Alden Shoes how do they stack up to the competition?

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by Xiaogou

Are you worried about how the cordovan will wear over time?

Should I be? I imagine they'll hold up as well as anything else out there.

 

[The Deacon]

Originally Posted by Tarmac

by this standard, Loakes should serve you well.

Dexter's even better

 

[tps16]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Should I be? I imagine they'll hold up as well as anything else out there.

I think cordovan holds up better than regular leather. Yachtie posted a picture of a pair of 20 year old cordovan bluchers that are his beater shoes. I think you can abuse cordovan a lot more than calf, due to the natural oils in the leather.

 

[SirWilliam]

Originally Posted by polar-lemon

If you want a traditional American cordovan gunboat shoe, Alden is the place to go. If you're looking for a svelte European type shoe, you're in the wrong place. Even their sleeker lasts are still decidedly American- not a bad thing.

I would not mind a sleeker European shoe but I want a pair of shoes that I am not going to be worried about ruining. So even $1000 shoes are too much money. My Lobbs and Westons sit in the closet most of the time because I cannot afford to replace them...now that I am out of my parents house.

What brand makes the highest quality shoes for around $400-$600?

 

[MiniW]

^ Alden

 

[tps16]

Originally Posted by SirWilliam

I would not mind a sleeker European shoe but I want a pair of shoes that I am not going to be worried about ruining. So even $1000 shoes are too much money. My Lobbs and Westons sit in the closet most of the time because I cannot afford to replace them...now that I am out of my parents house.

What brand makes the highest quality shoes for around $400-$600?

If you are looking for good value, Allen-Edmonds would be a good place to start also. They are much more readily available on discount that Alden. I have shoes from both companies and do not see an appreciable difference between them. See which one fits your foot better.

 

[SirWilliam]

Originally Posted by tps16

If you are looking for good value, Allen-Edmonds would be a good place to start also. They are much more readily available on discount that Alden. I have shoes from both companies and do not see an appreciable difference between them. See which one fits your foot better.

I have a pair of Allen Edmonds and they are pretty comfortable once they get broken in but they are not particularly stylish.

 

[Fuuma]

Originally Posted by Tarmac

by this standard, Loakes should serve you well.

I have one pair of loakes chelseas and that corrected grain piece of crap broke in weird ways due to the inferior leather. I've had designer shoes last me for years though so yeah, solidity is not necessarily the exclusive territory of Lobb and Green. Berluti are pretty flimsy but that's part of the charm.

 

[tps16]

Originally Posted by SirWilliam

I have a pair of Allen Edmonds and they are pretty comfortable once they get broken in but they are not particularly stylish.
In that case, I can't imagine you liking Alden that much, except for maybe the Plaza last. There's another thread on here about the AE Strands, considered to be one of their sleekest models. But if you like Lobb, then you probably will not be satisfied. Have you looked at Crocket and Jones?

 

[Kuro]

Originally Posted by SirWilliam

What brand makes the highest quality shoes for around $400-$600?

You can get C&J, or JM Weston classic line at aroud that price point if you are a savy shopper.

 

[AscotMcPocketsquare]

Originally Posted by Kuro

I'm sure the man with multiple same pairs will be along to dispute this, but IMHO towards the middle (beneath C&J).

I have a pair of C&J I am not happy with, and I noticed a place nearby that will do custom fittings for Alden. Would custom Alden's likely be an improvement from my C&J or should I not bother?

 

[blackplatano]

Originally Posted by AscotMcPocketsquare

I have a pair of C&J I am not happy with, and I noticed a place nearby that will do custom fittings for Alden. Would custom Alden's likely be an improvement from my C&J or should I not bother?


Depends what you are not happy about. If it's comfort, then maybe. If you have the 348 last and you want something sleeker, then no.

 

[AscotMcPocketsquare]

Originally Posted by blackplatano

Depends what you are not happy about. If it's comfort, then maybe. If you have the 348 last and you want something sleeker, then no.

It's the comfort.

 

[blackplatano]

Originally Posted by AscotMcPocketsquare

It's the comfort.

C&J are a little narrow so yes, alden might have something that suit your feet better.

 

[jon5986]

In my opinion, I don't think that they are as good as the English brands. Lobb is in a different league.....

Edward Green makes wonderful shoes, as does Cleverley......