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

[mtc2000]



Does Vass call that color ravello?

I agree on Cigar and Whiskey, but I have never heard anyone use the term Ravello.

Wonder what Vass called that color that you depicted. Reminds me a lot of the Allen Edmonds Walnut Shell Cordovan.

-Mike

I've been told by Nick Horween that the Color Ravello is an Alden exclusive. That does not say that the exact same color could be called something else.

See Ya,
Steve

Oh dear. I don't have the box of that particular pair handy, but I will submit the following for your approval. That's another pair of MTO done at the same time. Please direct further questions over to the Vass forum.

 

[89826]

Here's something new. An Alden sizing question However, I am not anywhere close to a rookie; I have about 30 pairs, almost all shell, in various lasts. Have just started to buy Alden suede shoes. Looking at some suede unlined chukkas on the Leydon last.

I wear a 9.5 D in Plaza, tie Aberdeen, Hampton, and Grant. 9 D in Barrie, Trubalance, and Van.

9 D in slip-on Aberdeen (full-strap loafers and tassel loafers) and 8.5 D in unlined slip-on Van (Brooks shell lhs)

Pretty standard stuff. Here's where it is a touch tricky. I would say my true size is 9.25 D. Plaza tie shoes are slightly big. Ditto tie Aberdeens. Had a pair of bitchin' 9.5 D Plaza slip-on shell boots from Leather Soul and had to give them to my son because they were too big. Plus in general I would say I like thin socks.

What are thoughts on the unlined suede Leydon tie chukkas? 9 D or 9.5 D? Haven't had unlined suede, and never even tried on a Leydon lasted shoe. Guess I'll go to a store too, but I'm curious now.

 

[MrDV]



You're absolutely right that the 994 is a bal. I guess I think of it functioning almost like a PTB that I sometimes forget it's technically not a blucher.* I edited my original post to note this.

*I think this is why this style is one of the most versatile Aldens. You can wear it just like a PTB, but dress it up perhaps even more due to the flat 270 welt, single leather sole, and the fact that they're bals. Saddle owners (MrDV, SFTG, ...), feel free to chime in.

Yes, quite versatile shoes. the 994 is also narrow looking compared to other Barrie lasted models.

 

[Tuur]

Hey guys,

Does anyone know how the Alden grant last compares to the C&J's lasts, especially the 348-last? I have a C&J oxford in size UK7,5 (width E) and I find this shoe a little narrow.

Will an Alden boot on the grant last, size US 8,5 (width D) give me a little more room in the toe area?

Thx for you opinions!

 

[Vicious49]



Here's something new. An Alden sizing question However, I am not anywhere close to a rookie; I have about 30 pairs, almost all shell, in various lasts. Have just started to buy Alden suede shoes. Looking at some suede unlined chukkas on the Leydon last.

I wear a 9.5 D in Plaza, tie Aberdeen, Hampton, and Grant. 9 D in Barrie, Trubalance, and Van.

9 D in slip-on Aberdeen (full-strap loafers and tassel loafers) and 8.5 D in unlined slip-on Van (Brooks shell lhs)

Pretty standard stuff. Here's where it is a touch tricky. I would say my true size is 9.25 D. Plaza tie shoes are slightly big. Ditto tie Aberdeens. Had a pair of bitchin' 9.5 D Plaza slip-on shell boots from Leather Soul and had to give them to my son because they were too big. Plus in general I would say I like thin socks.

What are thoughts on the unlined suede Leydon tie chukkas? 9 D or 9.5 D? Haven't had unlined suede, and never even tried on a Leydon lasted shoe. Guess I'll go to a store too, but I'm curious now.

I'm an 8.5D Barrie and got those suede unlined chukkas in a 9E. Thy run narrow so some retailers like Leffot won't even carry them in a D width.

 

[Vicious49]

Won these off Ebay last night. Snuff suede with a flex sole on the Hampton last made for LS. Hopefully I wasn't bidding against one of you guys.

 

[ReppTiePrepster]

Won these off Ebay last night. Snuff suede with a flex sole on the Hampton last made for LS. Hopefully I wasn't bidding against one of you guys.

Spectacular pick-up! Enjoy often and in great health my friend from Va/Houston-to-be...

