The Official Alden Thread for 2024 - Share Reviews, Sizing, Advice, and Photos.

[MrImpractical]

having said that… those are not too bad, are they?

anyone knows if EG accepts orders for unlined cordovan shoes?

View attachment 2207529

EG has these available rtw, I assume they could do other colors mto. I’m always tempted by the Piccadilly but never pull the trigger for whatever reason.

 

[mdubs]

having said that… those are not too bad, are they?

anyone knows if EG accepts orders for unlined cordovan shoes?

I would try asking Gentlemen's Footwear in San Diego. I have done a few custom orders through Steve. I do have a pair of Unlined Whiskey Shell Loafers from EG, so they can be done! But it may depend upon the model if they will do it. I believe my pair is called the Duke.

-Mike

 

[mdubs]

I love my EG’s. Love the lasts, love the look, everything. But (IMO) no one does shell like Alden. Not even EG at almost double the price.

At least when I did my MTO EG's, they were more like triple the price. The Boot construction itself was better, but I feel like Alden handles the shell better, which probably comes down to the simple fact that Alden does so much Shell and for EG, Shell is more of a hobby.

-Mike

 

[JSO1]

At least when I did my MTO EG's, they were more like triple the price. The Boot construction itself was better, but I feel like Alden handles the shell better, which probably comes down to the simple fact that Alden does so much Shell and for EG, Shell is more of a hobby.

-Mike

Agreed on all fronts.

My two EG shell pairs are beautiful, but they were extremely expensive ($2,475 through Leffot in early 2016, and ~$1,750 direct from EG in late 2016) compared to Alden prices (in 2016, Alden shell boots were ~$700 depending on the makeup).

While they are certainly made well, they’re definitely not twice, or thrice, as nice.

I would not buy EG shell again unless I happened to find a pair at significant discount to their retail price.

 

[PGS]

EG has these available rtw, I assume they could do other colors mto. I’m always tempted by the Piccadilly but never pull the trigger for whatever reason.

Don't want to push things here further off the Alden course, but there are several other RTW unlined options in burgundy/cognac on the EG website. And they're about $600 more than what they used to be a couple years ago.

 

[JTMD]

I haven't been keeping up with the unlined loafer discussion to be honest...but if anyone's interested...I did find these last pairs on the Gentleman's footwear website...not much in the way of size options but thought I'd throw it out there anyways..Clearance price is still a bit higher than Alden

- Unlined Duke / 137 / Cognac Cordovan (Color #6) / Leather Sole / UK10.5, UK11 - $1695

As mentioned further in the thread..this is a bourbon version of the Duke model as there were no photos on the last pair page

 

[PGS]

I haven't been keeping up with the unlined loafer discussion to be honest...but if anyone's interested...I did find these last pairs on the Gentleman's footwear website...not much in the way of size options but thought I'd throw it out there anyways..Clearance price is still a bit higher than Alden

- Unlined Duke / 137 / Cognac Cordovan (Color #6) / Leather Sole / UK10.5, UK11 - $1695

I think this is the photo that goes with them... though there were no photos on the last pair page so I googled it...

View attachment 2207783

No, that photo is of a bourbon version from a couple years ago. They're sold out but retailed for $1660 full price at the time.

Edward Green Unlined Duke in Bourbon Shell Cordovan

Named after Edward, the Duke of Windsor, style icon and one time Edward Green patron - the Duke is a classic penny loafer on a comfortable 137 last. This unlined version was made expressly for our shop in Bourbon shell cordovan from world renown Horween tannery in Chicago. 137 Last / Standard E...

gentlemensfootwear.com

[Edited for clarity]

 

[sterlingindigo]

Alden’s always been my end game. There are higher end mens footwear like EG, JL, bespoke, whatever, but Alden remains my ne plus ultra/best American made (and I hope they stay that way and improve). I’m content camping out at this level. At some point there’s a diminishing return when appreciation turns into depreciation. I appreciate build quality and materials, all of that, but at the end of the day, it’s footwear. I’d rather just own more Alden’s (and a bigger closet) than climb the shoe chain any higher.

 

[Shawnc]

At least when I did my MTO EG's, they were more like triple the price. The Boot construction itself was better, but I feel like Alden handles the shell better, which probably comes down to the simple fact that Alden does so much Shell and for EG, Shell is more of a hobby.

