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

[H. E. Pennypacker]

I'm going to dedicate a good portion of my day tomorrow towards shoe maintenance due to having a big backlog of shoes needing it.
I'm not sure what to do with my color 8 LHS.
My concern is, in between the rolls the cordovan is feeling somewhat dry and not smooth in comparison to the rest of the shoe, for both pairs. I was thinking of getting a damp cloth and giving it a good rub (lol) in between the rolls, then hitting it with vsc all over the kind that comes with Vibergs and a good buffing. I've only conditioned them with bick after tramping around the sand in them about a year ago. So, I'm not too sure if this is a long-term repercussion.

I've searched online but man, too much contradiction in shell maintenance.

I’ve added pictures. It’s not as visible but on the touch it’s discernible. You could somewhat see the grainy texture.

 

[Thrift Couture]

I'm going to dedicate a good portion of my day tomorrow towards shoe maintenance due to having a big backlog of shoes needing it.
I'm not sure what to do with my color 8 LHS.
My concern is, in between the rolls the cordovan is feeling somewhat dry and not smooth in comparison to the rest of the shoe, for both pairs. I was thinking of getting a damp cloth and giving it a good rub (lol) in between the rolls, then hitting it with vsc all over the kind that comes with Vibergs and a good buffing. I've only conditioned them with bick after tramping around the sand in them about a year ago. So, I'm not too sure if this is a long-term repercussion.

I've searched online but man, too much contradiction in shell maintenance.

I’ve added pictures. It’s not as visible but on the touch it’s discernible. You could somewhat see the grainy texture.

Worst case scenario, Bick 4, brush and enjoy.

 

[Hisheirness23]

Arabica Lux alert:

Spoiler: NEW INDY BOOT

Handsewn toe. Just dropped at Twill, Edina, MN:
View attachment 1671258

Hey Brett, are you able to share some more detail about Arabica Lux leather? Been trying to scour the interwebs, but only 2 vids on YouTube (basically the same video) and sparse information from Google search. Looks like a really interesting leather/shade and more and more retailers are producing make-ups with this material.

 

[Shawnc]

I'm going to dedicate a good portion of my day tomorrow towards shoe maintenance due to having a big backlog of shoes needing it.
I'm not sure what to do with my color 8 LHS.
My concern is, in between the rolls the cordovan is feeling somewhat dry and not smooth in comparison to the rest of the shoe, for both pairs. I was thinking of getting a damp cloth and giving it a good rub (lol) in between the rolls, then hitting it with vsc all over the kind that comes with Vibergs and a good buffing. I've only conditioned them with bick after tramping around the sand in them about a year ago. So, I'm not too sure if this is a long-term repercussion.

I've searched online but man, too much contradiction in shell maintenance.

I’ve added pictures. It’s not as visible but on the touch it’s discernible. You could somewhat see the grainy texture.

Contradictions result because there are so many right answers. I have used precisely what you describe many times. Always works. Let the vsc sit for 10 minutes before brushing. Never failed me yet.

 

[H. E. Pennypacker]

Contradictions result because there are so many right answers. I have used precisely what you describe many times. Always works. Let the vsc sit for 10 minutes before brushing. Never failed me yet.

This is what I’m planning on doing. Thank you.

 

[BAK]

Hey Brett, are you able to share some more detail about Arabica Lux leather? Been trying to scour the interwebs, but only 2 vids on YouTube (basically the same video) and sparse information from Google search. Looks like a really interesting leather/shade and more and more retailers are producing make-ups with this material.

Check out this video from Ashland: ARABICA LUX DEEP DIVE.

 

[smfdoc]

I'm going to dedicate a good portion of my day tomorrow towards shoe maintenance due to having a big backlog of shoes needing it.
I'm not sure what to do with my color 8 LHS.
My concern is, in between the rolls the cordovan is feeling somewhat dry and not smooth in comparison to the rest of the shoe, for both pairs. I was thinking of getting a damp cloth and giving it a good rub (lol) in between the rolls, then hitting it with vsc all over the kind that comes with Vibergs and a good buffing. I've only conditioned them with bick after tramping around the sand in them about a year ago. So, I'm not too sure if this is a long-term repercussion.

I've searched online but man, too much contradiction in shell maintenance.

I’ve added pictures. It’s not as visible but on the touch it’s discernible. You could somewhat see the grainy texture.

Contradictions result because there are so many right answers. I have used precisely what you describe many times. Always works. Let the vsc sit for 10 minutes before brushing. Never failed me yet.

I agree with @Shawnc . Lots of things will work. My interpretation of the problem is that the grainy textured area needs conditioning. Thus the improvement from Bick 4 or VSC (and likely other conditioners) . I apply the lotion in the rough areas, rub it in well with my finger and then let it set for 10-15 minutes. Brush it all out and then do the shoe routine of your choice.

