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

[bdeuce22]

might get a little more wear out the commando. the leather sole looks more dressy, but it doesn't sound like you are going for this pair of shoes. They are more comfy than a leather one, not much, but if you do a lot of walking, you may want to consider it. i have no beef with the commando sole on my AF84s. They have held up nicely over the last 2 years. Alden can resole either one, so no worries there.

 

[edubs01]

I guess my main question is do you think that the commando sole makes the shoe less formal? Can you still wear it with a pair of navy trousers?

 

[Joenobody0]

No question a commando sole makes the shoes less formal. However, both those shoes you linked aren't really that formal by themselves. If you'd wear a brown PTB with a pair of dress slacks, I don't see why you wouldn't wear a PTB with commando soles with a pair of slacks.

 

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by edubs01

I am in the market for a dark brown oxford.
I am debating between these two.
What the advantages/disadvantages of the commando sole.
I am looking for a shoe that is versatile enough to wear with dress pants, chinos, and denim.
Two things. The Commando Sole will last a lot longer. That leather sole on the other shoe is a single leather sole I believe and even though they are supposed to last just as long that particular type (single oiled leather sole?) may wear faster than hard leather. This is just from what I have read.

The uppers on both of those shoes look less formal than anything. They both seem to lack shine and luster. I will wear a commando sole with navy slacks but remember it will look like a boot bottom. I personally would not wear a commando sole to a wedding or an interview but I doubt I would wear either shoe to those anyway.

Originally Posted by edubs01

I guess my main question is do you think that the commando sole makes the shoe less formal? Can you still wear it with a pair of navy trousers?

I wear my cigar shell PTB's with trousers all the time. Brooks Brothers sells a shell #8 PTB that people wear with suits all the time. I would be much mess likely to wear them with suits is they had the commando sole that would look more like I should be jacking lumber.

 

[Arizor]

My Alden cordovan captoes #8 at approximately 1.5 years.

 

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by Arizor

My Alden cordovan captoes #8 at approximately 1.5 years.

 

[arrow]

If you have these in 9D (Trubalance Jumper Boots) and you absolutely hate it (chances are slim, I know). Give me a shout and I'd love to lessen your burden. Thanks

LS Jumper Boots landed today:

 

[makewayhomer]

Originally Posted by edubs01

I am in the market for a dark brown oxford.
I am debating between these two.
What the advantages/disadvantages of the commando sole.
I am looking for a shoe that is versatile enough to wear with dress pants, chinos, and denim.

imo commando soles make a lot more sense on a boot, b/c I am more likely to want to wear a boot in the rain or snow

 

[AlanC]

Originally Posted by arrow

If you have these in 9D (Trubalance Jumper Boots) and you absolutely hate it (chances are slim, I know). Give me a shout and I'd love to lessen your burden. Thanks

Ha ha! These are actually 9.5B. Ordering through LS allows me to get things in my weird narrow size that I otherwise could never get.

Try LS Beverly Hills. Maybe they have a 9D in stock.

 

[Dexter_]

Diggin' the captoes that've been posted lately. Especially the non-perforated pair. Nice patina!

Originally Posted by edubs01

I guess my main question is do you think that the commando sole makes the shoe less formal? Can you still wear it with a pair of navy trousers?
Yes and Yes. With a suit, maybe not. Even if you did, no one will notice.

 

[Thor]

Anybody purchased from BlackBird in Seattle?? Any thoughts?


I am tempted by their black shell boot on the Barrie last...the "creamery" boot- but am hesitant to...er...shell...(sorry) the 650$ up front when the boot is 6 months away from delivery,

Why can't they just do a non-refundable deposit like AofC and JGilbert etc...? They told me the boot was so popular they had to do pre-pay which makes no sense. If it was so popular they would have no trouble getting rid of it and keep the deposit...

Anyways- sorry to gripe- It does look like a nice boot- Anybody have one?? Any pics in action?

thanks-

 

[Roguls]

Originally Posted by Thor

Anybody purchased from BlackBird in Seattle?? Any thoughts?


I am tempted by their black shell boot on the Barrie last...the "creamery" boot- but am hesitant to...er...shell...(sorry) the 650$ up front when the boot is 6 months away from delivery,

Why can't they just do a non-refundable deposit like AofC and JGilbert etc...? They told me the boot was so popular they had to do pre-pay which makes no sense. If it was so popular they would have no trouble getting rid of it and keep the deposit...

Anyways- sorry to gripe- It does look like a nice boot- Anybody have one?? Any pics in action?

thanks-


I say the LS Pitt boot is a far more desirable boot. Contact them about it - they may have your size, and they do not a) price gouge (shell boot in black should not be that much) and b) take a full non-refundable deposit.

 

[John from Chicago]

Originally Posted by Thor

Anybody purchased from BlackBird in Seattle?? Any thoughts?


I am tempted by their black shell boot on the Barrie last...the "creamery" boot- but am hesitant to...er...shell...(sorry) the 650$ up front when the boot is 6 months away from delivery,

Why can't they just do a non-refundable deposit like AofC and JGilbert etc...? They told me the boot was so popular they had to do pre-pay which makes no sense. If it was so popular they would have no trouble getting rid of it and keep the deposit...

Anyways- sorry to gripe- It does look like a nice boot- Anybody have one?? Any pics in action?

thanks-

I've been watching this thread for some time now and this post prompted me to jump in. I've bought (far too) many pairs of Alden shells from Tom @ LS, Shoemart, Adam @ AofC and Steven @ Leffot and have experienced great service. Not Blackbird - their approach is the complete opposite (and the fact that they are trying to squeeze a few extra sheckels out of us with the inflated price adds to the insult).

For me the "creamery" boots are great - I much prefer the Barrie last to the Trubalance last and I may be one of the few readers on this board that loves the commando soles (and hates crepe soles) but I'm not buying from Blackbird.

 

[rick]

stupid question i just got a pair of alden shoe trees from jcrew had a gift card. is there a left and right shoe tree and if there is how do i know which tree id for the left shoe which tree is for the right shoe.

 

[mbrokerny]

Ive been following this thread for a while and really need some guidance, Im looking to purchase my first pair of aldens and I want to get a boot. I started off wanting the Indy boot in some sort of dark brown, most likely the chromexel, but have started thinking that maybe the indy boots are getting plaid out. I like them but do not like the contrast stitching. I also really like the alden crepe as mentioned in an earlier thread. I started thinking about the context roy boots, people seem to really like them. Are the Roy boots the ultimate Alden boots?

My needs are as follows:

Looks great with jeans, can be worn in all conditions including the rainy/snowy northeast winters we get here and also look good with chinos and can be kinda dressed up.

What do you guys think?