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

[blue collar]



That 'chip' is NOTHING. That's where the 360* welt meets. There will obviously be a seam of some sort. If that's the only issue with the boots, you made out pretty good. As Tom from Leather Soul has said in the past; these are hand made none will be 100% perfect, so don't expect them to be.


Edit : To be honest thats a pretty clean connection (on the welt) as far as Alden built quality goes.

 

[SuitedDx]



^ beautiful pair. you got off easy with those "minor" defects. how do the vamps look under the light? they appear mismatched but it may be the photos.

The welt connection is normal and 'issue' is purely cosmetic. Any slight discoloration will also even out after a few wears. Once you're ready to re-sole, addressing the welt (or even dyeing) is a minor job.

 

[Bakes11771]

That 'chip' is NOTHING. That's where the 360* welt meets. There will obviously be a seam of some sort. If that's the only issue with the boots, you made out pretty good. As Tom from Leather Soul has said in the past; these are hand made none will be 100% perfect, so don't expect them to be.
Edit : To be honest thats a pretty clean connection (on the welt) as far as Alden built quality goes.

+1

All 360 welts have this. Thats why they make the two ends meet on the inside heel of the shoe, as its least noticable.

Edit: BTW that is a fine specimin you have there.

Also, I agree that a shoe of that price should be flaweless, unfortuntately it's not always the case.

 

[BootSpell]



Not so, Alden x LS Conservation Boot

While not loving the wedge sole, the color and patina developed on these boots is very appealing to me. So I guess to each his own.

 

[Harold falcon]

 

[BootSpell]



Wow, gorgeous! Is that on the modified last?

 

[Harold falcon]



Wow, gorgeous! Is that on the modified last?

Yup. It has the Commando sole, too.

 

[irbe]



I just ordered these Alden for J. Crew #8 PCT boots on the J. Crew site.  I have to wait till November for estimated shipping as they were out of my size.

PSA for anyone interested in these:  I signed up to receive emails from J. Crew last month and they sent me a 10% off my next online purchase (email).  I was able to use this on these boots so I got them for $645 less 10% which comes out to about $580.  Not bad for shell boots!

Never got a 10 percent off email and I've been on their mailing forever

 

[Alcibiades]



While not loving the wedge sole, the color and patina developed on these boots is very appealing to me. So I guess to each his own.

I've stuggled with that shoe - the natural CXL on that particular pair looks good (better than some other natural CXL I've seen), but I think I would prefer a dark brown leather or commando sole with that model istead of the wedge sole. Not sure the sole contrasts enough with the leather.

 

[jt2gt]

Here's some traditional saddle love from Shoemart. Pebble brown w/color 8 cordo saddle. JT

 

[mcarthur]

...

So I have a quick question to ask all you Alden experts on my cordovan Barrie Wingtip boots. I am super excited as I just purchased my very first pair of Aldens and received them today in the mail. As I was checking the quality/symmetry of both shoes, I noticed a small chip on the side of the barrie sole of the left foot shoe only. Since these are my first pair, I am unsure as to whether this is a defect/poor workmanship or something that is very common on Aldens. Is this something that i should worry about and return to the store? I have the option of returning the shoe within 30 days. I'm usually not this picky, but TBH, I kind of expected a little better quality control for a $740 shoe Let me know your thoughts on this.
Here are some pics for reference:

i would keep! use the break in method! enjoy wearing in good health

 

[mcarthur]

whiskey indy
argyles otc

 

[PhiPsi32]

Not so, Alden x LS Conservation Boot

im sorry but theyre one of the ugliest pair around

While not loving the wedge sole, the color and patina developed on these boots is very appealing to me. So I guess to each his own.

 

[closerlook]

This is just a curiosity, but does anyone have any insights into how on earth it is that ebay shops like "distinctive footwear" or "hitchnpost" are listing numerous pairs of used shell cordovan shoes, rare ravello models and the like at that, pretty much every week.

 

[trig]

anyone know if Tom Austin is done unloading their Aldens?