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

[scb]

this suede boot with the plantation crepe sole may be the most comfortable boot i've ever put on my feet

 

[LynahFaithful]

Tom - I sent an e-mail.

 

[PeterParker]

Originally Posted by Joenobody0

This is 100% true in my opinion. I have three pair of Aldens - one in Calf and two in Shell - which differ by .5 in length one letter width or both (so 8D and 7.5C and 7C). The smaller shoes are Shell. The difference between the 8D and 7.5C is almost meaningless. To contrast the difference between the shell pairs - sized 7C and 7.5C - is obvious and dramatic. Due to this experiment, I'm firmly in the "one width down for shell" camp.
I can't make any sense of this. Shell fitting looser than calf somewhat makes sense since the cordovan leather is thinner than calf. But the comparison of sizes seems backwards. From my experience, going up a half-size in length is similar to going up a width, but what you are saying is going up a half size in length AND a width does not dramatically affect fit.

Originally Posted by LeatherSOUL

Type of leather, makeup of shoe-type of welt, sole, plain toe vs nst, etc, all will have some effect on the fit. I would say 90% of people don't adjust size because of it.
Tom, please enlighten those of us who do not have the luxury of trying shoes on before purchasing how adjustments should be made for sizing for the aforementioned factors. If I were to guess, I'd say all things being equal (same size on same last): - Calf fits smaller than cordovan - Reverse welt fits smaller than regular close welt - Double leather/commando/crepe sole fits smaller than single leather sole - Mocc toe/NST fits smaller than plain toe How does one quantify these factors to adjust sizing? I can't imagine a single contributing factor warranting a change in size, but perhaps multiple factors would require a change in sizing. Apologies in advance for putting you on the spot; I know your sentiments about dispensing sizing advice via the internet, but any illumination on this would be much appreciated!

 

[Joenobody0]

Originally Posted by PeterParker

But the comparison of sizes seems backwards. From my experience, going up a half-size in length is similar to going up a width, but what you are saying is going up a half size in length AND a width does not dramatically affect fit.


Sorry if I was unclear. What I'm saying is for this particular pair of shoes: 8D in calf looks and fits very similarly to a 7.5C in shell. It's clear they're not the same size, but the difference in width is nowhere near what I expected. Additionally a 7C in shell is very obviously smaller than a 7.5C in shell.

 

[Steve Thomas]

Originally Posted by JonB27

Here are my AF53, like others have said for this particular last go down a 1/2 size

Holy crap I have a new object of desire!!!!!!

 

[PorterInjax]

Agreed, those are nice!

 

[JonB27]

^^ I've had those for quite some time now and they get some decent use, I'll try to post up some more pics of them soon.

 

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by PeterParker

I can't make any sense of this. Shell fitting looser than calf somewhat makes sense since the cordovan leather is thinner than calf. But the comparison of sizes seems backwards. From my experience, going up a half-size in length is similar to going up a width, but what you are saying is going up a half size in length AND a width does not dramatically affect fit.


Tom, please enlighten those of us who do not have the luxury of trying shoes on before purchasing how adjustments should be made for sizing for the aforementioned factors.

If I were to guess, I'd say all things being equal (same size on same last):

- Calf fits smaller than cordovan
- Reverse welt fits smaller than regular close welt
- Double leather/commando/crepe sole fits smaller than single leather sole
- Mocc toe/NST fits smaller than plain toe

How does one quantify these factors to adjust sizing? I can't imagine a single contributing factor warranting a change in size, but perhaps multiple factors would require a change in sizing.

Apologies in advance for putting you on the spot; I know your sentiments about dispensing sizing advice via the internet, but any illumination on this would be much appreciated!
You are over thinking this and heading down the street to madness. If it were that easy than all of this information would be posted. I have several shoes on the Barrie last, with different welts, soles and made from different leathers. They all fit me the same size. You completely over looked the facts (Tom says 90% of people don't adjust size because of these factors) and went straight for your fears and preconceived notions.

Don't be that guy.

 

[Walking Man]

Hi everybody. I recently purchased the Ultimate Indy's and was wondering if anyone can give me any info on how durable they are in the rain? Thanks in advance.

 

[PeterParker]

Originally Posted by Ahab

You are over thinking this and heading down the street to madness. If it were that easy than all of this information would be posted. I have several shoes on the Barrie last, with different welts, soles and made from different leathers. They all fit me the same size. You completely over looked the facts (Tom says 90% of people don't adjust size because of these factors) and went straight for your fears and preconceived notions.

Don't be that guy.
My bad. I interpreted Tom saying that 90% of people not adjusting size for those factors as a mistake, as in it was something that should be considered. But if that 90% is doing the sensible thing and sizing properly, that's a completely different story.

My paranoia can probably be explained by my anticipation of a pair of calf boots which I sized the same as my cordovan boots (although Barrie vs. Trubalance last). Sizing was not even a concern until the calf vs. cordovan, welt, sole, etc. topic was brought up.

 

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by PeterParker

My bad. I interpreted Tom saying that 90% of people not adjusting size for those factors as a mistake, as in it was something that should be considered. But if that 90% is doing the sensible thing and sizing properly, that's a completely different story.

My paranoia can probably be explained by my anticipation of a pair of calf boots which I sized the same as my cordovan boots (although Barrie vs. Trubalance last). Sizing was not even a concern until the calf vs. cordovan, welt, sole, etc. topic was brought up.
Well let us know if you have a problem but I doubt you will. I understand, reading this thread can make you second guess when you are waiting for sometimes months for a pair of shoes.

 

[mg428]

Originally Posted by LeatherSOUL

Type of leather, makeup of shoe-type of welt, sole, plain toe vs nst, etc, all will have some effect on the fit. I would say 90% of people don't adjust size because of it.
Tom, could you please explain how and why do you think that the exterior patterns such as handsewn stitching as in NST or (perhaps?) machine stitching or (perhaps even?) perforations as in wingtip/longwing style may affect sizing? After all, IMHO, these are relative to the exterior look of shoes/boots and have, or more correctly, should nothing to do with the interior of shoes/boots and thus their sizing.

 

[LeatherSOUL]

Like I said, 90% of people don't adjust sizes based on style...

I don't really want to get too into this because I don't want to confuse people even more than they already are about Alden lasts! But, for examples sake...

I have a wingtip blucher...shell cordovan, regular welt that fits tighter than another version in suede with a reverse welt. I wear both in the same size without any complaints.

I also have a shell cordovan chukka that I can fit comfortably in but also have a shell cordovan NST blucher in the same size that is slightly tighter. I also wear both in the same size without any complaints.

What really messes me up is wearing my bespoke Cleverleys then trying on a pair of Aldens.

 

[gnatty8]

That Indy in natural is rad.

 

[itsjustadrian]

Originally Posted by Walking Man

Hi everybody. I recently purchased the Ultimate Indy's and was wondering if anyone can give me any info on how durable they are in the rain? Thanks in advance.

No rain damage on my Ultimate Kudus. But then again, they're oiled up so I imagine rain just slicks off. Also, the amount of rain in southern California is pitiful compared to other states so I don't know if my experiences have much weight.