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

[James1051]

Tuesday. Alden Black Shell Cordovan MCT Boots.

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-Mike

Beauties! Who did this make-up if I could ask?

 

[Sheepdog]

They finally made it!

 

[audog]

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They finally made it!

"Purty" perfect pennies, good score!

 

[audog]

Chilly evening (upper 50's F) but time to Grill!!!!

 

[Caligula77]

Late to the party..

 

[shoetree]

404

 

[mdubs]

Beauties! Who did this make-up if I could ask?

TheShoeMart made them for me in both Black and #8.

-Mike

 

[barutanseijin]

I’ve been looking around for something summery. It could be a loafer, but i have plenty of those already. I also want something that would be decent to walk around in.

What Aldens do you folks choose for summer?

 

[sazon]

Ravello 2x2

 

[Thrift Couture]

Good morning Gentlemen. Burnt Ravello Restoration chukkas, for today’s appointment.

 

[smfdoc]

Happy Wingtip Wednesday forum pals. Heading out to get the second vaccination. Feeling crappy supplies are laid in just in case.

 

[fattybfat]

Hello all, nowadays is there anyway fo get rare shell Alden ? Apart from getting it on eBay or b,s,t thread is it possible to sign up on a waiting list maybe? I have ask my local Alden retailer and they said the best bet is to spent enough to become a vip. I don’t mind to wait a few years. Thanks

 

[Thrift Couture]

Happy Wingtip Wednesday forum pals. Heading out to get the second vaccination. Feeling crappy supplies are laid in just in case.

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That is a really nice boot.

 

[broiler]

Hello all, nowadays is there anyway fo get rare shell Alden ? Apart from getting it on eBay or b,s,t thread is it possible to sign up on a waiting list maybe? I have ask my local Alden retailer and they said the best bet is to spent enough to become a vip. I don’t mind to wait a few years. Thanks

This is the Alden thread so this will be blasphemy, but I've been down the road of hunting rare shell Aldens and have acquired them new in 1/2 size too small or too big or used, and value/money isn't worth it unless you start with the correct size in a suitable last and let the insole mould to YOUR feet. If you're going to "shell out" for rare shell, IMHO most expedient way is to consider other brands.

Carmina and C&J are at least on par with Alden and available at a similar price point in whiskey/cigar/ravello equivalent shades and both use Horween shell. My C&J Marlows in brown shell are the most comfortable and well-built shoes I've ever worn and IMO are superior to Alden PTB. C&J "dark brown" looks like Alden cigar. Carmina uses "Armagnac" shell which looks somewhere between ravello and cigar with olive undertones. Saddle shell looks like whiskey but with more orange undertones.

I also had a good experience ordering custom boots in horween armagnac shell from Rozsnyai in Hungary. They're very helpful and responsive on email and offer custom make-ups at Alden price point.

Enzo Bonafe in horween mohagany shell also looks fantastic but I don't have any direct experience.

 

[trg12]

This is the Alden thread so this will be blasphemy, but I've been down the road of hunting rare shell Aldens and have acquired them new in 1/2 size too small or too big or used, and value/money isn't worth it unless you start with the correct size in a suitable last and let the insole mould to YOUR feet. If you're going to "shell out" for rare shell, IMHO most expedient way is to consider brands other than Alden.

Also an outsider to the game, but I wouldn't spend more money with a shop after such a vague self-serving statement.
To add to the list, some of the Instagram Bootmakers offer rare shell MTOs. Also it in my experience doesn't hurt to just ask Alden stockists outside of NA (many of which don't have a proper online presence) if they want to let you in on an upcoming order (it's not like you're asking for a give-away or something).