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

[TheloniusDrunk]

You mean these?;

http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=3C47

I was talking more about these
http://www.theshoemart.com/alden-me...sdmp-954_ald_m_monk_strap_shell_cordovan.html

 

[zippyh]

Brooks Bros version.

 

[jasonfoote303]



I ordered a pair of Natural Chromexcel PTB and received the shoes pictured below. As soon as I took the top off the shoebox, I could see through the plastic shipping bags that the shoes were dark brown. Additionally, one shoe is a different color than the other and the leather is rough, dull, and cracked. They looked little like the stock image or other natural chromexcel leather that I've seen in person.
At Alden prices, I expect the product to be exceptional quality. In my opinion (please correct me if I'm wrong), Alden should not have made shoes out of this leather. It is an inconvenience to me and the retailer to deal with the exchange process. I am disappointed in them, and I hope the next pair I receive is better.

That's pretty much what natural Chromexcel is supposed to look like. This pair is a bit unbalanced in the darkness of the two shoes but they seem OK to me.

Keep in mind that the darkness comes from the oils and waxes and the leather itself is actually very light in color. Also, the cracks you see are not cracks in the leather but are in the wax which has hardened.

If you wore those shoes for a day you would be amazed at how much the appearance had changed.

 

[Padron]



How is the sizing on the Darlton? If I wear 8.5 D in the Alden Barrie, what size should I get in the Darlton?

I wear a 9.0D in the Barrie and 9.5D in the RL Marlows, PTB, Loafers and Lindricks. The RL in size 9.0 was not going to be comfortable for me in the long run....glad I sized up.

 

[furo]



That's pretty much what natural Chromexcel is supposed to look like. This pair is a bit unbalanced in the darkness of the two shoes but they seem OK to me.
Keep in mind that the darkness comes from the oils and waxes and the leather itself is actually very light in color. Also, the cracks you see are not cracks in the leather but are in the wax which has hardened.
If you wore those shoes for a day you would be amazed at how much the appearance had changed.

All that aside, and also aside from the fact that this doesn't seem any fault of Alden's, I really don't like the look of the natural chromexcel. It just looks awkward to no end.

 

[Beatlegeuse]

I still never got TSM 2nds list...anybody else not get theirs either? Would anyone be so kind to fwd me the lists for 12 and 12.5?

 

[renn]

So you don't get corrected in the future it is BARRIE last NOT BARRIER.

Thanks, I'm new to Alden

guys, I'm uk8.5 fitting 6(G) in Tricker's 4497s.
Need suggestion about Barrier last. Is 9 E ok for me?

BTW, does TSM ship irregulars for shell internationally?

To Alden Shells, is E fitting the widest in regular stock?

Which last is most generous?

 

[TheloniusDrunk]

Brooks Bros version.

My god, those are beautiful.

 

[blue collar]



I think he's confusing it with the Barrier last - everybody hates the Barrier last.

Thanks, I'm new to Alden

 


To Alden Shells, is E fitting the widest in regular stock?  Which last is most generous?

IMO in order of most roomy:

1. Trubalance
2. Modified
3. Barrie

But it aso depends on the upper that is stretched over the last in question. For example a Chukka boot on the barrie could and will fit different than a Balmoral on the barrie

But everone's feet are different.

 

[mcbrown]



I ordered a pair of Natural Chromexcel PTB and received the shoes pictured below. As soon as I took the top off the shoebox, I could see through the plastic shipping bags that the shoes were dark brown. Additionally, one shoe is a different color than the other and the leather is rough, dull, and cracked. They looked little like the stock image or other natural chromexcel leather that I've seen in person.
At Alden prices, I expect the product to be exceptional quality. In my opinion (please correct me if I'm wrong), Alden should not have made shoes out of this leather. It is an inconvenience to me and the retailer to deal with the exchange process. I am disappointed in them, and I hope the next pair I receive is better.

I think this post nicely illustrates why leather is traditionally dyed during the tanning process. The uncolored hide just isn't very attractive to most people.

Personally, I don't think that looks bad, for natural chromexcel. The charm of this material lies entirely in the fact that the natural character of the hide is barely hidden. I am not a huge fan of it personally, but if I were to get a pair in natural chromexcel I would actually prefer it to look something like this. IMO, if you want something that is light in color with a uniform appearance then this is not the right material, as illustrated by these shoes.

 

[mcbrown]



It isn't the color difference that is most concerning, it is the rough texture that I imagine will age differently because it feels like it will not absorb oils and cremes in the same way that the smooth, soft leather will.

In my experience, chromexcel is prone to having a rough-looking, wrinkly texture. I don't have any shots of my Indy's handy, but they have this character in a number of spots - it just isn't as obvious because they are dyed brown, and your shoes are not dyed. The texture doesn't affect the leather's ability to absorb oils in any way. Whether you like it aesthetically is a matter of personal taste, but the leather will be just fine.

 

[applky]

^^^ It's an irregular. Irregulars have irregularities.

 

[mcbrown]



^^^ It's an irregular. Irregulars have irregularities.

Is it? Not disagreeing, just wondering where I missed that.

 

[Leighlon]

new and old baby
#4 Indy and Ravello LWB

Anyone happen to know where this #4 Indy comes from.
Absolutely gorgeous coloring.
Nice pickup IamCargo.

 

[furo]

Anyone have some pics of themselves wearing these baddies from leffot?

Love the subdued stitching on these vs the other cigar Indys I've seen with the lighter contrast stitching