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

[scurvyfreedman]

I could be wrong but when I asked about width the answers I got in my case were a 9D and an 8.5E were the same width equivalent. I found that when I tried those on they were similarly floppy, I didn’t sense an overwhelming improvement with the heel. That said, if your heel is locked at this width it’s worth a try.

What actually clicked for me was trying on the 9C (one half down from my TTS 9.5C on Aberdeen and an AE cap toe) and feeling like the width was right but also too many toes touching the end of the shoe. So I got more room by thinking that if the 8.5E is the same width as the 9D, maybe the 9.5B is the same as the 9C and gives me a little more room.

based purely on my experience I’d try down half out one width, as well as up one length same width?

I know that in the Aberdeen last on my suede tassel loafers, because of the low vamp, I wear an 8E instead of my normal TTS 8.5 D in laced shoes. They keep me more contained and aren't too tight on the toes. For reference, I wear an 8D for Trubalance, down a half size, but not a change in width.

 

[madhat]

I could be wrong but when I asked about width the answers I got in my case were a 9D and an 8.5E were the same width equivalent. I found that when I tried those on they were similarly floppy, I didn’t sense an overwhelming improvement with the heel. That said, if your heel is locked at this width it’s worth a try.

What actually clicked for me was trying on the 9C (one half down from my TTS 9.5C on Aberdeen and an AE cap toe) and feeling like the width was right but also too many toes touching the end of the shoe. So I got more room by thinking that if the 8.5E is the same width as the 9D, maybe the 9.5B is the same as the 9C and gives me a little more room.

based purely on my experience I’d try down half out one width, as well as up one length same width?

9D would be half a width narrower than 8.5E. The total volume is admittedly pretty close but distributed differently. Some people can make either size work, but generally one is a bit too narrow or a bit to wide.
It takes a full size change to get the equivalent width increase, so a 9E would have the same circumference as 10D.

 

[lcdx22]

9D would be half a width narrower than 8.5E. The total volume is admittedly pretty close but distributed differently. Some people can make either size work, but generally one is a bit too narrow or a bit to wide.
It takes a full size change to get the equivalent width increase, so a 9E would have the same circumference as 10D.

This is the relationship I was trying to figure out. So in my case in terms of increasing width it's 12.5D -> 13D -> 12.5E

I wonder than if going to 13D would work better and just pull my foot back into the wider part of the toe box and have least impact in the heel. Or they end up too long.

Do you find width or length has more impact on heel fit in this situation?

If only they made B/E sizing

Apologies to everyone if the questions are annoying just trying to minimize the number of returns going back and forth trying this on.

 

[madhat]

This is the relationship I was trying to figure out. So in my case in terms of increasing width it's 12.5D -> 13D -> 12.5E

I wonder than if going to 13D would work better and just pull my foot back into the wider part of the toe box and have least impact in the heel. Or they end up too long.

Do you find width or length has more impact on heel fit in this situation?

If only they made B/E sizing

Apologies to everyone if the questions are annoying just trying to minimize the number of returns going back and forth trying this on.

If you go wider, the heel gets wider. The forefoot gets wider too, but since you stayed shorter the vamp goes further up on your foot. This may help keep the front part of the shoe tight enough to make up for the slightly looser heel. Going longer generally gives me a tighter heel, but in some instances can push the vamp far enough down my foot that I get excessive volume there and need a tongue pad.
This is a big issue with me on loafers because generally it's my pinkie toes that have a lot of say in my final size. With loafers, I prioritize heels fitting, then vamp, then toes generally. If I can achieve all three being happy at once, it's a favorite last! A loose heel is hardest to correct for me if it doesn't stop slipping after break in. A heel pad pushes your foot forward, effectively shortening the length by a size...that seems like a self defeat. If everything is good but vamp, I add a tongue pad. If my pinkie toes are still crunched, but only just, then I will do a forefoot stretch. I also have a pinkie clearance technique where I insert a pen on the outside of my shoe tree, kind of like a giant bunion bump on a stretcher. That stretches the shoe just at the toes where I need it.

TL/DR - I generally will go longer over wider on loafers to keep heel tight and get toes further back out of the taper.

A bit of a ramble, but hopefully you can see my size trial thought process and take something from it.

 

[Vocans]

Natty Indys today

 

[audog]

Rusticalf Indy's today

 

[savvysartorial]

 

[savvysartorial]

Rusticalf Indy's today View attachment 1400252

What exactly is Rusticalf??

 

[Don L]

 

[mdubs]

Thursday. Alden Snuff Suede Indy Boots.

-Mike

 

[JoeRogan]

What exactly is Rusticalf??

tumbled calfskin

 

[lcdx22]

Natty Indys today

View attachment 1400248

Ditto

 

[audog]

What exactly is Rusticalf??

Leather.


Sorry, couldn't resist. actually its calfskin that has been tumbled and has a pebbly texture and is VERY soft to the hand(and foot).

 

[audog]

Thursday. Alden Snuff Suede Indy Boots.

View attachment 1400342

View attachment 1400343

View attachment 1400344

-Mike

Beautiful, like the bar lacing as well.

 

[audog]

Rusticalf-
found this on a thread on SF from 2013

That leather is unglazed burnishable calf and named Vegano by Annonay. Vegano is burnished/antiqued by shoemakers. Vegano is softer than glazed leather because glazed leather becomes harder under heavy pressure. Rusticalf (named by Annonay) is milled in a drum and softer than Vegano. http://www.tannerie-annonay.fr/en/contenu-produits.htm