alden misfit

[inkwretch]

I just bought a pair of Alden algonquins that look great but there's a problem with the fit. The arch support on the right shoe is too far forward. Left shoe feels fine. Is this something a cobbler could fix? Is it just a matter of moving a pad back a half inch? Or is this a structural defect that cannot be easily fixed? Wondering if I should return the shoes. I got them at a good price and I would like to keep them if they could be fixed.

 

[srivats]

Are you sure it is not your feet? Most people's feet differ (right vs left) and all of my aldens fit a little differently on each feet. If you feel the shoes you have are not comfortable, then the last on which the shoe is made is not for you - you need to try aldens on a different last.

 

[inkwretch]

Well, I've never had this problem before. I own Aldens and AEs.

 

[srivats]

Originally Posted by jschmid

Well, I've never had this problem before. I own Aldens and AEs.

In that case, it might be the shoes. The particular shoes you have mentioned are on the truflare last (which is a special last that alden makes for people with foot issues):
http://www.theshoemart.com/cgi-bin/c...E_LAST&rpro=67

http://www.aldenshoe.com/cat_ortho_truf_facts.htm

Do you have any other aldens on this last?

 

[inkwretch]

These were supposed to be on the modified last. And no, I don't have other Alden's on the modified last. So what do you think, see if they can be altered or return? They were a great price and look terrific. I read the posting on the Alden site re modified last -- they certainly have high arch support.

 

[srivats]

Stretching is never a good idea. If you don't want to return them and lose the offer on the shoes, given alden a call directly and see if they can fix the problem for you.

The contact details for alden SF shop is:

170 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone: (800) 273-7463
or (415) 421-6691

Call them and tell them that you bought the shoes firsthand elsewhere (hope you still have the bill, but don't worry if you do not). Describe the problem and see what they say. Ask them if it would be possible to send the shoes to the factory to have them examine and hopefully, fix it for you. From personal experience, alden's customer service is outstanding. Maybe, for a price, then re-last the shoe on a different last ... they charge $135 for a recraft usually, but if the shoes are indeed mismatched, they might do this free for you.

 

[kabert]

Sounds like a very easy fix for a decent cobbler. The brothers at Sky in DC have done arch support adjustments for me on a few dozen pairs of shoes

 

[inkwretch]

Originally Posted by kabert

Sounds like a very easy fix for a decent cobbler. The brothers at Sky in DC have done arch support adjustments for me on a few dozen pairs of shoes

Really? That sounds like what I need. It's not really stretching, but rather adjusting the arch. I took them to the best local cobbler I know and he said to just wear them and break them in and they will be fine. Of course, he also insisted that I needed to polish my cordovan with neutral polish, which I've heard from several sources is a no-no, so I'm not sure how much faith I would put in his advice. I live in San Diego, so we don't have a lot of great cobblers. Mostly people where flip-flops around here!

Thanks to everybody for the advice.

 

[inkwretch]

Originally Posted by srivats

Stretching is never a good idea. If you don't want to return them and lose the offer on the shoes, given alden a call directly and see if they can fix the problem for you.

The contact details for alden SF shop is:

170 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone: (800) 273-7463
or (415) 421-6691

Call them and tell them that you bought the shoes firsthand elsewhere (hope you still have the bill, but don't worry if you do not). Describe the problem and see what they say. Ask them if it would be possible to send the shoes to the factory to have them examine and hopefully, fix it for you. From personal experience, alden's customer service is outstanding. Maybe, for a price, then re-last the shoe on a different last ... they charge $135 for a recraft usually, but if the shoes are indeed mismatched, they might do this free for you.

This is good advice, too. I'll do this first.