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

[M635Guy]

Apropos of that, here is a recent photo of my color 8 captoes that I stripped the acrylic from earlier this year (I refinished them with Saphir cordovan creme, Collonil, and Pure Polish waterproofing). Over the summer I sent them to Aram to replace the soles with Neocork, which I wanted to try out. They are my Indy boots, since Trubalance doesn't work on my feet. I find they now have a deeper, matte-like finish than before, which I think goes well with boots. My main complaint with the acrylic finish is that it scuffs, and the scratches are very hard to brush out. On the other hand, without the acrylic they do get little dings pretty easily.

View attachment 1863312

Those look fantastic.

I think the whole acrylic thing depends on the boot for me. I could see doing it with my Mahogany Indys, and your boots look fantastic, but not sure I'd do it with my Ravello wingtip boots or my old Leffot #8 Naval boots. Maybe the less brogueing/etc. the more I like the idea...

 

[M635Guy]

The 2nd one was the only one I absolutely couldn't stand, and as long as they don't repeat that one........

Agree. The 4th one didn't seem to know what it wanted to be, and the ending was weird, made worse by all the cheesy effects.

 

[smfdoc]

Hunting green for a Friday.

 

[sazon]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on my Indy vs Tanker question. Here's what I ended up going with (arrived today). View attachment 1863166

View attachment 1863165

These are fantastic! Congrats and wear in good health !

 

[PACostag]

Anyone have any experience with shell that has a tiny hole like this? I've had the lasting holes on the back side of the boot peeking through before, which isn't a problem, but never in this area. I have to imagine, being so small, it's a non-issue?

 

[DapperDan08]

 

[smmrfld]

Anyone have any experience with shell that has a tiny hole like this? I've had the lasting holes on the back side of the boot peeking through before, which isn't a problem, but never in this area. I have to imagine, being so small, it's a non-issue?


View attachment 1863482

For the money Alden charges for shell, you shouldn't be stuck with a hole or the surrounding finish flaw. I’d return them.

 

[Shawnc]

A lot going on in this post guys. First, shoes. These Old Bronze are kind of tweeners for me so today I'm going to try them with denim. Antique tends to lean casual but the flat welt is oh so nice. Barrie last is the tie-breaker so today, with denim.......

Going to stray from Alden at this point. It's always tough when you have to return footwear that you've been waiting anxiously for but these, at 42.5, are a bit too large for my 8.5D Barrie feel. Going down to 42 but there was so much room I'm not so sure I couldn't go down a full size. Anyone with experience in this sizing grid who is willing to offer advice is appreciated. My reason for mentioning is that I am blown away by the quality of these shoes. I literally had to run my fingers across the welt to see where it was connected. And everything else about these chukkas was completely flawless. I've never heard of this company but saw these in my IG thread and fell in love.

Also, one of my normal Saturday morning stops is a coffee shop in my old neighborhood and I will be wearing my high school gear with pride as my little (now) school (affectionately known as 'The House') with a graduating class of less than 200 just won the W. Pa football championship and is headed to the State championship. We haven't had a City League team make it to state's in well over 30 years so there is so much pride in the City of Pittsburgh right now for my Bulldogs.

Unfortunately that enthusiasm is tempered by the fact that two days ago a 4-year old from the neighborhood was yet another victim of gun violence. Think about this for a second. These young men, many who knew this bright shining star, were literally weeping hours before going out and fighting for something that they knew, meant so much to their community. Good lord man. We have to be better than this!!

Have a good weekend gang!

 

[Crizzlelovesyou]

A lot going on in this post guys. First, shoes. These Old Bronze are kind of tweeners for me so today I'm going to try them with denim. Antique tends to lean casual but the flat welt is oh so nice. Barrie last is the tie-breaker so today, with denim.......

View attachment 1863777 View attachment 1863778 View attachment 1863779

Going to stray from Alden at this point. It's always tough when you have to return footwear that you've been waiting anxiously for but these, at 42.5, are a bit too large for my 8.5D Barrie feel. Going down to 42 but there was so much room I'm not so sure I couldn't go down a full size. Anyone with experience in this sizing grid who is willing to offer advice is appreciated. My reason for mentioning is that I am blown away by the quality of these shoes. I literally had to run my fingers across the welt to see where it was connected. And everything else about these chukkas was completely flawless. I've never heard of this company but saw these in my IG thread and fell in love.

