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

[Explorer]

Mothball,
I own three pairs of Alden Indy Tobacco Chamois. One pair is one year old and the two other pairs are about three months old. When I originally bought the first pair, it was recommended to me to use Allen Edmonds Chamois Oil and apply it to the boots with a horse hair brush whenever the boots get dry. Well, I did not buy the Allen Edmonds Chamois Oil then, thinking that it may be a while before I needed the chamois oil. When I try to buy the Allen Edmonds Chamois Oil about three months ago, I was told that Allen Edmonds has discontinued the product. My one year old boots are still in an amazing great shape. The only care I have been doing is brushing the boots with a horse hair brush every other day or as needed. I have been also recommended to use Obenauf's Leather Oil when the boots get dry (I have not tried that yet). I have been using my boots in Africa (my home is in Arizona but I am currently working in Africa) and although the weather here in Africa is hot and humid and lots of rain, the boots are still clean, the leather is still supple, and looking great. These are, in my humble opinion, one of the best and most functional Alden Indy boots ever created and produced.

I found that Russell's Mocassins bootmaker sells chamois oil in a bottle for the care of their chamois leather boots. I ordered one bottle and once I receive it I will test the chamois oil on a small section of my boots to see how it works. Other than the above, I have been also asking other owners of the Alden Indy Tobacco Chamois boots how they care for their boots. So far, brushing them with a horse hair brush has worked magnificently.

I hope the above helps. If anyone knows a better way to care for the chamois leather boots, please let us know.

Thank you -

George

 

[Chaos_Cow]



ugh. would buy right now despite the price even if they weren't all eyelets. speed hooks, please.

I used to feel the same way but honestly speed hooks are the only thing that seems to break on shell shoes. And I suck at them so I bought...

Plus on the price lighter shell's only getting harder and harder to find. Maybe this is a shell-obsessive era but it just makes so much sense to own it in an increasingly upscale casual world. The price for cigar/whiskey/ravello/number 4 is still far outstripped by demand.

 

[sazon]



I feel your pain, Zipp

I too almost pulled the trigger on that shoe during that short coupon window, especially because of the light welt.

JC's pix are misleading sometimes, for sure.

 

[REguy]



May I ask where you sourced those?

The Stronghold. Venice, CA

 

[FrankCowperwood]

Love that Cigar Indy, particularly with the commando sole. Don't know how I'd feel about the all eyelets. Hopefully someone will buy all four pairs in my size.

Was flipping through Alden of Carmel's offerings and noted this, which is unusual:

It's Trubalance last on what looks like double waterloc leather soles to me. Fortunately, not in my size.

I will admit to repeatedly visiting the listing for the AF79 in the Leydon last. My guess is that 11D would be spot on for me in that, and it is a nice variation on the WT boot makeup. Must resist.

 

[Costa]

Call the vendor that sold you the boots.

Alternatively, you can get laces from a number of outlets, online, at the cobbler shop, etc. I buy Benjos for the most part.

Ty Phi! Bought them new from the Buy and Sell here, so that option is out. Was hoping to get exact replacements. THanks again!

 

[PhiPsi32]

If you call the Alden factory and ask very nicely, they may just send you a pair. The factory staff has been very nice to me so far . . .

 

[FrankCowperwood]

Allen Edmonds website offers a variety of laces too, some of which may should be appropriate for an Alden dress boot. I bought a pair from them to replace those on some LWBs. Found them to be too short. I think Allen Edmonds laces are literally a dollar or two and they ship them to you for free I recall. Now that's service.

 

[Explorer]

You can also get Alden boot laces from The Shoe Mart. I recently got three pairs of laces from them and they were not expensive. About a year ago I emailed the Alden factory asking for laces and they mailed me three pairs at no cost.

 

[mexicutioner]

DAMN $742 for a pair of shoes. i think i just kicked the alden shell habit.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



I used to feel the same way but honestly speed hooks are the only thing that seems to break on shell shoes. And I suck at them so I bought...
Plus on the price lighter shell's only getting harder and harder to find. Maybe this is a shell-obsessive era but it just makes so much sense to own it in an increasingly upscale casual world. The price for cigar/whiskey/ravello/number 4 is still far outstripped by demand.

I have boots -some with all eyelets and some with speed hooks. In a perfect world they would all have all eyelets and I may very well have BNelson replace the speed hooks at a later date with all eyelets.

 

[Yokj]

wore my indy cigar today. 742 dollars of goodness

.

 

[Bakes11771]

If you call the Alden factory and ask very nicely, they may just send you a pair. The factory staff has been very nice to me so far . . .

I feel that you especially deserve to be treated nicely by them.

I notice that you aren't one to boast about such things, but would you be willing to share how many pairs of Alden's you own?

I remember that you were on quite a tear for a while.

 

[Chaos_Cow]



DAMN $742 for a pair of shoes. i think i just kicked the alden shell habit.

Shamefully not even the most I've paid for shells. My whiskey long wings were more because of NYC tax...

 

[PhiPsi32]

Yes, well, every time I called LS to inquire about a shoe, they happened to have one in my size. It was quite remarkable really. So a good chuck of my Alden collection is courtesy of LS. I'll have to check my closet, but I probably have 10 pairs er no make it 14 pair if you count the black shell cap toes I have on order.