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

[mdubs]

I was there today. They have whiskey LWB in 9.5, 10 and 11 (he might have mentioned other sizes but I cut him off after that). They have a cigar PTB in 7.5, Whiskey LHS, Cigar NST. Not sure on the sizes of the last two. I would call again, they were very helpful the last time I called.

They don't have any Whiskey Longwings in 10D anymore... Thanks for the tip!

 

[Don L]

Gents,

I believe I have an Uncle Mac in the wild sighting this morning!! I didn't want to disturb him as he read his WSJ, but I'm pretty sure this was him.

No argyles OTC. Can't be, or can it?

 

[mcarthur]

#8 saddle
argyles otc

 

[FrankCowperwood]



With the understanding that this board is biased, and the caveat that I just pre-ordered some ravello, can anyone who owns both Alden and Carmina shell speak to the difference in comfort? Do they use cork footbeds? Which shoe do you find yourself wearing more often?

The difference in price seems to be nominal and I'm wondering if I should give them a try once my shoe fund recovers.

I believe the construction is the same overall. Might be more information on the Carmina website. I'd say there's no difference in comfort, assuming you can find a Carmina last that suits you. They only offer a wide fitting in one or two of their lasts, if width is an issue for you. Good luck.

 

[Don L]

Love those Saddles Uncle.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



Gents,

I believe I have an Uncle Mac in the wild sighting this morning!! I didn't want to disturb him as he read his WSJ, but I'm pretty sure this was him.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



blackbird hayburner saddles

I'm not sure this saddle is for me (bold contrast), but a great shoe nonetheless, and quite rare.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



#8 saddle
argyles otc

Nice.

The 994 is underrated. So is the 993.

 

[mcarthur]



Love those Saddles Uncle. 

nephew,
thank you

 

[Alcibiades]



Nice.

The 994 is underrated. So is the 993.

It's kind of a cool alternative to the PTB.

 

[jbcohen]

I have been told that the only problem with sandel's is that they do not have any padding in them (please excuse my spelling if I missed the mark on that score).

 

[zippyh]



With the understanding that this board is biased, and the caveat that I just pre-ordered some ravello, can anyone who owns both Alden and Carmina shell speak to the difference in comfort? Do they use cork footbeds? Which shoe do you find yourself wearing more often?

The difference in price seems to be nominal and I'm wondering if I should give them a try once my shoe fund recovers.

I'd say there's not enough of a difference between them to make any generalizations.

The shell Carminas I have are dressier, single leather sole models so don't really compare to most Alden cordovan models.
Comfort is about the same when comparing Carminas to single leather sole Aldens.
The Carminas are much better finished than Aldens.

I find myself wearing Aldens much more often but that's mainly because they match how I usually dress.
Plus I have about a 10:1 ratio between Alden and Carmina.

 

[mcarthur]



Nice.

The 994 is underrated. So is the 993.

nephew,
thank you
I agree that the black and #8 saddle are building blocks in a shoe wardrobe in either calf or shell

 

[Numbernine]



Gents,

I believe I have an Uncle Mac in the wild sighting this morning!! I didn't want to disturb him as he read his WSJ, but I'm pretty sure this was him.
The asst principle at my kids school is a really nice dresser , good taste but he wears those same shoes. I feel sometimes I should have man to man with him

oops

 

[MrDV]



With the understanding that this board is biased, and the caveat that I just pre-ordered some ravello, can anyone who owns both Alden and Carmina shell speak to the difference in comfort? Do they use cork footbeds? Which shoe do you find yourself wearing more often?

The difference in price seems to be nominal and I'm wondering if I should give them a try once my shoe fund recovers.

I own 3 pair of Carminas and preordered a 4th pair.
They are very comfortable and lighter in weight when compared to alden.
The narrower lasts make them less casual when compared to alden. Better w suits.
My Carminas get worn less than my alden mainly because I wear more casual than formal.
I wear Carmina w dark denim and dressier ep walts.
My Carminas are more refined. they do straighter stitching and perforations, use identical matching shells, the shoes look more luxe out of the box.
Alden shell ages better w less products and care, my Carmina shell needs more attention than my alden (Reno n wax)
All that being said, I prefer aldens and only use Carmina for styles alden doesn't offer; ruby shell, double monks, loden shell. (I won't mention the pythons)