The Official Alden Thread for 2017 - Share Reviews, Sizing, Advice, and Photos.

[peppercorn78]

Indy boot sizing question for those of you who own more than one pair:

Does anyone wear a slightly larger size in shell cordovan or wax leather (405) than they do in chromexcel leather (403 or other)? Or... do any of you wish you'd sized down with the chromexcel? I've only worn my chromexcel Indy boot about six days. The CXL leather has already stretched so that the boot feels large. When I first put them on in the morning, the gap at the heel seems appropriate, but by the end of the day, there is sooo much space back there that I think I should have gone with the smaller size. This would give close to no heel gap on first wearing but give me the reasonable finger-insertable gap mid-day.

I wear 8E in Plaza and Hampton shoes and 7.5E in Barrie shoes, but I went with 8E for both my shell cordovan Indy and the chromexcel Indy to account for the thicker boot socks. The shell cordovan sized perfectly after a few weeks with thicker socks but I think I should have gone with 7.5E with the chromexcel Indy.

I only own one Indy. the 403 in CXL. It was super snug and comfy when I got it, but now after about 10 wears it's kinda loose and floppy all over. I got it in 10.5E. My same Barrie last size. I thought I might have sized wrong, so I took a visit to an Alden stockiest to try on a 10E. It was unbearably tight and crunched my left toes to death. So turns out I chose the right size, but just a really super stretchy leather. I kind of wish I had gotten the 405 in workbook leather instead. I now have to wear the thickest wool hiking socks and an insole with them.

 

[peppercorn78]

2016 was a good year for footwear! After many sizing misadventures, I officially joined the Alden club with the following pairs last year:

 

[Kahuna75]

 
Indy boot sizing question for those of you who own more than one pair:

Does anyone wear a slightly larger size in shell cordovan or wax leather (405) than they do in chromexcel leather (403 or other)?  Or... do any of you wish you'd sized down with the chromexcel?  I've only worn my chromexcel Indy boot about six days.  The CXL leather has already stretched so that the boot feels large.  When I first put them on in the morning, the gap at the heel seems appropriate, but by the end of the day, there is sooo much space back there that I think I should have gone with the smaller size.  This would give close to no heel gap on first wearing but give me the reasonable finger-insertable gap mid-day.

I wear 8E in Plaza and Hampton shoes and 7.5E in Barrie shoes, but I went with 8E for both my shell cordovan Indy and the chromexcel Indy to account for the thicker boot socks.  The shell cordovan sized perfectly after a few weeks with thicker socks but I think I should have gone with 7.5E with the chromexcel Indy.

I only own one Indy. the 403 in CXL. It was super snug and comfy when I got it, but now after about 10 wears it's kinda loose and floppy all over. I got it in 10.5E. My same Barrie last size. I thought I might have sized wrong, so I took a visit to an Alden stockiest to try on a 10E. It was unbearably tight and crunched my left toes to death. So turns out I chose the right size, but just a really super stretchy leather. I kind of wish I had gotten the 405 in workbook leather instead. I now have to wear the thickest wool hiking socks and an insole with them.

did you try a 10.5D?

 

[peppercorn78]

did you try a 10.5D?

yes. couldn't even get the ball of my foot all the way in.

 

[shunted22]

Subbed. Happy New Years

 

[bkdc]

I only own one Indy. the 403 in CXL. It was super snug and comfy when I got it, but now after about 10 wears it's kinda loose and floppy all over. I got it in 10.5E. My same Barrie last size. I thought I might have sized wrong, so I took a visit to an Alden stockiest to try on a 10E. It was unbearably tight and crunched my left toes to death. So turns out I chose the right size, but just a really super stretchy leather. I kind of wish I had gotten the 405 in workbook leather instead. I now have to wear the thickest wool hiking socks and an insole with them.

I did try a 7.5E initially, and it seemed too snug whereas the 8E seemed right when the boot was new. I think the 7.5E in CXL was the right size since it wasn't painful. The 8E shell cordovan Indy still fits just right with my thicker boot socks. The 8E chromexcel indy has a much sloppier fit due to the leather's stretchiness. I too wish I'd gotten the 405. I'll have to pay Kathy a visit and pick her brain on sizing.

I think I'm going to cut my losses and sell this boot. If anyone's looking for a less than 1 week of wear brown CXL indy in 8E (brass eyelets/hooks, commando sole) for a great price, just holler!

