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

[Markintosh]

A few photos of the San Francisco Alden Shop.. I was a bit distracted to concentrate on shop photos but I got a few.

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Xanadu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Shawnc]

Just so good @JTMD. I admire your discipline. I’d have had those beauties on my feet on day 1 of receipt. Congrats!

 

[smfdoc]

Happy Saturday forum pals. Black shell saddle NSTs.

 

[JSO1]

Why does everyone care so much about what other people choose to wear? As if someone should be shamed because they left their house in square toe Cole Haan’s. SF members as a whole probably view clothes and shoes as a hobby but most don’t, and that’s fine. Wear what you like and let others do the same. I dont particularly care what others choose to wear and also don’t view people choosing to dress casually as some sort of decline in society.


I do both Alden and crocs. 🤷‍♂

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i basically live in LL Bean slipper moccs

 

[Markintosh]

A few photos of the San Francisco Alden Shop.. I was a bit distracted to concentrate on shop photos but I got a few.

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By the way, what's your opinion of the Alden shoe trees? Are they lasted trees? I see most of the shoes in the SF store have them. I recently paid $105 for JMW trees, they fit perfectly, but I actually like the off-brand ones I get at Amazon, they are marked Left or Right and work really well (Brand is Royal Heritage - $40 for two sets)

 

[JTMD]

By the way, what's your opinion of the Alden shoe trees? Are they lasted trees? I see most of the shoes in the SF store have them. I recently paid $105 for JMW trees, they fit perfectly, but I actually like the off-brand ones I get at Amazon, they are marked Left or Right and work really well (Brand is Royal Heritage - $40 for two sets)

I prefer the Weston trees by far. Looks to me as if Alden trees are the basic Woodlore. I only have a few Alden trees (which I purchased as add-ons as ) but they seem to work as well as the ones I usually buy from my local place with their name on it. I wouldn't say that they're favorite but they do the job.

I just hapoen to have both with me. Seems the heel piece on the Alden is a bit wider.

 

[MrImpractical]

I prefer the Weston trees by far. Looks to me as if Alden trees are the basic Woodlore. I only have a few Alden trees (which I purchased as add-ons as ) but they seem to work as well as the ones I usually buy from my local place with their name on it. I wouldn't say that they're favorite but they do the job.

I just hapoen to have both with me. Seems the heel piece on the Alden is a bit wider.

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Alden trees are a version of this tree from Rochester. https://rstco.com/products/men-s-woodard-shoe-tree They used to make trees for Nordstrom, JAB, etc. all with small, puzzling differences in make, might still for all I know. Years ago someone on Reddit bought a huge variety of trees and compared them to this conclusion.

 

[Markintosh]

I prefer the Weston trees by far. Looks to me as if Alden trees are the basic Woodlore. I only have a few Alden trees (which I purchased as add-ons as ) but they seem to work as well as the ones I usually buy from my local place with their name on it. I wouldn't say that they're favorite but they do the job.

I just hapoen to have both with me. Seems the heel piece on the Alden is a bit wider.

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Looks like the Alden are made to fit either a right or left shoe.....I agree the JMW trees are really nice

 

[JSO1]

Looks like the Alden are made to fit either a right or left shoe.....I agree the JMW trees are really nice

the Alden ones are side specific

 

[Norwester]

Rochester also makes a Florsheim branded version of the Woodard, which is currently $22 on Amazon (so free shipping kicks in with 2 pairs). I picked up a pair to compare and the sizing is the same as on the Rochester site (ignore the Amazon size chart). It's possible the Alden pairs are made with nicer cedar; I have seen a wide variety in cedar quality and the Aldens have been the nicest, but that may be luck of the draw. The mechanism on the Florsheims is just as smooth.

 

[Hisheirness23]

I prefer the Weston trees by far. Looks to me as if Alden trees are the basic Woodlore. I only have a few Alden trees (which I purchased as add-ons as ) but they seem to work as well as the ones I usually buy from my local place with their name on it. I wouldn't say that they're favorite but they do the job.

I just hapoen to have both with me. Seems the heel piece on the Alden is a bit wider.

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Personally, I like to match the shoe trees with the shoes. Allen Edmonds has Woodlore and Alden has Rochester. The only time I mix is with Brogue since Mack has custom "Brogue" branded Woodlore shoe trees.

 

[Markintosh]

Rochester also makes a Florsheim branded version of the Woodard, which is currently $22 on Amazon (so free shipping kicks in with 2 pairs). I picked up a pair to compare and the sizing is the same as on the Rochester site (ignore the Amazon size chart). It's possible the Alden pairs are made with nicer cedar; I have seen a wide variety in cedar quality and the Aldens have been the nicest, but that may be luck of the draw. The mechanism on the Florsheims is just as smooth.

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I like the Alden metal plate, looks rich compared to the stamped stencil on the Florsheim

 

[JTMD]

Personally, I like to match the shoe trees with the shoes. Allen Edmonds has Woodlore and Alden has Rochester. The only time I mix is with Brogue since Mack has custom "Brogue" branded Woodlore shoe trees.

Yeah, I bought a few Alden trees recently just because they're branded alden. Just as decent as the others but the Alden plate goes nice with the Aldens. I didn't see any real advantage to them beyond that. Also I figure they make a nice add on to the sale. Break out your rare shells I'll get a couple with trees added on. 😅

 

[TheLawBeard]

I buy size-appropriate vintage florsheim trees on ebay and such when I have a chance. I find they fill out the shoe better. Makes for less creases on calf, less rolls in shell, and better pictures when the trees are in.

 

[JTMD]

Maiden voyage for these Long Wing Bluchers in Ravello Shell Cordovan (Barrie last) here in Santa Monica for my visit to The Stronghold...and yes I know it's nit Wednesday..but that's a whole 5 days away 😁