 

[Shawnc]



Won these off Ebay last night. Snuff suede with a flex sole on the Hampton last made for LS. Hopefully I wasn't bidding against one of you guys.

Spoiler

Almost. I was watching them all day but bailed at the last moment. Very nice shoe at a great price. Congrats.

 

[Vicious49]



Spectacular pick-up! Enjoy often and in great health my friend from Va/Houston-to-be...

Thank you. I figure I'd better start getting my wardrobe ready for more heat and less snow.

I did a search on LS and I'm pretty sure it's these ones that they did in march 2010. The soles had minimal wear on them. The seller said he wore them only a few times since they were not a good fit for him.
http://leathersoulhawaii.com/2010/03/25/alden-shoes-hampton-suede-flex-wingtip/

 

[hoit1981]



Here's something new. An Alden sizing question However, I am not anywhere close to a rookie; I have about 30 pairs, almost all shell, in various lasts. Have just started to buy Alden suede shoes. Looking at some suede unlined chukkas on the Leydon last.

I wear a 9.5 D in Plaza, tie Aberdeen, Hampton, and Grant. 9 D in Barrie, Trubalance, and Van.

9 D in slip-on Aberdeen (full-strap loafers and tassel loafers) and 8.5 D in unlined slip-on Van (Brooks shell lhs)

Pretty standard stuff. Here's where it is a touch tricky. I would say my true size is 9.25 D. Plaza tie shoes are slightly big. Ditto tie Aberdeens. Had a pair of bitchin' 9.5 D Plaza slip-on shell boots from Leather Soul and had to give them to my son because they were too big. Plus in general I would say I like thin socks.

What are thoughts on the unlined suede Leydon tie chukkas? 9 D or 9.5 D? Haven't had unlined suede, and never even tried on a Leydon lasted shoe. Guess I'll go to a store too, but I'm curious now.

As others have said... If the 9D Barrie fits you comfortably, I would go with a 9.5E Leydon unlined.

 

[mtc2000]

More saddles. LS two tone shell & Blackbird.

 

[bauhaus]

Can anyone help me find a pair of #8 Tankers in a 10D? They need to be on either a Barrie or Trubalance last. Prefer a commando sole, but not a requirement. I tried Citishoes, but they were out of my size. Any help is appreciated.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



Here's something new. An Alden sizing question However, I am not anywhere close to a rookie; I have about 30 pairs, almost all shell, in various lasts. Have just started to buy Alden suede shoes. Looking at some suede unlined chukkas on the Leydon last.

I wear a 9.5 D in Plaza, tie Aberdeen, Hampton, and Grant. 9 D in Barrie, Trubalance, and Van.

9 D in slip-on Aberdeen (full-strap loafers and tassel loafers) and 8.5 D in unlined slip-on Van (Brooks shell lhs)

Pretty standard stuff. Here's where it is a touch tricky. I would say my true size is 9.25 D. Plaza tie shoes are slightly big. Ditto tie Aberdeens. Had a pair of bitchin' 9.5 D Plaza slip-on shell boots from Leather Soul and had to give them to my son because they were too big. Plus in general I would say I like thin socks.

What are thoughts on the unlined suede Leydon tie chukkas? 9 D or 9.5 D? Haven't had unlined suede, and never even tried on a Leydon lasted shoe. Guess I'll go to a store too, but I'm curious now.

9.5D or 9.5E

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]

I have a cordovan specific question:

Are the names Whiskey, Ravello, and Cigar Horween terminology or is that specific to Alden?

Not specific to Alden. You can get the above shades from different shoemakers.

ie. Carmina Whiskey Shell or Vass Cigar Shell

FWIW, I have a light brown (tan) shell double monk from Carmina x Epaulet. It was called saddle shell.

 

[BernieIsMyCat]

Just got my first pair of Alden Indy's #403. I've worn them a total of only 2 weeks, and walked about 50 miles in them. The rubber outer heel is wearing really fast; about 1/2 of the rubber has worn off at the backs of the heels.

By comparison, I have one other pair of Aldens, my All Weather Walkers #949. I've had these shoes for 8 months and walked about 1000 miles on them, and their heels are only slightly worn.

Is it normal for Indy heels to wear this fast? Should I replace the heels when the rubber is completely worn, or should I continue to wear through the leather underneath the rubber?

Thanks for the help!