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

Originally Posted by LeatherSOUL

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We had a 17 year old come in with his Mom and buy a pair of John Lobbs last month.

I am 31 years old and my parents still find it comical that I am willing to shell out as much as I do for shoes. They think it's insane. If I would have asked them to buy them FOR me when I was 17, they would have laughed their asses off at me!

Just bought a pair of Alden black shell plain toe blucher. They squeak at every step and it's 100% the leather tongue rubbing against the shoe that makes the sound.

I had them professionally shined before wearing and it started on the second time of wearing them. After a quick Google, I applied some saddle soap to only the leather tongue and that eliminated it.

Third time wearing them, squeak is back, but only very slightly.

Will this eventually go away? This never had this happen to any of my other Alden's. Wondering if others have experienced this too.

Originally Posted by ChrisGold

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Originally Posted by Tuco

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Thanks a lot guys, is the 404 the one that is truly dark brown and not the brick-brown color?

The 404 is dark brown Kudu leather with a lug sole, the 403 is dark brown chromexcel leather with the standard sole. Go to www.theshoemart.com, and search on each model number to see clear pictures. (The 405 is the brick-brown original model)

Thanks Chris! About to pull the trigger and was just wondering, if I order a narrow C is the boot actually visibly a little slimmer looking? And, if I'm usually a 10 in other makers that run true to size should I probably get a 9.5 Alden?

Originally Posted by Tuco

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Thanks Chris! About to pull the trigger and was just wondering, if I order a narrow C is the boot actually visibly a little slimmer looking?

Yes. But I'm not sure how noticeable the difference would be.

Originally Posted by Tuco

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And, if I'm usually a 10 in other makers that run true to size should I probably get a 9.5 Alden?

Yes. The trubalance last runs 1/2 size large so if you are usually a 10, the 9.5 will be good for you. Please note that the trubalance last is the widest of the Alden lasts. While Barrie offers similar volume, it tends to be longer and not as wide. That being said, most people order the same width for both lasts. Others size down a width (Trubalance v Barrie). In my personal situation, I am a 9.5E on the Barrie, but a 9.5D with the trubalance. Just an FYI.

Thanks!

I would love to sell my Alden Red Brick Bucks this week....

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=219239

Originally Posted by Tuco

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Thanks!
Sizing drove me crazy, especially since there wasn't a store near by. There is no perfect equation for Alden sizing as all foot sizes differ slightly. I just ordered a few sizes, tried them on gently on carpet and returned the other ones. I wear the same size in all the lasts I've tried, Barrie, Trusquare and Modified -- and they are my true shoe size via the foot scales they have at stores (I didn't go 1/2 size down in Barrie or Modified is my point). The only other last I've tried is the Aberdeen, which I get an extra size wider, as it is too narrow.

Ravello PTB today.

Originally Posted by ChrisGold

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Ravello PTB today.

The more I see the shell ptb, the more I have an inkling to pick a pair up. Nice looking shoes Chris.

just ordered a tan unlined suede chukka from the SF Alden store. didn't catch his name, but the guy on the phone was super nice to talk to and very helpful.

i asked him some general questions about last variation and fit. he told me there is a 3/16" difference between between widths (i.e. a D is 3/16" wider than an C, and an E is 3/16" wider than a D). also, for the barrie last, as 8.5E is wider than a 9D. he also said told me that a 9D leydon would very fit similar to a 9C barrie. i've had a tough time with finding the right combo of proper heel fit and proper toe fit in barrie lasted shoes, and haven't tried on a C, so that was interesting to hear.

also, i think i'll be putting my AF32s in 9E that i got from Alden of Carmel (http://www.alden-of-carmel.com/index...do_Sole_88.htm) up for sale soon. so nice and a perfect shoe for my style, they are just a bit too roomy and thus i don't wear as often as i should. thought i'd toss it out here first.

Originally Posted by 100 yrs

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just ordered a tan unlined suede chukka from the SF Alden store. didn't catch his name, but the guy on the phone was super nice to talk to and very helpful.

i asked him some general questions about last variation and fit. he told me there is a 3/16" difference between between widths (i.e. a D is 3/16" wider than an C, and an E is 3/16" wider than a D). also, for the barrie last, as 8.5E is wider than a 9D. he also said told me that a 9D leydon would very fit similar to a 9C barrie. i've had a tough time with finding the right combo of proper heel fit and proper toe fit in barrie lasted shoes, and haven't tried on a C, so that was interesting to hear.

also, i think i'll be putting my AF32s in 9E that i got from Alden of Carmel (http://www.alden-of-carmel.com/index...do_Sole_88.htm) up for sale soon. so nice and a perfect shoe for my style, they are just a bit too roomy and thus i don't wear as often as i should. thought i'd toss it out here first.

Sounds like Robert.

They are all great there.

man, i'm really kickin myself now. wanted to pull the trigger on cigar long wings at shoemart in Jan with the 10% discount .

Now the discount is GONE and so is my size. Plus, I'm told there won't be any more for at least a year.

Damn. You snooze, and somebody else wears your shoes.

Ok, about to pull the trigger on a pair of wingtip boots but I want them to be versatile (i.e. wear casual but also with dress pants and a suit). For those with a commando sole, can this be done or are commando sole shoes primarily for casual looks?

Picked up a pair of west egg snuff suede for the
spring



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Originally Posted by thebunk

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Ok, about to pull the trigger on a pair of wingtip boots but I want them to be versatile (i.e. wear casual but also with dress pants and a suit). For those with a commando sole, can this be done or are commando sole shoes primarily for casual looks?

You are going to get answers that say definitely yes and others that say definitely no. It depends on the environment where you wear the suit - formal banking, no. IT guys that wear a suit a few times a year, yes.

Dress pants should be no problem.