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

[Shawnc]

Sorry C&J Whiskey today. Alden boots supposed to arrive any day now.

Spoiler: Whiskey C&J CTB

View attachment 1542710 View attachment 1542711

Hey Chip, what size are these? Saw a pair of reasonably priced ones on the Bay and was thinking of taking a run at them.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I've never tried a neocork sole. How does it compare to commando for comfort? Is it waterproof? Does it seem to wear well?

Like others have said, they're fantastic. Considerably more comfortable than commando if you're going to be doing a lot of walking. UNMATCHED durability. It's a pretty substantial sole to begin with and in addition to that, it basically never wears out. I honestly don't know how neocork soles perform in wet conditions since I live in Los Angeles and don't recall ever wearing my neocork Indys in the rain. I'm sure they are fine, though -- you can sort of tell that the neocork sole has enough friction to do quite well in the rain.

 

[shoetree]

king LHS

 

[Tseg]

OK, pinch me now.

I have not had penny loafers in nearly 20 years when my last pair of Italian made Coach loafers tore at the strap roll after not enough years of use (they never fit right anyway - how many people have said that about loafers?). Following a bit of a boot journey I thought it was time to prepare to hang out at the Gazebo Bar at The Yacht Club this summer (very early wishful thinking as I look at the snow outside) since this past summer was a bit of a bust. Following a very pleasant wearing experience with an Alden Plain Toe Boot acquisition a while ago I've become very interested with the quality and fit of Alden. However, I needed a more weather appropriate shoe than a boot.

I quickly became attracted to the LHS Color 8 Antique Edge which has made its way around various Alden authorized vendors over the course of some years. But WHOA NELLY! ... talk about sizing stories of the Van last... the Red Wing Iron Ranger got nothing on this shoe. I spent weeks reading forum threads dating back to 2006 about how it is more likely than not the Van last likely will not fit even after trying the 3rd different size, and the unlined LHS is the only real summer outdoor loafer to consider... the lined version will never get "slipper-like". And the shell version? Forget-about-it... months to break in the lined version.

Well my Alden x Brogue LHS Color 8 Antique Edge with Waterloc soles arrived today, travelling 3/4 of the country and arriving on time by mail... when was the last time you heard that happen? I had already mentally prepared to have to return these bad boys... I'm a 10.25 D Brannock, my Plain Toe 4515H fits absolutely perfectly at a 9.5D and Mack at Brogue is telling me I need a 9D if I am going to wear thin socks or go barefoot. 1.25 shorter than Brannock my toes have to hit the end, right? Van is way narrower than my Barrie last boot so my little toes are going to be scruntched, right? And the infamous LHS "tight strap" is going to cripple the top of my foot, right?

I open the box. They are beautiful, flawless and casual looking exactly as I was expecting. I did buy some invisible socks for the trying-on ceremony, assuming I would need to be returning these 9Ds. With shoe horn in hand, I gently slip my foot into this shoe that rests on a carpeted floor, fully expecting this Iron Maiden to gruesomely begin crushing my foot at multiple angles. Lo and behold, my foot goes in like a glove. Just the slightest pressure at the width, a gentle pressing on the top of my foot by the strap, my big toes go right up to the moc seam, but cannot feel the end of the shoe... and as I walk, no heel slip. My right heel is firmly planted (but no pressure), my left heel, slightly less so, but still does not slip. In all honesty, this Van last feels like it was custom constructed for my foot. The only weird sensation is the heel box(?) feels low against my Achilles... of course I've been wearing boots daily for 3 months. Maybe with break-in my heel will sit a little lower, or feel like its sitting a little lower?

In summary, this was a grand slam for me, not just a home run. Interesting I see on the Madison Alden site they have these with a regular leather sole and antique edges for a bit more (+5.4%) than the the Waterloc sole with antique edges I got from Brogue. Now it really can't warm up fast enough for me.

 

[audog]

OK, pinch me now.

