Alden/whiskey-should they stay or go?

[CodeRed]

I purchased this pair of shoes which just arrived today from Shoemart:

http://www.theshoemart.com/cgi-bin/c...IAN&rpro=24061

I like these shoes and have the feeling that they will develop a nice patina over time. The problem that I am having is paying full retail for these shoes when much better deals are out there as evidenced by the recent RLP sale. I got C&J shell shoes for almost half of what these are costing and it seems to me like the Darltons are actually a better made shoe.

I keep hearing how whiskey shell is so rare these days, but knowing how my universe works there will be a flood of whiskey out there as soon as I decide to keep them.

Should I keep them or send them back? Thx.

 

[JayJay]

I bought this shoe from the Shoe Mart a couple of months ago and love them. The color is rare and will age nicely over time. I have no regrets for purchasing them at full retail.

My quest now is to find a pair of Alden chukka boots in whiskey.

 

[waterpig]

Those are gorgeous.

 

[lee_44106]

What you got there is a highly desired norwegian split-toe blucher, which required additional hand-sewing. It's a great shoe in a very rare color, by all means keept them.

Polo operates at a much larger scale than the Alden shoe factory, therefore a crazy sale of close to 50% off is no big deal to them.

I would not say the C&J made Darlton/Marlow is "better" than what Alden offers. From a construction standpoint they are exactly the same. The finishing detail on the Polo MAY be slightly slightly more consistent, but not by that much over the Alden.

I'm by no means a shell cordovan "expert", although that's the only shoes I've been purchasing (other than a pair of AE Park Avenue from Brian/Shoe) for the past 6 months. The Alden special editions are the ONLY shoes I'm willing to pay full retail. Not even the Darlton/Marlow was good enough that I was ready to fork over the asking price of $695.

KEEP your Whiskey NST!

 

[Jeff Naylor]

Those are my next shoes. Whiskey shell is gorgeous.

 

[CodeRed]

Well is does seem unaminous so far...I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't being too caught up in the moment by paying full retail.

I guess it boils down to supply and demand, when it comes to whiskey shell not much supply and plenty of demand.

Looks like they are keepers after all. First instincts are usually correct anyway. Thx for the comments thus far.

 

[DocHolliday]

Originally Posted by CodeRed

I keep hearing how whiskey shell is so rare these days, but knowing how my universe works there will be a flood of whiskey out there as soon as I decide to keep them.

I'd be extremely surprised if this came to pass.

 

[sho'nuff]

are you kidding me, keep them.


alden whiskey shell.

that is analogous to the Lost Ark or something.

 

[Garage/Surf Rock]

If my creamed boxers are any indication of good shoes, I'd say keep them.

 

[AlanC]

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

I'd be extremely surprised if this came to pass.

But if it does work that way, by all means keep them!

 

[Tarmac]

I love the natural-stain midsoles on these Bootmaker Aldens. I think more shoes should come like that. I've been really wanting a pair. I've agonized over buying these, full retail $557.

#8 is something you can waffle on, but cigar or whiskey, they are worth every penny right now. Another thing, this is one of those purchases which is just foolproof. For example, I have a bunch of $170-ish shoes which I got on various discounts. I would have saved a lot of wasted time if I had just gotten the exact $550 shoe I wanted instead of hunting around for 3 lesser $170 shoes.

 

[distinctive]

Those are hideous! What were you thinking?? Sell them to me

 

[LeatherSOUL]

I bought those same shoes at full retail from the Shoe Mart and I can buy Aldens at wholesale. That should tell you something about how hard it is to get whiskey right now.

 

[LeatherSOUL]

I even bought a D width instead of my normal E size.

 

[sho'nuff]

even the alden god himself puts on his pants in the morning one leg at a time.