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

[mcarthur]



I kind of want to sell my AE PAs and replace them with an equivalent black shell Alden (9071 or 9016), but as I unfortunately rarely wear a suit, I think it would be a waste of funds that could be used elsewhere.

nephew,
the cap toe can be worn with either cords or khakis

 

[mcbrown]



nephew,
thank you
purely for info-do you have black in your wardrobe

Yes, black shell captoe bluchers. They were my very first Aldens - I bought them for my wedding.

 

[jereth]



Alden DC Cigar Cap's

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

These boots are beautiful, what last and sole? Is it a regular reatock in DC?

 

[Don L]

These boots are beautiful, what last and sole? Is it a regular reatock in DC?

Grant Last and Commando sole. I believe it is a regular makeup for Alden DC

 

[Roguls]



100% true.

+2. 9901 shell be kopped sometime soon.

 

[Roguls]



The Alden for BB PTB will get you that extra narrowness. It is not on the Barrie last. My Alden for BB PTB in color 8 is my only Alden PTB** I wear with a suit. One of my black shell PTBs - vintage Florsheim Imperial, purchased NOS - also makes the cut to be worn with a suit. It too has that extra narrowness.

** I realize many wear various Alden shell PTBs with suits. I have no problem with that at all.

I have berated the barrie before, but I love the PTB in the barrie. Somehow it works just right.

 

[Roguls]



What's on the inside of the heels ... protective or fit-enhancing?

Called heel stops (these are from Tacco - also available through Pedag, both German companies). They are fit-enhancing. I fit best with the modified last (wide forefoot with smaller and higher heel cup). These allow me to eliminate slip.

 

[Roguls]



Bruce, for me, the Barrie is more comfortable. But neither compare to the Trubalance or Modified Last. Carmina's Forest works better for me.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



I have berated the barrie before, but I love the PTB in the barrie. Somehow it works just right.

I have numerous models on the Barrie, including a PTB in whiskey and Ravello. My comments should not be taken as a criticism of the Barrie. But as a matter of demonstrable fact, it is a last that is not terribly sleek. But some don't want sleek - fine with me. I don't want sleek in many models.

 

[Papa Doble]



A black shell captoe bal, of course, works great with a suit, but can also be used with shirt/tie/sportcoat or just shirt/tie. And Mac perhaps wears his in even more casual settings - I don't know.

I have the Alden for BB version of the 9016 - but on the Snap last. I really like it.

But it sounds like you would get more use out of the 2161:

http://www.theshoemart.com/alden-me...ld_m_straight_tip_blucher_shell_cordovan.html

nephew,
the cap toe can be worn with either cords or khakis

Thank you both for your input. I agree that a cap toe balmoral doesn't have to be worn only with suits, and perhaps I should also consider a cap toe blucher.

 

[Roguls]



I have numerous models on the Barrie, including a PTB in whiskey and Ravello. My comments should not be taken as a criticism of the Barrie. But as a matter of demonstrable fact, it is a last that is not terribly sleek. But some don't want sleek - fine with me. I don't want sleek in many models.

Agreed. They provide a military-esque sturdiness. I can't wear square-toed shoes, as I'm stocky.

 

[phorm]



Ugh I want! Where?! This is the Oscar last, right? I haven't seen this last very often, but it looks perfect for a PTB.

I think these are the Carminas:

http://www.paul-friends.com/index.p...e=flypage.tpl&product_id=8082&category_id=127

 

[Roguls]



I think these are the Carminas:

http://www.paul-friends.com/index.p...e=flypage.tpl&product_id=8082&category_id=127

Yes.

 

[blue collar]



nephew,
do to the difficulty of getting the exotic colors, you should be more flexible

You make a very good point. I guess secretly my 'rule' keeps me from buying too many shoes per year. As we've discussed before, Alden shell is very addictive.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



Thank you both for your input. I agree that a cap toe balmoral doesn't have to be worn only with suits, and perhaps I should also consider a cap toe blucher.

I recommended a c/t blucher because it is generally considered a bit less formal than a c/t bal; additionally, in the case of the black shell 2161, it is a c/t blucher that is certainly formal enough to be worn with suits. I do.