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

[tifosi]



Just got an email from the ShoeMart.  Alden prices are going up $25 as of Feb 1.

$25 or more....I'm worried.

 

[halfnhalfnhalf]

Dubs....those Indys are freakin' awesome! I wouldn't kick the loafers outta bed, either.

This made think of shell in bed . . . which of course immediately made me think of The Godfather.

 

[rydenfan]

I feel like those Indy on the Plaza shouldn't be called an Indy. More of a moc or stitch toe to me. They are awesome looking just not an Indy to me

 

[BeSpiffington]



Spoiler

Great info, thanks for sharing. Just wanted to add a personal thumbs up for dainite. While Alden doesn't offer anything on dainite, it an aftermarket option from B. Nelson or other 3rd party cobbler.

I recently bought the C&J Islay on dainite and find it an amazing sole in the rain and snow. I'm seriously considering re-soling my #8 PCT boots with dainite when they need it.

Nice score on the Islays PB. Personally I find double leather soles more forgiving on my overused thought I was an athelete knees. p.s. How again do you get that killer shine on your J Crew #8 PCT boots anyway? Sorry, I'm just jealous.

 

[Shawnc]

I picked these up on the bay and was hoping someone could clear up a response I got from Alden

.

Before pulling the trigger, I reached out to Alden for some basic information (which I always do when considering an EBAY purchase). I ask for the retailer, last, and to confirm that they are shell. Usually the response is pretty clear, but this was the one I received in relation to these boots:

Style 4060 is #8 cordovan, plain toe boot, leather sole, made only on request for individual retailers, not a stock item.

First, I would consider this to be a Captoe, but that's not my question. I don't know what 'made only on request for individual retailers' means. I've read posts that refer to made-to-order or custom items. Is this what the Alden response means? Seems strange as there really doesn't seem to be anything special or unusual about these. I could reach back to Alden but they seem slower than normal to respond so I figured I'd reach out to the experts.

Somewhat related, I've been a big fan of renovater but recently ran out and decided to tey some venetian shoe cream. I expected to have to work on these boots for hours as they were pretty beat up. A little VSC mixed in with a deer bone and 15 minutes of brushing has done wonders. I can't ever imagine paying renovater prices again.

As always, any advice is appreciated.

 

[budapest12]

I feel like those Indy on the Plaza shouldn't be called an Indy. More of a moc or stitch toe to me. They are awesome looking just not an Indy to me

+1,000

Not only shouldn't they be called an Indy -- they are NOT Indy.

 

[Alcibiades]



+1,000

Not only shouldn't they be called an Indy -- they are NOT Indy.  

Agreed 100%. As I mentioned before, the plaza "Indys" are moc toe dress boots, not Indy boots. That doesn't make them any less attractive of a boot. "Indy Boots" though are casual work boots, which that boot is not.

 

[kwhitelaw]

$25 or more....I'm worried.

same.

looks like I'll be buying second hand for the remainder of my aldens, save for a random one here or there.

 

[BeSpiffington]



A couple of my recent picks-ups, Color 8 Full-Strap and a Color 8 Indy on the Plaza last.

Spoiler

-Mike

mdubs, I am so jealous. I think the full strap is the dreseist casual shoe in the Alden lineup. The plaza Indy's on commando are a great looking boot, have you thought about changing their speed-hooks for eyelets? Saw that posted earlier today. Wear them always in the best of health.

 

[Alcibiades]



I picked these up on the bay and was hoping someone could clear up a response I got from Alden

.

Before pulling the trigger, I reached out to Alden for some basic information (which I always do when considering an EBAY purchase). I ask for the retailer, last, and to confirm that they are shell. Usually the response is pretty clear, but this was the one I received in relation to these boots:

Style 4060 is #8 cordovan, plain toe boot, leather sole, made only on request for individual retailers, not a stock item.

First, I would consider this to be a Captoe, but that's not my question. I don't know what 'made only on request for individual retailers' means. I've read posts that refer to made-to-order or custom items. Is this what the Alden response means? Seems strange as there really doesn't seem to be anything special or unusual about these. I could reach back to Alden but they seem slower than normal to respond so I figured I'd reach out to the experts.

Somewhat related, I've been a big fan of renovater but recently ran out and decided to tey some venetian shoe cream. I expected to have to work on these boots for hours as they were pretty beat up. A little VSC mixed in with a deer bone and 15 minutes of brushing has done wonders. I can't ever imagine paying renovater prices again.

As always, any advice is appreciated.

This site has a list of Alden "stock items." The Alden factory continually makes these shoes; any Alden retailer can order them for you from the Alden warehouse

http://www.aldenshoe.com/

The Alden 4060 is indeed only made on request for individual retailers. As far as I know, the 4060 are sold pretty much only at Alden Madison Avenue, The Shoe Mart and Citishoes.

 

[soundersfc2]

I don't get why most people prefer shell cordovan, I don't like the shine and I think they look too purplish. I definitely like the 2nd a lot more.

.

 

[tifosi]



I don't get why most people prefer shell cordovan, I don't like the shine and I think they look too purplish. I definitely like the 2nd
a lot more.

Different strokes for different folks! It's your money. Buy what you like!

 

[shaunw]



I don't get why most people prefer shell cordovan, I don't like the shine and I think they look too purplish. I definitely like the 2nd a lot more. .

No brainer ......1st pic

 

[kwhitelaw]

I don't get why most people prefer shell cordovan, I don't like the shine and I think they look too purplish. I definitely like the 2nd a lot more.

I can respect your opinion, just know that you've inadvertently swapped color 8 and the term 'shell cordovan' to be one in the same, so to speak.. one can have a pair of shell shoes, albeit shiny or not, and be nowhere near a purplish hue

these are shell




as are all three of these pair,

 

[budapest12]

At one time I didn't care for shell - I actually just didn't "understand" it. I thought it had a shiny, plasticky effect to it and I knew that you really were not supposed to polish it up. That, combined with a lack of any concept as to its properties, put me off of it. I recall shelves of Aldens, many in in rare colors -- it was plentiful in the shop near the South Street Seaport I used to go to -- and I'd just kind of ignore it. Yeah, the shoes were cool in their way, but it was a whole other thing I didn't want to mess with. Some 7-10 years later, with many of my older calf shoes starting to wear out, I can't help but thinking about how those Aldens would have aged and all of the great options I missed.

Not to say this will happen to OP. Shell isn't for everyone and that's great for the rest of us.