Also, one of my normal Saturday morning stops is a coffee shop in my old neighborhood and I will be wearing my high school gear with pride as my little (now) school (affectionately known as 'The House') with a graduating class of less than 200 just won the W. Pa football championship and is headed to the State championship. We haven't had a City League team make it to state's in well over 30 years so there is so much pride in the City of Pittsburgh right now for my Bulldogs.

View attachment 1863780

Unfortunately that enthusiasm is tempered by the fact that two days ago a 4-year old from the neighborhood was yet another victim of gun violence. Think about this for a second. These young men, many who knew this bright shining star, were literally weeping hours before going out and fighting for something that they knew, meant so much to their community. Good lord man. We have to be better than this!!

Have a good weekend gang!

For the XBXS boots the lasts are a bit roomy. If you can wait till next year, they are going to have a US presence and stock boots here which will be easier to navigate for most people. Should be some announcements about it in the coming months.

 

[bluejazzmonkey]

 

[audog]

405 Saturday

 

[Shawnc]

For the XBXS boots the lasts are a bit roomy. If you can wait till next year, they are going to have a US presence and stock boots here which will be easier to navigate for most people. Should be some announcements about it in the coming months.

Definitely good info my-man. I've already started the return/exchange process so I'll see how the 42's work. But I really like their sense of style and can certainly see me buying from them in the future. Having a US presence makes that even more likely.

Much appreciated, thanks!

 

[Hisheirness23]

A lot going on in this post guys. First, shoes. These Old Bronze are kind of tweeners for me so today I'm going to try them with denim. Antique tends to lean casual but the flat welt is oh so nice. Barrie last is the tie-breaker so today, with denim.......

View attachment 1863777 View attachment 1863778 View attachment 1863779

Going to stray from Alden at this point. It's always tough when you have to return footwear that you've been waiting anxiously for but these, at 42.5, are a bit too large for my 8.5D Barrie feel. Going down to 42 but there was so much room I'm not so sure I couldn't go down a full size. Anyone with experience in this sizing grid who is willing to offer advice is appreciated. My reason for mentioning is that I am blown away by the quality of these shoes. I literally had to run my fingers across the welt to see where it was connected. And everything else about these chukkas was completely flawless. I've never heard of this company but saw these in my IG thread and fell in love.

Also, one of my normal Saturday morning stops is a coffee shop in my old neighborhood and I will be wearing my high school gear with pride as my little (now) school (affectionately known as 'The House') with a graduating class of less than 200 just won the W. Pa football championship and is headed to the State championship. We haven't had a City League team make it to state's in well over 30 years so there is so much pride in the City of Pittsburgh right now for my Bulldogs.

View attachment 1863780

Unfortunately that enthusiasm is tempered by the fact that two days ago a 4-year old from the neighborhood was yet another victim of gun violence. Think about this for a second. These young men, many who knew this bright shining star, were literally weeping hours before going out and fighting for something that they knew, meant so much to their community. Good lord man. We have to be better than this!!

Have a good weekend gang!

Love those Old Bronzes! Seen a pair in person at the Brogue Trunk Show and they're incredible!

Also, sorry to hear about the tragedy of that young child. Unfortunately, I fear everyone will soon be affected by this whether they personally know (or have someone that they know) who has been affected by gun violence. A kid I coached was killed during the UCSB mass shooting and I think about him often.

Bless those kids (and the entire community) who are going through so much and playing for much more than a championship. Sports has a unique way of uniting a community, and I wish them well in their journey!

 

[KarlHungus]

Brushed and ready for a business trip this week. These are tanks -- thick shell with almost a surface nap that picks up a glow after light brushing. And unlike some other horween shell I have, these things laugh at rain and nary a water spot despite having been through a downpour or two. Perfect for dressing up or down while traveling

 

[James1051]

View attachment 1863839

sweet Tankers!