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THE OFFICIAL ALDEN THREAD FOR 2020 - SHARE REVIEWS, SIZING, ADVICE, AND PHOTOS.

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Shawnc

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There are two issues that come to mind for me.

One is that on a typical hook boot from Alden there is a gap between where the eyelets end and the hooks start. May not be much of a big deal, but there also must be some reason they do that.

The bigger issue would be the typical hook boot has a strip of leather covering the backs of the hooks. Obviously the eyelets have already created the holes all the way through, so if you just replace the eyelets with hooks, the back of the hooks is going to be exposed. The only boot I ever had that had exposed hooks was the AE Dalton and those exposed hook backs scratched the heck out of the tongue. Not a big deal on a cheap Dalton, but might be a bummer on a nice rare shell. Perhaps a cobbler could install more leather to cover the backs of the new hooks, but I'm sure that would increase the cost.
I totally agree with you on this. Here is photo of tongue of a pair of GS boots where there is no strip of leather covering the back of the hooks View attachment 1465141

V-E-R-Y helpful guys. Thanks!
 

smfdoc

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Question for my Alden brothers on converting eyes to hooks. I've got 2 pair of pretty special boots that don't get much mileage primarily because they're 'tweeners', right between bus casual and denim. I want to send one in for a conversion (haven't decided which one but a slight lean towards the Splits). I've heard others say something about the hooks will not align with the eyes. Sounds like it is neither noticeable nor does it affect functionality but I wanted to get a clearer picture of the risks before pulling the trigger.......

View attachment 1465048

As always, any insight is greatly appreciated. And BTW, the whiskey's (Barrie 8E) can still be had for $1,200 net to me firm. IM me if interested. Inquiries posted to this thread will respectfully not be replied to.

I will throw another variable into the subject of adding hooks. I have done this on several pairs and I did not realize that there is a difference in the anchoring of the hooks. This pair received 4 hooks.

IMG_9429.jpg


The hooks are inserted through the eyelet and then widened some on the back of the eyelet so they do not fall out.

IMG_9430.jpg


I have found that this may not be the most dependable hook and I have had to replace several after they were added. They started to come through the leather. The hooks inserted on another pair had a different attachment system and the individual prongs were better at gripping into the leather for a tighter grip. They go in straight and then a squeezed and mushroomed into their final position and grip. I would recommend these over the style in the tan suede pair seen above.

IMG_9431.jpg
 

Alden Northwest

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I will throw another variable into the subject of adding hooks. I have done this on several pairs and I did not realize that there is a difference in the anchoring of the hooks. This pair received 4 hooks.

View attachment 1465224

The hooks are inserted through the eyelet and then widened some on the back of the eyelet so they do not fall out.

View attachment 1465225

I have found that this may not be the most dependable hook and I have had to replace several after they were added. They started to come through the leather. The hooks inserted on another pair had a different attachment system and the individual prongs were better at gripping into the leather for a tighter grip. They go in straight and then a squeezed and mushroomed into their final position and grip. I would recommend these over the style in the tan suede pair seen above.

View attachment 1465226

Yep, that mushroom style does seem to hold better, but that is also the style that I had scratch the tongue pretty bad. Definitely some compromises to be had when adding hooks to eyelet boots.
 

Alden Northwest

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TSM got me with their 2nd's postings. Been wanting a pair of Yenni's CXL cap toes with brass for awhile now. They were my first pair of Alden, unfortunately before I got my Barrie size figured out so they were a half size too big, ended up selling them. A pair in my size popped up on the 2nds today. They are E instead of my usual D width so hopefully they work out. If not, the $10 restocking fee isn't bad.
 

audog

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TSM got me with their 2nd's postings. Been wanting a pair of Yenni's CXL cap toes with brass for awhile now. They were my first pair of Alden, unfortunately before I got my Barrie size figured out so they were a half size too big, ended up selling them. A pair in my size popped up on the 2nds today. They are E instead of my usual D width so hopefully they work out. If not, the $10 restocking fee isn't bad.
Snag those TSM's when you see them!
 

Vocans

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Yesterday I thought I'd sleep on the snuff wingtip boots at TSM.....well, guess what? They are gone today. Guess I didn't need them that much, wallet thanks me.

Just a sign you need a pair of firsts from Adam (or Ealdwine's version in Humus) :)

I had initially proposed that design to Adam a couple of years ago and gathered folks for the initial run here and on reddit.
 

chipshot

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BTW sadly listed BB Chromexel Tassels today here. Killer price .. well cared for as in all of my collection. House wear only as most of my footwear.. I don't go on long walks much anymore.. when you see my stuff up for sale these days.. they are lightly worn in every sense. Okay .. Sorry for the pimping.. Carry On..
 

audog

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Just a sign you need a pair of firsts from Adam (or Ealdwine's version in Humus) :)

I had initially proposed that design to Adam a couple of years ago and gathered folks for the initial run here and on reddit.
You are, of course, correct. I don't remember the run a couple of years ago, but probably was still in my "I don't look good in wingtips" phase :)
 

sterlingindigo

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Anybody with medium instep size down another half size for Barrie boots compared with their Barrie shoe size? There are a couple pair of boots I’m interested in but when comparing pictures, it looks the boot version has a a higher instep.
 
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