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

[gilby]

Plaza 8's - B&M

 

[gilby]

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Whiskey Wednesday

Sweet makeup!

 

[LatAm]

Without direct sunlight I'm betting a couple months. A month of at least half a day's direct light with single pane windows made a pretty good difference on a pair of mine. That's another thing - if you have low-e glass - I would bet you get even less change out of them.

I understand, as I have left a pair of boots in the south facing window for a couple of months just to see the amount of sun "damage" that they get.

There is no known answer to your question. Just too many variables. What I can tell you is that attempting to speed up the process with direct exposure to the sun is a dangerous game. The fading is not noticeable on a daily basis. Like the frog in the slowly warming pot, the danger is not realized until it is almost too late. I sun faded one pair of shoes in the direct sun and I would not do it again for several reasons. First, the deeper color used is sometimes covering a flaw. Fading brings out the flow for all to notice again.

Second, the sun can dry out the leather. I was surprised how quickly (like 5 days) the nice smooth shell started feeling rough and needing some conditioner to deal with it.

Finally, the fade happens faster than you think. Here is the shoe after the 5 days.

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I did not think it was terribly changed. Then I folded back the eyelets and checked the tongue.

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The covered tongue was still nearly the original color and you can see the difference in this one shot. Although I really like the color now I really question my decision to do this. Granted, I was very aggressive and that is not what you described in your question, you just need to be careful. Here are the shoes now indoor and outdoor pics.

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Many thanks for the feedback guys, and especially @smfdoc for your detailed response. Will proceed with caution and check under the eyelets frequently. I live up in the Andes mountains at 9,000 feet and the levels of UV light are astronomical here, which might well accelerate the process, so all the more reason to be careful. Will report back in due course.

 

[Perfectcircles]

Hunting green suede WTB from Yenni.

 

[milesbeyond]

Hunting green suede WTB from Yenni.

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Freaking gorgeous!

 

[chipshot]

O

 

[LatAm]

Cold and rainy here today, but still loving these boots

 

[audog]

Cold and rainy here today, but still loving these boots

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Very nice boots!!

 

[LatAm]

Very nice boots!!

Thanks @audog! They put a smile on my face every time I wear them!

 

[LukeDuke]

Fresh out of the box...Navy chromexcel all-terrain Indys from AOC. Adam is a pleasure to work with.

 

[audog]

Fresh out of the box...Navy chromexcel all-terrain Indys from AOC. Adam is a pleasure to work with.

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Those are nice, and Adam IS a pleasure to work with.

 

[suuteebird]

 

[sazon]

@Perfectcircles those greenies are great !

 

[Perfectcircles]

@Perfectcircles those greenies are great !

My first suede anything ever and I love the green.

 

[stephenaf2003]

Wore these guys expecting rain today, but as it turns out they stayed dry.