The Official Alden Thread for 2018 - Share Reviews, Sizing, Advice, and Photos.

[DWH]

Going up a width is to wide for me especially in the heel and the volume is way to much. I do like my boots to fit sort of snug. My general rule is they need to be snug enough "in case you need to run for the train". When I was younger it was "in case you need to run from the cops".

A combination last would be the best for me, C heel & D toe. I understand Alden did this in the past but that was well before my obsession began.

I thought that was what the "C/D" meant, ie C heel and D toe. This is still the marking used in Aldens. Do you have reason to believe that this does not signify that a combo last was used?

 

[St Hubbins]

Wow, so much information to intake for a newbie. I have been reading and reading and love the shop talk in all your experience being displayed. I am approaching my first purchase and want it to be the Indy shell #8 in TB last (as I guess they will more likely come with it) I am a TTS 12D. So what would be the best suggestion before I hate myself on getting the wrong size and blow even more money on returning a pair that didn't fit, then have to wait even longer to get the dream pair I want. Would you all say to head to a Jcrew store and try on an Indy? Does a store even let you try one on? Is that even possible?, I don't live near SanFran to get to a Alden store. Thoughts? Thanks as always in advance.

Looks like there's a place in San Diego called Gentlemen's Footwear.

http://www.gentlemensfootwear.com

Perhaps you could call them to see if they stock any Indy boots in your size for you to try on. I have no experience with this retailer since I, too, am new to Alden.

 

[djbanor]

I thought that was what the "C/D" meant, ie C heel and D toe. This is still the marking used in Aldens. Do you have reason to believe that this does not signify that a combo last was used?

It is in theory a combination last, but the combinations have been standardized. A/C, B/D, C/E and so on for heel/ball width measurements. I've never seen a C/D, which would in fact be a combination of C heel and D ball.

 

[Misterg12]

Wow, so much information to intake for a newbie. I have been reading and reading and love the shop talk in all your experience being displayed. I am approaching my first purchase and want it to be the Indy shell #8 in TB last (as I guess they will more likely come with it) I am a TTS 12D. So what would be the best suggestion before I hate myself on getting the wrong size and blow even more money on returning a pair that didn't fit, then have to wait even longer to get the dream pair I want. Would you all say to head to a Jcrew store and try on an Indy? Does a store even let you try one on? Is that even possible?, I don't live near SanFran to get to a Alden store. Thoughts? Thanks as always in advance.

11.5D

 

[Phangtonpower]

My Barrie LWB 7E sits jsut perfecting right to my toes, no touching tips tho. Aberdeen 7.5D is just a tit longer n little narrower.

I also have tried AE MacNeil (new and calfskin) and I found the same tightness on my pinky toe. I ordered the same size in Alden shell Longwings and it was spacious. I would say it fit but loosely around my heel and instep. I am sure they would have worked fine with thicker socks or some sort of insert like @misterg uses, for example. I returned them and did not try the half-size down because I wasn’t ready to buy. For the price, I would want to be sure of the size and would wait until I’m traveling to a large city to find a retailer. That’s just me. Good luck!

Man this thread moves fast.

So I found a United Arrows a couple hours away that have Alden Longwings. Problem is the largest size they had was an 8.5D.

Surprised that they some what fit me. A little bit tight. Don't think I would go that small, but it made me re look at all my shoes which are mostly 10s. Since they don't use any kind of measuring system for feet here, I downloaded a printable brannock device. The length of my foot is actually 8.5 to 9, which surprised me. Double checked with all my shoes and most of them do have a lot of room from the tip of longest toe to the tip of the shoe by 1"-1.5". I guess I always went with how the ball of my foot fit in a shoe and never worried about length.

Now I have no idea what size to get There is another United Arrows a few a hours away. Hopefully they have more sizes :/

 

[up1911fan]

Tobacco on Commando .

 

[madhat]

Man this thread moves really fast.

Man this thread moves fast.

So I found a United Arrows a couple arrows away that have Alden Longwings. Problem is the largest size they had was an 8.5D.

