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

[madhat]

Guys,

I'm at the moderate end of shoe collection on this forum and I struggle to put miles on my modest collection. Yesterday I was determined to get a sparsely used pair into my rotation. The bal saddles have yet to be worn since getting them back from Alden months ago. The two-tones have maybe 2-3 wears in the 3 years since I grabbed them from Brogue. I was undecided on which to wear so I tried this to help with the decision.....

View attachment 1502156

Decision made after a few minutes of thought. Sadly, I went with a staple, unlined LHS from BB <sigh>.

Wear what you enjoy!

I’ve bought enough pairs on a whim, as a compromise, shoes for a style/formality I don’t regularly wear, and what not that I’ve started letting things fall as they fall. If I find myself avoiding a pair for a long time, I go ahead and let it go. Most hobbies aren’t truly investments, so I just chalk my losses up to enjoying my hobby. I guess my point is, if you feel obligated to wear and not really ever want to wear, it may be they’re detracting from your enjoyment rather than adding to it. If that’s the case, I’m not telling you to dump them, just offering a sympathetic post as a fellow shoe collector that it’s OK to not keep them out of obligation of investment.

 

[Shawnc]

Wear what you enjoy!

I’ve bought enough pairs on a whim, as a compromise, shoes for a style/formality I don’t regularly wear, and what not that I’ve started letting things fall as they fall. If I find myself avoiding a pair for a long time, I go ahead and let it go. Most hobbies aren’t truly investments, so I just chalk my losses up to enjoying my hobby. I guess my point is, if you feel obligated to wear and not really ever want to wear, it may be they’re detracting from your enjoyment rather than adding to it. If that’s the case, I’m not telling you to dump them, just offering a sympathetic post as a fellow shoe collector that it’s OK to not keep them out of obligation of investment.

That is a really cool perspective. My challenge is that I truly don't have a pair that I don't like.....a lot. But I have more than a few that I really love. They seem to always get the call. I will tell you that I was ready to do some serious downsizing right before the pandemic. Since I am fortunate enough not to have to sell due to finances, I decided to hold off given the understandably soft market.

Good advice though and I certainly appreciate you taking the time.

 

[sazon]

PSA: Anyone waiting for the Wick boot from Snake Oil Provisions?
I was told they should be in around the first week of Dec.

 

[madhat]

That is a really cool perspective. My challenge is that I truly don't have a pair that I don't like.....a lot. But I have more than a few that I really love. They seem to always get the call. I will tell you that I was ready to do some serious downsizing right before the pandemic. Since I am fortunate enough not to have to sell due to finances, I decided to hold off given the understandably soft market.

Good advice though and I certainly appreciate you taking the time.

I’ve been holding on to me to sell pile as well...

Having ones you really like and ones you love without having any you don’t really like makes it harder for sure! Not feeling obligated it the most important part. They’ll all get worn eventually.

 

[BAK]

Perfect. Much appreciated Matt, thanks!

LaRossa Shoe in South Weymouth, Massachusetts and Moulded Shoe in NYC are also alternative options. Pretty sure Footworks in North Attleboro, MA can also do it.

 

[audog]

40F and raining here, day calls for Commando

 

[Shawnc]

LaRossa Shoe in South Weymouth, Massachusetts and Moulded Shoe in NYC are also alternative options. Pretty sure Footworks in North Attleboro, MA can also do it.

Damn, I love this forum. Thanks my-man!

 

[Vincent George]

Alden brethren,

I have a pair of leather soles I would like to convert to Alden commando. Aren't there cobblers who can/will do this so that the rubber is integrated into the sole (true Alden commando) versus simply glueing or stitching the rubber on the bottom?

Not 100% on this one: But Sherman Bros in PA and LaRossa Shoe in MA might be able to do this. (Sherman notes it on their website and I’ve been to LaRossa before aka Louie Retail.)

Edit...just saw that others mentioned these, too; I should have read the rest of the thread first.

 

[slows2k]

Well, thanks to you enablers I went ahead and sprung for the Morgans from Ealdwine Raleigh. And with that my little capsule collection is very nearly complete. I look forward to really using and getting some great wear on them. Well worn plain toed boots in color 8 look killer.

Shoutout to Jim over there who took my order over the phone on a day the store was closed. Great guy!

 

[Misterg12]

Perfect. Much appreciated Matt, thanks!

These are my Indys they did for me.

 

[audog]

These are my Indys they did for me.
View attachment 1502316 View attachment 1502317

WOW

 

[audog]

Snuff Suede Straight Tips 379x

 

[Misterg12]

Alden brethren,

I have a pair of leather soles I would like to convert to Alden commando. Aren't there cobblers who can/will do this so that the rubber is integrated into the sole (true Alden commando) versus simply glueing or stitching the rubber on the bottom?

my bad it was indeed Larossa . Been a long morning lol

 

[Shawnc]

These are my Indys they did for me.
View attachment 1502316 View attachment 1502317

my bad it was indeed Larossa . Been a long morning lol

All good Matt. Appreciate the info.

 

[slows2k]

TSM snuff suede PCTs on Barrie. Such a great makeup.