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

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Norwester

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Here in Seattle commando is king, with double waterloc a close second. Now that we are having some sunny days, though, I have been able to enjoy my new (to me) black calfskin NST bluchers on double leather soles. Although the same size in Barrie as my cap-toe boots and longwings, these are noticeably narrower in the toe box. Nevertheless very comfortable walking shoes for clement weather.
NST.JPG
 

Vocans

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Gents, I designed a boot with AoM that I think will appeal to some of you, and so shamelessly, I'm plugging it here. It will be made if they get 6 confirmed/paid deposits. If there isn't enough interest, the deposits get refunded. The crowdfund website for this style is here if you are interested. Details / photoshop below - all sizes/widths available, as well (until 3 widths are ordered).

The Battalion Boot
- Chocolate Suede
- Perforated Cap Toe Boot
- Trubalance Last
- 360 Antique Pre-Stitched Reverse Welt and Antique Edge
- Commando Sole
- Brass Eyelets and Brass Speed Hooks
- Indy Side Stitch
- Large Perfs on Cap Toe
- Pinked Edge on Cap Toe

View attachment 1447106

Great makeup. Can't believe you didn't suggest the Jeff Boot. Not too late to change it to a floating medallion
 

audog

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Design your own makeups, then. It's not hard, and many retailers will work with you if you have a good idea or can get enough people to commit. The reason many makeups are on antique/commando is because those sell well. Dark edge and leather soles tend to scare some people away, particularly on boots. I am a big fan of the right leather soled makeups (rubber heel + waterloc, for example), and have designed a number of those for several retailers, as well. I felt that commando was the right choice for this boot, as well as antique. With a dark edge, this would be a dark, drab boot, like this one.
Commando is a great sole, grippy but not to obtrusive, Alden did it right with a rubber sole that can handle inclement weather, but look somewhat sleek. That being said, I prefer leather/Waterloc/Neocork, but for rubber sole Commando so beats Dainite it's not even a contest.
 

Mghart

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Design your own makeups, then. It's not hard, and many retailers will work with you if you have a good idea or can get enough people to commit. The reason many makeups are on antique/commando is because those sell well. Dark edge and leather soles tend to scare some people away, particularly on boots. I am a big fan of the right leather soled makeups (rubber heel + waterloc, for example), and have designed a number of those for several retailers, as well. I felt that commando was the right choice for this boot, as well as antique. With a dark edge, this would be a dark, drab boot, like this one.
Wasn’t necessarily directed at your make up, but just a general observation with the majority of make ups lately. My apologies if I offended.

While I would like to design my own make ups, my tastes are probably a little too esoteric that it wouldn’t interest many. I’d be happy to just buy a lot of the Asia market make ups but I’m not paying $9-1k+ for a non exotic Alden.
 
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lcdx22

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Wasn’t necessarily directed at your make up, but just a general observation with the majority of make ups lately. My apologies if I offended.

While I would like to design my own make ups, my tastes are probably a little too esoteric that it wouldn’t interest many. I’d be happy to just buy a lot of the Asia market make ups but I’m not paying $9-1k+ for a non exotic Alden.

You should give it a shot. You never know. With AoM new approach there is no downside. You design, pay, and they help you promote. You get 3 months. Seems completely reasonable and super easy.

I'd say the first thing you should do though is put a deposit down on that Loden Indy that's being crowd funded so we can make that happen. Just need a couple more.
 

scurvyfreedman

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Commando is a great sole, grippy but not to obtrusive, Alden did it right with a rubber sole that can handle inclement weather, but look somewhat sleek. That being said, I prefer leather/Waterloc/Neocork, but for rubber sole Commando so beats Dainite it's not even a contest.

I dislike Dainite too. I find it very slippery. Have you tried the Ridgeway sole that EG has been using?
 

Thrift Couture

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I dislike Dainite too. I find it very slippery. Have you tried the Ridgeway sole that EG has been using?
The Ridgeway sole looks super aggressive. It would be awesome for a rugged fall/winter boot.
 

htimsdj

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This is unpopular, but I hate boots. And I just saved a lot of money on the shell boots below to find out I don’t need to buy any more boots.

I love loafers. I always use a shoe horn, so they are easy on and easy off. I don’t crumple the back of the shoe like my son does with his tennis shoes. I tolerate my PTB and LWB.

I have 403 and 404 Indy boots. I use them in the yard. What a pain to put on. I need to loosen the laces all the way down to the first holes. My wife doesn’t understand when I go out for yard work and I refuse to go back in until I’m done. I ain’t going through that again!

I see so many nice boots on this thread, so I thought I would try some shell boots. Got these cap toe boots on eBay for $325. Less than my CXL Indys.

I love this thread and the community with it, but I’ll stick to looking at your boots while wearing my loafers!

AEC602F7-8016-47CE-BE75-CAC18C1D6F9A.jpeg
 
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