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

[gardenvariety]

Does anyone have suggestions for stores that carry interesting makeups in 12.5D trubalance? I have a fantastic plain toe shell color 8 I bought from Alden of Carmel in 2022 but they seem to be out of business now?

Most places I look just have stock Indy models or make only 12 and 13 — which is surprising to me given most people are sizing down 0.5 on trubalance. And many more places (brick and mortar; ealdwine) seem to produce great models but don’t even offer a 12.5 for preorder. To be fair i haven’t gone out of my way to email those shops and ask if they could slot in a single 12.5, but I'm curious what any of you in my size or generally odd sizes with low online stock usually do.

 

[Club Soda]

If you're not Alden specific, in terms of suede, you can find quite a bit of brand new stuff from Ferragamo on eBay, typically you can find new for 50% off, I live in their suede bit loafers, I have 3 pairs, black, blue, and brown, these are the run-to-the-market shoes - my daily beaters. The rubber pads hold up really well...but if you don't have a suede LHS, you should, they are so soft and well made...agree on the heel fit, all my loafers have a very different feel in terms of the heel fit, the worst being my JMW which finally broke in and feel really good now (another great suede option).

It's funny about Tassel loafers, I don't have a single pair, most of the regulars on this forum have several pairs...I'm kind of the oddball...I don't have any boots or tassel loafers...my entire collection is bit & penny loafers, and wingtips...

I am Alden specific, and yes Tassel Loafers can be very polarizing. I feel like some guys on this forum or those into clothing like having a balanced rotation of different lace ups and loafers, yet Tassel Loafers can be the default to the wardrobe like guys are with boots.

 

[Ortip]

Anyone know where I can pick up a pair of unlined snuff suede tassel loafers? In the US.

 

[Weldy]

Anyone know where I can pick up a pair of unlined snuff suede tassel loafers? In the US.

Alden x Brogue Unlined Upmann Tassel Loafer

Features:-Leydon Last-Snuff Suede-Unlined Forepart-Antique Edge-360 Degree Flat Welt-Single Flex Leather Sole Exclusively for BROGUE Please read before you place the order Alden shoes are crafted with and attention to detail in their Massachusetts factory. They are still using some old...

www.brogueshop.com

 

[BAK]

Anyone know where I can pick up a pair of unlined snuff suede tassel loafers? In the US.

Also this one on Copley last.

 

[eric_61]

Hey everybody, first post, I'm new here. I just joined because I've discovered Alden somewhat recently and am just absolutely in love with some of the pairs I've picked up -- and eager to add more to the rotation. It seems like this is the most active discussion online about Alden, so I wanted to jump in.

My snuff suede unlined LHS penny loafers have become my absolute favorite shoes. But it's winter here in the Chicago area, and sidewalks are covered with the usual wet, snowy, slushy, salty mix that isn't terrific for single leather soles.

I've been strongly considering adding another pair of loafers with rubber soles, and thought I'd ask if folks here have experience with either of these options:

-- Leisure 2 sole, like these:

6224L - Unlined Penny Mocc in Brown Suede

Brown Suede Van Last Unlined Machine Stitch Mocc Toe Leisure 2 rubber sole Van Last runs big. Size down 1/2 size.

aldenmadison.com

-- Leisure 3 sole, like these:

Alden Unlined Leisure Penny Loafer

Features:-Van Last-Snuff Suede -Unlined Forepart-Antique Edge-Leisure III Sole Model #6221L This is a new model Alden company released this year（2023）, unlined Van last penny loafer with a light weight thin rubber leisure III sole and heel. The shoe is soft, breathable and super comfortable. Van...

www.brogueshop.com

-- Goodyear soles, not sure exactly what they're named, like these:

Engineered Garments x Alden - Loafer - Beige Suede

Engineered Garments x Alden Leisure Handsewn Width D [FINAL SALE]

nepenthesny.com

If you've tried any of those ... I'd love to hear about your experiences. Were they a lot stiffer out of the box than unlined LHS with leather soles? Have you worn them in bad weather, and if so, how did they hold up? Was the rubber longer-lasting than Alden's single leather soles? Anything else I should know?

 

[Bavo]

Hey everybody, first post, I'm new here. I just joined because I've discovered Alden somewhat recently and am just absolutely in love with some of the pairs I've picked up -- and eager to add more to the rotation. It seems like this is the most active discussion online about Alden, so I wanted to jump in.

My snuff suede unlined LHS penny loafers have become my absolute favorite shoes. But it's winter here in the Chicago area, and sidewalks are covered with the usual wet, snowy, slushy, salty mix that isn't terrific for single leather soles.

