AE MacNeil vs Alden 975

[sho'nuff]

Just wanted to know LeatherSoul's, Janlibourel's, and other key person's opinion in these two shoes:


Alden

AE

Both longwings , both cordovan , and both double sole with the same exact design almost down to the medallion.

AE is $475 retail and Alden is $530

(AE right now at SC can be had 20% off)

Would an 100 dollar upgrade be worth it for the Alden?

I'm actually looking for a whiskey cordovan in the Alden.

 

[sho'nuff]

sorry this should have been in clothing forum

 

[NoVaguy]

I think the shoes are substantially identical and you should buy which last fits your feet better.

 

[LeatherSOUL]

Brian,

You know my viewpoint via our email correspondence. I won't post it here on the forum due to my heavily biased views.

Both are great shoes. You can't lose either way.

Aloha,

Tom

PS-Good luck getting it in whiskey!

 

[sho'nuff]

THanks .

so you are both saying the shoes look identical in the mega gunboat shape/last..

(macneil looks magnificent on my feet)

and the soles are both very doubly thick and the cordovan both of the same quality?


i would love it in whiskey , i had no idea it was so rare.

wow

 

[AlanC]

Although both are sold in #8 shell, the colors are somewhat different on the AE and the Alden. Consensus seems to be that Alden adds some sort of additional color treatment to its #8 shell. The point being that you might prefer one color variation over the other.

 

[Parker]

I love gunboat longwings! I've got a pair of MacNeils in calfskin. I recently checked out both the AE and the Alden in cordovan in the New York stores. The Aldens seemed to edge out the AEs on quality and, to me, design. I like the zig-zag edge on the tongue and the brogueing seemed a little "deeper" than on the AEs. But, in the end, I think you should go with what fits you best, since they both are nice.

 

[johnny_flapjack]

Until very recently Alden of Carmel had that shoe on their website in Whiskey. I'm sure they had a batch made some time ago and finally just ran their stock down to the point where they've been removed from their online inventory. You might contact them to see if they have any stragglers left in the stock room. They do still have them shown in that style in both Ravello and Cigar if either of those are to your liking (I'm not always wild about their sole choices, but that's a separate issue). Also, if you're more concerned with the Whiskey shell color than the style, theshoemart.com now has an Alden norwegian in whiskey that's pretty sharp. Good luck with the hunt.

http://www.alden-of-carmel.com/index.cfm/shoes.htm

 

[LeatherSOUL]

Originally Posted by johnny_flapjack

Also, if you're more concerned with the Whiskey shell color than the style, theshoemart.com now has an Alden norwegian in whiskey that's pretty sharp. Good luck with the hunt.

Where did you see the norwegian in whiskey? Couldn't find in on their site. I wouldn't mind picking up a pair.

 

[LeatherSOUL]

Nevermind, I found it. Thanks.

 

[Stax]

Originally Posted by johnny_flapjack

Until very recently Alden of Carmel had that shoe on their website in Whiskey. I'm sure they had a batch made some time ago and finally just ran their stock down to the point where they've been removed from their online inventory. You might contact them to see if they have any stragglers left in the stock room. They do still have them shown in that style in both Ravello and Cigar if either of those are to your liking (I'm not always wild about their sole choices, but that's a separate issue). Also, if you're more concerned with the Whiskey shell color than the style, theshoemart.com now has an Alden norwegian in whiskey that's pretty sharp. Good luck with the hunt.

http://www.alden-of-carmel.com/index.cfm/shoes.htm

I have that shoe.

 

[Stax]

Originally Posted by LeatherSOUL

Nevermind, I found it. Thanks.

where? I'd like to see that shoe.

BTW - do you think you will ever get anymore whiskey v-tips in stock? those were amazing.

 

[LeatherSOUL]

Originally Posted by Stax

where? I'd like to see that shoe.

BTW - do you think you will ever get anymore whiskey v-tips in stock? those were amazing.

They're under the regular Alden section, not the bootmakers.

I doubt we'll be getting any more whiskey V's anytime soon. Whiskey from Alden is just too hard to get now. Cigar is getting that way too.

 

[sho'nuff]

i cant find the whiskey on there as well. where is it?


also , what is the difference between alden and alden of carmel? are they both the same or different makes?

 

[Tarmac]

They are just a shop, heres something from the carmel website: The Alden Shoe Company of Middleborough Massachusettes has chosen Alden of Carmel as one of the independent shops through which its shoes may be sold. We are proud to be an authorized dealer of Alden shoes, and one of the very few Alden dealers specializing in Alden shoes alone. Although, oddly, they don't show up under the stores listing on the main Alden site. Alden is really good about putting the individual store stamp on the insoles for many of their shops. I know they do it for all of Alden SF's stock, and I've seen other stores stamped too.