The Official Alden Thread for 2018 - Share Reviews, Sizing, Advice, and Photos.

[Benny812]

I have a new pair of Whiskey SWB on Aberdeen last. I have worn twice and shoes are tight in the front of shoe. I can wear either 12d or 11.5d on Barrie last. The Aberdeen last is 12d. How long should I expect for these to break in? I took a chance on the Aberdeen and may regret it.

 

[M635Guy]

View attachment 1085251

For those who have a suede tanker in Barrie ( @Misterg12 ), does the boot fit any looser or more snug than the Barrie tanker in shell? Thanks very much in advance!

I don't have shell Tankers (Ravello Tanker is my ultimate grail - would trade my Ravello WTBs for some if there's an 11.5D Barrie guy out there who really wanted WTB's...), but the shell WTB fits looser than my Choco Tankers. The Choco pair is more...fitted?...than even my leather Barrie stuff, but so soft that they're stupid degrees of comfortable (also true of my suede WTBs - the fit/feel between those is very similar). Highly recommended.

 

[jjschube]

Christmas came earlier thanks to a tip from a fellow styleforum member. Can’t believe I got a pair.

 

[fourdoggies]

I have a new pair of Whiskey SWB on Aberdeen last. I have worn twice and shoes are tight in the front of shoe. I can wear either 12d or 11.5d on Barrie last. The Aberdeen last is 12d. How long should I expect for these to break in? I took a chance on the Aberdeen and may regret it.

I have yet to find an Aberdeen that fits me right because it tapers so quickly at the front...

 

[fourdoggies]

View attachment 1085424 Christmas came earlier thanks to a tip from a fellow styleforum member. Can’t believe I got a pair.

Very nice, congrats!

You must be on that JSO1 waitlist.

 

[jjschube]

Very nice, congrats!

You must be on that JSO1 waitlist.

I Wish haha, just super lucky this time.

 

[BackInTheJox]

Weird question but does anyone take the same size in Barrie and Plaza?

 

[Dusty Heaters]

Weird question but does anyone take the same size in Barrie and Plaza?

Personally, I take a half size larger in the Plaza relative to the Barrie. I believe popular consensus is to go up a width from your Barrie size, not length, on the Plaza.

Then again I also take the same size in Barrie as I do the Grant, which is also atypical.

That said there is absolutely no substitution for trying the shoes on in person. Unless the cost is trivial, it will save you significant time and money traveling to a stockiest for a fitting compared to arm-chair guessing your size over the Internet. I’m speaking from my experience, take from it what you may.

 

[gilby]

Weird question but does anyone take the same size in Barrie and Plaza?

I’ve tried to size down on the plaza to my Barrie size and it was just a hair to tight. I’m an 11.5d tts but in reality maybe an 11.25d. I like a snug fit so I’m always tempted to size down. I’ve tried a 10.5d in Barrie and an 11d in plaza. Both were very close to perfect, but just a touch small. Most boots would have stretched out just fine, shell doesn’t stretch and Alden calf doesn’t stretch much either. In the end after a couple grand in trials the standard TTS on plaza and 1/2 size down on Barrie suggestion held true.

 

[smfdoc]

View attachment 1085424 Christmas came earlier thanks to a tip from a fellow styleforum member. Can’t believe I got a pair.

Damn, those are sweet.

 

[ELClodge]

I don't have shell Tankers (Ravello Tanker is my ultimate grail - would trade my Ravello WTBs for some if there's an 11.5D Barrie guy out there who really wanted WTB's...), but the shell WTB fits looser than my Choco Tankers. The Choco pair is more...fitted?...than even my leather Barrie stuff, but so soft that they're stupid degrees of comfortable (also true of my suede WTBs - the fit/feel between those is very similar). Highly recommended.

That’s good to hear and keeps me excited for the LS choco tankers. It’s the only pre-order I’m on and really have no idea when to expect them. Feel free to post your pics anytime you feel the need

 

[M635Guy]

That’s good to hear and keeps me excited for the LS choco tankers. It’s the only pre-order I’m on and really have no idea when to expect them. Feel free to post your pics anytime you feel the need

I'll wear 'em tomorrow...

In the meantime...

 

[ELClodge]

I'll wear 'em tomorrow...

In the meantime...

Yep - still great. And since we get to sweat the details here, I feel like the reverse welt makes large enough difference that I’m cool with waiting for the LS version. I think you originally pointed that out to me over a year ago, so thanks for that!

 

[GGMac]

Weird question but does anyone take the same size in Barrie and Plaza?

I’ll throw a curveball and say sometimes. I’m a borderline C / D with a narrow heel and have lower volume feet. Plaza in 10D is my optimal Alden fit. Barrie shoes in 9.5D fit well with thinner socks. I’ve sized up to 10D on a few pairs of Barrie boots as I wanted room for thicker socks. This works but I sometimes use a thin insert to fill the volume. 10C is likely my ideal fit in Barrie but chasing Alden models is tough enough without adding a narrow width to the mix.

 

[Dearborn]

More Mocha...

I tried to get a picture to show how different these are than color 8.

The red tones with brown are incredible.