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

[CFowler2790]

So, I shit ya'll not, today after leaving my last class at my college I'm walking down the hallway to leave the art building and hear Indiana Jones' theme song playing from the movies, so I peek through the door to discover they are studying classic movie music. As I'm leaving I think to myself, "fuck I wish my Alden Indy boots would ship already!" Low and behold 20 minutes later as I pull up to my house and walk to my front door, there it is in front of me, in all it's glory, a shoe mart box containing my first Alden purchase, the 403 Indys. My smile has been stuck on my face for hours now from this

 

[keithp3521]



Mac's break in procedures dictate that you should first wear the shoes 2-3x on carpet before you bring them out into the real world.
This ensures you have a proper fit and also helps with the shell's break in period.
I have found this to be very helpful.

Great. Thanks very much, Sazon.

 

[FrankCowperwood]



So, I shit ya'll not, today after leaving my last class at my college I'm walking down the hallway to leave the art building and hear Indiana Jones' theme song playing from the movies, so I peek through the door to discover they are studying classic movie music. As I'm leaving I think to myself, "fuck I wish my Alden Indy boots would ship already!" Low and behold 20 minutes later as I pull up to my house and walk to my front door, there it is in front of me, in all it's glory, a shoe mart box containing my first Alden purchase, the 403 Indys. My smile has been stuck on my face for hours now from this 

Excellent. Great story to tell about these Indys when you wear them. I really like this version. For some reason I like that red sole on them a whole lot. Enjoy wearing.

I have been in-love with the PTB style since I first bought J. Crew’s version back in 2001.
Last week I could no longer take the voices inside my head, and I added the Cigar to my rotation.
Today is their first outing. Carpet only, as directed by the Mac break in procedure.

Beautiful. Are these from TSM? Enjoy.

I've talked to Leffot a little while back about doing pre-orders, telling them the same thing I posted previously. Steven said he'd consider it, but in the meantime only medium (D) widths will be run for his collaborations. It'd be awesome if he created an email list for interested clients for upcoming Alden collaborations. I'm not sure why it's not practiced by the independent Alden shops more regularly. I know LSW will give you a heads up if you have a decent relationship with one of their reps, but outside of that pre-ordering seems tough to come by.

I'm not positive, but I think part of the issue with preordering is that Alden doesn't let a shop order an unlimited number of a special makeup. The way I've read some posts here and there is that they can order x number of shoes in all sizes for an MTO, so the more special orders they take, the fewer they'll have for stock. This may or may not be right.

 

[Therendition]

So, I shit ya'll not, today after leaving my last class at my college I'm walking down the hallway to leave the art building and hear Indiana Jones' theme song playing from the movies, so I peek through the door to discover they are studying classic movie music. As I'm leaving I think to myself, "fuck I wish my Alden Indy boots would ship already!" Low and behold 20 minutes later as I pull up to my house and walk to my front door, there it is in front of me, in all it's glory, a shoe mart box containing my first Alden purchase, the 403 Indys. My smile has been stuck on my face for hours now from this

They look good! Were they from the seconds list?

 

[CFowler2790]

They look good! Were they from the seconds list?

Nope, new.

 

[Therendition]

Nope, new.

Very nice!

 

[trig]

wow - Check these out. Just posted over at Leffot.

Darn. I just bought the navy shortwings from Leffot a few weeks ago but now I really want these longwings too. Anybody interested in a pair of navy shortwings in 7.5D, worn 1 time?

hmmm

 

[dmash]

Sazon those are seriously my favorite Aldens ever. Idk how I'm going to be able to wait a year for mine to come in from TSM. Maybe Alden will get some Ravello way ahead of schedule :/

 

[Beatlegeuse]



I have e-mailed about doing pre-orders with Leffot also and they are helpful if they can have the shoe made. They got me a 5.5E in the #8 LWB with antique edge and if they do an order for their navy tassel loafers, they will let me get my size. Colin is very helpful.

I've talked to Leffot a little while back about doing pre-orders, telling them the same thing I posted previously. Steven said he'd consider it, but in the meantime only medium (D) widths will be run for his collaborations. It'd be awesome if he created an email list for interested clients for upcoming Alden collaborations. I'm not sure why it's not practiced by the independent Alden shops more regularly. I know LSW will give you a heads up if you have a decent relationship with one of their reps, but outside of that pre-ordering seems tough to come by.

I'm not positive, but I think part of the issue with preordering is that Alden doesn't let a shop order an unlimited number of a special makeup. The way I've read some posts here and there is that they can order x number of shoes in all sizes for an MTO, so the more special orders they take, the fewer they'll have for stock. This may or may not be right.

