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

^ Ahhh, I see. The contraction of the calf was the part I wasn't aware of. Makes sense now.

Lots of valuable info!!

Casual day with whiskey, will throw on a navy suit with the same shoes to wear to dinner later.

Originally Posted by ChrisGold

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Casual day with whiskey, will throw on a navy suit with the same shoes to wear to dinner later.

As Uncle Mac would say, always a good day for whiskey. Nice.

Wanted to toss out a question to get peoples' thoughts on it:

Is it overkill to own both the standard 405 Indy as well as the brown chromexcel 403 version? Too similar? Differences that make it worth owning both? I am hemming and hawing over a recent purchase.

For purposes of this question, I want to put aside other Indys that are out there/others that I own and just get input on those two. Thanks!

Originally Posted by MickCollins1916

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As Uncle Mac would say, always a good day for whiskey. Nice.

Wanted to toss out a question to get peoples' thoughts on it:

Is it overkill to own both the standard 405 Indy as well as the brown chromexcel 403 version? Too similar? Differences that make it worth owning both? I am hemming and hawing over a recent purchase.

For purposes of this question, I want to put aside other Indys that are out there/others that I own and just get input on those two. Thanks!

While the standard 405s are classic looking, I tend to find they look a little cheap next to the Chromexcel. The Chromexcel tends to have a nicer patina due to it's "pull up" characteristics.

But it all depends on how you wear them. The standards tend to dress up a little nicer.

I pondered this myself and bought only the 403. My concern was that the 405 would darken and eventually look fairly close in color to the 403.

Originally Posted by blue collar

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While the standard 405s are classic looking, I tend to find they look a little cheap next to the Chromexcel. The Chromexcel tends to have a nicer patina due to it's "pull up" characteristics.

But it all depends on how you wear them. The standards tend to dress up a little nicer.

That's exactly my dilemma. I have owned the 405s for a long time, worn them all over the globe, beat them to hell, love 'em to death, etc. Then I found myself cruising this thread, seeing all the nice things peeps have to say about chromexcel and I thought weeelllllll, why not order a pair and see what the fuss is about? If they are too similar, screw it, could send them back. Well. The dark brown chromexcel is absolutely beautiful, I far prefer the leather lining to the cotton duck on the 405s, and the foxing the JCrew pair has on the heel is a nice little addition. Small details, yes, but I'm finding myself reluctant to part with the 403s.

Can anyone give me some sizing tips on the Roy boot from Context?

Buy 1/2 size down per Context's instructions. Trubalance is a big last, but very comfortable if you have the correct sizing.

FYI: Epaulet Clothing has the Brixton Wingtip boot in ravello ready for pre-order. I have this boot and it is by far my favorite Alden shell. Delivery is quite a ways out (next summer sometime). I get more compliments on this than any other shoe.

Originally Posted by MickCollins1916

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That's exactly my dilemma. I have owned the 405s for a long time, worn them all over the globe, beat them to hell, love 'em to death, etc. Then I found myself cruising this thread, seeing all the nice things peeps have to say about chromexcel and I thought weeelllllll, why not order a pair and see what the fuss is about? If they are too similar, screw it, could send them back. Well. The dark brown chromexcel is absolutely beautiful, I far prefer the leather lining to the cotton duck on the 405s, and the foxing the JCrew pair has on the heel is a nice little addition. Small details, yes, but I'm finding myself reluctant to part with the 403s.

To be honest, my chromexcel Indy boots have received more compliments in the past 6 months than any of my shoes combined (Black PTBs, Cigar Wings, etc). From dudes on the street to random women . They are my first go to boot for sure. I dress (and buy my clothes) around that boot ha ha. They are killer in the rain too. Just wipe 'em off. They don't blister and welt like my cordovan has, in the rain.

I'd say 100% buy them even if you have an old pair of the standards.

Do you have to pay in full for the brixton boot preordeR?

Anyone have the AF 32 from Alden of Carmel (http://www.alden-of-carmel.com/index..._Sole_88.htm)? I'm thinking these would fill my need for a versatile "everyday" shoe to wear in a casual yet professional office enviro (jeans, button down, odd jacket sometimes). My only concern is the commando sole might be too chunky, but it's hard to tell from the photos... I did find this pic http://mistercrew.com/blog/2009/05/2...-chukka-boots/ that I really dig the look of, but those are on the plaza last and the af 32 are on the barrie.

I've posted before about my indy boots that are a little snug for my tastes at a 9D. I understand barrie and trubalance fit similar, but I'm still leaning towards the AF 32 chukka in a 9D. My thinking is that the chukka will be a little more forgiving fit wise as compared to the boot and I'm worried that a 9.5 in the chukka won't give me a good fit on the heel. This, of course, is purely conjecture on my part so any advice would be appreciated.

Or a suggestion of similar, but I couldn't really find any other than the leather sole chromexcel chukka that i'd have to wait a while for. shoemart has one that is close but they put a mini-lug sole on it, no dice chicago on that one.

Originally Posted by MickCollins1916

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As Uncle Mac would say, always a good day for whiskey. Nice.

Wanted to toss out a question to get peoples' thoughts on it:

Is it overkill to own both the standard 405 Indy as well as the brown chromexcel 403 version? Too similar? Differences that make it worth owning both? I am hemming and hawing over a recent purchase.

For purposes of this question, I want to put aside other Indys that are out there/others that I own and just get input on those two. Thanks!

I've got a bunch of different Indy boots including some standard 405s and the Leather Soul brown cxl ultimates. The ultimates are by far my favorite pair of Indys. I find I don't wear my 405s that much. The cxl is just such a nicer leather.

Of course one of the reasons I like the ultimates so much more is the commando sole. That neoprene sole on the 403/405 can be kind of slippery.

Originally Posted by zippyh

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I've got a bunch of different Indy boots including some standard 405s and the Leather Soul brown cxl ultimates. The ultimates are by far my favorite pair of Indys. I find I don't wear my 405s that much. The cxl is just such a nicer leather.

Of course one of the reasons I like the ultimates so much more is the commando sole. That neoprene sole on the 403/405 can be kind of slippery.

Thanks. It's my go-to shoe and the cxl just looks awesome. I was thinking maybe I can justify keeping both if I have one of them resoled with the commando, since I have no real need for two shoes with that neoprene sole. Not a huge fan of that sole. In addition to the 405s and my as-yet unworn 403s (as they're marked for JCrew, 40510s), I have Indy boots in whiskey, #8 and black shell, as well as tobacco reverse chamois...and a pair of cigar on order. I am probably overthinking this.