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

[Alcibiades]



cigar goodness...Alden of DC cap toe in grant.

Outstanding. Mine will get the first wear in several months this weekend...

 

[Alcibiades]



Some ravello PTBs arrived yesterday from Alden NY. I took some quick, not-too-great pictures this morning. They seem to be on the darker end of the ravello spectrum and have the darker welt/edging, both of which I like. Two questions:

1. The receipt says I can't return if there's creasing on the vamp. Do they really mean that I can't walk around in them on carpet to assess fit?
2. The cordovan care guide cautions against using trees that are too large. These are 11 D. I assume a Woodlore Large is the right size? That's what I use for my 11.5 D AEs. I have to compress the trees a bit more than I do for my AEs, but I don't see how a medium would make sense.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Flash

No Flash

"Dark ravello" may be my favorite shell cordovan color

 

[Papa Doble]



Sounds like good advice. Without getting into the whole issue of various retailers' "no crease" policy (which some of us like and some of us hate), I have had email correspondence with a retailer about this precise issue. And here is their policy:
1. They can be tried on (but be careful not to crease them).
2. Any walking (which will necessarily cause creasing) will make them unreturnable.
I have my own opinions on this type of policy, but this is not the time or place to voice them.

I can understand if it looks like someone walked a mile in them, but if there was slight creasing with no wear otherwise (such as on the sole), I don't think I'd mind. Oh well, I'll do my best to assess fit without walking. Thank you.

 

[Winston S.]



I can understand if it looks like someone walked a mile in them, but if there was slight creasing with no wear otherwise (such as on the sole), I don't think I'd mind. Oh well, I'll do my best to assess fit without walking. Thank you.

There are a lot of people on here that see one slight crease and are turned off. I have a pair of AE Cambridge second Shells that came a bit creased and would have preferred them not to have it, but the only way to ensure that is to stick to these kinds of policies.

 

[Papa Doble]



There are a lot of people on here that see one slight crease and are turned off. I have a pair of AE Cambridge second Shells that came a bit creased and would have preferred them not to have it, but the only way to ensure that is to stick to these kinds of policies.

Fair enough. I guess if I was going to keep them in a display case and wipe them with a diaper, then I'd agree. If the creasing is slight though, so that it would not alter the creases my own feet would make immediately on their maiden voyage, I don't see how it would make a practical difference in the end. I suppose you get into a grey area then, hence the no crease policy of some retailers.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



That's what I figured (large). And thank you, I'm pretty happy with them. I'm a bit worried that I just spent $710 on a pair of shoes.
Yes, as far as I know they're the 9900s pictured in that link. I'm a shell novice, but I've already noticed that the appearance of ravello can vary quite a bit depending on ambient light. I think if I set them outside, they would look very similar to these.
Thank you. I wanted to be sure, just in case.
I'll definitely take the receipt literally then. The fit seems to be quite good, with an ever so slight heel slippage that I think would diminish when the soles break in. I'll try them on a few more times to be sure.

Initial slight heel slippage with double leather soled shoes is to be expected. Not to worry ....

 

[topisdown]

Some ravello PTBs arrived yesterday from Alden NY. I took some quick, not-too-great pictures this morning. They seem to be on the darker end of the ravello spectrum and have the darker welt/edging, both of which I like. Two questions:

1. The receipt says I can't return if there's creasing on the vamp. Do they really mean that I can't walk around in them on carpet to assess fit?
2. The cordovan care guide cautions against using trees that are too large. These are 11 D. I assume a Woodlore Large is the right size? That's what I use for my 11.5 D AEs. I have to compress the trees a bit more than I do for my AEs, but I don't see how a medium would make sense.

Flash


No Flash

Congratulations on the Fantastic Ravello PTBs! I emailed them last week and was disappointed that the didn't have my size. They indicated that it would be least 6 months before they receive a restocking.

 

[Bakes11771]

The reason is bothers me is because my shoes crease very little. Its annoying to have them arrive already creased more than my feet will ever crease them, and the creases in differen't places than my feet will crease them.

 

[blue collar]



In all honesty, those will look very similar, except to an Alden afficianado.
While we might say "well OBVIOUSLY one is a color 8 NST and the other is a cigar Indy," most people will say "they're both dark boots with stitching on the toe...aren't they the same?"

Sounds like my girlfriend...

 

[Renalan]

Tried buffing it with a damp terry cloth before brushing and buffing with a flannel cloth. I think it works.

 

[MarioImpemba]

Looking good.

 

[mexicutioner]

question for the alden think tank:

i have three pair of alden shells, two low-tops and one boot: BBBF longwing, cigar ptb, and #8 wingtip boot on the barrie last.

because i'm dreadfully lazy in the morning, i almost NEVER wear the #8 wingtip boots, and basically just rotate between the two low-tops. as such, i'm thinking of selling the #8 wingtip boots and buying a low-top #8 shoe, such as barrie LWB, chukka or PTB. work is a business casual environment (slacks and dress shirt; anytime i wear a navy blazer everyone comments about me looking "spiffy" and asks if i have a trial hearing that day). any thoughts?

 

[FrankCowperwood]

^As long as you can get an acceptable price for the #8 WT boot, I don't see why you shouldn't make the switch to a style you'll wear more. Also, the #8 WT boot isn't too rare a style (assuming you aren't an unusual size), so if you regret the decision at some point, you could likely put them back into your rotation.

Have you considered the 974 shortwing as a #8 option? It would give you a third style option. Risk is that it is on a different last, which introduces sizing uncertainty. Can't go too far wrong with #8 LWB or PTB, of course.

 

[Papa Doble]



question for the alden think tank:
i have three pair of alden shells, two low-tops and one boot: BBBF longwing, cigar ptb, and #8 wingtip boot on the barrie last.
because i'm dreadfully lazy in the morning, i almost NEVER wear the #8 wingtip boots, and basically just rotate between the two low-tops. as such, i'm thinking of selling the #8 wingtip boots and buying a low-top #8 shoe, such as barrie LWB, chukka or PTB. work is a business casual environment (slacks and dress shirt; anytime i wear a navy blazer everyone comments about me looking "spiffy" and asks if i have a trial hearing that day). any thoughts?

What are you thoughts on a LHS? A loafer would be particularly convenient if you are lazy in the morning.

 

[Patek]



question for the alden think tank:
i have three pair of alden shells, two low-tops and one boot: BBBF longwing, cigar ptb, and #8 wingtip boot on the barrie last.
because i'm dreadfully lazy in the morning, i almost NEVER wear the #8 wingtip boots, and basically just rotate between the two low-tops. as such, i'm thinking of selling the #8 wingtip boots and buying a low-top #8 shoe, such as barrie LWB, chukka or PTB. work is a business casual environment (slacks and dress shirt; anytime i wear a navy blazer everyone comments about me looking "spiffy" and asks if i have a trial hearing that day). any thoughts?

In the words of Ned Stark: "Winter is coming."