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phantomx48

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I really hope these have not been repaired. I pre ordered these, waited, and paid full retail price! So as far as I know these are straight from Alden. So can anyone confirm these are genuine Alden factory heels or is something else going on here? Getting kind of worried about my purchase now.
 

joz411no

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Originally Posted by madcurry
I just picked up a pair of Aldens at a local consignment shop. They are a Sherman Brothers exclusive, black perf-cap blucher. The Heel is imprinted with the Foot Balance logo so I assume they are on the Trubalance last, but the soul seems a little curvy to me so they could be the modified last, can anyone confirm this? These were in 9 EE (I am a 9.5 E so these fit well with casual socks). There was another nearly identical pair in 9.5 EE, but these were not labeled Alden or Sherman Bros, only sporting the Foot Balance logo on the heal. It looks like the owner tried to get two sizes of the same shoe to fit well and did not succeed. Does anyone know anything about these shoes?

Here is a link to an Image Gallery

That looks like the modified last to me.
 

Hermitedge

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I'm thinking about a pair of penny style mocs for a biz casual office (for chinos/pants with button down collar shirts). If I can't figure something out, then I will probably go with some wingtips.

Does anyone have fit pics/suggestions on the following Alden model? The LHS is outta my current budget...

1. Alden beefroll with vibram sole
H406.jpg


H403.jpg
 

MiniW

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try the Ralph Lauren "Turin" loafers, made in the same USA factory as the Alden Cape Cod loafers. I own a pair and the fit is the same as Alden shoes. Sometimes they pop up on ebay for $100-$150.
 

madcurry

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Originally Posted by joz411no
That looks like the modified last to me.
Thanks. I was pretty much convinced that they were on modified last, but I have never seen one in the wild before.

After a half day of wear and walking about town, I can confirm that they are very comfortable for me. I have flat feet so I always have a hard time with shoe fit. This is what led me to Alden in the first place. The hampton lasted dress shoes that my wife got me for our first anniversary were the first dress shoes that did not cause me any pain. I have been hooked ever since.

When I was in LA this summer, I picked up the fabulous Plaza Chromexel Wingtip Boots at Leather Soul, and had a great conversation with Bryan about shoe fit for people with flat feet. He told me that the modified last is sold in Japan because most Japanese people have flat feet. I can confirm that this last works very well for people with flat feet and would encourage them to seek it out. Bryan also did a great job of fitting me in the plaza last, which is tricky for my foot shape.
 

joz411no

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Originally Posted by madcurry
Thanks. I was pretty much convinced that they were on modified last, but I have never seen one in the wild before.

After a half day of wear and walking about town, I can confirm that they are very comfortable for me. I have flat feet so I always have a hard time with shoe fit. This is what led me to Alden in the first place. The hampton lasted dress shoes that my wife got me for our first anniversary were the first dress shoes that did not cause me any pain. I have been hooked ever since.

When I was in LA this summer, I picked up the fabulous Plaza Chromexel Wingtip Boots at Leather Soul, and had a great conversation with Bryan about shoe fit for people with flat feet. He told me that the modified last is sold in Japan because most Japanese people have flat feet. I can confirm that this last works very well for people with flat feet and would encourage them to seek it out. Bryan also did a great job of fitting me in the plaza last, which is tricky for my foot shape.

Funny that you say that about the Modified last. They appear to taper, very sharply, near the arch. I too have flat feet, but also wide. I was under the impression, based on appearance alone, that the Modified would not work for me. I do love my Hampton and Trubalance though. As for the Plaza they don't even come in my width. There are quite a few models on that last I'd love to have. A pity they didn't at least make those up to an EEE.
 

madcurry

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Originally Posted by joz411no
Funny that you say that about the Modified last. They appear to taper, very sharply, near the arch. I too have flat feet, but also wide. I was under the impression, based on appearance alone, that the Modified would not work for me. I do love my Hampton and Trubalance though. As for the Plaza they don't even come in my width. There are quite a few models on that last I'd love to have. A pity they didn't at least make those up to an EEE.
I was suspicious of the taper in the Modified last as well but it works in an unexpected way. Its seems to firmly grip my heel, even at 1 width lager than my size. The shoe bulges out over the taper, which is why shoes on the last look odd, but this helps to grip the middle of your foot more firmly. The front splays out in an arc, providing a lot of toe room. It works for me, but I think it would be best for buyers to go to New York or Japan to try a on pair before ordering, unless the store has a generous return policy that includes special make-ups and unusual widths. As I noted, the previous owner of this pair seems to have made two failed attempts to get a fit, and doesn't appear to have been allowed to return them. The Hampton fits me true to size. On the Plaza Boot, I needed to go up a half size to get a good fit. They ended up fitting more like Dessert Boots than an Indy Boot, especially with the soft Chromexcel Leather. I think I would still have to try on a few sizes and widths to get a fit in a plaza dress shoe. I am a big proponent of the Hampton, and I plan to give Barrie a shot next.
 

wj4

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Originally Posted by GreatHighway
just thought this page could use a pic. Indys

6gcwwl.jpg

That's the natural chromexcels and the regular 405s, right?
 

GreatHighway

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Originally Posted by wj4
That's the natural chromexcels and the regular 405s, right?

JCrew Indys in the middle

Originally Posted by srivats
^ Great Indys!

Dammit SF - I now want a pair of the natural chromexel indys. Don't make me break my no-shoe-till-december vow
ffffuuuu.gif
ffffuuuu.gif


right-on, man. mine was 'no-shoes-until-spring' SMH
 

obiter dictum

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When did the SF consensus turn in favour of band-aid colored shoes?

Count me out of the natural chromexcel crowd.
 

Trapp

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SF consensus has always favored quality leather with great evolution potential. The natural chromexcel fits the bill nicely, no?

There's a million other leather options if you don't like the 'band-aid' color, but it's short-sighted to look at pics of brand new boots and dismiss them. They won't be band-aids for long.
smile.gif
 
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