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

Originally Posted by jasonfoote303

Click to expand...

Fox River Red Heel "sock monkey" sock

Thanks J can you comment on the quality of these if you have experience?

Originally Posted by PeterParker

Click to expand...

(LS Beverly Hills is almost ready. Excited to receive my first pair of Aldens!)

P.P., These are the jumper boots in color 8 you've been waiting for, right? Post pics when you get them...

You sent it directly to Alden or did you go through the store you got them from? Hopefully you can get a replacement pair instead of going through the repair route.

Originally Posted by gnatty8

Click to expand...

Minor nitpick, but I just got the replacement flex welt chukkas to the pair I bought that blew apart after one wear. The stitching they used to attach the sole to the welt is not white anymore, but a dark brown, which really changes the character of the shoe IMO. Look at the chukka in the picture quoted a few posts above this, and now picture the white stitching if it were brown (in effect, it blends in to the color of the sole/welt). Not a deal breaker for me, just disappointed, and not sure why on earth they'd make a change like this that impacts the aesthetics of the shoe so much. They went from being one of the nicest Aldens I have seen, to just a meh sort of shoe..

Was on Wisconsin Ave in Washington DC today and had my ancient 990s in the car, the ones that got turned down by the factory restoration department, so I took them into Sky Valet and met Adam for the first time. Glad I did! At first we started talking about just replacing the heels, and he took a new 990 off the shelf for reference, so right away this was not an average shoe repair experience. He recommended using original factory bases and dovetail heels, and I liked the sound of that. As we talked about the condition of the soles, the welt, the cork, and the shank, I realized that Adam really seemed to understand what needs to be done and how to do it, and he had the ideal reference shoe right there. Lastly we discussed the stripping and refinishing of the uppers, and in the end I turned them over to him for a complete restoration. I don't have "before" pictures, unfortunately, but I'll post "afters" when they come back in a couple of weeks.

Anyone else have experience with extensive restoration performed at Sky Valet?

Can any Alden expert out there tell me which last the model 40721c is?

Thanks....

Wouldn't that be a better question for Alden? I'm pretty sure an email or a phone call to one of their stores would get you the answer pretty quickly.

Originally Posted by gnatty8

Click to expand...

Minor nitpick, but I just got the replacement flex welt chukkas to the pair I bought that blew apart after one wear. The stitching they used to attach the sole to the welt is not white anymore, but a dark brown, which really changes the character of the shoe IMO. Look at the chukka in the picture quoted a few posts above this, and now picture the white stitching if it were brown (in effect, it blends in to the color of the sole/welt). Not a deal breaker for me, just disappointed, and not sure why on earth they'd make a change like this that impacts the aesthetics of the shoe so much. They went from being one of the nicest Aldens I have seen, to just a meh sort of shoe..

i would return and ask for a replacement

Originally Posted by neko30

Click to expand...

what type are the black ones on the right?

thanks.

those are Plain toe bluchers on the barrie last, with alpine grain calfskin. those actually had crepe soles and were freakin awesome, except that they were a size 8 C and I needed a size 7.5 D (not the first time I made that mistake).

Originally Posted by Morgan

Click to expand...

The latest acquisition: tan suede longwings from Leathersoul.

Great looking pair, congrats.

Originally Posted by Morgan

Click to expand...

The latest acquisition: tan suede longwings from Leathersoul.

Damn those are nice.
I must not buy another pair of longwings.
I must not buy another pair of longwings.
I must not buy another pair of longwings.
I must not buy another pair of longwings.
I must not buy another pair of longwings.

Originally Posted by zippyh

Click to expand...

Damn those are nice.
I must not buy another pair of longwings.
I must not buy another pair of longwings.
I must not buy another pair of longwings.
I must not buy another pair of longwings.
I must not buy another pair of longwings.



Exactly how I felt when I saw this new Indy on SM.



Looks like they opted for all eyelets instead of speed hooks since J. Gibert already has dibs on that design. The stitching on the toe seems to be unlike the hand stitched cordovan we usually see as well. I'd probably be all over it if it came in a C width. Instant gratification!

Originally Posted by Dexter_

Click to expand...

Looks like they opted for all eyelets instead of speed hooks since J. Gibert already has dibs on that design. The stitching on the toe seems to be unlike the hand stitched cordovan we usually see as well. I'd probably be all over it if it came in a C width. Instant gratification!

Another difference is the 360 degree storm welt instead of 270.

Originally Posted by mg428

Click to expand...

Another difference is the 360 degree storm welt instead of 270.

Good eye! Looks like some type of brown stitching as well for some contrast. Nice.

Originally Posted by Dexter_

Click to expand...

You sent it directly to Alden or did you go through the store you got them from? Hopefully you can get a replacement pair instead of going through the repair route.

Originally Posted by michaelw

Click to expand...

i would return and ask for a replacement

Went through the store I bought them from. I wore them so I wouldn't feel right asking them to exchange them now, just a little pissed that $400 later, I have shoes I probably won't end up wearing very much because I don't like them. No idea why Alden would have done this to what was a nice shoe.

Mac, see above, guess I am stuck with them now. I may just buy another pair somewhere else that look decent and sell these on B&S.

cigar indy boots