The Official Alden Thread for 2022 - Share Reviews, Sizing, Advice, and Photos.

[shahtirthak]

401, FD from The Shoe Mart + Seiko SBBN025 Darth Tuna.
It's a Black & Grey kinda day!

 

[Concordia]

Curious what people's experience with Alden restoring rare shell shoes are like? Do they also redye the uppers or refinish them in anyway that changes it's color?

I don’t have any colors other than #8, but they made sure that it came looking knew— with the purple polish and all that.

My only warning is that when I had LHS resoled, the sides got shorter. So consider finding another shop for those?

 

[marklin]

I am a huge fan of Alden’s recrafting service but the two rare shells I’ve sent back (whiskey & C4) were both returned with less-than-desirable results. For me, I can’t imagine I’ll ever do it with footwear acquired as new. Seems like a roll of the dice.

Basics for me on this dreary day in the Burg. Tom-lasted 8’s from Mack and the boys at Brogue……..

View attachment 1823064 View attachment 1823065

@Shawnc, I was thinking of sending some Whiskey in - would you mind sharing your experience? DM please, if a bit sensitive to share widely 😅

 

[Shawnc]

@Shawnc, I was thinking of sending some Whiskey in - would you mind sharing your experience? DM please, if a bit sensitive to share widely 😅

Happy to share here since another member started the conversation. There’s obviously interest in it and again, I’m not slamming Alden on this. The value of their recraft is unparalleled in my opinion (and I’ve used a few manufacturers service). But my whiskey came back as a color that was unrecognizable. Not quite whiskey, not quite Ravello. Never wore them, sold on eBay. Which is a shame because a whiskey plain toe is really hard to come by. If you get something used and the prior owner didn’t care for them, then you don’t have much to lose. But if they were well-cared for and needed a recraft for soles, welt cleaning, etc., I’d advise them to leave the uppers alone.

 

[marklin]

Happy to share here since another member started the conversation. There’s obviously interest in it and again, I’m not slamming Alden on this. The value of their recraft is unparalleled in my opinion (and I’ve used a few manufacturers service). But my whiskey came back as a color that was unrecognizable. Not quite whiskey, not quite Ravello. Never wore them, sold on eBay. Which is a shame because a whiskey plain toe is really hard to come by. If you get something used and the prior owner didn’t care for them, then you don’t have much to lose. But if they were well-cared for and needed a recraft for soles, welt cleaning, etc., I’d advise them to leave the uppers alone.

Much appreciated - thank you.

 

[Mghart]

Happy to share here since another member started the conversation. There’s obviously interest in it and again, I’m not slamming Alden on this. The value of their recraft is unparalleled in my opinion (and I’ve used a few manufacturers service). But my whiskey came back as a color that was unrecognizable. Not quite whiskey, not quite Ravello. Never wore them, sold on eBay. Which is a shame because a whiskey plain toe is really hard to come by. If you get something used and the prior owner didn’t care for them, then you don’t have much to lose. But if they were well-cared for and needed a recraft for soles, welt cleaning, etc., I’d advise them to leave the uppers alone.

With a shade like whiskey I could see it being more precarious. I do wonder if you specifically ask them to not touch the uppers would they oblige? Makes me think of a pair of color 4 boots I'm getting soon-ish, and what my long term resole plan will be heh.

 

[Shawnc]

With a shade like whiskey I could see it being more precarious. I do wonder if you specifically ask them to not touch the uppers would they oblige? Makes me think of a pair of color 4 boots I'm getting soon-ish, and what my long term resole plan will be heh.

Mixed opinions on whether they follow instructions. Because I have had so many recrafts, I always follow up with Brenda (contact that I work with) to ensure that they got the note. So far, that has worked for me but others have indicated that their notes have been ignored.

Fortunately you’ve got some time to think about it but I will say that my C4’s came back much darker. I knew that was a risk and I’m fine with the results. In most lighting they look like 4but in some, they look 8-ish.

 

[AEShoeMan]

Some alpine grain for wingtip Wednesday

 

[Mghart]

Mixed opinions on whether they follow instructions. Because I have had so many recrafts, I always follow up with Brenda (contact that I work with) to ensure that they got the note. So far, that has worked for me but others have indicated that their notes have been ignored.

Fortunately you’ve got some time to think about it but I will say that my C4’s came back much darker. I knew that was a risk and I’m fine with the results. In most lighting they look like 4but in some, they look 8-ish.

That’s good to know just in case. I know boots I’ll be getting are on commando which isn’t my favorite anyway, so an alternate cobbler might work out better in the long run.

 

[mdubs]

Wednesday. Alden Color #8 Shell Cordovan Unlined LHS.

-Mike

 

[mdubs]

Love that shell color!
The line for Old Bronze forms where?

I honestly do not know on that one! I missed out on them, but managed to talk someone who got them into a trade. It was a very abnormal run from an Alden lens.

-Mike

 

[mdubs]

The ever elusive basic brown shell cap toe oxford. Who even makes this?

The longest running source of them has been TheShoeMart. CitiShoes used to run them as well, however typically with a Dark Edge. Pelle Line did them during their last Cigar allocation.

-Mike

 

[sterlingindigo]

Much obliged, Mayor.

 

[Thrift Couture]

LHS Wednesday, loafing around these mean streets of Chicago. Unlined B.Bros.

 

[MajorDash]

Sir Walter boots for Wednesday.