View attachment 1542763

I have not had penny loafers in nearly 20 years when my last pair of Italian made Coach loafers tore at the strap roll after not enough years of use (they never fit right anyway - how many people have said that about loafers?). Following a bit of a boot journey I thought it was time to prepare to hang out at the Gazebo Bar at The Yacht Club this summer (very early wishful thinking as I look at the snow outside) since this past summer was a bit of a bust. Following a very pleasant wearing experience with an Alden Plain Toe Boot acquisition a while ago I've become very interested with the quality and fit of Alden. However, I needed a more weather appropriate shoe than a boot.

I quickly became attracted to the LHS Color 8 Antique Edge which has made its way around various Alden authorized vendors over the course of some years. But WHOA NELLY! ... talk about sizing stories of the Van last... the Red Wing Iron Ranger got nothing on this shoe. I spent weeks reading forum threads dating back to 2006 about how it is more likely than not the Van last likely will not fit even after trying the 3rd different size, and the unlined LHS is the only real summer outdoor loafer to consider... the lined version will never get "slipper-like". And the shell version? Forget-about-it... months to break in the lined version.

Well my Alden x Brogue LHS Color 8 Antique Edge with Waterloc soles arrived today, travelling 3/4 of the country and arriving on time by mail... when was the last time you heard that happen? I had already mentally prepared to have to return these bad boys... I'm a 10.25 D Brannock, my Plain Toe 4515H fits absolutely perfectly at a 9.5D and Mack at Brogue is telling me I need a 9D if I am going to wear thin socks or go barefoot. 1.25 shorter than Brannock my toes have to hit the end, right? Van is way narrower than my Barrie last boot so my little toes are going to be scruntched, right? And the infamous LHS "tight strap" is going to cripple the top of my foot, right?

I open the box. They are beautiful, flawless and casual looking exactly as I was expecting. I did buy some invisible socks for the trying-on ceremony, assuming I would need to be returning these 9Ds. With shoe horn in hand, I gently slip my foot into this shoe that rests on a carpeted floor, fully expecting this Iron Maiden to gruesomely begin crushing my foot at multiple angles. Lo and behold, my foot goes in like a glove. Just the slightest pressure at the width, a gentle pressing on the top of my foot by the strap, my big toes go right up to the moc seam, but cannot feel the end of the shoe... and as I walk, no heel slip. My right heel is firmly planted (but no pressure), my left heel, slightly less so, but still does not slip. In all honesty, this Van last feels like it was custom constructed for my foot. The only weird sensation is the heel box(?) feels low against my Achilles... of course I've been wearing boots daily for 3 months. Maybe with break-in my heel will sit a little lower, or feel like its sitting a little lower?

In summary, this was a grand slam for me, not just a home run. Interesting I see on the Madison Alden site they have these with a regular leather sole and antique edges for a bit more (+5.4%) than the the Waterloc sole with antique edges I got from Brogue. Now it really can't warm up fast enough for me.

View attachment 1542764

Beautiful loafers, maybe you getting them will bring spring/summer early.

 

[audog]

Finally get to wear these today. Been snowing/sleeting/raining most of the day, but all done with going outside so... get to wear them, and yes, I know the floor needs cleaning......dogs track in more than shoes or boots.

 

[Tseg]

Beautiful loafers, maybe you getting them will bring spring/summer early.

Thanks. That's the plan.
I assumed I would have to wear them a couple hours a day in my house over the next few months to break them... one reason I bought them early. I'm not sure that will be the case now.

 

[audog]

Thanks. That's the plan.
I assumed I would have to wear them a couple hours a day in my house over the next few months to break them... one reason I bought them early. I'm not sure that will be the case now.

Break them in, and when summer arrives.......you will be golden.

 

[H. E. Pennypacker]

View attachment 1542610
Dammit! I swear my next purchase will be a pair of Alden’s. I think I’m just about finished with my retro sneaker addiction.

But just to keep things honest, I did touch up these Alden Mahogany Shell STB. ?

View attachment 1542612

Those bluchers look great!

