***The official Alden thread *** Share enthusiasm, reviews, sizing, advice, and photos.

[mcarthur]



Where did you get those from, Mac?
Seeing those makes the wait for me even harder.

shoemart
they are worth waiting for

 

[wj4]

Ah, gotcha. I didn't see the speed hooks. The version I bought has no speed hooks. How is the hue compared to cigar? They look kinda cigar-ish in the picture. In other pictures, I see ravello as more red-ish.

 

[themache]

So, I need help deciding between the following:

Cigar captoe boot on the Grant last, commando sole
No 8 captoe boot on Grant last, commando or double leather sole
Ravello LWB on Barrie

Input is much appreciated! These all seem like great options. For the record, I only have two pair of shell - No 8 NST in Barrie (From Shoemart) and RL Darlton shortwing

Thanks

 

[NAMOR]

 

[NAMOR]



So, I need help deciding between the following:
Cigar captoe boot on the Grant last, commando sole
No 8 captoe boot on Grant last, commando or double leather sole
Ravello LWB on Barrie
Input is much appreciated! These all seem like great options. For the record, I only have two pair of shell - No 8 NST in Barrie (From Shoemart) and RL Darlton shortwing
Thanks

Do you plan to buy more pairs in the future? If so, I would hold off on the Ravello LWB and get the Cigar Captoe on the Grant. Thats an exotic combo. Buy it if you have the opportunity

 

[rennavate]



So, I need help deciding between the following:
Cigar captoe boot on the Grant last, commando sole
No 8 captoe boot on Grant last, commando or double leather sole
Ravello LWB on Barrie
Input is much appreciated! These all seem like great options. For the record, I only have two pair of shell - No 8 NST in Barrie (From Shoemart) and RL Darlton shortwing
Thanks

Who has the ravello LWB?

 

[geoffmartin17]



LHS and petit standards. seriously considering b nelsoning the edgetrim on these to antique.

Looks awesome - what last are those? Van? How do they fit? Been considering them for a while.

 

[ninja07]



So, I need help deciding between the following:
Cigar captoe boot on the Grant last, commando sole
No 8 captoe boot on Grant last, commando or double leather sole
Ravello LWB on Barrie
Input is much appreciated! These all seem like great options. For the record, I only have two pair of shell - No 8 NST in Barrie (From Shoemart) and RL Darlton shortwing
Thanks

Cigar captoe boot on the Grant last, commando sole. Def on top of my list. Mind sharing where are you purchasing from?

 

[patrick_b]



My newest addition: Leffot ravello cap toe boot.

Perfection in boot form imo.

Stunning!

 

[Santiago67]

LS just posted a restock of the Indy in Choco Suede. I've had these before (until my brother did a perm-borrow on them) and they are extremely versatile. Might have to grab another pair. Have a great day.

 

[mr chorizo]



Looks awesome - what last are those? Van? How do they fit? Been considering them for a while.

these are the stock LHS, van last. I wear the same size as the barrie in these. l'm still breaking them in and so far so good...very comfy. I think these are one of those sleeper shoes that doesn't get enough love, especially in a more contemporary context

 

[mr chorizo]



Anyone else think the recent cigar shell shoes are almost as dark as Color 8? It may be my tired eyes but from 5 feet away they are almost indistinguishable.

looking at my #8 longwings now, I see your point. also, number 8 tends to "brown out" with wear and sunshine IMO

 

[tropics]



Cigar Chukka

http://www.ted.com/talks/terry_moore_how_to_tie_your_shoes.html

 

[nurktwin]

I'm a fan of Alden shoes (although one may have to send them back a few times to get a pair that is acceptable - e.g. "without extra needle holes").

One thing I've noticed is that if you visit online retailers, they will tell you certain Alden lasts run "large" and you need to "size down" a 1/2 size. The Barrie last is notorious for this. Here's an example of verbiage on Shoemart.com

"The Barrie and Modified Lasts run a half size larger than other Alden lasts. Consider ordering a half size smaller than you normally use."

Alden Carmel even came up with this conversion chart to try and understand the bizarre size labeling from Alden:

The most popular Alden lasts, and their relative sizes compared to usual U.S. shoe sizes are:

Leydon last - fits approximately like a standard US size
Plaza last - slightly longer than regular U.S. size
Aberdeen last - slightly longer than regular U.S. size
Van last - 1/4 to 1/2 size larger than regular U.S. size
Barrie last - about 1/2 size larger than regular U.S. size (U.S. size 10 = Barrie last size 9 1/2)
Trubalance last - about 1/2 size larger than regular U.S. size (U.S. size 10 = Trubalance size 9 1/2)
Modified last - at least 1/2 size larger than regular U.S. size (U.S. size 10 = Modified last size 9 1/2)

Question: Why doesn't Alden take note of this and just label their shoe sizes accurately and take the guesswork, confusion and hassle out of consumers having to return shoes that don't fit properly because Alden incorrectly labels sizes for certain lasts? Why not label their sizes for all lasts true to size and stop this nonsense?

 

[nurktwin]



LHS and petit standards. seriously considering b nelsoning the edgetrim on these to antique.

Nice. Is this the 986 or Brooks version? Do you recommend sizing down a half size or are they true to size?