Just heard back from Colin @ Leffot - he said that they currently have no plans to reorder these specific navy suede LWBs after this current run sells out, but if they do it will most likely be sometime next year. And, he can put my e-mail on file and let me know if they do end up restocking this shoe, and if they do then I will be able to put my pre-order in and get my size. It seems like a pretty popular shoe that is usually offered every year, so it would make sense that they would restock it again next year. I'll follow up with them again in a few months or so to see if their plans change at all and if I would still be able to pre-order my size in the event that they do reorder these.

I wish more shops could offer pre-orders, mainly because Alden won't accept one-off MTO's anymore. Which means that if you have an odd size that isn't normally stocked, then you're SOL. I'm sure there are issues that these shops have to deal with in order to set something like this up, but I'm selfish and I want some Aldens that fit me!

 

[Beatlegeuse]



Sazon those are seriously my favorite Aldens ever. Idk how I'm going to be able to wait a year for mine to come in from TSM. Maybe Alden will get some Ravello way ahead of schedule :/

not likely! I've been waiting for my Epaulet Ravello Brixton boots - the ones Sazon mentioned - for over a year and they keep pushing the date back. I think they are still somewhere between 3-5 months away....apparently there has been a limited amount of Ravello available lately.

 

[patrick_b]



I have been in-love with the PTB style since I first bought J. Crew’s version back in 2001.
Last week I could no longer take the voices inside my head, and I added the Cigar to my rotation.

Today is their first outing. Carpet only, as directed by the Mac break in procedure.

They look terrific! Cigar is my next choice as well (I've been hearing the same voices as you). I love the natural edge trim. I have AE burgundy shell Leeds/PTB's but I can't stop coveting the cigar. My only issue with the Mac method is not having the patience to wear new shell shoes indoors for that long.

Enjoy!

 

[fredmull]



Not trying to belabor my issue, but after wearing the 9D on several occasions, it feels excessively roomy and a sloppy fit, even with thick wool socks.  I now have an 8.5D in the house (which I've been very careful with not to crease or scuff so I don't end up with 2 Indy's that don't fit and I can't return) and it feels pretty good, especially in the heel, but is somewhat tight at the widest part of my foot.  Wish I had an 8.5E, but I fear that would end up too wide in the heel.  Does anyone else go a full size down for the Indy/Trubalance?  For those that have had experience with this, can I expect the leather to give at all so its not putting pressure, and eventually causing pain, on the outside of my foot?  Although I have reason to believe the leather will stretch, I am also wondering if the solid construction of the boot at the welt will prevent it from giving me a bit more room at the ball of my foot.

Thanks.

FWIW, my cxl Context x Alden roy boots stretched quite a bit with regular wear. No doubt your cxl Indys will stretch. You don't want a floppy fit.

 

[Amused]

Just heard back from Colin @ Leffot - he said that they currently have no plans to reorder these specific navy suede LWBs after this current run sells out, but if they do it will most likely be sometime next year. And, he can put my e-mail on file and let me know if they do end up restocking this shoe, and if they do then I will be able to put my pre-order in and get my size. It seems like a pretty popular shoe that is usually offered every year, so it would make sense that they would restock it again next year. I'll follow up with them again in a few months or so to see if their plans change at all and if I would still be able to pre-order my size in the event that they do reorder these.
I wish more shops could offer pre-orders, mainly because Alden won't accept one-off MTO's anymore. Which means that if you have an odd size that isn't normally stocked, then you're SOL. I'm sure there are issues that these shops have to deal with in order to set something like this up, but I'm selfish and I want some Aldens that fit me!

This is good news, thanks. I'll reach out to Colin to see if I can get notified as well. I really love this makeup...any of the Alden suede LWBs for that matter. The notion of pre-order didn't seem so bright when I was corresponding with Steve earlier...maybe he's changed his tune?

 

[Mr.K]



This is good news, thanks. I'll reach out to Colin to see if I can get notified as well. I really love this makeup...any of the Alden suede LWBs for that matter. The notion of pre-order didn't seem so bright when I was corresponding with Steve earlier...maybe he's changed his tune?

I never had much luck dealing with Steve. It seems that maybe Colin is the one taking care of most of the net based stuff. I e-mailed Steve 5 times with no response and got one from Colin after only one try.

 

[sazon]

Frank C - yes, from Shoe Mart

Dmash - thanks. I agree. These are one of my faves as well. Ravello is a tough color to beat !