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

[mediahound]



Some quick questions re Alden Leather Defender, which arrived from JCrew today: - Label claims it will "clean and protect calfskin and genuine shell cordovan." Can I trust that it can indeed be used on shell? (I know it says so, but I'm paranoid about it given that I'm kind of a shoe care newbie) - Directions are to "Apply Alden Leather Defender to a soft cloth and wipe shoes thoroughly. Let dry. Turn cloth and buff gently. For best results allow leather to dry completely before wearing shoes." Do you fellow Alden Leather Defender users actually follow this procedure? If memory serves well enough, I have a faint recollection of someone instructing us to simply spray the shoe before going out on days rain is predicted. I'd rather go with this on-the-fly method. Shoe care can be time consuming. I'm barely keeping up on my Mac Method basics! (Please don't tell Uncle; I don't want him to be disappointed in me, especially before I post pics of the new whiskeys tomorrow)

- For those of you who don't believe in the Leather Defender, what alternative water protection, if any, are you using and why? Thanks in advance for any feedback you can offer.

I've used the defender on shell with no problems. In fact I believe it was formulated specifically for shell cordovan - http://leathersoulhawaii.com/2011/12/22/alden-leather-defender/ But I usually only put it on during rainy season, or I'm going out to a bar where beer or something might spill.

 

[MrDV]

MrDv is approaching Mac status here

thanks, but there can only be one uncle mac.

This is the best #4 makeup i've ever seen.

thanks, they are very nice looking.

Holy moly, that is a nice boot.

thank you sir

All I can say is... WOW!

thanks, I know, im not worthy.

This shade is awesome. May just be the lighting, but they look a bit darker than #4 I've seen lately. Superb.

thank you sazon, these do seem a bit darker. maybe the creases will show lighter tones.

GRAIL.

And yes, the longwings are cigar.

gracias argentino

Fantastic! I get more use out of my straight tips than any other Alden style.

thank you sir

Those are incredible. I wish I could find a boot like that.

thank you brp2, keep looking, you never know...
thank you sir.

nephew,
good looking cap toe boots

thanks uncle.

 

[MrDV]

well since everyone else is chiming in with ravello........casual Thursday for me

shaunw, the boots are awesome

 

[MrDV]

ravello chukkas
argyles otc

great boots uncle, I haven't seen those before. thanks for sharing.

 

[MrDV]

Finally got my Alden NST Whiskey Shell on Barrie last...back today from TSM. They sent them to Alden to get a flaw fixed where the heel met the sole and last. Great job, looks awesome, fast turn around and now I have officially become a member of the fine Whiskey club!



See Ya,
Steve

congrats steve, great score

 

[MrDV]

I'll play the ravello game.

blue, great shoes. I want a pair.

 

[100 yrs]

had a cobbler add a third eyelet to my pair of cxl chukkas, they did a fine job and it it improved the fit for me. unfortunately, they also polished the shoe with i don't know what, and i really dislike shiny cxl. these had a really nice dull glow (if that makes sense) when new. what's the best way to remove the polish and start from scratch? i already applied some reno and that didn't do much. do i step it up to renomat? an AE product perhaps?

 

[tsekh]



had a cobbler add a third eyelet to my pair of cxl chukkas, they did a fine job and it it improved the fit for me. unfortunately, they also polished the shoe with i don't know what, and i really dislike shiny cxl. these had a really nice dull glow (if that makes sense) when new. what's the best way to remove the polish and start from scratch? i already applied some reno and that didn't do much. do i step it up to renomat? an AE product perhaps?

RenoMat is the way to go.

 

[925]

from Alden trunk show @ Tassels HK last week

 

[CTYGGG]



blue, great shoes. I want a pair.

IIRC, fellow sf'er interlockingny has these (LS ravello WT) in a 9.5D for sale in the B/S thread.

 

[dslonghorn4]

A little whiskey for a casual Friday.

 

[dslonghorn4]

A little whiskey for a casual Friday.

 

[rydenfan]

A lovely day for snuff

 

[tampatravel]

...make that TWO shots of Whiskey

A little whiskey for a casual Friday.

 

[hpreston]



I've used the defender on shell with no problems. In fact I believe it was formulated specifically for shell cordovan -

http://leathersoulhawaii.com/2011/12/22/alden-leather-defender/

But I usually only put it on during rainy season, or I'm going out to a bar where beer or something might spill.

I recently bought Alden Leather Defender to protect my shell PTB's. I purchased it from Kathy at Alden DC (more on that story later) and she reiterated that it is mainly for shell, "but you can use it on calf too, if you want" and will prevent water spots, if caught in the rain, she also made sure to tell me to "spray it on a cloth first, then apply to the shoe using the cloth." I followed her advice, and it looks fine on shell, although I have not worn them in the rain yet.

I plan to treat all of my shell shoes with it in the comming weeks.