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

[sazon]



Son of a motherless mountain goat......just when I convinced myself I would be just as happy with a #8 shell Indy.......plaza is TTS correct?

Yes it is

It's a shame the plaza is as rare as it is.

I agree!

 

[WestLinn]



My Oregon "winter" boots earlier today

After I cleaned off the mud & water spots with RS

Nice. It does get nasty up here. That environment however is much nicer than my work environment.

 

[Papa Doble]



too bad no commando on that mccoppin...

I will never understand a boot like that having leather soles.

 

[Disco Volante]



Agreed, very nice color.

This is probably a stupid question, but what exactly is country calf? I see it being used by other high end shoemakers and this is the first time I've seen it on an Alden. The texture seem to be similar to alpine grain.

-D

AFAIK country calf, regina calf, alpine grain, scotch grain, and the like are all calf leather of some variety that is simply embossed with a pattern after the tanning process is complete to give it a texture. The textured pattern may vary in size and shape depending on tannery and shoemaker, but I don't think it really offers any tangible benefits such as improved water resistance or durability. It just offers a different, if not more casual, aesthetic to the leather.

On a personal note: I'm in a very casual work environment and quite like the grained leathers! I'm basing this on personal experiences with Alden Alpine Grain and Regina Grain, as well as the Scotch Grain on my Crockett & Jones Islay.

 

[budapest12]



I will never understand a boot like that having leather soles.

+1. Not just that but single leather soles! That's just irresponsible!

 

[CEE88]



Nice. It does get nasty up here. That environment however is much nicer than my work environment.

"WestLinn" - now I get it!

I've been wearing those color 8 Indys year round for two years (of course not every day) and they handle the rainy drizzly weather so well. I should have taken a better 'before' pic - fairly soaked, and the "8" was looking a bit gray across the vamp.

 

[Yorker]

"WestLinn" - now I get it!

I've been wearing those color 8 Indys year round for two years (of course not every day) and they handle the rainy drizzly weather so well. I should have taken a better 'before' pic - fairly soaked, and the "8" was looking a bit gray across the vamp.

Is WestLinn supposed to be referring to the neighborhood outside of portland?

 

[Dirty Gurty]

Can anyone comment on the fit of Barrie last, shoes vs boots? Are they pretty much even or does one tend to fit larger/smaller than the other? I realize such a question is highly subjective, just wondering what folks think. I only have boots and was wondering about the fit of a LWB. Thanks!

 

[schmallo15]



Can anyone comment on the fit of Barrie last, shoes vs boots? Are they pretty much even or does one tend to fit larger/smaller than the other? I realize such a question is highly subjective, just wondering what folks think. I only have boots and was wondering about the fit of a LWB. Thanks!

I find Barrie boots to fit a bit tighter than shoes but not enough to impact sizing. That is, same size for me on Barrie shoes and boots. YMMV

 

[Steel28]



I find Barrie boots to fit a bit tighter than shoes but not enough to impact sizing. That is, same size for me on Barrie shoes and boots. YMMV

same for me

 

[zennypoo]

...

Can anyone comment on the fit of Barrie last, shoes vs boots? Are they pretty much even or does one tend to fit larger/smaller than the other? I realize such a question is highly subjective, just wondering what folks think. I only have boots and was wondering about the fit of a LWB. Thanks!
[/quote

I'm the oddball on Barrie boot sizing; I need to go up 1/2 size from shoe to boot, however I hear that's atypical. You should size the same from boot to LWB though.

-D

 

[zennypoo]



AFAIK country calf, regina calf, alpine grain, scotch grain, and the like are all calf leather of some variety that is simply embossed with a pattern after the tanning process is complete to give it a texture. The textured pattern may vary in size and shape depending on tannery and shoemaker, but I don't think it really offers any tangible benefits such as improved water resistance or durability. It just offers a different, if not more casual, aesthetic to the leather.

On a personal note: I'm in a very casual work environment and quite like the grained leathers! I'm basing this on personal experiences with Alden Alpine Grain and Regina Grain, as well as the Scotch Grain on my Crockett & Jones Islay.

Thanks for the explanation DV! I personally really like the grain leather as well, the casualness goes well with denim and chinos. Now just hoping for Leffot to make this in a daytripper boot!

-D

 

[rydenfan]

Leffot LWB

 

[Michigan Planner]

 

[Burzan]

I'm guessing the 7.5D worked out. They look great!