I've been strongly considering adding another pair of loafers with rubber soles, and thought I'd ask if folks here have experience with either of these options:

-- Leisure 2 sole, like these:

6224L - Unlined Penny Mocc in Brown Suede

Brown Suede Van Last Unlined Machine Stitch Mocc Toe Leisure 2 rubber sole Van Last runs big. Size down 1/2 size.

aldenmadison.com

-- Leisure 3 sole, like these:

Alden Unlined Leisure Penny Loafer

Features:-Van Last-Snuff Suede -Unlined Forepart-Antique Edge-Leisure III Sole Model #6221L This is a new model Alden company released this year（2023）, unlined Van last penny loafer with a light weight thin rubber leisure III sole and heel. The shoe is soft, breathable and super comfortable. Van...

www.brogueshop.com

-- Goodyear soles, not sure exactly what they're named, like these:

Engineered Garments x Alden - Loafer - Beige Suede

Engineered Garments x Alden Leisure Handsewn Width D [FINAL SALE]

nepenthesny.com

If you've tried any of those ... I'd love to hear about your experiences. Were they a lot stiffer out of the box than unlined LHS with leather soles? Have you worn them in bad weather, and if so, how did they hold up? Was the rubber longer-lasting than Alden's single leather soles? Anything else I should know?

I have experience with #3, and it would be good in those conditions. If you are looking for an Alden model that would also be great for rain, snow, ice & slush I would recommend something like below in Horween Kudu. A few different retailers have offered similar in the past:

Alden Leisure Dark Brown Handsewn Kudu #5730S

www.shermanbrothers.com

 

[eric_61]

I have experience with #3, and it would be good in those conditions. If you are looking for an Alden model that would also be great for rain, snow, ice & slush I would recommend something like below in Horween Kudu. A few different retailers have offered similar in the past:

Alden Leisure Dark Brown Handsewn Kudu #5730S

www.shermanbrothers.com

Oh these look great! Thanks for the heads up, I didn't realize these existed in Horween kudu.

 

[WineAndShoes]

Gentlemen,

Is there any way to distinguish a shoe from Alden DC from one from Alden Madison by appearance? Most retailers seem to use footbed liners specific to their store, but as far as I can tell, both Alden DC and Alden Madison just use the generic "Alden New England" liners.

 

[Vincent George]

Gentlemen,

Is there any way to distinguish a shoe from Alden DC from one from Alden Madison by appearance? Most retailers seem to use footbed liners specific to their store, but as far as I can tell, both Alden DC and Alden Madison just use the generic "Alden New England" liners.

Do you have the box? My DC shoes have a sticker on the box.

 

[WineAndShoes]

Do you have the box? My DC shoes have a sticker on the box.

So if it has a sticker on the box and a "Alden New England" liner, it is DC? I notice that Alden SF also has a sticker on the box, but they have their "The Alden Shop San Francisco" liners. This helps a lot with the shoes I own, but often I am just looking at photos of the shoe on the Alden Model Project. I'm trying to reverse engineer who ran various models that interest me.

 

[Vincent George]

So if it has a sticker on the box and a "Alden New England" liner, it is DC? I notice that Alden SF also has a sticker on the box, but they have their "The Alden Shop San Francisco" liners. This helps a lot with the shoes I own, but often I am just looking at photos of the shoe on the Alden Model Project. I'm trying to reverse engineer who ran various models that interest me.

A few of the retailers use various stickers. It’s not a perfect system, by any means…

But I’ve had some stickers from DC, Leffot, The Shoe Mart…

 

[coolarrow]

I bought these 664 black cordovan tassels and noticed that they look brownish at the front/toe section although black around the heels. This appears a lot in sunlight or just bright lightning.
Has anyone encountered this previously and is it possible to get them black (as they should be)?
Might not be the best photos though… View attachment 2313347

I don't have any black shell, but I've seen them in the retailers. Some black shell seems to give of a "steel" like color, maybe even brown. All shell changes color, even black. It may just be that.

Nice work on the toe taps.

 

[willlls]

I don't have any black shell, but I've seen them in the retailers. Some black shell seems to give of a "steel" like color, maybe even brown. All shell changes color, even black. It may just be that.

Nice work on the toe taps.

Thanks! I talked with Alden customer support and they do refinishing (free of charge) on new shoes in their factory if one isn’t satisfied. Just need to check if it’s worth the shipping cost and customs hustle to send them to US from Europe and back…