***The official Alden thread *** - Page 418

I received a pair of 9D Chromexcel Indy's from J.Crew today. A few observations for those who are interested: 1. Sizing: Compared to the 9D Leather Soul Jumper boots I have which a re also Trubalance last, the feel slightly bigger. In fact, I would say the J.Crew in this 9D feels almost as big as the 9.5D in the Jumper Boot (which is what I ended up getting). Not sure why the discrepancy...perhaps the design of the toebox upper? Anyway, just confirms to me that you can not always translate the sizes between models of the same last. 2. Beautiful boot. Look better in person even than pics. Welt is stained a darker color than other Chromexcel Indys I have seen pics of. This is somewhat of a significant detail, IMO, as it kind of makes the whole boot a bit more monochromatic, which I personally like (except the white stitching of course) 3. There seems to be a bit of disparity in where the contrast toebox seams are stitched between the left and right shoe. On one boot, the stitching at the tip is a bit more squared off, and veers towards the inside edge of the shoe more than the other one. As a result the toebox looks like it is leaning slightly inwards towards the big toe on that boot. Now this may just be typical for an Indy boot...just slight manufacturing tolerances due to being handmade? FYI, J.Crew online would not let me use an Academic discount on this product...I had read some posts where people succeeded in doing so...is there something I'm missing?

I'm sure it's the toebox. My indy boots fit wider than my jumpers as well. I can fit an orthodic in the indys but not the jumpers. Still love 'em both though. Don't know if I'd size down for the indys though.

I'm thinking it might have something to do with the chromexcel leather too. I ordered the same boot in an 11.5, same size as my 405 Indy and my Context Tanker boots, and it was much too large. Ended up returning them. Then I found some Roy boots in an 11 at Context and tried them on, they are at least as big as my 11.5 405s in most ways, though maybe just shy of that in the actual length. They are a much looser fit on the upper shaft section though and through most of the main volume of the shoe. Very strange so I wonder if it's a Chromexcel thing. Love my Roys though and sizing down 1/2 to 11 has worked out very well for me on them.

Maybe it is the Chromexcel leather. Perhaps the leather does not conform as tightly to the last due to thickness or stiffness? It does feel incredibly substantial. Then again, I thought Shell Cordovan sometimes ends up being slightly higher volume due to its resistance to stretching? Or so I was told at LSBH.

Now that I think of it, I don't think it is just the toebox discrepancy between the Jumper and the Indy, because I've got the laces tied almost to max. tightness around the instep and ankle on both the 9D Indy and the 9.5D Jumper. The 9D Jumper on the other hand, the lacing was more spaced out all the way around.

You guys may be onto something. My chromexcel Indys do fit a bit looser than my black calf Indys. All 11D

Gonna sell these on the B&S forum but wanted to share the pics here first. Sorry to the mods if this is considered spam, just thought everyone would like to see some aged cigar and whiskey. Please keep all sales questions on the B&S forum. Thanks!

Unfortunately, just as I was about to wear the J.Crew Indy's out of the house for the first time, I noticed that I keep having trouble lacing the left boot up around the top speedlace hooks. The laces were slipping off one of the hooks. Then I realized that the hooks did not line up at the same height between the two sides of the shaft of the boot. I had not realized this before as I was lacing them just by wrapping the whole lace around the shaft once out of laziness. Taking the boots off, I realized that the problem was that one side of the boot is actually higher than the other! If you look at it straight on from the heel, it is easy to see that the right side of the left boot is a good 1/2 to 3/4" higher than the left side. It is even more obvious when you put the left and right boot together on the floor (the right one seems even). In fact the entire left boot, in addition to being uneven, is at least 1/2" taller than the right boot as well.

Luckily I shouldn't have a problem returning them to J.Crew, but WTF? The uneven contrast stitching was one thing...mostly cosmetic...but this is BS...what I would expect out of a pair of seconds maybe. I was skeptical about the reportedly suspect QC of some of these Aldens...especially J.Crew, but now...

It's a shame because they really look (and feel) great otherwise.

I just got the natural chromexcel chukkas from Leffot and I have to say they look great in person. You're right Jason- nothing like whiskey....

Does Alden make a kudo leather belt? I'm trying to find a belt to match my Alden kudu leather boots.

Look what just showed up from blackbird - The Alden Beefroll Penny Moc in Burgundy. Sorry for the crappy Iphone pics - I'm at work

How's the sizing on the Beefroll Penny Moc? It's next on my list.

Definitely True to Size. I'm an 8 in the 405 Indy Boot, 8.5 in the Beefroll

Probably wouldn't be a good idea...the oil and residue would get all over your pants.

Can anyone shed some light on D vs E widths of the same size on Barrie? Had an interesting discussion today with the guys at Tassels HK. The jist of it is that the E width is much 'blobbier' than the D width when comparing the same size. I am considering a pair of longwings, but they only stock D widths here. I would need to special order an E. If anyone has any pics it would be extremely helpful

I'm not sure there should be any mystery. the E is wider and therefore will look fatter. how much, I dunno, 1/4 inch? not sure what the width difference is