The Official Alden Thread for 2021 - Share Reviews, Sizing, Advice, and Photos.

[H. E. Pennypacker]

I tend to agree. Sometimes I feel like the only one who prefers the look of brand spanking new color 8.

You’re definitely not the only one. I was enamored with how my color 8 LHS looked when they first arrived. Now I’m excited to see what’s this fuss about how cordovan ages. I also love the look Alden’s waterloc soles when new.

 

[Thrift Couture]

My pair of well loved King Wings. Colour 8 like all flavours of shell cordovan, age beautifully.

 

[barutanseijin]

Seeing alot of great examples of some Shell LHS here lately and it’s persuading me to pick up a pair. But before I do, I need some sizing advice for the Van last and especially in regards to the shell LHS. I measure an 8.5 C on my Brannock, and have a narrow heel, low volume, and low arch foot. Would a size 8C LHS be the place to start? Will a Van lasted LHS even work for a narrow low volume foot?

For reference I wear a an 8D in Barrie and TB boots and they work out fine for me, although I think the lace up boot design helps compensates for my narrow foot in these lasts. It would seem that an LHS would require a near perfect fit all around. Thanks for any advice.

The Van last is narrower than the Barrie, so if you’re wearing 8D in Barrie, my guess would be to stick with 8D in LHS.

I also have narrow feet (14 C), but wear a 13 D in Barrie. I also go with 13 D in LHS. It works well, at least with the unlined versions of the LHS & for going sockless. I would even consider an E width for wear with socks. I definitely would not drop a width in Van.

Having said all that, really the only way to know whether they’ll work is to try them on. Even then you have to factor in how they’ll wear after break in.

 

[barutanseijin]

My pair of well loved King Wings. Colour 8 like all flavours of shell cordovan, age beautifully. View attachment 1541279

It doesn’t get better than that. Purple laces and all. Sublime!

 

[Thrift Couture]

It doesn’t get better than that. Purple laces and all. Sublime!

Thank you Sir!

 

[James1051]

Seeing alot of great examples of some Shell LHS here lately and it’s persuading me to pick up a pair. But before I do, I need some sizing advice for the Van last and especially in regards to the shell LHS. I measure an 8.5 C on my Brannock, and have a narrow heel, low volume, and low arch foot. Would a size 8C LHS be the place to start? Will a Van lasted LHS even work for a narrow low volume foot?

For reference I wear a an 8D in Barrie and TB boots and they work out fine for me, although I think the lace up boot design helps compensates for my narrow foot in these lasts. It would seem that an LHS would require a near perfect fit all around. Thanks for any advice.

I also have a narrow, low volume foot. The big challenges with the van last are that tight strap across the top, which a lot of guys struggle with (me included, and despite the fact that my feet are also relatively flat across the tops), and the wider heel. In my case those two features tend to work against each other. For a narrow foot guy that wider heel tends to stop me from going from my normal B width to C, which I might otherwise do to buy some forgiveness from that strap.

I would tend to look for an 8C if you can find one to try. That is probably your best bet for a nice heel fit. An 8D might work for you--try it on first, obviously--but as you correctly note, boots are a bit easier to fit because of the cuffs wrapping your ankles.

 

[smfdoc]

those are nice, what last are they?

Thanks. They are on Barrie.

 

[smfdoc]

An early day to do some work around the place.

 

[audog]

An early day to do some work around the place.

View attachment 1541400

really like the Redwing boot laces look on those Indy's.

 

[smfdoc]

really like the Redwing boot laces look on those Indy's.

I have obtained two pairs of laces and each time the sales guy just gave them to me. Hard to go wrong with free laces.

 

[audog]

I have obtained two pairs of laces and each time the sales guy just gave them to me. Hard to go wrong with free laces.

For sure, and they make the Indy's look great

 

[audog]

Color 8- rolls

 

[RogerKaputnik]

An early day to do some work around the place.

View attachment 1541400

The laces look great with the brass hardware. Are those an AoC model? I have the same ones coming soon on one of their group orders.

 

[barutanseijin]

I also have a narrow, low volume foot. The big challenges with the van last are that tight strap across the top, which a lot of guys struggle with (me included, and despite the fact that my feet are also relatively flat across the tops), and the wider heel. In my case those two features tend to work against each other. For a narrow foot guy that wider heel tends to stop me from going from my normal B width to C, which I might otherwise do to buy some forgiveness from that strap.

I think this is a really good summary of the challenge fitting the Van to narrow feet. It’s strap pressure vs heel slip. The width you choose is a matter of which you’re more willing to tolerate.

I can only add that the softer, more flexible soles will give you less heel slip, especially in the beginning. The oiled leather soles on some LHS versions might allow you to get away with a wider shoe.

 

[James1051]

AOC-48s for January