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

[bespoken pa]

The tanker make up is awesome. If I didn't have two other shell 8s ordered I would have jumped at them. That seller on eBay has other Aldens for similar prices. It will be interesting to see if they sell at that price.

 

[Alcibiades]



I'd love to get some whiskey Alden's, but man, nine hundred bones? I was also looking at the Leffot NST #8 Tanker pre-order. Does anyone have an opinion on this make-up?

It's a great makeup - the antique edging really suits it. The commando sole increases the versatility. Highly recommended.

 

[alex4nder]



I was also looking at the Leffot NST #8 Tanker pre-order. Does anyone have an opinion on this make-up?

They're solid. My only word of warning is: they can run narrow (slightly more so than my Barrie short-wing boot). I've got big pinky toes, and my left foot is tight enough that I just got in on the next pre-order for a 9.5E, to replace the 9.5D I just received from Leffot. By comparison, my 9.5D Alden x JCrew Ravello LWBs are spacious.

 

[Alcibiades]

I walked into Leffot with the intention of preordering the alpine grain longwing... However, after handling a pair in store, I decided against it (the crepe and the black alpine blend in together too much IMO). I went with the black cordovan longwing preorder instead... Two longwings on order (color 8/antique and black), I may grab a suede version or something than call it quits on the gunboats...

 

[Alcibiades]



They're solid. My only word of warning is: they can run narrow (slightly more so than my Barrie short-wing boot). I've got big pinky toes, and my left foot is tight enough that I just got in on the next pre-order for a 9.5E, to replace the 9.5D I just received from Leffot. By comparison, my 9.5D Alden x JCrew Ravello LWBs are spacious.

This is true. My 9.5E tankers are narrower than all of my 9.5E longwings. They fit, but the narrowness is noticeable. Another example of a barrie lasted boot running smaller/narrower than shoes.

 

[Cold Iron]

Bar lacing looks nice on just about any model, bal or blucher, shoe or boot. For evidence of this I offer up the many pics put on here by Mac.

I totally agree and good point. I use bar on almost all my dress shoes and a few boots both odd and even eyelets. There are work arounds for odd numbered as pointed out recently and also on Ian's shoelace site. However for me I have found that having the laces come from under instead of out through the top of the last eyelets at the top is not a problem. They work just fine and no one is the wiser.

I'd love to get some whiskey Alden's, but man, nine hundred bones? I was also looking at the Leffot NST #8 Tanker pre-order. Does anyone have an opinion on this make-up?

Personal opinion of course but I actually prefer speed hooks on boots and also a commando sole so they would be close to idea for me. And nothing wrong with #8 either. Not only is the 9.5D already gone but I just went back to check again just in case and 10.5D and 8.5D are also gone now. They are going quickly in the common sizes.

 

[Cold Iron]

This is true. My 9.5E tankers are narrower than all of my 9.5E longwings. They fit, but the narrowness is noticeable. Another example of a barrie lasted boot running smaller/narrower than shoes.

Anyone have a comparison of the tanker boot fitting compared to the Alden shell chukka which is on the Barrie last also?

 

[kinetic758]



Yeah, Alden's grain and suedes are worth it. And I think calf is underrated on this thread, really. I love my J.Crew PT boots.

Hey I just received these same boots from J Crew. I find that these look narrower and fit slimmer than my AF89's and Indy 403's. The site said it was on a Trubalance last, but it doesn't exactly feel like it. Are you having the same experience?

 

[Papa Doble]



This is true. My 9.5E tankers are narrower than all of my 9.5E longwings. They fit, but the narrowness is noticeable. Another example of a barrie lasted boot running smaller/narrower than shoes.

I've definitely noticed this in my 11 D Tankers, which fit better than 11 D shoes on the barrie. I wonder if I should try 11 C for shoes on the barrie.

 

[bucksfan]



Its been said in here somewhere before that black will fade to a grayish in creases but nothing like the other colors. I believe black wax polish will prevent even that, should stay pretty black.

Anyone?

They turn whiteish/ grey In the rolls, but a good brushing takes care of it. Then, they're black. They do have a different lustre than black calf though, more like a black car with a layer of clear coat.

 

[dddrees]

I'd love to get some whiskey Alden's, but man, nine hundred bones? I was also looking at the Leffot NST #8 Tanker pre-order. Does anyone have an opinion on this make-up?

I think they're a great looking boot as long as that's the boot you really want. If you really want something else, then it might be worth your while to paying just a bit more to get it.

 

[BeSpiffington]



I think they're are a great looking boot as long as that's the boot you really want. If you really want something else, then it might be worth your while to paying just a bit more to get it.

Thank you dddrees, for the reasoned and sound advice.

 

[Papa Doble]



I think they're are a great looking boot as long as that's the boot you really want. If you really want something else, then it might be worth your while to paying just a bit more to get it.

I definitely believe in getting the shoes you really want over another style you merely like because they happen to be available or are, say, 10% cheaper.

 

[dddrees]

Thank you dddrees, for the reasoned and sound advice.

No problem.

I've made this mistake a couple of times myself. Get something less and either regret it or later go back and get what I really wanted and spend more than I should of to begin with.

 

[Alcibiades]



Anyone have a comparison of the tanker boot fitting compared to the Alden shell chukka which is on the Barrie last also?

Tankers fit a bit narrower in the toe