The Official Alden Thread for 2016 - Share reviews, sizing, advice, and photos.

[smfdoc]

Quote:
You are correct and it is a San Marcos. Many thanks as that led me to the information I needed on the last and reviews.

 

[kwhitelaw]

I'm looking to buy the unlined suede chukka on Leydon, but I've seen comments that they fit a little tight. Is it the norm to go up a width, or will they stretch a bit with wear?

I'm 11.5 C/D on Brannock, 11 C in my Indy, 11 D in CXL dover on Barrie, and 11.5 D Allen Edmonds 65 last. Deciding between 11.5 D and E in these chukkas.

Please let me know if you have a suggestion.

11.5E would be my vote

 

[RevisIsland]



11.5E would be my vote

11.5E, but I would also try on 12D

 

[zennypoo]

Hi all,

Our recent group order with the color 8 plaza NST monkstrap went very well and was submitted a couple of weeks ago. I'd like to gauge the interest on a (old) new idea for the next group order.

The unlined suede chukka is one of the quintessential Alden shoes, unfortunately as many of us know or have experienced, the Leydon last is quite narrow and hard to fit. Personally I'm unable to be fitted in the Leydon due to lack of EE lasts. I'd like to propose the following design, this has been done before by Leathersoul in a lined version. I think the plaza last would be excellent as a chukka and will be comparable, if not better than, the Leydon last.

We'd need 12 people to commit and this order will go through. Here are the details and a photo of lined plaza suede chukka from Leathersoul.

Material: Snuff suede
Last: Plaza
Lining: Unlined
Welt: Flat, 270 degree with closed heel
Edge: Natural
Sole: Waterlok

Please PM if you are interested!

Dan

 

[wdahab]

Wearing my #8 LWBs by Bureau Belfast today. Decided that I really didn't love how dark black they were (and had stayed for 9 months of wear) so I put them in a window of direct sunlight for a week or so. As you can see, even the new #8 level of darkness fades quite a bit in sunlight. I think these look just sooo much better (even if the inconsistent coloring isn't everyone's favorite).

 

[aldengeek]

Thought these were worth a post! I was debating picking them up off the Bay (auction link) a while ago for restoration, however, after Alden carefully reviewed the photos (not taken by me, btw), they determined that the shoes wouldn't hold up to the process. They have since sold. Anyway, a great example of some signature Alden shell cordovans from the 1950s, when, "[...]Morris Bootmakers were carrying over 20 variations in color and leather." (Quote source: Alden of San Diego)

 

[smfdoc]

Wearing my #8 LWBs by Bureau Belfast today. Decided that I really didn't love how dark black they were (and had stayed for 9 months of wear) so I put them in a window of direct sunlight for a week or so. As you can see, even the new #8 level of darkness fades quite a bit in sunlight. I think these look just sooo much better (even if the inconsistent coloring isn't everyone's favorite).

This is a word of advice to those who choose lighten their #8 in sunlight and not a comment on @wdahab 's LWB seen above. I recently did the same to some #8 PTB I have and I simply placed them in the sun for the day on about 5 different sunny days. I achieved the desired effect, making sure to rotate the shoes 180 degrees midway through the day to allow both sides of the shoes to receive sunlight. I later noticed that the tongue remained darker because the laces were left in and the eyelet flaps provided shade to the tongue. If I were to do it again, I would remove the laces and pull the tongue out to receive full light. They are ok as they are because the tongue is not terribly visible to people. The darker tongue does show how powerful the sun can be. I would advise people to lighten one day and then live with it for a week or so to really judge the effect and how you like it. If needed, you can do a second day and so forth.

 

[Don L]

Whiskey Wednesday

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[wdahab]

Well it's Wednesday which seems an auspicious day to get these beauties in the mail from Adam:

 

[chipshot]

 

[coloradojeff]

Don't know if this will help but I just bought a pair of the Unlined Chukkas at Alden in NYC. They measured my feet and gave me several options. I normally wear a 9.5 D in almost everything.

I ended up getting a 9.0 E as the Leydon last is a little narrower but also runs a bit long. I bought a pair of George Boots at the same time and the 9.5 D fit perfectly.

Hope that helps.

 

[MrDV]

snuff indy

 

[JSO1]

snuff indy

Love the microcell sole. It doesn't get enough airtime on here. I have milkshake suede longwings on red microcell and it feels like I'm wearing sneakers. Amazing.

 

[JSO1]

Cigar short wing x AoM today.

 

[JSO1]

Well it's Wednesday which seems an auspicious day to get these beauties in the mail from Adam:

Jesus H. Christ, those are ******* gorgeous. Alden at its finest.