The Official Alden Thread for 2024 - Share Reviews, Sizing, Advice, and Photos.

[ZZ99]

The chukka is perfect for what you're looking for. The LHS is not as sharp as the chukka, if that makes sense. Works great with jeans and casual chinos, but I prefer the chukka for pairingwith tailoring.

Thanks, that makes sense.

Is it reasonable to expect to be able to get them as factory seconds in my size within a year?

I’ve never paid more than $200 for shoes, so the full price is quite a jump.

 

[CLH03]

Thanks, that makes sense.

Is it reasonable to expect to be able to get them as factory seconds in my size within a year?

I’ve never paid more than $200 for shoes, so the full price is quite a jump.

You’ll have to keep a pretty close eye, and it depends on your size

 

[tuna roll]

If I have a US9E in Aberdeen and Military Last, would a 9,5D on the Leydon also work for me? I have the feeling, that the E Width ist a little bit too wide for me, but in overseas it's impossible to get a narrower width. Most Stockist only have E and some have D. I was looking at a six eyelet chukka online, which I like a lot... Thanks!

I wear 9D in both Aberdeen and Leydon, and 8.5D in the 379x last (military).

The Leydon fits similar to the Aberdeen - with a bit more arch support and lower vamp, but same length. It’s a smidge wider at the toe box - not particularly wide, it’s just that the Aberdeen is quite narrow there.

Having said that, 9E and 9.5D should have virtually the same width, just 5mm difference in length.

How does the Aberdeen in 9E fits you? If it’s too wide but length is good, maybe consider 9D for the Leydon?

 

[Markintosh]

Thanks for sharing, I was just planning to use the natural renovator on my suede LHS. Since its natural, I guess i dont have to tape the edges

Do you find renovator do a good job at waterproofing the shoes? I was told renovator works better for waterproofing than Super Invulner.

I don’t use the super invulner product because I don’t ever wear my suede shoes in the rain. I live in California, so it’s easy to stay out of the rain. I have never used the natural. But the version that has pigment in, it will absolutely color the edges. So taping is important. I learned of this product from Kirby Alison. Here is a short video where he explains the difference between the product I use and the waterproofing invulner product. In this video he actually says if you’re not gonna be in the rain. There’s no reason to use the waterproofing product.

 

[JTMD]

Chukkas in 8 on the Barrie.. my first pair of shells (and Alden for that matter). "Been there . Done that" is their motto and still pulling all weather duty 16 years or so later..

 

[SailingIvy]

I wear 9D in both Aberdeen and Leydon, and 8.5D in the 379x last (military).

The Leydon fits similar to the Aberdeen - with a bit more arch support and lower vamp, but same length. It’s a smidge wider at the toe box - not particularly wide, it’s just that the Aberdeen is quite narrow there.

Having said that, 9E and 9.5D should have virtually the same width, just 5mm difference in length.

How does the Aberdeen in 9E fits you? If it’s too wide but length is good, maybe consider 9D for the Leydon?

Thanks for that informative answer! I own the 684 on Aberdeen and it seems to be a little bit too long tbh, but that could also be from the very little support the loafer gives. 8.5 seemed to short in comparison when I tried in store. I guess 9.5D Leydon would also be too long for me then...

 

[Shawnc]

Incredible @JTMD. Have they been recrafted or resoled?

 

[Shawnc]

I wear 9D in both Aberdeen and Leydon, and 8.5D in the 379x last (military).

This is a little disappointing. You and I size the same and I thought military was closer to Barrie than TTS and as luck would have it, I just ordered a pair in TTS based on multiple resellers website guidance.

If you don’t mind my asking, how’s the fit for you say, compared to Barrie?

 

[Mghart]

This is a little disappointing. You and I size the same and I thought military was closer to Barrie than TTS and as luck would have it, I just ordered a pair in TTS based on multiple resellers website guidance.

If you don’t mind my asking, how’s the fit for you say, compared to Barrie?

I would love to hear your thoughts on sizing TTS for military once you receive them. I've seen the same thing with some retailers advising TTS, some saying barrie. The last is still uncommon enough that its not feasible to really get a chance to try out both TTS or barrie/tb for comparison.

 

[Shawnc]

I would love to hear your thoughts on sizing TTS for military once you receive them. I've seen the same thing with some retailers advising TTS, some saying barrie. The last is still uncommon enough that its not feasible to really get a chance to try out both TTS or barrie/tb for comparison.

Will post back when they land. Not very optimistic at this point and Barrie size was unavailable.

 

[tuna roll]

This is a little disappointing. You and I size the same and I thought military was closer to Barrie than TTS and as luck would have it, I just ordered a pair in TTS based on multiple resellers website guidance.

If you don’t mind my asking, how’s the fit for you say, compared to Barrie?

Funny, as I typed my previous message I thought to myself "Mmm I could probably go TTS in the Military as well..."

I believe you'd be fine sizing TTS with the Military. I'm a 9 Brannock and wear 8.5D in Barrie (I believe you too?). It feels much roomier than the Military in the same size, everywhere - heel, vamp, instep, toebox, arch... The length feels about the same. I can wear slightly thicker socks with the Barrie, but only thin socks with the 379x. I should probably try it TTS next time as the 8.5D feels quite snug.

Let us know how it works once you receive it!

Feet are weird - I actually wear 8D in the Modified last, which is the closest last to the 379x.

 

[tuna roll]

Thanks for that informative answer! I own the 684 on Aberdeen and it seems to be a little bit too long tbh, but that could also be from the very little support the loafer gives. 8.5 seemed to short in comparison when I tried in store. I guess 9.5D Leydon would also be too long for me then...

Tongue pads can help if your loafers feel too long. There are options made of suede that don't feel cheap.

 

[JTMD]

Incredible @JTMD. Have they been recrafted or resoled?

No recrafting but I had the crepe soles redone a while ago by my local cobbler. It's been long enough that I can't remember what the Alden crepe even looked like. They're my only pair with it. They were on sale at my local place. And even on sale, I thought them quote eyewatering expensive (1st time buyer, little did I know back then 😅). I think ive mentioned before that this place near me doesn't have much of a selection and it's pretty much "take it or leave it".

To be honest...I have no idea when I'm supposed to get these things replaced. And now that I'm looking, should probably at least get the heels done. 😱

 

[SailingIvy]

Tongue pads can help if your loafers feel too long. There are options made of suede that don't feel cheap.

Yes, I was about to try tongue pads next season!

Regarding Barrie/379x Last, I tried boots on barrie in 8,5E and they were very similar feeling to the 379x in 9E. Went for the 379x because they felt even better in the heel (spade shaped feet) and overall very narrow I would say.

 

[tuna roll]

Yes, I was about to try tongue pads next season!

Regarding Barrie/379x Last, I tried boots on barrie in 8,5E and they were very similar feeling to the 379x in 9E. Went for the 379x because they felt even better in the heel (spade shaped feet) and overall very narrow I would say.

Interesting, I should try 0.5 size up with the 379x.

I have spade shaped feet as well and both the 379x and the Modified fit me very well.