I’m Doubting Alden’s Future

[No8]

I think most people benchmark Alden on barrie just beacuse every other thing from Alden is barrie

Very true. I just figured I should share my perspective being an owner and enthusiast of all these nice shoes. I’ve been wanting to get the EG Belgravia loafers but can’t justify it due to having an Alden tassel loafer on the Aberdeen last.

 

[clee1982]

EG 184 definitely don't have high instep at least not for me. I find Aberdeen too narrow in toe actually

 

[No8]

EG 184 definitely don't have high instep at least not for me. I find Aberdeen too narrow in toe actually

The 184 is very nice all around. I think that’s my fav EG last. I cannot get the 82 tight enough (the laces pull the sides almost all the way together). The 202 for me requires a half size down. With Alden Aberdeen cordovan needed to go to a C width but D for calf. That’s where the shop was very helpful rather than me just giving up the style. CJ loafers are spot on at 10 U.K. D (UK E)

 

[clee1982]

I thought Aberdeen is already narrower last to start with, sounds like you’re slightly narrower than US D in general?

 

[BfordSingh]

I'm shocked that someone so rational and balanced as to purchase 40 pairs of Aldens in 10 months thinks he knows better than Alden, a company that still has many-months of waitlists for countless orders.

 

[jko]

I told them my exact size down to the cm and they still recommended a half size too big.

Half a size is about 4 mm, so if you provided length in cm, I think they did pretty well.

 

[Harwid]

I love how many Alden’s look, right amount of casual/chunkiness especially the loafers, but man every year they get worse and more expensive.

I just find Crockett to be much better made.

I don’t like the looks of most Aldens. Maybe because I think there is no right amount of chunkiness for shoes.

Jeff

 

[Oswald Cornelius]

I'm shocked that someone so rational and balanced as to purchase 40 pairs of Aldens in 10 months ...

Gotta admit, I chuckled out loud a little bit.

 

[tuna roll]

IME the Aberdeen last is narrow at the toe box and slightly narrow at heel. But I find it generous at the ball.

I’m a 9 Brannock, right between D and E in width. So slightly wide at the ball, but narrow at the heel. Aberdeen in 9D fits me great overall but pushes my pinky a bit.

 

[BfordSingh]

IME the Aberdeen last is narrow at the toe box and slightly narrow at heel. But I find it generous at the ball.

I’m a 9 Brannock, right between D and E in width. So slightly wide at the ball, but narrow at the heel. Aberdeen in 9D fits me great overall but pushes my pinky a bit.

I'm in basically the same boat. Wide-ish ball (D/E width) but narrow heel, and I love the Aberdeen last. 6D fits me perfectly. The heel on 6E is too wide.

 

[tuna roll]

I'm in basically the same boat. Wide-ish ball (D/E width) but narrow heel, and I love the Aberdeen last. 6D fits me perfectly. The heel on 6E is too wide.

It's funny because people usually think of the Aberdeen as a narrow last. But like Steven from Leffot mentioned to me, it's narrow compared to other Alden lasts, which are usually quite generous.

 

[clee1982]

I wish Aberdeen fits me so many good loafer on that last, yea toebox too tight is my problem, can’t upwidth else heel too loose oh well…

 

[tuna roll]

I wish Aberdeen fits me so many good loafer on that last, yea toebox too tight is my problem, can’t upwidth else heel too loose oh well…

Have you tried the Leydon last? I find it narrow at the heel just like the Aberdeen, but with a slightly lower vamp and toebox, and the toebox is not as narrow (but narrower than the Van last).

 

[AriGold]

I wish Aberdeen fits me so many good loafer on that last, yea toebox too tight is my problem, can’t upwidth else heel too loose oh well…

I used to have that problem, but I realized I sized up, went C width instead. alternative a tongue pad can also help.

 

[gimpwiz]

I have seen some QC issues with Alden that are odd as ****, but most of the stuff I got from them is great. Certainly not 35/40 misses. I have put my feet in maybe 4 pairs that were not quite right based on other shoes/boots with the same size and last, which is way too many, but most are great. I suspect OP has something going on.