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

[branpureza]

Color 8 and brass.

 

[Hisheirness23]

Congrats ! love this make up. I had a previous iteration from 2021 I believe. Interestingly, mine had a 270 storm welt. Either Mac changed the make-up or Alden decided to change it on their own

Mack also has shell Indy's with 270 storm welts.

Alden x Brogue Arai Indy Boot

Features: -Trubalance Last -Horween Color 8 Shell Cordovan -270 Degree Storm Welt -Double Oiled Leather Sole -Thomas Rubber Heel The most classic indy model in shell cordovan version. We decided to keep the storm welt and the Thomas heel as the classic indy 405. To make them low profiled, we...

www.brogueshop.com

He has my 8.5C down for both black and Color 8 make-ups.

 

[mdubs]

CVS carpet and #8 short boots, Plaza last i believe:

Those Straight 8’s are looking just superb! Enjoy them and your CVS runs.

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.

View attachment 2307767

Dang, those cleaned up nice!!! Such great boots!

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...

Well, it can vary from pair to pair. My Cigar WTs can be brushed the night before and then it will just be covered in bloom by morning. I now brush them when I am about to tie them.

-Mike

 

[mdubs]

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!
View attachment 2307907

H, those boots are just looking lovely great shade on them!!!

View attachment 2308093 View attachment 2308095 View attachment 2308097

Encore, those are just looking top notch. I always forget how great a pairing Black and Denim can be.

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.

View attachment 2308241

View attachment 2308233

View attachment 2308235

View attachment 2308237

Those aren’t going to get better with time. I would contact the retailer and see what they offer you.

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.

View attachment 2308393

Just clean Saz, love them!!!

Color 8 and brass.

View attachment 2308887

Well, this is just so mean. Those look great! Must resist the temptation to do that to some of mine.

-Mike

 

[sazon]

Color 8 from AoM on Neocork

 

[mdubs]

Snuff Suede Indy

Random photos of snuff suede in natural light

Snuff is just so good. These are no exception!

Out of curiousity...does anyone here use wax on their shells? I'm pretty sure that I've heard wax is bad for shell but can't really back that up.

On a different note. Has anyone tried Pure Polish products? I belong to a Facebook group where numerous people claim it's the best stuff since sliced bread..."all natural"...but I don't remember any of the serious collectors here ever mentioning the stiff...I admit to being curious but not tossing $50 on shipping to get a jar of $15 cream curious. 😅

J, I use Alden Boot Cream and very occasionally their Paste Wax. I heavily limit how much I apply.

So picked up these Docker Indy Boots from Brogue and I think I'm smitten. I had a pair of C8 Indys on neocork from Madison that I wore a lot but ended up selling because I eventually realized they weren't exactly what I wanted. I saw these come across my feed a few months ago and they lived in my head rent free since. Some rare free time during Brogue's business hours meant I could go try them on in person, and that was that.

View attachment 2308805


Color 8 Indy w/flat welt, on a black neocork sole so they still can be used without care in bad weather-a primary use for my last pair of Indys. The apron stitching on these is really excellent, and the welt is flawless-something I don't often see in my Aldens. If you're looking for a really gorgeous and unique Indy makeup, check these ones out-they still have a few pair left.



View attachment 2308803 View attachment 2308801 View attachment 2308799

Wow, congratulations on those lovely Indy’s. Those are just lovely. I hope that you enjoy them in good health!

-Mike

 

[mdubs]

Color 8 from AoM on Neocork
View attachment 2309079

After seeing the Brogue pair, I was thinking about my Madison pair. You definitely have me wanting to wear my pair in short order!

-Mike

 

[WineAndShoes]

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

How would you compare the ability of the smooth and reverse chamois to handle bad weather and other adverse conditions?

 

[CLH03]

How would you compare the ability of the smooth and reverse chamois to handle bad weather and other adverse conditions?

I would say that reverse is probably a little more resilient. They are the same leather, and both durable, water-resistant, etc.

For some reason though, I find that the smooth chamois shows a little more patina, where the reverse is practically indestructible and will stay looking good after heavy rain, mud, snow, whatever. just need to brush and a damp cloth.

You can't go wrong with either one.

 

[Lagavulin62]

Try not to muck things up too much but @Lagavulin62, you a scotch drinker or is the similarity in your handle to my go-to brand strictly coincidental?

Yes I am a scotch lover. I don’t drink too much Lagavulin these days. Mostly Ardbeg, Laphroaig, or Talisker. But yes love the single malts. Besides laga what do you enjoy?

 

[Hisheirness23]

How would you compare the ability of the smooth and reverse chamois to handle bad weather and other adverse conditions?

Reverse Chamois doesn't require any treatment other than maybe a quick brush down with a vinyl bristle brush. Smooth Chamois can show water spots, but that's easily addressed by a quick brushing session with the same vinyl brush.

Both materials are meant to handle the elements, just one may require more attention to look it's best versus the other which I generally just let it air dry, insert shoe trees, and put back in the box until the next wear.

 

[WineAndShoes]

Thanks @CLH03 and @Hisheirness23 --- You put the finishing touches on convincing me to order Ealdwine's "Pisgah" Mocc Toe Boot in Reverse Tobacco Chamois! Like I really needed convincing... This will be the "ski town boot" I've been rambling on about for a while.

 

[Alcibiades]

Trunalancen Color 4 - may switch to a boot on commando for errands

 

[Club Soda]

These are my primaries. I wear theses 563 and 664 a majority of the work week with EG Belgravia and CJ for RL Marlow mixed in. These win off comfort and the deeper color 8. I really need snuff suede and the dark brown suede next.

Purchased Sept 2022 and have yet to be re-soled.

 

[Shawnc]

Yes I am a scotch lover. I don’t drink too much Lagavulin these days. Mostly Ardbeg, Laphroaig, or Talisker. But yes love the single malts. Besides laga what do you enjoy?

I have tried all of what you mention. Now, while I hop around a little, my 4 go-to’s are:

Balvenie 14 (bourbon)

1. Balvenie 14 (bourbon)
2. Lagavulin 16 (SM)
3. Glenlivit 18 (SM)
4. JWB (blend)

Currently, in that order………