 

[stook1]

I'm going to dedicate a good portion of my day tomorrow towards shoe maintenance due to having a big backlog of shoes needing it.
I'm not sure what to do with my color 8 LHS.
My concern is, in between the rolls the cordovan is feeling somewhat dry and not smooth in comparison to the rest of the shoe, for both pairs. I was thinking of getting a damp cloth and giving it a good rub (lol) in between the rolls, then hitting it with vsc all over the kind that comes with Vibergs and a good buffing. I've only conditioned them with bick after tramping around the sand in them about a year ago. So, I'm not too sure if this is a long-term repercussion.

I've searched online but man, too much contradiction in shell maintenance.

I’ve added pictures. It’s not as visible but on the touch it’s discernible. You could somewhat see the grainy texture.

Definitely try the techniques that you are planning. More likely than not it will solve the issue.

If not, consider that Alden's shell (at least #8 and probably black) can sometimes act differently than conventionally finished shell. I ended up stripping a pair of #8 boots because I was unable to address the sort of finish issue that you appear to have. I'd tried pretty much everything I could think of -- deer bone/spoon, vsc, bick4, insane brushing, and probably other methods (this was a while ago). I'm still not 100% sure what was up but I think it was either an issue with the acrylic finish which caused a rough texture and a whitish look OR it may be that there were oils stuck on the surface of the shell underneath the finish that caused the issue. Not typical but not unheard of either.

 

[mdubs]

Leisure Sunday. Alden Cigar Shell Cordovan LHS.

-Mike

 

[Shawnc]

Leisure Sunday. Alden Cigar Shell Cordovan LHS.

View attachment 1671508

View attachment 1671509

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-Mike

Every time I see these my initial thought is C4. The shade is just exquisite. Wouldn't mind deets on the denim Mr. Mayor.

 

[mdubs]

Every time I see these my initial thought is C4. The shade is just exquisite. Wouldn't mind deets on the denim Mr. Mayor.

Hah, thank you very much. They are pretty old, probably around a decade old now and get worn quite regularly, so their color has come along nicely over the years.

The Denim is from ONI Denim, it is their Dark Indigo version of their SECRET Denim (aka one amazing pair of jeans). It is their "DIZR" model in their "620" relax tapered fit.

Search results for: 'oni620dizr-oni-620dizr-20oz-dark-indigo-secret-denim-relax-tapered-oni620dizr' | Momotaro Jeans, ONI DENIM, Samurai Jeans & Studio D'Artisan | Japanese Denim

The largest and most trusted retailer of premium Japanese denim brands. Free worldwide shipping!

www.denimio.com

-Mike

 

[Shawnc]

Really scary when I start to recognize selvedge from partial pic's, makes me feel like I'm in transit to the same rabbit hole I fell in with Alden Shell. I knew these looked familiar, I have a similar pair from Blue Owl. I like them but the fit for me is not great. Like shoes, those that don't fit don't get worn. Unsurprisingly, yours look great.

 

[mdubs]

Really scary when I start to recognize selvedge from partial pic's, makes me feel like I'm in transit to the same rabbit hole I fell in with Alden Shell. I knew these looked familiar, I have a similar pair from Blue Owl. I like them but the fit for me is not great. Like shoes, those that don't fit don't get worn. Unsurprisingly, yours look great.

Got it, yeah, I have their traditional Secret "ZR" denim as well. I love the color of that pair. This pair is really similar in terms of weight and feel but has a darker indigo shade to it, has a white weft vice the tan weft and so doesn't have the lovely greencast shade that the traditional Secret has. I love it because it looks great and feels amazing on. Yeah, the 900's are their High Rise Denims and I hate the feeling of the High Rise personally. Good luck on the denim hunt!!!

-Mike

 

[Shawnc]

I never really paid much attention soles. All I knew was a sole was either leather or commando. Then I grabbed the Docker Indy from Brogue with a cork sole and had no idea what I was missing. My two most comfortable pair of boots are the Dockers on TB and my recently acquired perf caps on 379x. Two very different lasts and for some reason, prompted me to do a quick comparison. Take a look at the right-hand side of the top shelf.......

Nothing unusual or out of the ordinary. Now, take a look at the same two pair from a different angle........

Just seems hard to believe that those two boots fit the same feet so well.

Sigh, the things you think of when your better half is out of town, you're on PTO next week, and you are desperately looking for a break from the long honey-do list your wife lovingly gave you as she was heading to catch her flight.........

 

[audog]

He "helped" me mow the yard, I wore the boots, he just barked at the mower.