 

[metranger8694]

Well the Alden rare shell eBay hail mary prices have carried over into 2017.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alden-for-L...737025?hash=item211d9cd081:g:zQAAAOSw241YaTGK

Insane in the membrane.

Insane in the brain!

 

[Kahuna75]

 


I only own one Indy. the 403 in CXL. It was super snug and comfy when I got it, but now after about 10 wears it's kinda loose and floppy all over. I got it in 10.5E. My same Barrie last size. I thought I might have sized wrong, so I took a visit to an Alden stockiest to try on a 10E. It was unbearably tight and crunched my left toes to death. So turns out I chose the right size, but just a really super stretchy leather. I kind of wish I had gotten the 405 in workbook leather instead. I now have to wear the thickest wool hiking socks and an insole with them.

I did try a 7.5E initially, and it seemed too snug whereas the 8E seemed right when the boot was new.  I think the 7.5E in CXL was the right size since it wasn't painful.  The 8E shell cordovan Indy still fits just right with my thicker boot socks.  The 8E chromexcel indy has a much sloppier fit due to the leather's stretchiness.  I too wish I'd gotten the 405.  I'll have to pay Kathy a visit and pick her brain on sizing.

I think I'm going to cut my losses and sell this boot.  If anyone's looking for a less than 1 week of wear brown CXL indy in 8E (brass eyelets/hooks, commando sole) for a great price, just holler!

I believe my 12D cxl indie was also very tight and the suggestions from the group here was if toe room was fine they would loosen up and that is what happened. To date that pair has been the tightest out of the box.

Otherwise I would have went wider and probably been in same situation as you are.

 

[mdubs]

Subscribed.

Do monk straps stay on as effectively as tie shoes? Or should I go down half a size?

I find that they fit similarly, the Monk Strap's tend to be a pretty long shoe over the vamp. So, I wear 11B on the Aberdeen, that includes Boots, Shoes, Loafers, and Monks.

-Mike

 

[mdubs]

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Larry, a slew of fine photos there sir!

Happy New Years everyone! I had moved a couple pairs last year both because of defects that I just couldn't live with which was unfortunate. Hoping this year to get more classic models but I'm sure there will be some great make ups coming around. Wearing these to start the year

Happy New Year @Mghart , your Alden Wingtip Boots are looking absolutely superb A very good way to start off your year!

Alden 9015

Happy New Year!

Looking very good Joel in your very classic looking Alden balmorals.

-Mike

 

[mdubs]

2016 was a good year for footwear! After many sizing misadventures, I officially joined the Alden club with the following pairs last year:

Looking very good Patrick! Welcome to the Alden club in 2016... Look forward to seeing your future acquisitions...

-Mike

 

[mdubs]

Happy new year all. My resolution is to buy fewer pairs and wear my favorites more often.

That is a very good resolution @JSO1 , my resolution is similar, however, I want to have a negative gain/loss ratio in 2017. I suppose, that my 2017 is going to be more about refining (and wearing/appreciating) my collection vice growing.

-Mike

 

[katch]



Happy 2017 everyone! I'm going to start the new year with my first pair of Aldens (Indy boots), but I felt like my first post should celebrate what Suede WTB's: My first pre-order from Yenni: (my most comfortable boots, and taught me how to be patient about shoe orders) Alden x Brooks Brothers Color #8 PTBs: (eBay find - I'm eventually going to get around to figuring out how old these are if possible) Earlier in the year, a member here offered me a chance to get one of my favorite Alden builds - the LeatherSoul Choco Tanker. I jumped on it: (thank you) And lastly, I recently got a long-awaited Leffot pre-order. I haven't had a chance to wear these much yet, but looking forward to it: (today's rainy weather really merits these, but I'm still in slippers : It's been a heck of a year - four pairs of Alden, six pairs of AE, two pairs of Grant Stone and a pair of Truman shoes. And a couple pairs of Florsheim Imperials from 1968 (the shell pair is sitting in front of me curing its final pass of polish). I'm going to have a much-quieter 2017, but I'm looking forward to staying part of this great community! Happy New Year y'all!

Are the BB PTB TTS?

 

[M635Guy]

Quote: No - they fit 1/2 size down from Brannock, same as Barrie, though these are more fitted at the midfoot and a bit rounder at the toe.

 

[SpooPoker]

Happy new year fellas. Glad to be a part of the action from the beginning rather than the end of last years annual thread.