Should I use the Alden Restoration?

I got a really amazing deal at a thrift store- ALden longwings in #8 shell for 4.00 bucks!

Now, they are pretty stretched out and do have some serious rippling, and they are a half size too large.

My question is, should I do the factory restoration on these? Does anyone think it would be possible (or likely) that the shoe would be tightened up in the relasting process, or could be lasted to a 9D? I am a pretty true 9D so the 9.5 is large, but if I wear thick socks it still is a decent fit as my foot is on the wider side of medium.

It seems like the restoration process is pretty complete for 145.00. If anyone has pictures of longwings that have been through this or could comment on the sizing questions I asked I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Dustin

Not to bump my own thread but just wanted to get out an FYI...

I was emailed by alden and they said that in their restoration process, when they relast the shoe, they can relast a previous 9.5D to make it a 9D! Or at least the customer service email states, "it should be no problem."

Just thought I would pass it along.

How is that possible!?

Alden can also make a normal width shoe wider under the restoration program. They are in the process of making my 9D shoes into 9E which they are doing for free. Strangely they refused to replace the soles or the linings, telling me they do not need replacement. This, despite the fact that there is clear wear on both.

It also turns out that you cannot simply change the soles to anything you want under Alden's restoration program. I requested a change from double leather to plantation crepe and was told that only certain shoes can take the plantation crepe. Who knew....

They've been very professional and responsive, however.

Originally Posted by jerrybrowne

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Alden can also make a normal width shoe wider under the restoration program. They are in the process of making my 9D shoes into 9E which they are doing for free. Strangely they refused to replace the soles or the linings, telling me they do not need replacement. This, despite the fact that there is clear wear on both.

It also turns out that you cannot simply change the soles to anything you want under Alden's restoration program. I requested a change from double leather to plantation crepe and was told that only certain shoes can take the plantation crepe. Who knew....

They've been very professional and responsive, however.
Can they replace a plantation crepe with a double leather sole? My crepe sole longwings are very comfortable, but not the prettiest shoes I own. I'm thinking of replacing the sole with double leather when I wear the crepe down.

Originally Posted by JayJay

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Can they replace a plantation crepe with a double leather sole? My crepe sole longwings are very comfortable, but not the prettiest shoes I own. I'm thinking of replacing the sole with double leather when I wear the crepe down.

I'm curious about that question as well.

As to the OP, I'm not sure it would be worth the cost to have those recrafted and relasted, after the $145 fee plus shipping. Seems you could flip them for a fair amount and then put those funds towards a pair on ebay that fits you properly.

Once you're $160-170 into the shoes, the $4 thrift no longer seems like a great deal. Just a thought.

Well according to the person I spoke to at Alden, switching from a plantation sole to a different sole is not an issue. The reverse isn't true - for some reason only certain shoes can take the plantation sole.

Originally Posted by jerrybrowne

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Well according to the person I spoke to at Alden, switching from a plantation sole to a different sole is not an issue. The reverse isn't true - for some reason only certain shoes can take the plantation sole.

Thanks, that's excellent news.

Originally Posted by jerrybrowne

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Well according to the person I spoke to at Alden, switching from a plantation sole to a different sole is not an issue. The reverse isn't true - for some reason only certain shoes can take the plantation sole.
This is great to hear. My longwings with crepe soles are in ravello, which is a terrific color. Even though they're my most comfortable shoes, when the soles wear down, I'm replacing them with double leather soles to make the shoes more versatile while also improving their appearance.

I bought some AE's at Goodwill for a great price. Can they be made into Aldens?

Originally Posted by Sartrolliast

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I bought some AE's at Goodwill for a great price. Can they be made into Aldens?

Of course. Just send them in to be re-lasted. Trick them out in cigar shell with a norwegian split toe, as long as they are there.

Originally Posted by Sartrolliast

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I bought some AE's at Goodwill for a great price. Can they be made into Aldens?

AE also has a restoration service...

Originally Posted by Trapp

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I'm curious about that question as well.

As to the OP, I'm not sure it would be worth the cost to have those recrafted and relasted, after the $145 fee plus shipping. Seems you could flip them for a fair amount and then put those funds towards a pair on ebay that fits you properly.

Once you're $160-170 into the shoes, the $4 thrift no longer seems like a great deal. Just a thought.

New Alden's retail for more than twice that, so...

Originally Posted by MORNINGSTAR777

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New Alden's retail for more than twice that, so...
Shell is even significantly more, so using the restoration service isn't a bad idea to me.

Originally Posted by JayJay

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Shell is even significantly more, so using the restoration service isn't a bad idea to me.

+1.
You also don't have to break them in again.