronto is still very much in love with Designer brands. Prada, Gucci, LV etc

 

[El Argentino]

Lots of pointy-toed fake crocodile shoes?

 

[closerlook]

I've seen many alden shoes in the wild
especially ever since j crew started carrying them

my favorite sighting was a pair of either really really old bb branded lhs or ravello alden lhs on a guy with a sweet blazer and slim chinos in the international terminal.

 

[Junebug9122]

Can someone give me an idea of the heel to toe length of size 11 on the barrie? I don't live near any retailers and I'd really like to buy a pair that only Alden of Carmel has available, but their return policy is store credit, so I really cannot get the size wrong. I have a pair of shell LWB in an 11.5 that measure 12.2" on the insole with about 0.4" to spare in the toe box, but I'm getting significant heel slippage, even after a month of wear so I wonder if a half size down to 11 might not be of benefit.

 

[kippy]



I can imagine this is very rare. Not that Alden as a company is all that rare, but i dont think that would ever happen to me in Ontario, Canada...
Toronto is still very much in love with Designer brands. Prada, Gucci, LV etc

FWIW, you can count me in as another Bay Area denizen with a pair of Ravello WT boots. I imagine there must be others

I have seen a few Aldens in the wild downtown in the Financial District and it's always fun to spot them and see how people dress them up/down.