The Official Alden Thread for 2019 - Share Reviews, Sizing, Advice, and Photos.

[DocWatson]

Interesting! Have you gotten any new shoes in your correct size since? If so, how do they feel?

Yes, two pairs, and they've felt a little snug to begin with and then totally perfect after a few wears (my many pairs of loafers were already the correct size, thank goodness, because I like to go sockless and for them to fit snug). I'll never go back, it's been a revelation. Funnily enough I used to sometimes get a pinch on my right pinkie toe, but it turns out that was from the shoes being too large instead of too small. When the shoe is too large, your foot slides forward to fill the extra space when you walk, and your pinkie toe can jam into the leather. Given my left foot is slightly larger than my right, it's the reason it only ever happened on the right side. It makes sense when you think about it, but at first it's counter-intuitive.

 

[nsdkfjsdfc4r3]

Yes, two pairs, and they've felt a little snug to begin with and then totally perfect after a few wears (my many pairs of loafers were already the correct size, thank goodness, because I like to go sockless and for them to fit snug). I'll never go back, it's been a revelation. Funnily enough I used to sometimes get a pinch on my right pinkie toe, but it turns out that was from the shoes being too large instead of too small. When the shoe is too large, your foot slides forward to fill the extra space when you walk, and your pinkie toe can jam into the leather. Given my left foot is slightly larger than my right, it's the reason it only ever happened on the right side. It makes sense when you think about it, but at first it's counter-intuitive.

This is fascinating. I also have the issue where my right pinkie toe pinches on most shoes. I wonder if my shoes are also too big. I like having some wiggle room with my toes though so I wonder if that is my issue.

 

[ironclad]

Whiskey sunrise. Maiden voyage.

@sazon thanks for the laces info.

 

[scurvyfreedman]

I was at Leffot about 10 years ago. They were carrying the newly reintroduced Alfred Sargent shoes at the time and only carried them in narrow width. I found them way too tight, but there was no lace gap. I have flat feet and low volume feet. If I sized down to have a lace gap it would mean that I'd have to cut off my toes. I've been sized at Sky Valet and Alden of DC. Some lasts do not work for Alden and other makers because they are designed for higher volume feet. But, I have plenty of shoes that fit perfectly with no lace gap.

 

[audog]

It totally blew my mind when Sean at Leffot in Chicago sized me this summer and broke it to me that I've been wearing a lot of my shoes a half size too large – he said he sees people wear Aldens at least a full size too large regularly! I know that some of us have skinny ankles (I certainly do), but even so, one of his big things was that you should have a lace gap. If you reeeeally don't, the shoes are probably too large. That might be common knowledge here, but I wish I had heard it earlier on in my Alden journey.

It took trial and error to get my sizing for Alden right, and I spent a lot of money on boots that were too large, been selling them off, but will never recoup all the funds. Learning curve. Fortunately, like you I properly sized loafers and shoes to begin with.

 

[AJ1]

Have a similar issue as well but think mine is more related to my flat feet, arches cave pushing toes to spread right. Finding you correct shoe size can certainly be challenging.

This is fascinating. I also have the issue where my right pinkie toe pinches on most shoes. I wonder if my shoes are also too big. I like having some wiggle room with my toes though so I wonder if that is my issue.

 

[DocWatson]

I was at Leffot about 10 years ago. They were carrying the newly reintroduced Alfred Sargent shoes at the time and only carried them in narrow width. I found them way too tight, but there was no lace gap. I have flat feet and low volume feet. If I sized down to have a lace gap it would mean that I'd have to cut off my toes. I've been sized at Sky Valet and Alden of DC. Some lasts do not work for Alden and other makers because they are designed for higher volume feet. But, I have plenty of shoes that fit perfectly with no lace gap.

Absolutely, we all have different feet and there are no hard and fast rules to lace gaps, comfort, etc. I'm not trying to tell anyone to wear smaller shoes, just passing along information from someone who is an expert that ended up really helping me out. The takeaway, I suppose, is that the best way to find properly-fitting shoes is to get sized by someone who knows shoes – and preferably Alden if possible.

