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

[Markintosh]

Happy Friday, Alden fam! Latest pre-order landed earlier this week and now have some time to take photos with clear skies and no overcast. Color 4 LHS on Van last from Yenni! 360 flat welt and single Waterloc soles. The Antique edges really make these pop!
View attachment 2223431
View attachment 2223433
View attachment 2223435
View attachment 2223437
View attachment 2223439
View attachment 2223441

Always forget to ask...do you follow KA's advice about shining when brand new...I used to do this, but now I've changed my opinion on this. The Shoe Snob says "no no" and conflicts with KA....so did you shine these right out of the box?

 

[JTMD]

double post

 

[JTMD]

Always forget to ask...do you follow KA's advice about shining when brand new...I used to do this, but now I've changed my opinion on this. The Shoe Snob says "no no" and conflicts with KA....so did you shine these right out of the box?

Who is KA and what is his advice on shining shoes out of the box?

My personal thought has been to always give them a bit of Venetian cream before wearing them. I figure I don't know how long they've been sitting in a box. I got a couple pairs off of eBay that were sitting in closets for years. I'm by no means a leather expert but I figure the leather has dried a bit during that time and might like a bit of nourishment before pounding the concrete? But of course that's just something I came up with myself and I have no scientific backing either way. I couldn't say for sure if it did any good... but I'm pretty sure that with some of my shoes going on 15 years that it didn't cause any devastating issues either.

 

[Hisheirness23]

Always forget to ask...do you follow KA's advice about shining when brand new...I used to do this, but now I've changed my opinion on this. The Shoe Snob says "no no" and conflicts with KA....so did you shine these right out of the box?

My photos are always right out the box before I apply any conditioner and swap out laces. I have yet to actually wax any shell. Some Color 8 shells I have added the Cordovan colored Saphir Cordovan cream, but outside of that, just conditioner (Saphir Renovateur, Collonil 1909, Venetian Leather Balm).

 

[Markintosh]

Who is KA and what is his advice on shining shoes out of the box?

My personal thought has been to always give them a bit of Venetian cream before wearing them. I figure I don't know how long they've been sitting in a box. I got a couple pairs off of eBay that were sitting in closets for years. I'm by no means a leather expert but I figure the leather has dried a bit during that time and might like a bit of nourishment before pounding the concrete? But of course that's just something I came up with myself and I have no scientific backing either way. I couldn't say for sure if it did any good... but I'm pretty sure that with some of my shoes going on 15 years that it didn't cause any devastating issues either.

KA = Kirby Allison

 

[Markintosh]

My photos are always right out the box before I apply any conditioner and swap out laces. I have yet to actually wax any shell. Some Color 8 shells I have added the Cordovan colored Saphir Cordovan cream, but outside of that, just conditioner (Saphir Renovateur, Collonil 1909, Venetian Leather Balm).

I have all the stuff to shine my own shoes, getting better at it...I have mixed feelings about Renovateur - last time on my Alden color 8 LWB I felt like it stripped some of the color out. I'm just using the sapphire cordovan cream now, I've only used it twice and I've had them 18 months. I know it's probably not the consensus, but I'm no longer polishing new shoes. When I get my color 8 LWB with the commando sole from AOSF (in six months or less hopefully) - I won't polish them until I've wore them many times...

Congrats again on the antique edge color 4 LHS - I'm a little jealous!

 

[barutanseijin]

What size increment you guys usually consider when buying shoes to wear with thick socks?

My Indys fit me fine with dress socks but now I’m looking for a pair to wear with thick socks in winter. I wore my pair with thick socks in Hokkaido this January and ended up with a black nail

+0.5? +1? +1 width?

I went up a width

 

[Hisheirness23]

I have all the stuff to shine my own shoes, getting better at it...I have mixed feelings about Renovateur - last time on my Alden color 8 LWB I felt like it stripped some of the color out. I'm just using the sapphire cordovan cream now, I've only used it twice and I've had them 18 months. I know it's probably not the consensus, but I'm no longer polishing new shoes. When I get my color 8 LWB with the commando sole from AOSF (in six months or less hopefully) - I won't polish them until I've wore them many times...

Congrats again on the antique edge color 4 LHS - I'm a little jealous!

Renovateur (like other conditioners) can affect the color of the shoes.

Excited for those Color 8 LWB from AoSF! Post them once they arrive! Should be one beautiful shoe!

 

[Shawnc]

Renovateur (like other conditioners) can affect the color of the shoes.

Excited for those Color 8 LWB from AoSF! Post them once they arrive! Should be one beautiful shoe!

Every time you and @Markintosh post about the LWB’s from AoSF, I go to their site to see if they still have my size. Sadly they do. As such, I have two words for both of you…….STOP IT!

 

[JTMD]

Every time you and @Markintosh post about the LWB’s from AoSF, I go to their site to see if they still have my size. Sadly they do. As such, I have two words for both of you…….STOP IT!

Just give in. You know you want to. What's another pair compared to your already extensive collection? And if there's a model to get in every color of shell, I'd say the LWB is a strong contender. 😅😅😅

 

[Shawnc]

Just give in. You know you want to. What's another pair compared to your already extensive collection? And if there's a model to get in every color of shell, I'd say the LWB is a strong contender. 😅😅😅

Trust me, I know you’re right. I’m trying to limit it to one and it’s between these and the LWB’s.

 

[JTMD]

Trust me, I know you’re right. I’m trying to limit it to one and it’s between these and the LWB’s.

Decisions. Decisions 🙄.

 

[Markintosh]

Trust me, I know you’re right. I’m trying to limit it to one and it’s between these and the LWB’s.

That would be an easy decision for me, but I'm a wingtip guy, so lots of bias on my part.

The pics you guys take wearing shoes are always so good. I'm a lousy photographer but last week I actually took a pretty good one, I love the contrast of the silver floor with the silver jeans..no, the wings are not Alden, but love the pebbled scotch grain against the speckled floor pattern....

 

[JTMD]

That would be an easy decision for me, but I'm a wingtip guy, so lots of bias on my part.

The pics you guys take wearing shoes are always so good. I'm a lousy photographer but last week I actually took a pretty good one, I love the contrast of the silver floor with the silver jeans..no, the wings are not Alden, but love the pebbled scotch grain against the speckled floor pattern....

View attachment 2223849

That was my initial reaction as well. I love brogues. Long wings, short wings, medallion cap toes..just some beautiful work..but..have to say that my PTBs are pretty versatile and I love rockin the things..so..upon further consideration I can see the conundrum here. I wouldn't want to do without either.. and I think the wings would win..but I'd have to give it a bit more serious thought than automatically dismissing the PTBs. And happily I'm not I'm the position of having to choose (as are most/many of us here I'd guess. ). I did recently pass on some PTBs in whiskey I found on-line in favour of long wings...but I have plain toe whiskey George boots and I didn't have long wings.

And yes, some of these gents appear to have pro set ups for their shoes and outfits. Snapping a few casual shots with my cell phone is pretty lame in comparison. I suppose the likes off us are just casual collectors until we go get a $10'000 body camera with assortment of lenses . . Though to be fair...I'm a a city dweller that lives in a high rise and has no garden to go pose my shoes in...I suppose I could go to the park next to my place...but the neighbours probably already think me odd enough.

 

[Hisheirness23]

Trust me, I know you’re right. I’m trying to limit it to one and it’s between these and the LWB’s.

Can't go wrong with either. With both being bluchers, they can be a little more casual IMO and be just as versatile. I can see either with some khakis or nice denim. For me, the style is one thing, but the sole dictates the kinda usage I intend to get out of them.