-Mike

I‘ve only purchased RTW EG’s and yeah, probably 2.5 x Alden’s. What I don’t get Mr. Mayor, and have actually been asking about for a few years, is what makes the boot construction better. None of my EG’s feel better or are more comfortable than my Alden’s. For me, being a shallow and superficial male, it is strictly aesthetics. It might seem crazy to pay EG prices for fashion purposes but I hopped on the crazy train the minute I paid $500+ for a new pair of Alden shells. Outside of this forum, there is not a single person in my circle of F&F who can even imagine paying $900 for a pair of footwear. So if you’re going to ride the crazy train, might as well get what you like.

I remember asking the question in the EG forum. I was still a rookie and SF was my first exposure to online interaction. I got a lot of condescending responses to the effect of ‘well, if you have to ask’ but not one with specifics. Looking back on it, I think some thought I was flame throwing. I wasn’t, but I can see why some took it as such.

The one area where EG is miles ahead of Alden and others is with their R1/R2 soles. Best execution on rubber soles by far. Otherwise, I just like the look.

 

[JTMD]

No, those are bourbon versions from a couple years ago. They're sold out but retailed for $1660 full price at the time.

Edward Green Unlined Duke in Bourbon Shell Cordovan

Named after Edward, the Duke of Windsor, style icon and one time Edward Green patron - the Duke is a classic penny loafer on a comfortable 137 last. This unlined version was made expressly for our shop in Bourbon shell cordovan from world renown Horween tannery in Chicago. 137 Last / Standard E...

gentlemensfootwear.com

OK. My apologies for the incorrect photo .but.. I did just copy and paste the description off of their last pair page right before posting so they might have a couple..

 

[PGS]

OK. My apologies for the incorrect photo .but.. I did just copy and paste the description off of their last pair page right before posting so they might have a couple..

Didn't mean to suggest otherwise! I just edited my earlier response to clarify that I was commenting only on the accompanying photo

 

[JTMD]

Didn't mean to suggest otherwise! I just edited my earlier response to clarify that I was commenting only on the accompanying photo

Thank you for the correction in any case. I'm by no means overly familiar with the different shell names/colors...I've edited to mention that it's bourbon.

 

[tuna roll]

The one area where EG is miles ahead of Alden and others is with their R1/R2 soles. Best execution on rubber soles by far. Otherwise, I just like the look.

Interesting, what do you like exactly about these soles? Comfort, durability, finishing, looks?

I'm asking because a pair of suede Picadilly is high on my wishlist and I was wondering if I should go with leather or rubber soles.

 

[Shawnc]

All of the above @tuna roll. My most recent EG acquisition were these shells. As a point of comparison, I also own these shells. I would not have purchased the Crup pair on anything other than R2. There are aficionado’s who will tell you they love the sound leather makes when it contacts the floor while walking. While I do find myself occasionally peeking at my EG leather soles (they really are beautiful), I am generally unmoved with the sound leather makes. For me, again, it is aesthetics and comfort. When both are factored into the equation, I prefer the R1. I have the unlined Picadilly in london grain on the R1 sole and I love it. I also have an unlined Harrow in suede on R1. Both suede and london grain skews toward casual and the R1 (IMO) is a perfect match.

 

[tuna roll]

All of the above @tuna roll. My most recent EG acquisition were these shells. As a point of comparison, I also own these shells. I would not have purchased the Crup pair on anything other than R2. There are aficionado’s who will tell you they love the sound leather makes when it contacts the floor while walking. While I do find myself occasionally peeking at my EG leather soles (they really are beautiful), I am generally unmoved with the sound leather makes. For me, again, it is aesthetics and comfort. When both are factored into the equation, I prefer the R1. I have the unlined Picadilly in london grain on the R1 sole and I love it. I also have an unlined Harrow in suede on R1. Both suede and london grain skews toward casual and the R1 (IMO) is a perfect match.

Got it. Both shells look insanely beautiful, congrats!

I do love the look and feel of leather soles but it’s also nice having rubber soles shoes and boots. I started thinking about the suede Picadilly with rubber soles after Sean from Dashing Chicago posted a video about his. I like rubber soles when I’m walking a lot around the city, specially on older sidewalks (which is the situation he was using his). And wet days of course.