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

[Hisheirness23]

Wouldn't it be even less intrusive if they just got you a new pair?

Unfortunately, the retailer doesn't have my size anymore, so unless Alden were to make a completely new boot, I would probably be getting back one of the boots in their current configuration, with the other boot re-welted to match.

 

[Weldy]

Quite an interesting delivery landed yesterday...while inspecting these Grant Last NST boots, something was different between the two shoes, but I couldn't figure it out! Then it dawned on me! The welt!
View attachment 2291929

The right boot has a 360 reverse welt
View attachment 2291931

But the left boot has a 360 flat welt
View attachment 2291933

Already reached out to the retailer and they were in shock! Even they didn't catch that before shipping out to me. A return shipping label is already in my inbox and a very interesting question now stands...should I make these both flat welt (as the retailer intended) or have Alden add a reverse welt to match the other?

We're also asking Alden which procedure is less intensive/intrusive: to add a reverse welt, or remove a reverse welt. Either way, a very interesting turn of events and curious which you would choose given this opportunity?

Wild good sir, hopefully all works out

Black NST with reverse welts are supporting the efforts today

 

[schraiber]

Still percolating on the LHS I posted about a few days ago. One question I have re: sizing is stretch. When I tried them on, the 10D felt a bit snug and the 10.5 was like, instantly comfortable. Obviously hard to "walk naturally" in some new shoes at the shop, but trying to walk around as naturally as I could, I felt basically no heel slip or anything. That was a bit surprising, because I'm a hair over 10 on a Brannock, and most people say to size DOWN in the Van last, which maybe would put me at a 9.5, which I didn't even try. I'm wondering if some of that advice comes from anticipating stretch?

 

[Bavo]

Still percolating on the LHS I posted about a few days ago. One question I have re: sizing is stretch. When I tried them on, the 10D felt a bit snug and the 10.5 was like, instantly comfortable. Obviously hard to "walk naturally" in some new shoes at the shop, but trying to walk around as naturally as I could, I felt basically no heel slip or anything. That was a bit surprising, because I'm a hair over 10 on a Brannock, and most people say to size DOWN in the Van last, which maybe would put me at a 9.5, which I didn't even try. I'm wondering if some of that advice comes from anticipating stretch?

Opinions on this vary, but I have not found that lined loafers stretch much at all. The only pairs that I have had noticeable stretch that could affect sizing are unlined CXL (not Alden). LHS sizing is really difficult because length, width, arch, volume all come into play. The more you can size in person the better. I received good advice from this board, and agree that if it feels uncomfortable (tight) when you are trying on, don't plan on it feeling better later. If you notice only heel slip, that should improve. All that being said, I have two shell LHS pairs in the same size, and one had significant slip initially and one did not. They both feel the same now. Good luck!

 

[JTMD]

Unfortunately, the retailer doesn't have my size anymore, so unless Alden were to make a completely new boot, I would probably be getting back one of the boots in their current configuration, with the other boot re-welted to match.

I figured as much...couldn't resist though. 😅 As long as you're keeping them perhaps you should wear them out a couple times and see if anyone catches it.

Hard call on the welts...part of me thinks that the flat welt is sleeker and leads more focus on the split toe. I have no experience with the last so hard for me to tell which would be more complimentary. You've handled more Aldens than most of us here...what is your take on which welt goes better with the last and model? You tell us and you'll have your answer.

 

[Vincent George]

Quite an interesting delivery landed yesterday...while inspecting these Grant Last NST boots, something was different between the two shoes, but I couldn't figure it out! Then it dawned on me! The welt!
View attachment 2291929

The right boot has a 360 reverse welt
View attachment 2291931

But the left boot has a 360 flat welt
View attachment 2291933

Already reached out to the retailer and they were in shock! Even they didn't catch that before shipping out to me. A return shipping label is already in my inbox and a very interesting question now stands...should I make these both flat welt (as the retailer intended) or have Alden add a reverse welt to match the other?

We're also asking Alden which procedure is less intensive/intrusive: to add a reverse welt, or remove a reverse welt. Either way, a very interesting turn of events and curious which you would choose given this opportunity?

Keep them! Lol.

 

[Shawnc]

Easy call for me @Hisheirness23. I love Grant and have admired that particular make for a couple of years. Grant looks so good with a flat welt. Actually I think the split boots look great with a flat welt. Leffot used to do theirs with a flat welt and I was fortunate enough to score a pair. Unfortunately it was before I nailed down my Alden sizing so I had to move them.

Still really wild that they made that mistake. Hopefully you get it corrected as they really are a very nice make. Grant is definitely my favorite Alden boot last. Good luck.

 

[coolarrow]

Is that heel foxing stitches or actual sewn overlapping heel stay? Blind eyelets look killer on this boot!

Ha! These are shoes my friend.

That would be a great makeup in a boot, though.

 

[Shawnc]

Ha! These are shoes my friend.

That would be a great makeup in a boot, though.

Ha, I thought they were boots too…….

 

[Hisheirness23]

Easy call for me @Hisheirness23. I love Grant and have admired that particular make for a couple of years. Grant looks so good with a flat welt. Actually I think the split boots look great with a flat welt. Leffot used to do theirs with a flat welt and I was fortunate enough to score a pair. Unfortunately it was before I nailed down my Alden sizing so I had to move them.

Still really wild that they made that mistake. Hopefully you get it corrected as they really are a very nice make. Grant is definitely my favorite Alden boot last. Good luck.

I'll have to take a look at them tonight, but so far I am leaning towards flat welt. I see a lot of NST on reverse welt and think the flat welt really compliments the sleek toe on Grant.

 

[CLH03]

I'll have to take a look at them tonight, but so far I am leaning towards flat welt. I see a lot of NST on reverse welt and think the flat welt really compliments the sleek toe on Grant.

+1 for flat welt

 

[JayDotz]

I personally wouldn’t keep them. At close to $1k, I don’t want a new pair of boots that need to be re-welted and resoled. If it was color 2 or something very rare I would consider it but not in this case.

 

[Markintosh]

I personally wouldn’t keep them. At close to $1k, I don’t want a new pair of boots that need to be re-welted and resoled. If it was color 2 or something very rare I would consider it but not in this case.

Absolutely!!!!!

 

[Markintosh]

Still percolating on the LHS I posted about a few days ago. One question I have re: sizing is stretch. When I tried them on, the 10D felt a bit snug and the 10.5 was like, instantly comfortable. Obviously hard to "walk naturally" in some new shoes at the shop, but trying to walk around as naturally as I could, I felt basically no heel slip or anything. That was a bit surprising, because I'm a hair over 10 on a Brannock, and most people say to size DOWN in the Van last, which maybe would put me at a 9.5, which I didn't even try. I'm wondering if some of that advice comes from anticipating stretch?

Jim from AOSF told me to put on in carpeted room, wear for 30 minutes, and you should not feel them on - it’s been my experience that it’s hard to stretch the instep area in the vamp, but typically you can get a little bit of stretch in the width. The other thing too is that the LHS models in my opinion very a little bit from shoe to shoe. I’ve got a pair that feels a tiny bit large and I recently bought a pair that had a little flaw and also felt a tiny bit tight that I sent back so same shoe same last but for some reason different fit.

 

[Vincent George]

Leffot Loafing…