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

[weedlewalker]

Just joined here!

I picked up a pair of natural chromexcel indy's as my first SF inspired purchase.

Pics to follow soon!

 

[rayuela]

About five months ago I bought a pair of the Alden unlined suede chukkas. Have worn them a good amount since then but was still very surprised to notice that today the sold has worn through to the cork and the rubber heel has worn through to the metal. I wasn't keeping that close an eye on their wear because they were so new. Makes me think that it would be stupid to have these resoled with the flexible oiled sole as it wore through so quickly. Anyone else had this experience? Anyone have recommendations on whether to replace the oiled leather sole with something more durable? Just a standard leather sole, or what?

 

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by NAMOR

Today I received my Alden Indy seconds from shoemart.com. I picked them up for 299 shipped. I was curious to see what imperfections would appear on the shoe and there were a few. They include:

"¢\tSmudge on the toe box of the left boot
"¢\tMetal shoelace clasp is bent in
"¢\tLeather on the right boot heel looks cut
"¢\tBoot looks worn. Leather shows minor creasing especially on tongue and sole has the appearance that it was walked on

Now for the sizing, the boot is slightly too big. Im kind of pissed because I went down a half size and its still too big. I wear a size 12 equivalent dress shoe in Testoni, a 12 in converse and an XL in Rainbow sandles. My Indy is a 11.5E but that was with a dress sock. I figure of I wear a thicker sock than they will fit just fine. All in all a great boot for the price.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...0PmV02LcnWJ3Y?

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...0PmV02LcnWJ3Y?

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...0PmV02LcnWJ3Y?

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...0PmV02LcnWJ3Y?

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...0PmV02LcnWJ3Y?

I sized down half a size from my normal size for my Indy's and got the same size as my Barrie last size and at times my Indy's seem too big. Recently I have had no problem. I do not know what it is but maybe they are just too wide? Love wearing mine now though.

Pictures 2-3-4 do not look bad and I think you are being too picky. The last picture is an issue I would expect from a second and if I were to keep the boots I would not be too concerned since people will rarely if ever see that issue. You will just have to decide for yourself whether you can live with it for the price.

The sizing issue may be the biggest issue and if you try a couple of different pairs of socks and they still feel too big send them back before it is too late.

 

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by michaelw

color 8 cap toe boot
Great boot! I love that they do not have the speed hooks. Wear in good health!

Originally Posted by Mr. Moo

Alden x Winn Perry vegano tan calf captoes. Love them.
I really love this boot. I did not know Winn Perry did this and I submitted a similar boot for the Leather Soul contest.

Originally Posted by cimabue

I am knocked out with Alden's line. Got my first pair (PTBluchers, cigar) and am looking forward to a couple more purchases.

Instant favorite.

Go Alden!
Cigar, along with Whiskey, PTB's were my first pickup too. Still one of my favorite shoes and a true work horse. They get at least 3 times the wear of my Whiskey.

Originally Posted by weedlewalker

Just joined here!

I picked up a pair of natural chromexcel indy's as my first SF inspired purchase.

Pics to follow soon!
Welcome weedlewalker.

Sounds like a great purchase. If you post pics please post a fit pic too. I was not liking the natural Indy's until I saw the fit pics and think they are great.

 

[weedlewalker]

Thanks Here is a shot with my Titanium Panerai 176g 1 of 400. I posted my watch because I can see this becoming a similar obsession.

The sun is hitting them directly so the actually color is slightly darker. I post processed a touch to show the leather.

 

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by weedlewalker

Thanks
Here is a shot with my Titanium Panerai 176g 1 of 400. I posted my watch because I can see this becoming a similar obsession.

The sun is hitting them directly so the actually color is slightly darker. I post processed a touch to show the leather.
WOW! Great boots. Fantastic watch!

OK, Update on the crepe soles. These are some great wingtips I wear a lot in the rain and snow. I have a lot of miles on these and I see what the earlier posts were talking about.

Uppers look great. Maybe better than new and I scraped the toe bad on one of these:

The bottoms showing the leather. The pictures make it look worse than in person. This does not really bother me but I thought I would post for the community.

New:

Though crepe is comfortable I really do not see me getting any more crepe soles. Not because of this but because I find the bottoms always look dirty. This is a pair of shoes that has never fitted me properly. I believe they are Grant last and the left shoe fits great. The right shoe scrunches my little toe. I have found a couple of pairs of socks that work great and make it hardly noticeable.

If I get them resoled by Alden I will see if they can do anything about that.

Is it possible to get crepe soled shoes resoled with a commando sole? I will probably have the leather toes replaced before I resole the shoe but I am curious.

 

[srivats]

Originally Posted by Ahab

Is it possible to get crepe soled shoes resoled with a commando sole? I will probably have the leather toes replaced before I resole the shoe but I am curious.

Yes, alden will replace crepe with commando soles when you send them in for recrafting.

 

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by srivats

Yes, alden will replace crepe with commando soles when you send them in for recrafting.
Thank you.

 

[Bill Smith]

Originally Posted by Morgan

Yeah, those are sweet. I've really been into ravello lately.





Nice!

 

[jhcam8]

Originally Posted by weedlewalker

Thanks
Here is a shot with my Titanium Panerai 176g 1 of 400. I posted my watch because I can see this becoming a similar obsession.

One of these might go better:

 

[mcarthur]

cigar tassels

 

[GreatHighway]

two of my favorite things: Ravello and my cat

 

[phantomx48]

I am glad to see that I am not the only one that is Alden as well as Panerai obsessed. 6 pairs of Alden, and 4 Panerai's. . .and many many more of both I have on my wish list.

 

[LynahFaithful]

Mac - I'm wearing cigar tassels today as well. Sorry, no pics available and no argyles either. Plain boring brown socks.

Great Highway - Very pretty cat. One of mine just loves to rub on my shoes. She has the same shoe fetish that I do.

 

[Newstyle]

Originally Posted by NAMOR

Today I received my Alden Indy seconds from shoemart.com. I picked them up for 299 shipped. I was curious to see what imperfections would appear on the shoe and there were a few. They include:

"¢\tSmudge on the toe box of the left boot
"¢\tMetal shoelace clasp is bent in
"¢\tLeather on the right boot heel looks cut
"¢\tBoot looks worn. Leather shows minor creasing especially on tongue and sole has the appearance that it was walked on

Now for the sizing, the boot is slightly too big. Im kind of pissed because I went down a half size and its still too big. I wear a size 12 equivalent dress shoe in Testoni, a 12 in converse and an XL in Rainbow sandles. My Indy is a 11.5E but that was with a dress sock. I figure of I wear a thicker sock than they will fit just fine. All in all a great boot for the price.

<img src="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tI0-bd-I-mhuMjnoAvrF8cTl-68_fr0PmV02LcnWJ3Y?" />

<img src="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kXY1tb33VwXViIgdQf0DbsTl-68_fr0PmV02LcnWJ3Y? />

<img src="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qIqQVTQxXdTcRBitiKWLLMTl-68_fr0PmV02LcnWJ3Y?" />

<img src="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GerY8izP95g6CQ2_7jqTc8Tl-68_fr0PmV02LcnWJ3Y?" />

<img src="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VLRYw84U_ESSEO5_UvQ2psTl-68_fr0PmV02LcnWJ3Y?" />

<img src="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MKJHOvxGXaYclFmndySOLsTl-68_fr0PmV02LcnWJ3Y? />

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_bfIp0w6cus4/TL...016_105944.jpg

So correct me but are those used? If so did you find them on the shoemart website? I have looked and can't find anything like that on the website.