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

[Alcibiades]



Wow, those look awesome. They didn't darken them severely which is reassuring that it's okay to let them play with Ravello.

-Mike

I was very happy with how Alden restored my ravello tassels

 

[Distorbiant]

I was very happy with how Alden restored my ravello tassels

Nephew,
Please go into more detail.

 

[cyc wid it]

We can return to the regularly scheduled programming of requoting the same pictures repeatedly in good health.

 

[Alcibiades]



Nephew,
Please go into more detail.

I don't have any photos with me, but I requested Alden restore the shoe without any "redyeing." The shoe returned with what looked to be a new glazing, new soles, etc. The color was preserved. I was worried that they may dye them much darker. Now my ravello tassels were of the very dark variety to begin with, but I was encouraged with how seamless the process went. Contact Alden, they send you a bag, you get shoes back 6 weeks later.

 

[Alcibiades]



We can return to the regularly scheduled programming of requoting the same pictures repeatedly in good health.

Cousin,

Enjoy your good looking Carmina boots only in good health

 

[aldenwear]

I understand what you're getting at. While the commandos generally make a shoe more casual, I think they are fairly low profile; enough to wear with a suit in snowy/wintery conditions. To each his own though...

I live in a snowy, icy climate that can lead to treacherous walking even when I must wear a suit (and they are conservative ones). Previously, in those times when I had to dress, I took my chances and slid around on Alden double leather soles.

i am not getting any younger, but am getting smarter: This Fall I bought a pair of cordovan shortwings with commando sole from Alden of Carmel to wear in the Winter when I must wear a suit. This Winter I have had the need to wear them more extensively than I would like and I am as sure-footed as a mountain goat in the Andes.

Being shortwings on the Leyden last, they look just fine with suits. While I would not choose to wear commando soled shoes with suits in normal conditions, I don't think it is any more obvious than with dainite soles and they certainly look more appropriate with suits than snow boots.

 

[wdahab]

Alden Indy Boots, Natural CXL, Modified Last. Not that you can tell. These are LP'd and my feet were nice and dry! I highly recommend LP'ing CXL if you're going to wear it into weather, wetness, etc. Going to be too much snow later for the height of these boots though, so switching to my 10" Bean Boots.

 

[coinopcollector]



Commando soles w/ a suit is really pushing it IMO, though others may disagree.  Dainite makes sense, but that Commando heel is anything but sleek.

I do commando tankers and WT Boots all the time with suits and they look great. Better than the Kenneth Cole crap or Bostonian black bals most others wear. However, I prefer a substantial shoe and am not much for sleek european styling or balmorals.

 

[BeSpiffington]



http://www.alden-of-carmel.com/Shoes-Black_Medallion_Toe_Boot_319.htm

Boot + commando, but ......sleek, IMO
I would wear this with a suit and not think twice.

 

The AoC black shell medallion toes are a beautiful make-up. The only problem is they're not available in my size.

 

[southbound35]



Well, my new 9015s (color 8 cords; perf tip bal) came in yesterday.  Unfortunately, they're just too big.   Depending on the last, I'm right between a 9.5D and 10D for Aldens (9.5D Indy, 10D in Chukka and 966), so I gambled with a 10D on these.    The toe box in these with the Hampton last is just too large to be comfortable.  Lesson learned. On the bright side, the customer service over at The Alden Shop in San Francisco has been top notch. I just got off the phone with Michael over there, and he'll be shipping (via 2-day) a new pair in 9.5D immediately, prior to receiving the returned pair. I'm in Dallas now (originally from S.F.) so this is really appreciated. Without the quick turnaround I could be looking at 10 business days to get the new pair. Good stuff.

Congrats on your 9015 acquisition. Hope the 9.5's work out for you. I've got a pair of 9015 that are at least 15 years old and the uppers still look great. The next time I need a new sole, I'll probably send them in for restoration since the lining around the heel is showing significant wear.

I'll be hard pressed to buy locally with service like this!

I live in Dallas. The only local store I've found with a decent selection of Aldens in stock (and certainly not to the extent of Alden of SF/NY/DC, etc.) is Culwell and Sons. Nice guys, but I'm pretty sure they mark up their shoe prices slightly above retail. Bought a pair of tan unlined chukkas from them (special order, not in stock) about two years ago and noticed they charged me an extra $10 or $15 above retail. They did the same when I special ordered a pair of Bill's Khakis. Not sure if it's a special order upcharge or if they charge over retail across the board.

I would prefer to buy local, but am not willing to pay a premium to do it.

 

[Shouldaville]

Whiskey Saddle for $425 in a couple sizes, but I guess after the discussion yesterday no one wants whiskey

http://leffot.com/shop/index.php/sale/89921-saddle-shoe.html

 

[justuhgeek]



De-glazed #8 Tanker with one coat of Renovateur and about one minute of brushing. Comparison with a new #8 shoe.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Wow these turned out great. Saw this same technique in a Ron Rider blog post:

http://riderboot.com/2012/03/24/shell-cordovan-clean-up/

Did any color/dye variations even out after you stripped them and applied Renovateur?
If not, perhaps creme polish would add a bit of color to even it all out?
Was considering doing this to fade one of the "dye stains" on my color 8s,
but will probably hold off until they look closer to the pair in the blog.

 

[mdubs]

Anyone care to venture a guess as to what color each of these shoes are?

 

[epc2]

^^^ AoC Ravello,Old Ravello(DC?),DC latest Ravello, awesome collection.

 

[Roguls]

Ok, I need to know now, because this is not common knowledge: what is Alden's "glazing?!"