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

[JUAN MANUEL]

Tarago Nano spray helps, cornstarch removed the remainder of the hot olive oil coated errant shrimp that hit the suede boot. Now just need to brush the remaining cornstarch from the welt and good to go again. View attachment 1485315

Good to know your boots are safe and healthy. Now I have one more tool (cornstarch) for my shoes in the event that an oily shrip dares to damage my suede.

Regards

 

[audog]

Good to know your boots are safe and healthy. Now I have one more tool (cornstarch) for my shoes in the event that an oily shrip dares to damage my suede.

Regards

I was quite pleased with how it worked, a couple of different applications over 2 days and spot is gone. I don't know how it would work on calf, but suspect similar results.

 

[Alden Northwest]

I was quite pleased with how it worked, a couple of different applications over 2 days and spot is gone. I don't know how it would work on calf, but suspect similar results.

Same method worked for me after spilling oil on CXL boots.

 

[mdubs]

Tuesday. Alden x JCrew Brassvello LWBs.

-Mike

 

[JAS01]

Custom orthotics. The new ones are just a couple of mm shorter in height. And that makes all the difference in shoe fit. View attachment 1485366 Podiatrist even had a stationary belt sander thing and we adjusted the heel to fit the Aberdeen lasted shoes I wore to the appointment, and they work fine in even my TB boots.

Howdy, Audog! This intrigues me. I have similar orthotics, custom made, but made prior to purchasing my Barrie last chukkas. I'm looking into purchasing a pair of Monks in a modified last, but now I'm wondering about the possibilities.

I have a talocalcaneal fusion, high arch, plantar fasciitis, and a high instep (I'm a jackpot of ortho weirdness), so my orthotics have arch support, and a slight heel (thus, the modified last interest). I'm curious as to which lasts yours work with, or if the orthotics are cut to fit the shoe(s). Do you need to remove the insole, or is there enough space (vertically)? Do you size up?

Any insight is greatly appreciated.

 

[audog]

Howdy, Audog! This intrigues me. I have similar orthotics, custom made, but made prior to purchasing my Barrie last chukkas. I'm looking into purchasing a pair of Monks in a modified last, but now I'm wondering about the possibilities.

I have a talocalcaneal fusion, high arch, plantar fasciitis, and a high instep (I'm a jackpot of ortho weirdness), so my orthotics have arch support, and a slight heel (thus, the modified last interest). I'm curious as to which lasts yours work with, or if the orthotics are cut to fit the shoe(s). Do you need to remove the insole, or is there enough space (vertically)? Do you size up?

Any insight is greatly appreciated.

The orthotics work with Plaza/Barrie/TB/Modified/379x lasts(boots) in my normal size, although are a bit tight with heavy boot socks. I tried on a pair of all the above yesterday. They are a tiny bit tight on Aberdeen shoes, causing a wider V-gap in the laces, but not painful. I would probably go up a width going forward on lace shoes, but not a major issue. Don't work worth a darn on loafers. I have not removed any insoles, and would rather have some foot pain than slice up my Aldens The orthotics were not cut to fit a particular last, but we did adjust them with a stationary belt sander type of thing to allow a better fit in Aberdeen heel area, plus Doctor trimmed them a bit shorter than they came from company. I have come to understand that the orthotic companies assume one is wearing some type of athletic shoe, so size them accordingly. Since I don't have many actual foot issues, the orthotics are simply to keep the foot in proper alignment due to missing ankle tendon, or ligament. The orthotics compensate for the messed up geometry due to this. Talk to your podiatrist and have them custom make some (not Dr. Scholls from Walmart). They will work better and be more comfortable.

 

[JAS01]

The orthotics work with Plaza/Barrie/TB/Modified/379x lasts(boots) in my normal size, although are a bit tight with heavy boot socks. I tried on a pair of all the above yesterday. They are a tiny bit tight on Aberdeen shoes, causing a wider V-gap in the laces, but not painful. I would probably go up a width going forward on lace shoes, but not a major issue. Don't work worth a darn on loafers. I have not removed any insoles, and would rather have some foot pain than slice up my Aldens The orthotics were not cut to fit a particular last, but we did adjust them with a stationary belt sander type of thing to allow a better fit in Aberdeen heel area, plus Doctor trimmed them a bit shorter than they came from company. I have come to understand that the orthotic companies assume one is wearing some type of athletic shoe, so size them accordingly. Since I don't have many actual foot issues, the orthotics are simply to keep the foot in proper alignment due to missing ankle tendon, or ligament. The orthotics compensate for the messed up geometry due to this. Talk to your podiatrist and have them custom make some (not Dr. Scholls from Walmart). They will work better and be more comfortable.

Thank you, that's a huge help/relief! I'll schedule an appointment with my ortho and see if the inserts I have can be modified, or if I need new ones (they're like 7 years old at this point, time for a new pair anyway, since they were only supposed to be for like 5).

 

[Bleedblue]

Does anyone have a pair of the Alden slip-on chukkas ("Traveler") they can share pictures of here? I've seen them pop up in a few places (TSM, Alden on Madison, and now Leffot too - here's a link to TSM's version) but I've only seen one review over on Reddit. I'm weirdly tempted by these but wonder if that's just cabin fever setting in...

 

[woofmang]

Early in the mornin I'ma givin you the warnin...

(I know there are at least a couple of old farts like me who'll get the lyrical reference above... )

 

[audog]

Early in the mornin I'ma givin you the warnin...

View attachment 1485515

(I know there are at least a couple of old farts like me who'll get the lyrical reference above... )

Would that be the Carl Perkins or Elvis version?

 

[PACostag]

Hello all,

Any recommendations on how to deal with a loose speed hook? Just starting to come out of the shell upper. I was a little disappointed to see this this morning after only having two occasions to wear these since I first got them. On both occasions I was very careful to not crank down on the speed hooks after having browsed the proceeding 600 pages here and heard that that can be a leading cause for this. Thankfully only one hook is loose/coming out. Is it as simple as just using a pair of plyers (with some protective material to prevent scratching) and just give it a little squeeze? Or does the pressure have to go into the concave inner part of the hook? I'm decently handy and have an arsenal of tools at my disposal, so hoping someone here has had a good experience fixing it themselves.

Any recommendations from those more experienced than I would be hugely appreciated!

View attachment 1479664

Got word today that my boots are already on their way back to me from Alden - speedy service! I received a call and was told they were a little "over zealous" when fixing the loose hooks and it resulted in some indentation on the inner layers of leather. Not exactly sure what to expect from that, but I'm hoping they did a good job and didn't damage my basically new boots...

Side note - I asked them about replacing the tongues since they're about a thick as a piece of paper and one is super crooked. They said it's not possible since the sewing machines would have a hard time getting down there. Anyone else know anything about how impossible it really is? Other bootmakers can do it I know.

 

[audog]

The CXL straight tips got soaked in a trip to the store in the rain, so a change in

to something more weather appropriate.

 

[sazon]

Color 8 plains from TSM

 

[Darkishhaddock]

Tuesday tankers (cxl)

 

[aaronj15]

I have a couple of questions that I thought might get some good answers here:

1)What is the preference between speed hooks and normal lace holes on boots? I have speed hooks on my black shell "U-tips" and was wondering how common loose speed hooks are. Aesthetically, I like the look of the speed hooks and functionally I don't mind them either.

2) What makes reverse chamois such a great material for boots in inclement weather? Seems like a lot of people love the material on boots. I personally do not think I have ever owned a shoe or piece of garment that was "reverse chamois", so I'm not familiar with it's texture or properties.

Thanks!