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

[ReppTiePrepster]

I was thinking the exact same thing. Hope to see and hear from you again Mac!

 

[jacksh]



Pity that my help was in vain, BG. I personally wasn't able to order with Leffot because they only accept paypal, and I couldn't do US shipping (which I need) with my foreign paypal. Sigh.

You can create a new paypal account with diferent email and opt it as US resident.
I have two, one for international shipping and one for the US.

 

[Papa Doble]

I received a pair of ravello NSTs on the Aberdeen last from Shoe Mart today. Now that I've seen them in person, I realized the combination of the Aberdeen last and the NST style isn't for me (maybe a #8 NST boot on the Barrie last is in my future). They also happened to not fit particular well either. I ordered 11.5 D, and I'm an 11.5 D on the AE 5 last for reference. I'm in the process of determining my Barrie last size (I think 11 D). These seemed to be a bit too long, and large in general (there was very little gap in the laces).

Anyway, I figured I'd take some pictures before returning them:

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

 

[onestar]



Calling all natural chromexcel longwing owners - how do you like em? What do you wear them with? I've been on the fence regarding that shoe for over a year, thinking about preordering

I really enjoy mine which I bought from Leffot

They are pretty versatile and age gracefully.

 

[Alcibiades]



I received a pair of ravello NSTs on the Aberdeen last from Shoe Mart today. Now that I've seen them in person, I realized the combination of the Aberdeen last and the NST style isn't for me (maybe a #8 NST boot on the Barrie last is in my future). They also happened to not fit particular well either. I ordered 11.5 D, and I'm an 11.5 D on the AE 5 last for reference. I'm in the process of determining my Barrie last size (I think 11 D). These seemed to be a bit too long, and large in general (there was very little gap in the laces).
Anyway, I figured I'd take some pictures before returning them:

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

I've always found the NST shoe to be a bit of an odd one... It combines some relatively sleek features (blind eyelet vamp, single leather sole, flat welt, Aberdeen last) with a pattern in the front of the shoe that makes the shoe simply look very big and casual. Every time I look at the shoe at Alden NYC, I'm always struck at how "big" it looks compared to other cordovan shoes the same size. I think the NST looks a whole lot better on a boot. Maybe Alden should experiment with machine stitching on the NST shoe...

 

[blue collar]



I've always found the NST shoe to be a bit of an odd one... It combines some relatively sleek features (blind eyelet vamp, single leather sole, flat welt, Aberdeen last) with a pattern in the front of the shoe that makes the shoe simply look very big and casual. Every time I look at the shoe at Alden NYC, I'm always struck at how "big" it looks compared to other cordovan shoes the same size. I think the NST looks a whole lot better on a boot. Maybe Alden should experiment with machine stitching on the NST shoe...

I agree with that. I find the V tip looks much better than the hand stitched NST. imo

 

[ReppTiePrepster]

I received a pair of ravello NSTs on the Aberdeen last from Shoe Mart today. Now that I've seen them in person, I realized the combination of the Aberdeen last and the NST style isn't for me (maybe a #8 NST boot on the Barrie last is in my future). They also happened to not fit particular well either. I ordered 11.5 D, and I'm an 11.5 D on the AE 5 last for reference. I'm in the process of determining my Barrie last size (I think 11 D). These seemed to be a bit too long, and large in general (there was very little gap in the laces).

Anyway, I figured I'd take some pictures before returning them:

I can't tell from the pictures, but would you consider these on the darker end of the ravello spectrum? Thanks!

 

[Papa Doble]



I've always found the NST shoe to be a bit of an odd one... It combines some relatively sleek features (blind eyelet vamp, single leather sole, flat welt, Aberdeen last) with a pattern in the front of the shoe that makes the shoe simply look very big and casual. Every time I look at the shoe at Alden NYC, I'm always struck at how "big" it looks compared to other cordovan shoes the same size. I think the NST looks a whole lot better on a boot. Maybe Alden should experiment with machine stitching on the NST shoe...

The ones I received had a double leather sole, but I know some have a single leather sole, and I get what you're saying. Maybe a boot with a heftier welt and last balances the style out.

 

[zazaza]

Speaking of NST boots...

I'm wearing my Leather Soul Tankers on this rainy day in Boston.
These have been through 3 boston winters, I've never babied them.

 

[FrankCowperwood]



Speaking of NST boots...
I'm wearing my Leather Soul Tankers on this rainy day in Boston.
These have been through 3 boston winters, I've never babied them.

I personally like the NST on the Aberdeen. No accounting for (my) taste, I suppose. These NST boots look very good, zazaza. What sole are they on for use in Boston winters? I put my name in for the Leffot NST preorder, and if I recall those are on the commando sole.

 

[zazaza]



I personally like the NST on the Aberdeen. No accounting for (my) taste, I suppose. These NST boots look very good, zazaza. What sole are they on for use in Boston winters? I put my name in for the Leffot NST preorder, and if I recall those are on the commando sole.

Thank you, Frank.
These are on a commando sole as well. Surprised at how comfortable they were initially and how well this sole has held up. (haven't needed a resole yet and I've worn them pretty hard)

 

[Alcibiades]

Yeah, I pre-ordered the Leffot tankers as well. It looks like a shoe that you can travel with to somewhere like Thailand, wander/hike all day in the jungle with it, then get back to the hotel in Bangkok, wipe em down and brush em off, then head out to dinner at night, and the shoes would be wholly appropriate in both settings.

 

[FrankCowperwood]



Thank you, Frank.
These are on a commando sole as well. Surprised at how comfortable they were initially and how well this sole has held up. (haven't needed a resole yet and I've worn them pretty hard)

Good to hear. My one experience with commando sole leads me to believe it is quite comfortable.

Yeah, I pre-ordered the Leffot tankers as well. It looks like a shoe that you can travel with to somewhere like Thailand, wander/hike all day in the jungle with it, then get back to the hotel in Bangkok, wipe em down and brush em off, then head out to dinner at night, and the shoes would be wholly appropriate in both settings.

Agree. It's a rare instance in which I feel as if I've ordered boots that are going to be very practical. Not sure how close mine will ever get to Thailand, but I like the scenario nonetheless.

 

[jt2gt]



Thank you, Frank.
These are on a commando sole as well. Surprised at how comfortable they were initially and how well this sole has held up. (haven't needed a resole yet and I've worn them pretty hard)

On Alden Commando Sole...does anyone know where to get these resoled. BNelson does a full commando...not the Alden Style one. Anywhere else good besides sending back to Alden for the Alden style half sole and heel commando. thanks...JT

 

[hanoiboy]

alden longwing from AoC.