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

[Keyser_Söze]

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I love these laces but the waxed flat laces have made my 405's MUCH harder to get on and off. The laces do not move. I keep them on because my 405's are meant to go through anything so I want laces that can withstand it.

 

[JTMD]

What is benefit of crepe sole? Is it just cosmetic or is there a functional benefit? I had never heard of a crepe sole until I started watching this forum - they look interesting.

These are my only pair with crepe sole. My local place had them on sale and I took them as is without much thought as to soles. They are quite comfortable but I wouldn't say that I prefer them over other soles necessarily. They are a bit on the ugly side (imo) and I'm not sure how far I trust them in icy conditions.

 

[Shawnc]

It’s funny how tastes change. One of my first pair of shells was a jcrew LWB on crepe with dark edges and exposed eyes. Loved them (fit issue) and the crepe was not evident with the dark edges. With my C2 Moc’s, the contrast is a little more dramatic and while they are super comfy, the look is a bit more chunky than I now prefer. Already looking forward to wearing them hard and having Aram swap for single leather.



Having said that, I certainly don’t have the negative experiences some have expressed.

 

[Alcibiades]

Crepe is a weird one. When I first started looking at Alden’s, the “all weather walkers” (which I believe are cxl or some other calfskin on crepe) were very popular, along with the “Roy boots” on crepe. Also, Clark’s desert boots were all the rage, so many manufacturers did suede chukka boots on crepe (including many Alden retailers). So crepe seemed to be used even more back then. The issue is that crepe soles can just look a bit ragged even if they are comfy, and I don’t think they were super popular with many on here.

For me, I have the ravello on crepe boots that AofM made, and I will wear those heavily. If feels more like a sneaker sole than anything. I also have some Leffot loafers on crepe, which are great - but they could look even better in theory with some more rugged leather soles (a lot of more fashion forward shoemakers have been putting rugged soles on loafers, which I think can look good and were obvious inspiration for the leffot loafers). Otherwise I am not sure crepe is a better sole for rougher weather than the standard Alden commando (which, along with the various double leather soles are Alden’s best IMO). I do think Alden may need to do something similar to Edward Green’s rubber slimmer soles, which seem to now be their default sole for a lot of their makeups…

 

[Hisheirness23]

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Got my delivery in the mail yesterday! Still have yet to open and inventory them all, but curious to hear your thoughts on GG laced.

 

[mdubs]

Ok, boys. Got some long-cherished shoes: Ravello LHS! This was one of those acquisitions that I wasn’t too excited about when I got on the list for them a long time ago (maybe pre-COVID?), but now I am. I've been dressing up for work only 2-3 times a week, with the rest being work casual. When I first signed up for them, it was suit/tie 5 days a week mostly. Anyway, couldn't be happier

Congratulations Cool! Those are just exquisite and definitely worth the wait!!!

-Mike

 

[mdubs]

Second make-up from Ealdwine are these Loden Suede "Old Ivy" LWB which are quite possibly the most striking suede shoes in my collection next to my AE Burgundy Suede Hamiltons. The antique 360 reverse welt with white welt stitches have completely transformed this pair into a unique SMU style run! Double leather soles round out this Barrie lasted beauty!

The blind eyelets look great, but maybe brass hardware (or dull gold) would've really popped with this shoe. Again, conflicted on whether I will use contrasting laces or keep the stock ones. I predict these will get plenty of compliments from onlookers!
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Wow, those Gunboats look just clean. Love the contrast of that edge and welt. Nice design!

-Mike

 

[mdubs]

Happy WTW. 2023 Ravello. @Shawnc these Barries are among my better fitting.

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I always forget how amazing the Barrie Ravello WT Boot is. Just such a solid choice. Nicely done!

-Mike

 

[mdubs]

First, hello to everyone! I have been reading for a while and DM'ed with a few of you, but this is my first post. I recently bought the Alden #97285 - Whiskey Short Wing Balmorals pictured below on Ebay. The seller was a store in Michigan. Given that they are a "rare," maybe someone here knows or can guess their history?