 

[savvysartorial]

Hadn't thought of driving mark, but looking at the very boots I'm wearing, and darn if it isn't the same type of mark and can only be attributed to my rubber floor mats in the GTI. Seems to impact some boots more than others, or maybe I'm more aggressive driving while wearing some boots???? vs others. Anyway, good call on cause, but I think it's cosmetic, and who the heck is going to see it anyway?

Hehe I thought it might be. I have rubber floor mats in my car (aftermarket) because it really help keeps the junk/dirt/ debris there instead of ruining my nice original mats.... I guess that's what car mats are for though.

It might be the heel height of the boot forces you to change where you place your foot and the leather there is just at the right angle to get rubbed.

Either way, you're right it's cosmetic, it seems. Wouldn't be worried one bit.

 

[lemmy127]

It totally blew my mind when Sean at Leffot in Chicago sized me this summer and broke it to me that I've been wearing a lot of my shoes a half size too large – he said he sees people wear Aldens at least a full size too large regularly! I know that some of us have skinny ankles (I certainly do), but even so, one of his big things was that you should have a lace gap. If you reeeeally don't, the shoes are probably too large. That might be common knowledge here, but I wish I had heard it earlier on in my Alden journey.

After wearing 13D for over a decade, imagine my reaction when I find out that my left foot is 13B and my right foot is 13A. I had always assumed that everyone had heel slip and could fully splay their toes inside their shoes and boots. Really wish I would have found that out before I got in on the only rare shell order I've ever been a part of (2014 AoC ravello longwings). I had ordered 12D because the only Alden dealer in an hour radius had that size and it worked well enough.

I still don't know what my Barrie size should be... I had gotten a pair of very used 12.5A #8 saddles on eBay that felt a bit tight across the top of my left foot, but I don't know if that would be a problem with bluchers or not. I could figure it out if I ordered 4-5 different sizes of All Weather Walkers from the Alden SF store, but that seems like a dick move when I would return all of them.

 

[JoeRogan]

It totally blew my mind when Sean at Leffot in Chicago sized me this summer and broke it to me that I've been wearing a lot of my shoes a half size too large – he said he sees people wear Aldens at least a full size too large regularly! I know that some of us have skinny ankles (I certainly do), but even so, one of his big things was that you should have a lace gap. If you reeeeally don't, the shoes are probably too large. That might be common knowledge here, but I wish I had heard it earlier on in my Alden journey.

Yes, if the facings aren't designed to close (i.e. as in an oxford/balmoral) they shouldn't. I see it quite a lot though, but at the same time proper fit is difficult especially for a narrow foot, because the shoes frankly just aren't that available. So most people settle for "good enough", and that's fine. Of course a retailer will be able to size you perfectly, but for the most part if the fit doesn't cause discomfort or any issues there's really no problem.

 

[zippyh]

Hadn't thought of driving mark, but looking at the very boots I'm wearing, and darn if it isn't the same type of mark and can only be attributed to my rubber floor mats in the GTI. Seems to impact some boots more than others, or maybe I'm more aggressive driving while wearing some boots???? vs others. Anyway, good call on cause, but I think it's cosmetic, and who the heck is going to see it anyway?

Here you go

 

[savvysartorial]

Here you go

Now that's dedication. I don't drive in my dress shoes (most of the time) to avoid messing up the back of them.

 

[TimothyF]

Hehe I thought it might be. I have rubber floor mats in my car (aftermarket) because it really help keeps the junk/dirt/ debris there instead of ruining my nice original mats.... I guess that's what car mats are for though.

It might be the heel height of the boot forces you to change where you place your foot and the leather there is just at the right angle to get rubbed.

Either way, you're right it's cosmetic, it seems. Wouldn't be worried one bit.

I’m sorry if I didn’t make it clear early. These shell shoes are brand new from Alden retailer. So floor mat would not explain the mark, right?

 

[savvysartorial]

I’m sorry if I didn’t make it clear early. These shell shoes are brand new from Alden retailer. So floor mat would explain the mark, right?

If they're new, obviously not floor mat then.

However, that might cause that to happen as @audog has vouched for. Based on the photo it looks like a slight coloration issue. Use my advice above to solve: damp wipe, brush, VSC (spoon maybe), cordovan cream. You won't even know it's there.

 

[Don L]

So these were not I’m my top 5 list because I couldn’t find a good pic. They are probably my favorite pair of Alden’s though. TSM Ravello NST on Aberdeen