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

[fourdoggies]

So understandably, lots of places have the policy of not accepting shoe returns where the leather has been creased because then they cannot sell it as new.

So what do you guys do to try on a new shoe where you're unsure about the size, especially in stride, that doesn't create creases in the vamp flex area?

 

[madhat]

Good morning my friends and fellow fine footwear enthusiasts! So I picked up these Brooks Natty CXL loafers on the Aberdeen last. I have always had a problem because my feet are not the same size. My right foot is about 1/4 size smaller than left. I had actually ordered the loafers in 9.5 & 10 to see if I could try to resell the mismatched pair, but the 9.5 was too small for the right. My question is: what have any/some of you done to COMFORTABLY make up just the teeniest tiniest amount of volume—so little that with thick socks the problem is almost negated but with thin socks it is more prominent and well, I don’t want to wear winter socks everyday..... heel pads? tongue pads? any reco on thin insoles? Thanks guys I appreciate any insight.


TL;DR: My feet are two different sizes by about 1/4-1/2 size. What can I do to make up extra volume??

I'd start with an insert. I know the el cheapo Walgreens/CVS ones exist, but I prefer a leather footbed so I buy the Saphir leather ones. The cork compresses to where it's almost just the thickness of the leather itself. Depending on how it is loose, a tongue pad may help, but I'd start with the insole. I'd avoid heel pads - I've not found a way to make them work acceptably yet.

 

[frankmartin]

Good morning my friends and fellow fine footwear enthusiasts! So I picked up these Brooks Natty CXL loafers on the Aberdeen last. I have always had a problem because my feet are not the same size. My right foot is about 1/4 size smaller than left. I had actually ordered the loafers in 9.5 & 10 to see if I could try to resell the mismatched pair, but the 9.5 was too small for the right. My question is: what have any/some of you done to COMFORTABLY make up just the teeniest tiniest amount of volume—so little that with thick socks the problem is almost negated but with thin socks it is more prominent and well, I don’t want to wear winter socks everyday..... heel pads? tongue pads? any reco on thin insoles? Thanks guys I appreciate any insight.


TL;DR: My feet are two different sizes by about 1/4-1/2 size. What can I do to make up extra volume??

Maybe try wearing one no-show sock on underneath your dress sock on the smaller foot?

There are always tongue pads and heel snugs.

 

[M635Guy]

I think we picked up the same pair during the same sale last year - how many wears do you think you've put on these? I just looked at the data, and was surprised to see I'm at 35 (!), so probably need to give them a rest. They are showing quite a bit more creasing than yours, but I generally like the beat up look of them. Yours seem to have a glow about them, which I do miss.

Not nearly enough wears, though I'm planning to fix that this fall. I seem to like darker during the fall/winter and lighter stuff in the summer/spring. I'm a brushing-guy too...

 

[elTiburon]

I'd start with an insert. I know the el cheapo Walgreens/CVS ones exist, but I prefer a leather footbed so I buy the Saphir leather ones. The cork compresses to where it's almost just the thickness of the leather itself. Depending on how it is loose, a tongue pad may help, but I'd start with the insole. I'd avoid heel pads - I've not found a way to make them work acceptably yet.

Thank you very much for the quick reply. I will definitely check out those Saphir insoles. As you can imagine, I am looking for just the thinnest amount of insole and I think those might do the job. Plus, like you, I would rather put a cork & leather insole in my cork & leather soled shoes. Thanks again for the help

 

[BackInTheJox]

Color 8 LHS with black edge.

 

[lagsun]

It's been a while since wearing these AofDC #8 captoe boots on commando.

 

[coolarrow]

Cigar shell longwings:

 

[Alpha11]

Nope

 

[chipperoo]

Color 8 chukka today

 

[sazon]

Happy october Alden Bros. Here’s a few recent selections:
1. Color 8 x Yenni
2 natty all terrain (AoC)
3. Snuffaluffagus indy (AoC)

 

[JSO1]

Happy october Alden Bros. Here’s a few recent selections:
1. Color 8 x Yenni
2 natty all terrain (AoC)
3. Snuffaluffagus indy (AoC)


View attachment 1045190 View attachment 1045191 View attachment 1045192

Killin' it, broseph!

 

[sazon]

Cigar shell longwings:

Is that some shell mismatch or just the lighting???

Killin' it, broseph!

Thank you JSO

 

[DWH]

Purchased the color 8 plain toe boot on commando from TSM. Will post before the weekend. First time trying shell in my real size (C width).

 

[Profligate47]