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

[DG123]

If anyone here has had a pair resoled/restored by Alden Shoe Company, please advice if the fit remained the same. Thanks in advance for any helpful replies.

 

[audog]

Would you consider this as a lightweight and flexible sole? I am planning to resole an Indy as a spring summer boot for casual office wear and want to get rid of heft and bulk. I am also leaning towards single waterloc sole but would like to hear what others prefer as a lighter boot sole. I don’t want either crepe or cavity wedge for aesthetic reasons.

I consider it a lightweight flexible sole.

 

[smokeyjoe]

Are Van & Barrie lasts similar ? Looking to purchase my second pair online but I don’t want to miss on sizing if I can help it .

I am an 8.5E in the 986 shells (they fit perfectly) - wanted to try a different Alden model out (looking for my first pair of black boots) but they are a different last .

Any help would be greatly appreciated , new to the Alden world . TIA ~

 

[mdubs]

If anyone here has had a pair resoled/restored by Alden Shoe Company, please advice if the fit remained the same. Thanks in advance for any helpful replies.

I recently did my Unlined Snuff Suede LHSes and found the fit to be pretty much the same.

-Mike

 

[Crizzlelovesyou]

If anyone here has had a pair resoled/restored by Alden Shoe Company, please advice if the fit remained the same. Thanks in advance for any helpful replies.

A resole doesn't mean a relast so it shouldn't change the fit at all. The welt will remain in tact and thus the insole won't be effected meaning only external layers are replaced. If a relast is necessary they will use the original last the shoes came on so they will fit closer to like when they are new, but that is a much more extensive and expensive job and I believe they'll contact you to discuss that before proceeding as well.

 

[Vincent George]

If anyone here has had a pair resoled/restored by Alden Shoe Company, please advice if the fit remained the same. Thanks in advance for any helpful replies.

I don’t speak from first-hand experience, but my understanding of Alden (and Allen Edmonds, etc.) is that they always re-welt and don’t use the same holes thus limiting the number of future re-soles and often leading to more snug fits after recraft.

 

[audog]

I don’t speak from first-hand experience, but my understanding of Alden (and Allen Edmonds, etc.) is that they always re-welt and don’t use the same holes thus limiting the number of future re-soles and often leading to more snug fits after recraft.

I can't speak to Alden re-craft, but have had AE re-crafted at the factory and they came back unwearable. Seems like they "shrunk" 1/2 size. Had to donate them to charity.

 

[DG123]

I don’t speak from first-hand experience, but my understanding of Alden (and Allen Edmonds, etc.) is that they always re-welt and don’t use the same holes thus limiting the number of future re-soles and often leading to more snug fits after recraft.

That concerns me because I have a great fitting pair of 405 boots and don't want that to change. But, after 8 years of regular wear the sole should be replaced and the interior lining has a couple of holes within the heel area. I don't mind paying Alden's $185 restoration charge, but if the fit of the boots will change significantly I should probably just not have the restoration done.

 

[audog]

That concerns me because I have a great fitting pair of 405 boots and don't want that to change. But, after 8 years of regular wear the sole should be replaced and the interior lining has a couple of holes within the heel area. I don't mind paying Alden's $185 restoration charge, but if the fit of the boots will change significantly I should probably just not have the restoration done.

Have you contacted one of the shoe shops recommended on this thread. Aram, Bedos, et al?

 

[Vincent George]

That concerns me because I have a great fitting pair of 405 boots and don't want that to change. But, after 8 years of regular wear the sole should be replaced and the interior lining has a couple of holes within the heel area. I don't mind paying Alden's $185 restoration charge, but if the fit of the boots will change significantly I should probably just not have the restoration done.

I second @audog

I would send to Steve at Bedo’s. Your job will be $500+ but you get what you pay for. My 405s are coming apart at the welt and when I can muster up the courage to be away from them for a few weeks they’re going to Steve (already emailed him).

 

[audog]

I second @audog

I would send to Steve at Bedo’s. Your job will be $500+ but you get what you pay for. My 405s are coming apart at the welt and when I can muster up the courage to be away from them for a few weeks they’re going to Steve (already emailed him).

To get another 5, 6,7 10 years out of a pair, that is a reasonable price.....of course one could buy a new pair for not much more, but then have to break them in (although with Alden, I have never had a "break-in issue")

 

[barutanseijin]

Are Van & Barrie lasts similar ? Looking to purchase my second pair online but I don’t want to miss on sizing if I can help it .

I am an 8.5E in the 986 shells (they fit perfectly) - wanted to try a different Alden model out (looking for my first pair of black boots) but they are a different last .

The usual advice is to go with the same size in both Van & Barrie.

 

[Vincent George]

To get another 5, 6,7 10 years out of a pair, that is a reasonable price.....of course one could buy a new pair for not much more, but then have to break them in (although with Alden, I have never had a "break-in issue")

I mean, you know I have a brand-new-in- box pair of pumpkins on standby (haha), but I like the romantic notion of keeping my boots and shoes for as long as I can.

 

[audog]

I mean, you know I have a brand-new-in- box pair of pumpkins on standby (haha), but I like the romantic notion of keeping my boots and shoes for as long as I can.

OMG, another person with a pair of pumpkins on standby, in the box...I thought I was the only one crazy enough to do that.

 

[Vincent George]

OMG, another person with a pair of pumpkins on standby, in the box...I thought I was the only one crazy enough to do that.

And what’s WORSE is I ordered a third pair (backup for the backup) and they were back to the old brown.