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

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audog

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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.
All have beautiful boots. My fear is sizing, as there is NO WHERE near me to try them, and I honestly don't want to mess with back and forth shipping to find my size, did that with Alden and it took 4 yrs...:)
 

Joe Schmoe

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Following up to my earlier post, when would one purchase a Black Shell Chukka boot?
(assuming most of your wardrobe is casual for work and personal)

And you already have the following:
  • Black calfskin oxford
  • Dark Brown calfskin brogue
  • Dark Brown suede PTB
  • Snuff Suede LWB
  • Cognac NST with rubber sole
What would you purchase before you purchased the boots shown below?

(Would it matter if the black shell chukka was 35% off retail? I am trying to not be the guy who buys something because it is on sale when I know there are other more sensible shoes or boots I should get first).

View attachment 1543437

I had a pair of black AE shell chukkas for a while and really liked them. Eventually I donated them because they were seconds and had a flaw that I just couldn't get past -- it was a little tooling divot on the instep. Buy they were very, very versatile shoes. Great with everything from jeans to slacks. I even wore them with a suit once with no difficulty. To be honest I do have a slight preference for Color 8 in chukkas -- I have a pair of Alden chukkas in #8 on order right now -- but black is a great color and works extremely well in a chukka.
 

audog

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I had a pair of black AE shell chukkas for a while and really liked them. Eventually I donated them because they were seconds and had a flaw that I just couldn't get past -- it was a little tooling divot on the instep. Buy they were very, very versatile shoes. Great with everything from jeans to slacks. I even wore them with a suit once with no difficulty. To be honest I do have a slight preference for Color 8 in chukkas -- I have a pair of Alden chukkas in #8 on order right now -- but black is a great color and works extremely well in a chukka.
The color 8 chukka, in the number of eyelets I would like (broken record here) is something just not made by Alden. I love color 8, but no winner for me. Please post photos of your #8 once you get them.
 

Thrift Couture

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All have beautiful boots. My fear is sizing, as there is NO WHERE near me to try them, and I honestly don't want to mess with back and forth shipping to find my size, did that with Alden and it took 4 yrs...:)
Exactly. That's why I haven't pulled the trigger. I'm a pretty standard 10D, so I can get away with the UK equivalent most of the time. When its something I can't try on locally, I attempt to find something pre owned that's reasonably priced and flip it. Sometimes I make beer money, but I usually break even. Lol!
 

Thrift Couture

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The color 8 chukka, in the number of eyelets I would like (broken record here) is something just not made by Alden. I love color 8, but no winner for me. Please post photos of your #8 once you get them.
Alden doesn't offer a 6 eyelet plain toe chukka in Colour 8?
 

Thrift Couture

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The fine folks at Alden of Madison are using the photos of my Leffot Indys on their 405C pre-order page! Lbvs! Should I get a check??? God bless the Interweb!!!

 

Thrift Couture

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Nope. Even contacted B. Klein and they just don't do one. I could have them made by a retailer, but would have to buy 12 pair, and I don't think I want to do that.
B&M offered a Plaza version, and I am almost positive I have seen a Barrie version here on the forum.
 

Thrift Couture

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I am looking for a plain toe, color 8, 6 eye, Hampton and it just isn't made. Oh well, lots of other stuff floats my boat....
Oh Hampton... That changes everything. Yeah, nothing!
 

scurvyfreedman

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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.

I really like Crockett & Jones for shoes. I think their lasts are great for wearing with suits. Same with Alfred Sargent, although I don't like Sargent's leather as much as C&J. And, while I love my one pair of Edward Greens, they are too much money for the very marginal difference in quality between C&J or AS up to EG. G&G look great, but the lasts seem far too extreme for me.

But, for boots, nothing beats Alden. The finishing isn't at the level of the middle-high end British makers, but I'm not buying boots for finishing. I'm buying them for their appearance of and actual ruggedness. The U-tips from C&J just don't compete with Indys. Dainite just doesn't work compared to commando. And, Alden has the most and best options (albeit long wait lists) for shell.
 

audog

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I really like Crockett & Jones for shoes. I think their lasts are great for wearing with suits. Same with Alfred Sargent, although I don't like Sargent's leather as much as C&J. And, while I love my one pair of Edward Greens, they are too much money for the very marginal difference in quality between C&J or AS up to EG. G&G look great, but the lasts seem far too extreme for me.

But, for boots, nothing beats Alden. The finishing isn't at the level of the middle-high end British makers, but I'm not buying boots for finishing. I'm buying them for their appearance of and actual ruggedness. The U-tips from C&J just don't compete with Indys. Dainite just doesn't work compared to commando. And, Alden has the most and best options (albeit long wait lists) for shell.
I agree on the nothing beats Alden, I have a few other brands, and find myself reaching for Alden boots 99% of the time. Just a great product, lots of options out there, great dealer network, and once fit dialed in.....sublime.
 
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