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

[mcarthur]

ravello nst monks
argyles otc

 

[marg]

That means it fits. If you go smaller you run the risk of throwing everything else off balance. You should have more room in the boot toe area versus a dress shoe to allow for air flow. Mine fit the same way you describe and I was paranoid about it too at first because I wasn't used to the extra toe room. In a few weeks you won't even notice.

 

[gasoline]

Originally Posted by gasoline

Sorry to peeve anyone if this has been asked a billion times, tried searching with limited success... What's a good rule of thumb when sizing the Indy boot when it comes to toe room (length-wise)? I'm pretty comfortable all the way through the boot except I'm wondering if I have too much room in the length. Standing up, when I pinch my biggest toe it lines-up exactly with the outside threading (the outside rim of threading on the toe). This leaves about 1/2-3/4" of room between the end of my longest toe and the front of the boot. Thanks!

Originally Posted by marg

That means it fits. If you go smaller you run the risk of throwing everything else off balance. You should have more room in the boot toe area versus a dress shoe to allow for air flow. Mine fit the same way you describe and I was paranoid about it too at first because I wasn't used to the extra toe room. In a few weeks you won't even notice.
Thanks marg, just being neurotic about it I guess. Did you consider 1/2 sizing down and going wide though? Wondering if that would be a better a fit.

 

[marg]

Originally Posted by gasoline

Thanks marg, just being neurotic about it I guess.
Did you consider 1/2 sizing down and going wide though? Wondering if that would be a better a fit.

i thought about it, but my fit was confirmed at an alden dealer. i was just as neurotic when i bought my boots as they were $100 over any other shoe i had at that time, and i got them online. aldens supposedly have more toe room than other brands, hence all the long lasts. these are technically orthopedic shoes after all.

also, keep in mind that when you go wider, the heel will be wider as well. this doesn't work for all lasts (like the barrie) as some have wider heels than others. the trubalance last is designed to keep your heel in place, and it does a good job of it in my shoes despite the extra toe room. i wear the indys 1-2x a week, and i love them.

 

[LynahFaithful]

Originally Posted by gasoline

Sorry to peeve anyone if this has been asked a billion times, tried searching with limited success... What's a good rule of thumb when sizing the Indy boot when it comes to toe room (length-wise)? I'm pretty comfortable all the way through the boot except I'm wondering if I have too much room in the length. Standing up, when I pinch my biggest toe it lines-up exactly with the outside threading (the outside rim of threading on the toe). This leaves about 1/2-3/4" of room between the end of my longest toe and the front of the boot. Thanks!
For me, the two most important components of the fit are, 1.) the widest part of my foot lines up with the widest part of the shoe/boot, and 2.) that my heel fits snugly but is not too tight. If the heel is too loose or too tight then it doesn't matter where your toes end up. Assuming that your toes are not crushed, consider those aspects of the fit and if they fit right, then usually the toes will be fine. I have a trubalance Indy and while that last is supposed to be roomy in the toe box, I don't notice because the heel and width fits are correct.

 

[gasoline]

Originally Posted by marg

also, keep in mind that when you go wider, the heel will be wider as well. this doesn't work for all lasts (like the barrie) as some have wider heels than others. the trubalance last is designed to keep your heel in place, and it does a good job of it in my shoes despite the extra toe room. i wear the indys 1-2x a week, and i love them.

That's what I figured as well but if you size down 1/2 then wouldn't the heel also size down with it, since the EE heel is slightly wider on the Trubalance then it would kinda even out?

 

[mr chorizo]

these arrived recently

thanks unionmade!

 

[jhcam8]

^ very nice.

 

[TACO_FLAVORED_KISSES]

Originally Posted by mr chorizo

these arrived recently

thanks unionmade!

Denim?

I just had some chorizo this morning BTW-- amazing. NO ****

 

[vivalet]

Does this mean you think someone who wears a 11.5 in the barrie 9901 should get a 12 barrie boot?

Originally Posted by marg

That means it fits. If you go smaller you run the risk of throwing everything else off balance. You should have more room in the boot toe area versus a dress shoe to allow for air flow. Mine fit the same way you describe and I was paranoid about it too at first because I wasn't used to the extra toe room. In a few weeks you won't even notice.

 

[marg]

no, the barrie is just as wide as the trubalance, or if your foot is shaped similar to mine, the barrie fits roomier than the trubalance. as probably has been stated ~300+ times in this thread, barrie and trubalance size similarly.

 

[vivalet]

I understand that. It seemed like you said that you would size up from a 11.5 barrie dress shoe to a 12 barrie boot for more breathing room. Which I have never read before. Did I misunderstand?

Originally Posted by marg

no, the barrie is just as wide as the trubalance, or if your foot is shaped similar to mine, the barrie fits roomier than the trubalance. as probably has been stated ~300+ times in this thread, barrie and trubalance size similarly.

 

[beowolf]

I am looking for a good Alden shoe to wear with a navy and glen plaid suit. Any recommendations?

 

[CHRK33]

^ Ravello longwing would be my ideal choice if you can get your hands on it. A #8 longwing would work well and be easier to find.

 

[Roguls]

Originally Posted by marg

no, the barrie is just as wide as the trubalance, or if your foot is shaped similar to mine, the barrie fits roomier than the trubalance. as probably has been stated ~300+ times in this thread, barrie and trubalance size similarly.

The Barrie is NOT as wide as the Trubalance in the forefoot. In the heel, the Barrie is wider. I have wide feet. I take a 10D Trubalance perfectly, but need a 10E or 10.5D in Barrie. They size similarly, but definitely not the same.