Surprised that they some what fit me. A little bit tight. Don't think I would go that small, but it made me re look at all my shoes which are mostly 10s. Since they don't use any kind of measuring system for feet here, I downloaded a printable brannock device. The length of my foot is actually 8.5 to 9, which surprised me. Double checked with all my shoes and most of them do have a lot of room from the tip of longest toe to the tip of the shoe by 1"-1.5". I guess I always went with how the ball of my fit in a shoe and never worried about length.

Now I have no idea what size to get There is another United Arrows a few a hours away. Hopefully they have more sizes :/

The total length of your foot isn't the whole story. My toes are about 10.5, but my ball measurement is more like 11.25. So, I typically wear 11s, but can make 11.5 work in a lot of models. 10.5s always crunch my little toes, though I have a lot of toe space in my shoes that do fit. I would recommend finding a skilled foot sizer to help you get the right fit.

Also, if you think this thread moves fast, stay away from the AE thread - it'll be over 700 pages for the year this week.

 

[ScarsdaleVibe]

Wow, so much information to intake for a newbie. I have been reading and reading and love the shop talk in all your experience being displayed. I am approaching my first purchase and want it to be the Indy shell #8 in TB last (as I guess they will more likely come with it) I am a TTS 12D. So what would be the best suggestion before I hate myself on getting the wrong size and blow even more money on returning a pair that didn't fit, then have to wait even longer to get the dream pair I want. Would you all say to head to a Jcrew store and try on an Indy? Does a store even let you try one on? Is that even possible?, I don't live near SanFran to get to a Alden store. Thoughts? Thanks as always in advance.

I'm a 12D TTS and 11.5D in Barrie and TB fit me perfect.

That said, don't try to get rare shell in that size. It belongs to me. And by me I mean M635Guy probably got it anyway.

 

[Phangtonpower]

The total length of your foot isn't the whole story. My toes are about 10.5, but my ball measurement is more like 11.25. So, I typically wear 11s, but can make 11.5 work in a lot of models. 10.5s always crunch my little toes, though I have a lot of toe space in my shoes that do fit. I would recommend finding a skilled foot sizer to help you get the right fit.

Also, if you think this thread moves fast, stay away from the AE thread - it'll be over 700 pages for the year this week.

I don't think they even have professional foot sizer in Japan, at least where I live. I mean the most popular shoe that a lot of people wear are crocs.

 

[madhat]

I don't think they even have professional foot sizer in Japan, at least where I live. I mean the most popular shoe that a lot of people wear are crocs.

Americans are extremely informal; Crocs, trainers, and crappy "dress" shoes are extremely common here as well. There's some amazing shoe designers in Japan doing RTW and bespoke, and a shoe community that ravenously buys American shoes. Though, I believe you when you say no good sales personnel are around to help you get the right size at your local shops!

 

[DWH]

It is in theory a combination last, but the combinations have been standardized. A/C, B/D, C/E and so on for heel/ball width measurements. I've never seen a C/D, which would in fact be a combination of C heel and D ball.

Ah yes. I would love to customize a narrower heel for my LHS on Van. I suppose I should just go with a smaller size in unlined suede and let it stretch to the right fit. Anyone tried this?

 

[Phangtonpower]

Americans are extremely informal; Crocs, trainers, and crappy "dress" shoes are extremely common here as well. There's some amazing shoe designers in Japan doing RTW and bespoke, and a shoe community that ravenously buys American shoes. Though, I believe you when you say no good sales personnel are around to help you get the right size at your local shops!

I have no doubt their are great designers here, but those communities are so small, and way out of my price range. Aldens go for $1200 here, but will sit at stores for a very long time. I've been watching yahoo auctions here, Japanese ebay, and shoes just sit.

I have a cousin coming next year and he could bring me a pair of Aldens that I'm looking at. I want to get it right because they charge a 40% import tax if shipped by mail.

 

[BackInTheJox]

Tobacco on Commando .

View attachment 933418

Mine are coming tomorrow!

 

[M635Guy]

Indy day

 

[coolarrow]

J crew #8 captoes of recent, i.e. dark, vintage: