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

[fitchottie]

Wearing the Brown Longwings for Jcrew.... again supper comfy and super soft...

 

[HorseHide]

Just ordered a bottle of "Leather Defender" (sounds like a kinky super hero) from Alden DC - they mentioned they have a natural CXL tassel with waterloc sole on order for Spring. Could be a nice add.

 

[mcarthur]



Nice looking utip!

nephew,
thank you

 

[mcarthur]



Long time lurker checking in.
Yesterday I was in the Alden DC store and picked up a new shoe care product to try, called Alden Leather Defender. It's made for shell cordovan and calfskin. One of the supposed benefits is that it can help reduce or prevent the dreaded water spotting on shell.
I tried it out last night on a pair of whiskey shell chukkas that were in need of some attention anyway. I was pretty happy with the results. The creases in the chukkas were dry and rough and somewhat dirty, and the treatment did clean them up a lot and make them smoother. Overall, the treatment added a nice shine to the shoes that was very slippery and glossy, but by this morning they were a bit less so but still noticeable. And the leather did feel a bit more supple. With little effort they looked like I'd spent an hour giving them the Mac Treatment. I can't say for sure that there was any darkening since these were rather darkened already a bit from age, but I don't think so.
Since I really don't know much at all about this product and could not find anything from web and forum searching, I sent an e-mail to Horween to see if they have any thoughts on it. I haven't used any of the other common shell products, like Venetian, so I have no comparison to offer.
The 4 oz bottle is a misting sprayer. Here's what it says on the bottle:
"Use Alden Leather Defender to clean and protect calfskin and genuine shell cordovan Alden shoes. Not for use on Suede or Nubuck.
"Directions: Apply Alden Leather Defender to a soft cloth and wipe shoes thoroughly. Let dry. Turn cloth and buff gently. For best results allow leather to dry completely before wearing shoes.
"Safety: Alden Leather Defender is water-based and environmentally benign. Do not take internally. If accidentally ingested, please call physician immediately.
"Made in USA."
Sorry if this sounds like a shill, but I just wanted to pass this along to anyone who might be interested. Besides, this whole thread is like a shill anyway
Oh, and there's a new staff member at Alden DC. She seems to know shoes pretty well and was fun to talk with.

nephew,
welcome!

 

[mcarthur]



I brush them...a lot

you have done a good job

 

[AAF-8AF]



nephew, welcome!

Thanks, Uncle Mac!

 

[kingscoat]

best ketchup colored shoelace

 

[1wb]

I got a shipping notice this week from J.Crew for a pair of #8 captoe boots originally scheduled for shipment in mid-January.

I figured that I would be getting a beat-up pair that had been returned by at least one previous buyer, and that they would soon be on their way back to J.Crew.

When I received them, to my surprise, they were a pretty much flawless specimen - stitching was all perfect, clearly unworn with no creasing or markings on the soles. As many others have reported, they did not come in an Alden box, but rather a plain J.Crew one, with no bags.

My problem is with the finish: it is a very light red. I have purchased some other pairs of #8 shoes from BB in the past that had clearly been in the stockroom for a few years, where the finish had begun to lighten, etc. These appear to be new, just lacking the dark purple color I am accustomed to seeing. Back they go, I guess.

I put them next to a 5 year old pair of BB perf. toe bals for comparison - even with a few years of wearing, the BB pair is clearly much darker.

 

[NewYorkIslander]

Here's a couple of shots of the #8 vintage Hanovers I was talking about:

 

[NAMOR]



I got a shipping notice this week from J.Crew for a pair of #8 captoe boots originally scheduled for shipment in mid-January.

I figured that I would be getting a beat-up pair that had been returned by at least one previous buyer, and that they would soon be on their way back to J.Crew.

When I received them, to my surprise, they were a pretty much flawless specimen - stitching was all perfect, clearly unworn with no creasing or markings on the soles. As many others have reported, they did not come in an Alden box, but rather a plain J.Crew one, with no bags.

My problem is with the finish: it is a very light red. I have purchased some other pairs of #8 shoes from BB in the past that had clearly been in the stockroom for a few years, where the finish had begun to lighten, etc. These appear to be new, just lacking the dark purple color I am accustomed to seeing. Back they go, I guess.

I put them next to a 5 year old pair of BB perf. toe bals for comparison - even with a few years of wearing, the BB pair is clearly much darker.

Are these both on Barrie? They look different

 

[1wb]

Nope. The BB perf. toe on the left is on BB's "Snap" last, which is close to the Hampton, but more rounded, and the J.Crew boot obviously is Barrie last.

 

[mcarthur]

cigar nst
argyles otc

 

[applky]

If I had a dime for every time someone complained about a pair of Aldens they bought from J Crew I could buy a wardrobe of shells from Leffot, Epaulet, LS, and the Alden stores.

 

[Mr.K]

FLex Long Wings

 

[MiniW]



I got a shipping notice this week from J.Crew for a pair of #8 captoe boots originally scheduled for shipment in mid-January.
I figured that I would be getting a beat-up pair that had been returned by at least one previous buyer, and that they would soon be on their way back to J.Crew.
When I received them, to my surprise, they were a pretty much flawless specimen - stitching was all perfect, clearly unworn with no creasing or markings on the soles. As many others have reported, they did not come in an Alden box, but rather a plain J.Crew one, with no bags.
My problem is with the finish: it is a very light red. I have purchased some other pairs of #8 shoes from BB in the past that had clearly been in the stockroom for a few years, where the finish had begun to lighten, etc. These appear to be new, just lacking the dark purple color I am accustomed to seeing. Back they go, I guess.
I put them next to a 5 year old pair of BB perf. toe bals for comparison - even with a few years of wearing, the BB pair is clearly much darker.

I don't get this, you sound shocked if not disappointed that J crew sent you a brand new pair instead of one that was a return. Also I am pretty sure that the color is not J crew's fault so much as it is Alden's. Of course if you only want to buy new deadstock BB shell you are entitled to do that. But from the sounds of it, it was a "flawless" pair and likely to get a rich color with sun exposure like most pairs of #8. Good luck with your search for the perfect pair of Aldens.