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

enigma77 · Feb 24, 2010

I have the regular cork sole on mine, which is very light, but not very much traction. The 'plantation crepe" sole on these Aldens from Context seems to be an ideal balance between lightness and traction.

edubs01 · Feb 24, 2010

What would I use to polish the Alden x J Crew waxed longwings?
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/Mens...8582/18582.jsp

Dexter_ · Feb 24, 2010

Originally Posted by todot62

If one were to resole their Indys and wanted to end up with a lighter weight boot while still maintaining the look, what would be the sole of choice ?

Thanks,
Tod

Why mess with perfection? I don't know about weight issues but to me they look best with either commando or double leather.

Ahab · Feb 24, 2010

Originally Posted by edubs01

What would I use to polish the Alden x J Crew waxed longwings?
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/Mens...8582/18582.jsp
OK, I almost went off on you because really, this is not that great of a question, but I will answer.

What you use to polish them depends on your goal. If you want them to maintain the color a tan or similar to lighter brown wax with the occasional leather cream thrown in to keep the leather moisturized. If you want them to darken a little use a darker brown wax and a leather cream that is close to or lighter than the shoe. If they were not so light I may even be tempted to stray from the brown family but in this case I would only use a darker brown and maybe, just maybe a black wax every 10-13 polishings.

Use a T-Shirt to apply and brush off the excess. I looked at the description but I cannot figure out how shoe care for these shoes would be different from any other leather shoe.

Arizor · Feb 25, 2010

edit: Sorted out crazy customs charge, just as suspected, they'd put the decimal in the wrong place. Received the shoes, went half a size smaller than my usual size as it was the only one they had in stock other than a 7 month wait. They fit *just* a little tight around the area where the tongue meets the vamp. Any advice on how to open up the leather a little, stretch it out a bit? Would using shoe trees at a slightly larger size help? edit2: Now with photos. Sorry for slight blur, damned iphone.

CharlieAngel · Feb 25, 2010

Originally Posted by todot62

If one were to resole their Indys and wanted to end up with a lighter weight boot while still maintaining the look, what would be the sole of choice ?

Thanks,
Tod

michelin_li · Feb 25, 2010

So if I'm a 9D in the Barrie last (Chukka boot) should I go for a 9.5D in the Tom last (Long wingtip)?

Ahab · Feb 25, 2010

Originally Posted by Arizor

edit: Sorted out crazy customs charge, just as suspected, they'd put the decimal in the wrong place.

Received the shoes, went half a size smaller than my usual size as it was the only one they had in stock other than a 7 month wait.

They fit *just* a little tight around the area where the tongue meets the vamp. Any advice on how to open up the leather a little, stretch it out a bit? Would using shoe trees at a slightly larger size help?

edit2: Now with photos. Sorry for slight blur, damned iphone.
Glad you worked it out! Those are sweet boots, but I think you would appreciate them more if you paid $600 in taxes for them.

Ahab · Feb 25, 2010

Originally Posted by michelin_li

So if I'm a 9D in the Barrie last (Chukka boot) should I go for a 9.5D in the Tom last (Long wingtip)?
I do not know what the Tom last is. Do you have a link to the shoe? Barrie's will all be 9D for you no matter the model. Longwings, Split Toes, PTB's. So shoe model is not important. Last is.

Arizor · Feb 25, 2010

Originally Posted by Ahab

Glad you worked it out! Those are sweet boots, but I think you would appreciate them more if you paid $600 in taxes for them.

Cheers mate. Haha, absolutely, I'd definitely be appreciating them more!

Michelin, I've never heard of the Tom last. Can you provide a link?

mikesduc · Feb 25, 2010

Originally Posted by Arizor

edit: Sorted out crazy customs charge, just as suspected, they'd put the decimal in the wrong place.

Received the shoes, went half a size smaller than my usual size as it was the only one they had in stock other than a 7 month wait.

They fit *just* a little tight around the area where the tongue meets the vamp. Any advice on how to open up the leather a little, stretch it out a bit? Would using shoe trees at a slightly larger size help?

edit2: Now with photos. Sorry for slight blur, damned iphone.

What shoe is that? It looks just like my AF79 but with blind eyelets. As for your question: If it is just a "little" tight, you will get some stretch through normal wear because that is a high pressure point. If it is really firm you will probably end up in B&S. Hopefully not.

Arizor · Feb 25, 2010

It's the AF79 from Alden of Carmel mikesduc, but you're right, the AoC website picture differs from my ones in regards to the eyelets.

Ahab · Feb 25, 2010

OK, I have been waiting for minimal sun to take pics. I have been working from dark until dark and it has been overcast but today I took some new stuff out for pics. First up, White Suede Saddle's:

Not sure how useful these will be to me so if anyone wants them for $275 shipped conus let me know. 10D Barrie last, not seconds, blah, blah,blah. I have not treated them yet and they are whiter than they appear in the pics. I may have to get a Seersucker suit just for these.

Trapp · Feb 25, 2010

I love those AF79 with the blind eyelets.

theom- · Feb 25, 2010

I'm looking at buying a pair of 405s but I have no idea how to size em. I'm a 9.5 in clarks, 9 in chuck taylors and my sizing really varies on the brand. What other alden shoe/last could i try on to get a comparable fit to 405s?

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