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

[audog]

It's weird, but the 6 eyelet chukka always seemed a bit off balance to me. Even my Plaza last NST pair. As much as I like them, I don't find myself reaching for them too often.
View attachment 1543617

And to my eye (and foot) the 6 eyelet is just a better look, of course a 6 eyelet chukka is a Demi-boot, and I like boots.......BTW those look beautiful.

 

[audog]

You sound like a broken record...



I agree. It's not a shoe and it's not a boot but (IMHO) it's not a chukka either.

I am a broken record.....

 

[NYCTechNerd]

I only like the black shell chukkas. Best of the lot in my opinion. Go for the deal.

Seems like you really want these. If they are on sale, it makes them even more of a no brainer!

I do want them but they make no sense right now in the early stages of my shoe/boot "journey".

 

[Thrift Couture]

And to my eye (and foot) the 6 eyelet is just a better look, of course a 6 eyelet chukka is a Demi-boot, and I like boots.......BTW those look beautiful.

Thank you, my friend! Chukkas are an odd bird. 2 eyelet, 3 eyelet, on up to 6. It's all really a matter of preference. Hell, Carmina offers a 5 eyelet chukka. Something for everyone!

 

[audog]

I do want them but they make no sense right now in the early stages of my shoe/boot "journey".

The thing is opportunity cost, they may not be there when the do make sense, so one has to weigh the cost of getting them now, on sale, or waiting and may not be able to. It's a real dilemma.

 

[audog]

Thank you, my friend! Chukkas are an odd bird. 2 eyelet, 3 eyelet, on up to 6. It's all really a matter of preference. Hell, Carmina offers a 5 eyelet chukka. Something for everyone! View attachment 1543623

Those look nice, only two things would prevent me from purchase.....1 Dainite and 2 Pull tabs. Other than that they look great

 

[Johnniegold]

Does anyone else here find polishing shoes a nice relaxing way to escape the crap going on in the world right now? View attachment 1543613

I’ll put it this way. If Kirby Allison doesn’t get a weekly order from me for shoe shining products, he calls me to see if I’m alright.

I’ve built up so many layers of wax while bulling my captoes that pretty soon I’m gonna need higher ceilings.

Shoe maintenance is certainly a zen exercise.

 

[audog]

Thank you, my friend! Chukkas are an odd bird. 2 eyelet, 3 eyelet, on up to 6. It's all really a matter of preference. Hell, Carmina offers a 5 eyelet chukka. Something for everyone! View attachment 1543623

I'd buy the NST chukkas from you if you were my size, or if I were yours.

 

[ahonobaka]

I do want them but they make no sense right now in the early stages of my shoe/boot "journey".

Not to encourage too much consumerism, but get them on sale while you can. They'll only be more expensive later (if not full price) and you'll ask why you didn't buy them earlier. Sometimes the journey lays right before our eyes, we just have to take that unexpected step ?

 

[audog]

I’ll put it this way. If Kirby Allison doesn’t get a weekly order from me for shoe shining products, he calls me to see if I’m alright.

I’ve built up so many layers of wax while bulling my captoes that pretty soon I’m gonna need higher ceilings.

Shoe maintenance is certainly a zen exercise.

Zen excercise is a perfect descriptor. I was going to use Cathartic, but didn't want anyone to get the impression it was bowel emptying thing

 

[Thrift Couture]

Those look nice, only two things would prevent me from purchase.....1 Dainite and 2 Pull tabs. Other than that they look great

As I pulled the photo from the Carmina site, I was thinking the same thing. I could see a MTO pair on double leather sans the pull tab, in my future. Lol!

 

[audog]

As I pulled the photo from the Carmina site, I was thinking the same thing. I could see a MTO pair on double leather sans the pull tab, in my future. Lol!

For sure. I have yet to dive into the Carmina rabbit hole, but could be tempted

 

[Darkishhaddock]

In addition to Ah-one, there is Bedo's and Pekin shoe repair.

Aram at AH One is a talented guy, I'll bet he can help.

Thanks gents. I guess I’ll give these soles another chance as resoling may just make the fit worse. I know those cobbler names and will reach out when I am ready.

 

[Thrift Couture]

For sure. I have yet to dive into the Carmina rabbit hole, but could be tempted

This is the year I change it up. I want to try Carmina, C&J, and still working on a pair of Enzo Bonafe. If I get dialled in on Bonafe, that will probably be my go-to shoemaker.

 

[audog]

Thanks gents. I guess I’ll give these soles another chance as resoling may just make the fit worse. I know those cobbler names and will reach out when I am ready.

For what it is worth, I have one pair of Alden boots on that sole, and it is not only lightweight, but very comfortable for walking. If I were to go to say, the Smithsonian, and wanted to walk around all day, for 3 or 4 days, they would be the boot I would wear...