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

[applky]

I will disagree here. First, the shoes are the same price at retail, the exception being for special makeups that would put a premium in the price (a la ultimate indy).
That said, I love my 405s. The leather feels much softer and thicker to me in my hand than chromexcel. Both are great leathers, and you should only decide based on which boot you like better. Chromexcel is a pull-up leather that will accentuate the aging process and wrinkling; while the 405 will obviously wrinkle, it won't be emphasized as much. Also, chromexcel color may initially transfer when it gets wet, so that can ruin some pants.

Clarification: Brown Chromexcel is indeed the same price as the brown cowhide. Natural Chromexcel generally seems to be ~$40 higher. A worthwhile upcharge, in my opinion.

 

[dm2703]

The cut in the welting doesn't look bad at all. But i have to admit the indy certainly looked as if the shoe had been in some sort of packaging accident. you guys are reminding me about why one should never buy expensive things, such as shoes, on the internet. I'm quite glad there are 9+ places in NYC that sell alden shoes.

 

[mediahound]



I saw these in person at the new Allen Edmonds store in the Embarcadero center. They look pretty nice but feel much lighter than the Alden WT boot. It looked like part of the reason was that they are not lined with leather on the inside. The last also looked much narrower than the Barrie so perhaps that will appeal to some of the more feminine members of this forum

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF0131_1_40000000001_-1



I looked at them today myself in person. You're right, they do feel quite light, a bit too light for boots, IMO and definitely a lot lighter than Alden boots. They seemed almost toy like or something.

I have no problem with they way they look though, the color is almost like whiskey, a little darker.

BTW, these boots are on the same last as the AE Leeds PTB which I have in Black shell and really like a lot. For PTBs, I even like the Leeds more than Alden PTBs. Somehow the AE's seem less bulky and more sleek which works well for a PTB.

 

[El Argentino]



The leather feels much softer and thicker to me in my hand than chromexcel. Both are great leathers, and you should only decide based on which boot you like better. Chromexcel is a pull-up leather that will accentuate the aging process and wrinkling; while the 405 will obviously wrinkle, it won't be emphasized as much. Also, chromexcel color may initially transfer when it gets wet, so that can ruin some pants.

Thanks to both applky and marg for the help.

Further noob question:

What does "pull-up" leather refer to? Been on the board forever for denim, only recently for shoes. I would assume it's thinner, at least?

 

[mediahound]



^ The 403 is the Indy boot in Brown Chromexcel. The 405 is the Indy boot in waxed brown cowhide.

Unless you are J.Crew. They call their Chromexcel Indy boots 405s...

 

[bl@ster]



Thanks to both applky and marg for the help.
Further noob question:
What does "pull-up" leather refer to? Been on the board forever for denim, only recently for shoes. I would assume it's thinner, at least?

Pull up leather primer:

 

[El Argentino]



Pull up leather primer:

That is freaking amazing. You don't realize there's so much you don't know about until exposed to stuff like this. Thanks for the post.

 

[mediahound]



That is freaking amazing. You don't realize there's so much you don't know about until exposed to stuff like this. Thanks for the post.

Pull-up leather rocks. Shell Cordovan rocks. I sorta feel like I don't want normal leather ever again. In fact, I cannot look at a pair of normal leather shoes with the same respect any more.

 

[JPFNY5]

on another note, i am loving these right now. something about roughed out loafers in the winter seems extra stylish to me.

WELL HERE WE GO LIVE!!!!

 

[JPFNY5]

WELL HERE WE GO LIVE!!!!

OH... AND MERRY CHRISTMAS !!

 

[mr chorizo]

north shore...eh? east egg or west egg? my blue suede tassels are well known in those parts.

look sick!

 

[fitchottie]

Not my thing the whole tassel, also the right shoe stitching looks uneven on the top...

 

[NAMOR]



Not my thing the whole tassel, also the right shoe stitching looks uneven on the top...

adds to the Alden charm

 

[applky]

Unless you are J.Crew. They call their Chromexcel Indy boots 405s...

J Crew talks a great deal.

Not my thing the whole tassel, also the right shoe stitching looks uneven on the top...

C'mon you're killing the Gatsby magic.

 

[925]

got Saphir Cordovan and tried this morning





i've never tried Rénovateur, can anyone compare between Rénovateur & Cordovan?