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

[cyc wid it]

Hmmmm wonder if black cordovan chukkas are worth picking up. Seems like a shade of brown would be more versatile.

 

[NAMOR]

Wrong thread

 

[zippyh]

Who has the ravello LWB?

I bought a pair a few months ago from Alden of Carmel. They have the crepe sole, which makes them much more practical to wear in inclement weather.

I got a pair of those too, but just a warning on them.
They're death slippery on a wet concrete floor. I was kind of surprised they were so slippery. Worse than a plain leather sole.

 

[Marcellionheart]



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.

Anyone have a pic of these in the flesh? I'm considering these or may wait until a snuff indy restock

 

[Joenobody0]



I got a pair of those too, but just a warning on them.
They're death slippery on a wet concrete floor. I was kind of surprised they were so slippery. Worse than a plain leather sole.

Super slick and the leather toe portion gets destroyed in the wet. The crepe sole was suboptimal for me in every way.

 

[mcarthur]



Shoe stretcher question:
Think I can stretch a D width barrie lasted cordovan shoe (or chukka) to almost an E with a shoe stretcher?

i would be negative

 

[mcarthur]

whiskey lhs
argyles otc

 

[scb]

Shoe stretcher question:
Think I can stretch a D width barrie lasted cordovan shoe (or chukka) to almost an E with a shoe stretcher?

i would be negative

thanks. unfortunately not the answer i was hoping for

 

[jasonfoote303]



Shoe stretcher question:

Think I can stretch a D width barrie lasted cordovan shoe (or chukka) to almost an E with a shoe stretcher?

I have tried this and it did not work for me. The shoes stretched a little but not enough so I sold them on eBay

 

[Grolsch]

What's your take on the patina effects on Black Shell Cordovan? We are all familiar with the awesome Color 8 pix like these....



....but how do black shells turn out after a reasonable amount of wear on them?







I'm confused between Color 8 and Black from Carmel.

AF53 - Color 8 Shell Cordovan High Lace Boot
AF43 - Black Shell Cordovan High Lace Boot

 

[Grolsch]



I have tried this and it did not work for me. The shoes stretched a little but not enough so I sold them on eBay

Same story here. The stretch is there but only marginal, and will never get to the next width's comfort level. I tried it with a RW1907 D to E.

 

[NewYorkIslander]



What's your take on the patina effects on Black Shell Cordovan?
AF53 - Color 8 Shell Cordovan High Lace Boot
AF43 - Black Shell Cordovan High Lace Boot

Unless you have a plethora of #8 and no black, I'd stick with number 8. I could be wrong but I do think that the black will age and patina to a sarker brown #8 color, especially with application of #8 polish, but would take a long time. I have one pair of black cordovan, BBBF LWB. I wear them occasionally. If I didn't feel the need to own at least one pair of black shoes, I;d probably get rid of them.

 

[NewYorkIslander]

Quick question here:

Just pulled out a pair of #8 shell boots hat I haven't worn in a long time (maybe about 6-8 months), and there was a fog on a part of one of them on the side and along the lace holes (think wax buildup because it was like the fog when I used to wax my car in HS- '89 Lincoln LSC for those who care). It basically buffed off with a brushing but want to make sure that is in fact what it was....

 

[blue collar]



Shoe stretcher question:
Think I can stretch a D width barrie lasted cordovan shoe (or chukka) to almost an E with a shoe stretcher?

I think you'll have a vary hard time getting the cordovan to stretch at all to be honest. Nevermind a whole width size. It's not like calf or chromexcel imo.

 

[Michigan Planner]



Quick question here:
Just pulled out a pair of #8 shell boots hat I haven't worn in a long time (maybe about 6-8 months), and there was a fog on a part of one of them on the side and along the lace holes (think wax buildup because it was like the fog when I used to wax my car in HS- '89 Lincoln LSC for those who care). It basically buffed off with a brushing but want to make sure that is in fact what it was....

I think you are correct about it being wax build up. I had the same thing on a pair of shell AE longwings that I recently pulled out of the closet. I gave them a quick buffing then hit them with whatever polish was left on my rag from my previous polishing attempt and buffed it out and they looked like they did when I stuffed them away at the start of the spring. (I think it also might have something to do with them sort of drying out over time too)