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

[audog]

Happy Friday morning all. Natty plain toe boots, dog toy and watching it snow.

 

[zippyh]

Ok, please be honest here.
How many of you wear your cordovan boots/shoes out in the rain, snow or slush? I am an oldtimer here. I recall reading that if cordovan gets wet, it will bubble at the spots. Just need to wait for it to dry and buff it with a cloth and they will be gone. Nevermind the blooom. How about salt stains? Same way we treat regular leather shoes? A bit of vinegar and water and some elbow grease? Boots/shoes are meant to be worn, but I also want to "baby" them. You are spending a fair bit of $$ on them afterall.

Not so much snow/slush since we don't get much here, but I wear cordovan in the rain all the time. The more important factor for me is what sole they have. Normal leather sole I tend to avoid the wet.

 

[jischwar]

Ok, please be honest here.
How many of you wear your cordovan boots/shoes out in the rain, snow or slush? I am an oldtimer here. I recall reading that if cordovan gets wet, it will bubble at the spots. Just need to wait for it to dry and buff it with a cloth and they will be gone. Nevermind the blooom. How about salt stains? Same way we treat regular leather shoes? A bit of vinegar and water and some elbow grease? Boots/shoes are meant to be worn, but I also want to "baby" them. You are spending a fair bit of $$ on them afterall.

Wear them in the rain all of the time. Wipe down with a wet cloth and brush the heck out of em after and don't have an issue with spotting.

 

[lcdx22]

Ok, please be honest here.
How many of you wear your cordovan boots/shoes out in the rain, snow or slush? I am an oldtimer here. I recall reading that if cordovan gets wet, it will bubble at the spots. Just need to wait for it to dry and buff it with a cloth and they will be gone. Nevermind the blooom. How about salt stains? Same way we treat regular leather shoes? A bit of vinegar and water and some elbow grease? Boots/shoes are meant to be worn, but I also want to "baby" them. You are spending a fair bit of $$ on them afterall.

Sure do. Here is a picture from 2 days ago. Color 8 chukka burried. The intent is not to go snow walking but if it happens ah well. Quick wipe ans they're back to normal.

 

[PACostag]

Sure do. Here is a picture from 2 days ago. Color 8 chukka burried. The intent is not to go snow walking but if it happens ah well. Quick wipe ans they're back to normal.

I'd love to see these post wipe down

 

[Vocans]

Classic tankers today. Happy Friday everyone.

 

[PACostag]

quick and easy question for you guys - the black area around the toe mid-sole area - is that rubber?

 

[caffed]

quick and easy question for you guys - the black area around the toe mid-sole area - is that rubber?

View attachment 1345761

yes. I believe it’s similar to the crepe material. Not 100% sure but it’s not as dense as outsole rubber.

 

[darkclassic]

Mr Sid tobacco chamois WTBs

 

[sanomnia]

Latest acquisition

 

[scurvyfreedman]

Today's Aldens. An Indy of a different color.

 

[ironclad]

quick and easy question for you guys - the black area around the toe mid-sole area - is that rubber?

View attachment 1345761

yes. I believe it’s similar to the crepe material. Not 100% sure but it’s not as dense as outsole rubber.

I could be wrong, but it looks and feels like a closed cell polyethylene foam similar to Volara.

 

[adrs1157]

Good question, but no, not the toe stiffener. I used rubber bands to preserve a faux cap toe line. If you look up at the collar of the boots you'll see I preserved a line there as well. Just a couple little design details I thought I'd have fun with. Depending on the light sometimes you don't notice the lines at all, and other times they're pretty evident.

That's a cool idea. I figure since my boots have rolls all over the place they'll fade uniquely.

 

[adrs1157]

Ok, please be honest here.
How many of you wear your cordovan boots/shoes out in the rain, snow or slush? I am an oldtimer here. I recall reading that if cordovan gets wet, it will bubble at the spots. Just need to wait for it to dry and buff it with a cloth and they will be gone. Nevermind the blooom. How about salt stains? Same way we treat regular leather shoes? A bit of vinegar and water and some elbow grease? Boots/shoes are meant to be worn, but I also want to "baby" them. You are spending a fair bit of $$ on them afterall.

I have 4 pairs of cordovan boots that I wear exclusively in the winter months. I am in Canada.

They do spot but after cleaning it does go away.

It's hard to keep them looking nice, but it's even harder for other leathers. It's the edge that needs more attention than anything. It's been 3 or so years and I have yet to see any permanent stains or damage to the uppers of any pair. Also, no water gets in.

My wife has a pair with kangaroo uppers, a pebble grain calf and a chromexcel pair for winter and they are not aging well at all.

I'm super impressed with cordovan so far. Great material for winter.

Edit: If you want to see some pictures, I posted some on the C&J thread here: https://www.styleforum.net/threads/...read-reviews-quality-etc.227575/post-10054063

 

[lcdx22]

I'd love to see these post wipe down

I'll take a picture when I get home. I just wiped them and into the closet they went.