The Official Alden Thread for 2016 - Share reviews, sizing, advice, and photos.

[JSO1]

Watch and I have been continuing the spirit of the MTO days through Vass and Enzo Bonafe, who both offer vastly superior quality to AE at roughly the same price point, once all is said and done. And of course, the spirit lives on in some of awesome Alden makeups that retailers like Epaulet and Yenni are churning out.

BTW, my Barrie sizing oddessy continues. Over the summer I was sized at 10.5 E, and ordered a pair of 975s. When they came in, they were almost painfully tight in the forefoot, and so I went to another retailer and was sized again using a brannock device as 10.5 3E Barrie. There weren't any actual shoes in this size handy, so we special ordered a new 975. Fast forward 6 months, and I received the shoes (they looked gorgeous, great QC on this pair), but they were too WIDE this time. So fortunately the retailer agrees to take them back (was very extra careful not to crease them) and special order a 10.5 2E, which I hope will be the goldilocks size. Now just to wait another 6 months! Ah well, I'm sure it will be worth it.

Have you tried 11D or 11E, out of curiosity?

 

[Kahuna75]

Family photo:
Top:
-very used 403 with a coat of black dye
-403 (brown CXL on trubalance)
-405 (brown cowhide on trubalance)
-40531H (Alden of Madison, snuff suede on lightweight brick sole)
Bottom:
-D4907 (Alden x Moulded Shoe, Alpine Grain on modified)
-40724H (Alden x Leather Soul Vanguard boot, brown CXL on Barrie)
-45183H (plain toe, natural CXL on Barrie)
-45110 (tan suede with crepe sole on Barrie)

I'm thinking of getting another pair of indy boots. I'd most likely snag the reverse tobacco chamois, but considering the kudu on neocork or a brown suede plain toe on the modified last.

Nice collection...you need an NST!

 

[Watchman1]

but they were too WIDE this time. So fortunately the retailer agrees to take them back (was very extra careful not to crease them) and special order a 10.5 2E, which I hope will be the goldilocks size. Now just to wait another 6 months! Ah well, I'm sure it will be worth it.

Hate to say I told you so....but, well....you know.....

 

[Watchman1]

Dr. Pepper,

I also think that a 10EEE would do you right as well....

And remember, while Alden sizing is not nearly as wacky as Vass, it still is more than other makers I have dealt with.

IME, AE and Carmina sizing are the most consistent.

 

[Allen Dreadmon]

It's comforting to know that some Alden vets here have sizing issues too. You would think their feet fit every last perfectly by the size of their collections. Tongue pads are pretty much a necessary evil for me and if that lets me wear beautiful shoes, then I'm game.

BTW, Trunk Clothiers has a few pairs on sale at 50% off right now. I've purchased from them before. They ship Fedex and in a "friendly" way. After VAT reduction, they're about 200 pounds plus 20 shipping to NA.

 

[peppercorn78]



Have you tried 11D or 11E, out of curiosity?

11 would def be too long.

Hate to say I told you so....but, well....you know.....

You did!

Dr. Pepper,

I also think that a 10EEE would do you right as well....

Hmm. Now that's a thought. Damnit. Fit is so complicated. Not really sure if that would work as my toes splay out, but worth at try.

For the record I wear 10.5 3E in all AE lasts, 10 EEE UK in Carmina Detroit, 10 H UK Bonafe, 44.5 H Vass and 10 EE UK Lobb 7000.

 

[TheSizzle]

Nice collection...you need an NST!

If only it were easy to find in my size (6D)... That's why my choices are limited.

 

[Watchman1]

11 would def be too long.
You did!
Hmm. Now that's a thought. Damnit. Fit is so complicated. Not really sure if that would work as my toes splay out, but worth at try.

For the record I wear 10.5 3E in all AE lasts, 10 EEE UK in Carmina Detroit, 10 H UK Bonafe, 44.5 H Vass and 10 EE UK Lobb 7000.

Just for reference, I get almost as much overall width and girth from an Alden 10E Barrie as the AE 65 in 10 3E.

 

[peppercorn78]



Just for reference, I get almost as much overall width and girth from an Alden 10E Barrie as the AE 65 in 10 3E.

Yeah, my feet are complicated. Lol. My right foot is extra wide at the ball because of a bunion that I'm not having corrected anytime soon, and the left one is narrower at the ball but longer in the toe by .5 size and the big toe splays out due to a previous bunion surgery that was overcorrected/botched. The 10.5 E Barrie was painfully tight on my right bunion, and on the side of my splayed left big toe.

Ha! Sorry if this is TMI. The last's that fit me best are actually the AE 511, JL 7000, and Vass U.

 

[JSO1]

If only it were easy to find in my size (6D)... That's why my choices are limited.

I'm guessing you are a 6D in Trubalance/Barrie, so that would make you 6.5D TTS, so you'd probably want 6.5D in Aberdeen/Grant/Plaza...

Perhaps these boots could be a nice addition - a touch more formal, but a really fantastic makeup, and available in 6.5D!

http://leffot.com/shop/index.php/shoes/alden/d5804h-shortwing-boot.html

 

[ClassyCanuck]

These this morning.
LeatherSoul's black lady calf SWB with antique edge and brass hardware.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Alpina]

A few notes:

The recent family shots have been totally amazing. For me, the beauty is in the variations of color, whether due to age, batch, whatever. Really incredible stuff! Thank you gentlemen.

Recently moved to the South Shore of Boston. Not that it makes a lick of difference, but it's kind of nice to know the factory less than an hour away.

My wife: You don't actually post pictures of your own shoes on there, do you?
Me (channeling Fletch): Me? No, no--never, never.

 

[JSO1]

A few notes:

The recent family shots have been totally amazing. For me, the beauty is in the variations of color, whether due to age, batch, whatever. Really incredible stuff! Thank you gentlemen.

Recently moved to the South Shore of Boston. Not that it makes a lick of difference, but it's kind of nice to know the factory less than an hour away.

My wife: You don't actually post pictures of your own shoes on there, do you?
Me (channeling Fletch): Me? No, no--never, never.

Their factory is only a few trees away from 495, and I've driven past it numerous times. Never bothered to actually get off the highway and check it out, but I've seen pictures and it doesn't exactly seem like a visitor-friendly spot. I wish they had a "factory shop" and sold irregulars there, in person only.

 

[aldennoob]



If only it were easy to find in my size (6D)... That's why my choices are limited.

You may want to try leffot
they can add you size as a special order and you need to paid full deposit for it.
I ordered a 6D Naval boot and tanker from leffot!

 

[Dusty Heaters]

I may have posted these whiskey gunboats before...but not with these new chups socks! Would recommend for those who like cushioning and suffer from cold toes.