The uppers are distressed consistent with several years of regular wear, which is not at all a bad thing in my view! However, the original light colored "antique" soles have been replaced with a non-Alden sole with a solid rubber heel block, and the sole edges appear to have been purposely darkened. I am wondering whether it might be possible to restore them to the original soles and appearance? I know that some of you have experience darkening sole edges, but has anyone tried to reverse the process? I could see if RenoMat will remove the darkening material (testing carefully on a less conspicuous area), but I am somewhat skeptical that this will work. I have heard that Alden themselves will only recondition with the original soles, but I have also heard that they are reluctant (or maybe simply refuse) to work on shoes that someone else has worked on. Or maybe Aram could help me? Or am I just wasting time and money trying to restore the soles to their original appearance? I welcome any thoughts or ideas.

Howdy, I am WAY behind and I do not know if anyone responded to you yet.

But these look to me to be the “Standard” Whiskey take of the classic 974. Alden DC has been the most frequent shop to run this shoe in the past decade.

As you noted, it usually comes with Tan Antique Edges. You could send them to Alden for a resole and they would restore them back to the original design. I would label the upper several times requesting that they do not refinish the upper personally.

I see you talking about using some heavier Saphir products. I’m personally not a fan of doing this, I prefer to go with lighter things, like Alden Boot Cream. But hopefully you got them to how you like them!

I may see these again as I catch up.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[mdubs]

Hello my fellow Alden lovers. It's been too long for me. I wasn't expecting to purchase anything however Christmas came early and here I am...

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That shade on those is just amazing. Looking great bud!!!

-Mike

 

[mdubs]

These are Indy boots on plaza last, whiskey shell

Wow, that is some of the best Whiskey I have seen in years. I almost would have thought they were Amaretto. Which is a huge win in my book!

-Mike

 

[mdubs]

Today’s gear screamed of black shell. So of course I went with the chameleon’s, OB. Never seen footwear whose color is so impacted by lighting………

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Have a great day Gang!

Wow, way to bust out just some casual Old Bronze!!! ;-) Looking great and you all are inspiring me to wear some stuff that I haven’t worn in a while!

-Mike

 

[mdubs]

Crepe is a weird one. When I first started looking at Alden’s, the “all weather walkers” (which I believe are cxl or some other calfskin on crepe) were very popular, along with the “Roy boots” on crepe. Also, Clark’s desert boots were all the rage, so many manufacturers did suede chukka boots on crepe (including many Alden retailers). So crepe seemed to be used even more back then. The issue is that crepe soles can just look a bit ragged even if they are comfy, and I don’t think they were super popular with many on here.

For me, I have the ravello on crepe boots that AofM made, and I will wear those heavily. If feels more like a sneaker sole than anything. I also have some Leffot loafers on crepe, which are great - but they could look even better in theory with some more rugged leather soles (a lot of more fashion forward shoemakers have been putting rugged soles on loafers, which I think can look good and were obvious inspiration for the leffot loafers). Otherwise I am not sure crepe is a better sole for rougher weather than the standard Alden commando (which, along with the various double leather soles are Alden’s best IMO). I do think Alden may need to do something similar to Edward Green’s rubber slimmer soles, which seem to now be their default sole for a lot of their makeups…

I have never liked the appearance of the Crepe, but I have never actually tried them. So I have my first pair in production somewhere in the process right now.

I passed on those Color 2’s because of the Crepe and king of regret it. But I have plenty of others, so all is good!

Those look great and I look forward to seeing them post Aram. I am also looking forward to feeling Crepe for the first time.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[SailingIvy]

Cloudy but dry day in Bavaria today. Perfect weather for these bad boys. Ideally, they would be even darker but well... that's how it is. Seemed to me, that after the third round of some paste wax they're already a bit darker than how they used to be when bought. I will see how they develop!

 

[Shawnc]

Cloudy but dry day in Bavaria today. Perfect weather for these bad boys. Ideally, they would be even darker but well... that's how it is. Seemed to me, that after the third round of some paste wax they're already a bit darker than how they used to be when bought. I will see how they develop!
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Beautiful………..