The Official Alden Thread for 2025 - Share Reviews, Sizing, Advice, and Photos.

[Markintosh]

Missed your question in the old thread. The blooming comes right off with a brush, maybe 30 sec/boot. I've only seen blooming on shell and CXL (both from Horween incidentally). I don't have enough experience with shell from other tanneries but I'd guess that they would also bloom like this. These are 12 years old and still have oils coming to the surface when they sit for a while.

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Thank you! I read through all the stuff that Mike put up in the new thread and noticed the comments on blooming. I don't have much cordovan, only 3 pairs, all others are calf and suede. Happy to hear this comes right off. I brush my shoes quite often (it's a coping mechanism for dealing with my teenage daughter - LOL) - so don't think I'll see much blooming...

 

[Hisheirness23]

Light rain in the Bay calls for the big guns! Busted out "The Beast" Indy boots since you never know when a drizzle can turn into a downpour!

 

[builder]

Is that tobacco reverse chamois? How do you like it? Beautiful boot

 

[Hisheirness23]

Is that tobacco reverse chamois? How do you like it? Beautiful boot

Yup! Love the material since it's very low maintenance. However, I do prefer the smooth chamois material more since it's like nubuck.

 

[Encore]

 

[builder]

Great looking boots, do you have an indy in black shell? Would love to see that makeup compared to the split toe. Handsewn is awesome.

 

[JTMD]

Has anyone seen this type of puncture on a new pair of Alden's before? Factory issue? Mishandled in store? I take note that there are indentations on the toe box as well...and the vamps are creased so at least tried on in store. Soles are unmarked so at least they stayed on the carpet. 😅The boxes they were shipped in are completely intact so hard to think the damaged occured in shipping. Thanks in advance.

 

[Vincent George]

Has anyone seen this type of puncture on a new pair of Alden's before? Factory issue? Mishandled in store? I take note that there are indentations on the toe box as well...and the vamps are creased so at least tried on in store. Soles are unmarked so at least they stayed on the carpet. 😅The boxes they were shipped in are completely intact so hard to think the damaged occured in shipping. Thanks in advance.

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Certainly, it's not right. Totally speculating: could have happened during lasting, stitching the welt on, stitching the soles to the welt...who knows. Looks like a factory error that should not have passed QC. I worry that it could get worse...

 

[JSO1]

Definitely needs to be returned.

 

[sazon]

Matt @ Ealdwine re-ran this boot from the Alden archives, originally done by Alden of Carmel. The resilience of the smooth tobacco chamois coupled with neocork soles/thomas heels make this a major winner in my book.

 

[SailingIvy]

I wanted to pick up the conversation from last years thread regarding the sizing of the Van-Lasted Loafers. I just cannot get my mind around it.

Is there any evidence, that Alden does manufacture the suede van-lasted LHS much tighter than the equivalent Cordovan Models like the 986? Because if I recall correctly the 9E 987 I tried not only felt a lot bigger than the snuff LHS in 8,5D but also looked much bigger in any dimension.

Yes, one size difference and also width difference, but look and feel were lightyears apart in my mind. Maybe Alden knows, that the suede will stretch and give a lot more with time, while the Cordovan doesn't?

I'm really curious to get your opinions on the topic. And still thinking about that BB 763 pair in 8,5C...

 

[Lagavulin62]

Certainly, it's not right. Totally speculating: could have happened during lasting, stitching the welt on, stitching the soles to the welt...who knows. Looks like a factory error that should not have passed QC. I worry that it could get worse...

I agree with this. It’s one thing to deal with surface imperfections, dings but this looks like it went almost all the way through. It’s like a chips bag that tore open past the seam. Definitely a must return. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Shawnc]

Has anyone seen this type of puncture on a new pair of Alden's before? Factory issue? Mishandled in store? I take note that there are indentations on the toe box as well...and the vamps are creased so at least tried on in store. Soles are unmarked so at least they stayed on the carpet. 😅The boxes they were shipped in are completely intact so hard to think the damaged occured in shipping. Thanks in advance.

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C’mon Alden, WTF! I’ve become quite tolerant of imperfections over time but these as firsts? Shame on the retailer as well. In my experience, the better ones check the shoes before shipping.

Bottom line is that these are really nice shoes but I think the imperfections are more than simply cosmetic and will get worse. Hassle to return but that is the course I’d suggest.

 

[JTMD]

Certainly, it's not right. Totally speculating: could have happened during lasting, stitching the welt on, stitching the soles to the welt...who knows. Looks like a factory error that should not have passed QC. I worry that it could get worse...

Definitely needs to be returned.

I agree with this. It’s one thing to deal with surface imperfections, dings but this looks like it went almost all the way through. It’s like a chips bag that tore open past the seam. Definitely a must return. Let us know how it goes.

Thanks all. I just wanted everyone's feedback before contacting the shop. I didn't expect problems but better to have everything in mind beforehand. The shop has been contacted and is looking to see if they can find a replacement pair (which I'd prefer to a straight out return). Thanks again.

 

[JTMD]

C’mon Alden, WTF! I’ve become quite tolerant of imperfections over time but these as firsts? Shame on the retailer as well. In my experience, the better ones check the shoes before shipping.

Bottom line is that these are really nice shoes but I think the imperfections are more than simply cosmetic and will get worse. Hassle to return but that is the course I’d suggest.

Agreed. The damage is significant enough that I planned on returning them. I just wanted to get others thoughts on the issue before contacting the shop...especially seeing how they arrived with vamps creased. I had problems with Carmina and after that I tend to go into return situations prepared for battle. I wasn't expecting problems but wanted to be ready. Having X amount of others backing me up as to it being an Alden QC issue helps with being confident in the position when bringing it up. Either way...the shop was apologetic and is hopefully going to find a replacement so my worries were of naught.