 

[audog]

Been raining/sleeting/snowing all day...have to go out early to babysit 4 month old granddaughter tomorrow, so Lug sole it is

 

[Hisheirness23]

B&M "Debonair" Wingtip Boot to pick up dinner. Looking forward to California lifting the stay at home ban so I can actually eat somewhere besides the living room couch.

 

[barutanseijin]

OK, pinch me now.

View attachment 1542763

I have not had penny loafers in nearly 20 years when my last pair of Italian made Coach loafers tore at the strap roll after not enough years of use (they never fit right anyway - how many people have said that about loafers?). Following a bit of a boot journey I thought it was time to prepare to hang out at the Gazebo Bar at The Yacht Club this summer (very early wishful thinking as I look at the snow outside) since this past summer was a bit of a bust. Following a very pleasant wearing experience with an Alden Plain Toe Boot acquisition a while ago I've become very interested with the quality and fit of Alden. However, I needed a more weather appropriate shoe than a boot.

I quickly became attracted to the LHS Color 8 Antique Edge which has made its way around various Alden authorized vendors over the course of some years. But WHOA NELLY! ... talk about sizing stories of the Van last... the Red Wing Iron Ranger got nothing on this shoe. I spent weeks reading forum threads dating back to 2006 about how it is more likely than not the Van last likely will not fit even after trying the 3rd different size, and the unlined LHS is the only real summer outdoor loafer to consider... the lined version will never get "slipper-like". And the shell version? Forget-about-it... months to break in the lined version.

Well my Alden x Brogue LHS Color 8 Antique Edge with Waterloc soles arrived today, travelling 3/4 of the country and arriving on time by mail... when was the last time you heard that happen? I had already mentally prepared to have to return these bad boys... I'm a 10.25 D Brannock, my Plain Toe 4515H fits absolutely perfectly at a 9.5D and Mack at Brogue is telling me I need a 9D if I am going to wear thin socks or go barefoot. 1.25 shorter than Brannock my toes have to hit the end, right? Van is way narrower than my Barrie last boot so my little toes are going to be scruntched, right? And the infamous LHS "tight strap" is going to cripple the top of my foot, right?

I open the box. They are beautiful, flawless and casual looking exactly as I was expecting. I did buy some invisible socks for the trying-on ceremony, assuming I would need to be returning these 9Ds. With shoe horn in hand, I gently slip my foot into this shoe that rests on a carpeted floor, fully expecting this Iron Maiden to gruesomely begin crushing my foot at multiple angles. Lo and behold, my foot goes in like a glove. Just the slightest pressure at the width, a gentle pressing on the top of my foot by the strap, my big toes go right up to the moc seam, but cannot feel the end of the shoe... and as I walk, no heel slip. My right heel is firmly planted (but no pressure), my left heel, slightly less so, but still does not slip. In all honesty, this Van last feels like it was custom constructed for my foot. The only weird sensation is the heel box(?) feels low against my Achilles... of course I've been wearing boots daily for 3 months. Maybe with break-in my heel will sit a little lower, or feel like its sitting a little lower?

In summary, this was a grand slam for me, not just a home run. Interesting I see on the Madison Alden site they have these with a regular leather sole and antique edges for a bit more (+5.4%) than the the Waterloc sole with antique edges I got from Brogue. Now it really can't warm up fast enough for me.

View attachment 1542764

Those look great on you. It’s even better if they fit so well. A grand slam, indeed.

 

[galileo]

Was in first Hongkong lockdown area for two days, finally I could drink some whiskey

 

[galileo]

More whiskey

 

[NYCTechNerd]

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: If you wear a 10.5D or 13D, Brooks Brothers has those sizes left in the Brooks Brothers x Alden burgundy calfskin tassel loafer on closeout sale for $279.

Men's Burgundy Calfskin Tassel Loafers | Brooks Brothers

Smooth calfskin leather uppers. Leather lining and soles. Made in USA.

www.brooksbrothers.com