The Official Alden Thread for 2022 - Share Reviews, Sizing, Advice, and Photos.

[James1051]

Kicking off the new week in color 8 plaza nst boots.

 

[audog]

Davis Boots, doctor office carpet

 

[mdubs]

Monday. Alden Color #4 Shell Cordovan Indy Boot.

-Mike

 

[Shawnc]

Looking great! I want to do this to a pair. What's your process and what do you use? Do you tape up the uppers and use a dye or just black edge dressing? Any sanding?

Appreciate the tips!

Thanks and always willing to share. First, I tend to steer clear of storm welts. Flat is much less prone to getting dye on the uppers. Now to your questions. Yes, I definitely tape the uppers right above the welt. I guess if you’re a professional painter or have an exceptionally steady hand, you could risk it but at about 1k for shells, I’m not willing to chance it. I use dye (more reason for taping) but while it’s really hard to see the difference, I use Fieblings dark brown rather than black. It’s a really subtle difference that is likely only noticeable by me but I’ve used black in the last past and I prefer dark brown. Definitely no sanding needed when going from antique to dark. Unless the edges are really beat up I simply tape and go. Lastly, 95% of the dye is applied using the cloth daubers that come with most dyes but if you’re really persnickety (like I am about my boots) you’ll want to get a really small arts and crafts brush to get into the really tight spots. No one outside of this forum would notice the difference but I do so I always finish up with the brush. One coat is generally enough unless the edges are in bad shape, then an extra coat may be needed. Total time is about 15 minutes to tape and 10 minutes to dye. I typically remove the tape about 10 minutes after applying the last coat and give them a few hours to dry. Inspect and either touch up or return them to their place on the shelf.

Really not too tough. More scary than anything. Good luck and please post pic’s if you decide to try it.

 

[lcdx22]

Thanks and always willing to share. First, I tend to steer clear of storm welts. Flat is much less prone to getting dye on the uppers. Now to your questions. Yes, I definitely tape the uppers right above the welt. I guess if you’re a professional painter or have an exceptionally steady hand, you could risk it but at about 1k for shells, I’m not willing to chance it. I use dye (more reason for taping) but while it’s really hard to see the difference, I use Fieblings dark brown rather than black. It’s a really subtle difference that is likely only noticeable by me but I’ve used black in the last past and I prefer dark brown. Definitely no sanding needed when going from antique to dark. Unless the edges are really beat up I simply tape and go. Lastly, 95% of the dye is applied using the cloth daubers that come with most dyes but if you’re really persnickety (like I am about my boots) you’ll want to get a really small arts and crafts brush to get into the really tight spots. No one outside of this forum would notice the difference but I do so I always finish up with the brush. One coat is generally enough unless the edges are in bad shape, then an extra coat may be needed. Total time is about 15 minutes to tape and 10 minutes to dye. I typically remove the tape about 10 minutes after applying the last coat and give them a few hours to dry. Inspect and either touch up or return them to their place on the shelf.

Really not too tough. More scary than anything. Good luck and please post pic’s if you decide to try it.

Ok this is awesome! Thank you.

I'm going to try this on my #8 short wing atoms I think. I'll post some before and after pics...but first need to order the dye.

 

[audog]

Monday. Alden Color #4 Shell Cordovan Indy Boot.

View attachment 1750712

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-Mike

DANG!

 

[Hisheirness23]

Davis Boots, doctor office carpet View attachment 1750704

One of my favorite boots!

 

[smfdoc]

King wings for a trip to the ortho.

 

[Shawnc]

Wearing wingtips today as well.

I thought I lost this pair during my interstate move, but I recently found them buried in an unopened box. These look quite a bit dry, I will to have address them pretty soon.


Dark edges with leather soles.

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Oscar, the color on those is amazing. That is one sweet boot. King wings at their finest. Is the hardware standard or AM? They look nickel and I don’t recall ever seeing that combination on Alden before.

 

[Shawnc]

@lcdx22 Definitely an issue with speed-hooks the past year!

This is just bizarre to me. I like hooks. I prefer hooks. Never Snagged my slacks on them or found them to be less dressy than all eyes. I generally pull them pretty tight when lacing. Yet I have never had a single problem until my black shell Indy’s. And all of a sudden I’m hearing about this as though it is widespread. Have I simply been lucky? Or did Alden change to a different and obviously not improved process of applying hooks?

 

[oskrusa]

Hi @Shawnc,
Thank-you for the kind comments.

I painted the eyelets and hooks with a nickel-color marker about 12-14 months ago (I lost the marker). I wanted to give it a try and see if I would like the contrast before applying a more definite change with Aram or Bedos. Shortly after painting them I relocated to FL and I lost them for a few months, so, I am taking them for a spin more often these days.

Today, there was a stranger who commented on the boots when I was walking into a building, an indication that they might be more flashy/noticeable than desired.

Your pair on Plaza is 10 times more elegant than these on Barrie.

Oscar, the color on those is amazing. That is one sweet boot. King wings at their finest. Is the hardware standard or AM? They look nickel and I don’t recall ever seeing that combination on Alden before.

 

[oskrusa]

Changed to perf cap-toes for a late afternoon meeting today.

 

[Hisheirness23]

Changed to perf cap-toes for a late afternoon meeting today.

View attachment 1750910

Those look phenomenal on you! Glad you kept the GG laces as it adds a more refined look IMO.

 

[audog]

This is just bizarre to me. I like hooks. I prefer hooks. Never Snagged my slacks on them or found them to be less dressy than all eyes. I generally pull them pretty tight when lacing. Yet I have never had a single problem until my black shell Indy’s. And all of a sudden I’m hearing about this as though it is widespread. Have I simply been lucky? Or did Alden change to a different and obviously not improved process of applying hooks?

Agree @Shawnc hooks are great....I have never had a problem with any hooks until this past year..Had to send a pair of color 8 plain toe boots back to the retailer to have hook fixed, as it was pulling out...I, like you, pull them pretty tight and honestly expect them to handle no matter how much I crank on the laces....I think something changed over the past year or so....don't know what, but it isn't the same with Alden hooks as ones I have that are 3, 4, 5 yrs old....

 

[oskrusa]

Those look phenomenal on you! Glad you kept the GG laces as it adds a more refined look IMO.

The boots are in great shape. The round laces are waaaaayy better than the Alden laces.
Thanks for a smooth transaction @Hisheirness23