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

[ctmike]

Some blue suede LWBs that don't look very blue in this light. Maybe one of these days the sun will return for some outdoor shots.

 

[slows2k]

Some blue suede LWBs that don't look very blue in this light. Maybe one of these days the sun will return for some outdoor shots.

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I have been on the waiting list with B&M for the restock of their makeup of these navy suede LWBs on leather soles for like 5 years now, since before covid. It's a shame no one makes these shoes in navy suede anymore; they're really special!

 

[WineAndShoes]

Question after walking a few blocks outside on salt-covered, slushy sidewalks...

Which Alden leathers and soles hold up best in winter weather -- particularly on icy and/or salty sidewalks, and with snow hitting their uppers?

I'm thinking commando soles are probably best, right? Or is something like the crepe of the all-weather walker better because it gives you more ground contact?

And on the uppers ... my thought was maybe tobacco or earth reverse chamois? Or chromexcel?

I'd like to find a pair of Alden boots that are really good in the winter, but also versatile enough that I can wear them all year.

I thought about this a lot recently, asked several questions, and ended up with Ealdwine's Pisgah reverse tobacco chamois boot on commando. So far, I've had it in several inches of snow, and I am happy with it. I don't see why the color should matter, so "earth" should be just as good at dealing with the weather as "tobacco". People seemed to feel that smooth chamois takes somewhat more care than reverse to keep it looking good when exposed to the weather. Also, note that some stores call this leather "oiled nubuck" instead of "chamois". A full Vibram lugged rubber sole would be better than the commando sole, but Vibram mostly only seems to be available on Alden's model 404 Indy boots, which use Kudu leather. For some reason, Kudu (basically a heavily oiled Chromexcel) does not seem to be as popular as chamois around here. I think that any of the reverse chamois boots on commando would work, but I picked the Pisgah because it is on Barrie, while I have yet to determine my size in Trubalence, and because Ealdwine is awesome.

 

[coolarrow]

Second up are these Tobacco Smooth Chamois "EF-2" Perf Cap Straight Tip Jumper boots with 270-storm welt on Barrie from Ealdwine. These are extremely similar to the Alden Madison Indy boot make-up and shares about everything (including the neocork [brown] sole and Thomas heel) except for the toe box. I'm conflicted on whether I'll keep the tonal eyes/hooks or whether I switch those out with brass hardware.
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Buddy, you're on a roll. Congrats 2X!

 

[Vincent George]

Huh, I didn't know Moulded Sole offered SMUs in anything other than the Modified last. Cool!

These were made in 2015, so maybe they don’t anymore (?) It was a random “they had a 10eee” in stock/available purchase for me back in 2020.

 

[Norwester]

Question after walking a few blocks outside on salt-covered, slushy sidewalks...

Which Alden leathers and soles hold up best in winter weather -- particularly on icy and/or salty sidewalks, and with snow hitting their uppers?

I'm thinking commando soles are probably best, right? Or is something like the crepe of the all-weather walker better because it gives you more ground contact?

And on the uppers ... my thought was maybe tobacco or earth reverse chamois? Or chromexcel?

I'd like to find a pair of Alden boots that are really good in the winter, but also versatile enough that I can wear them all year.

I will second the recommendation for reverse chamois uppers and commando soles. I have a pair of Smith Jumper boots from Harry's Shoes in tobacco reverse chamois that have become my most worn pair. The dark brown suede is dressy enough to wear most anywhere and they shed water and dirt, so they are my choice when traveling. I have another pair of boots with the Alden lug sole and find them slippery on anything but dry ground. I also had some chromexcel all weather walkers and they were comfortable and relatively grippy in snow, but they started looking shabby pretty quickly, whereas the reverse chamois has kept its good looks even after a year of hard wear.

 

[eric_61]

I thought about this a lot recently, asked several questions, and ended up with Ealdwine's Pisgah reverse tobacco chamois boot on commando. So far, I've had it in several inches of snow, and I am happy with it. I don't see why the color should matter, so "earth" should be just as good at dealing with the weather as "tobacco". People seemed to feel that smooth chamois takes somewhat more care than reverse to keep it looking good when exposed to the weather. Also, note that some stores call this leather "oiled nubuck" instead of "chamois". A full Vibram lugged rubber sole would be better than the commando sole, but Vibram mostly only seems to be available on Alden's model 404 Indy boots, which use Kudu leather. For some reason, Kudu (basically a heavily oiled Chromexcel) does not seem to be as popular as chamois around here. I think that any of the reverse chamois boots on commando would work, but I picked the Pisgah because it is on Barrie, while I have yet to determine my size in Trubalence, and because Ealdwine is awesome.

I will second the recommendation for reverse chamois uppers and commando soles. I have a pair of Smith Jumper boots from Harry's Shoes in tobacco reverse chamois that have become my most worn pair. The dark brown suede is dressy enough to wear most anywhere and they shed water and dirt, so they are my choice when traveling. I have another pair of boots with the Alden lug sole and find them slippery on anything but dry ground. I also had some chromexcel all weather walkers and they were comfortable and relatively grippy in snow, but they started looking shabby pretty quickly, whereas the reverse chamois has kept its good looks even after a year of hard wear.

Thank you both for the thoughtful responses! It seems like reverse chamois on commando soles are the winner — and I’ve been looking at several models that would give me just that tonight.

As far as Alden’s Kudu — I’m totally speculating, but I wonder if it has something to do with the reality that Horween’s Kudu isn’t actually kudu leather? I do like kudu leather a lot — Parkhurst has had some fun makeups with very casual boots with kudu leather lately — so maybe being bothered by the Alden/Horween kudu not actually being kudu is just a “me” thing.

My next decision is whether to go with a boot (the Jumper would be perfect; also considering an Indy boot) or a PTB on the Barrie last. TruBalance is a fine fit for me, but Barrie is perfect.

 

[Markintosh]

I have been on the waiting list with B&M for the restock of their makeup of these navy suede LWBs on leather soles for like 5 years now, since before covid. It's a shame no one makes these shoes in navy suede anymore; they're really special!

C&J has two shades of navy suede, and variety of different sole choices, an MTO takes 90 days

 

[KarlHungus]

C8 Naval boot from Leffot yesterday

And C8 straight tips from Sherman Brothers today

 

[Shawnc]

So good @KarlHungus. Shows the range and versatility of Alden 8 in one post. +100 for the denim and slacks.

For me, well, better late than never. 4 Wings on Grant. Grant E width is my best fitting boot last. Plaza E is a close second………..

 

[slows2k]

C&J has two shades of navy suede, and variety of different sole choices, an MTO takes 90 days

C&J makes incredible shoes and a couple models are on my list...but they don't make the Alden LWB. The Alden longwing pattern on barrie is the industry best, IMO, so Im happy to wait for a retailer to run navy suede again. What does surprise me is how rarely they're made up anymore, about 10 years ago a few retailers made them, and at one point it was a standard makeup offered by Alden SF.

 

[Vincent George]

Beast Mode

 

[jellyroller]

Hiding from the snow with my 9070

 

[eric_61]

Two pairs of longwings that I’ve been considering for a while, and have added to my cart over and over… does anybody have either of these? I’d love to see some real-life photos!

I love the vibrant colors, brass eyelets, antique edges and commando soles. Honestly my work environment is so casual these days that I could wear these anytime. And as I mentioned in a previous post, soles that hold up to the slushy, salty sidewalks in a Chicago winter are really appealing to me.

 

[WineAndShoes]

As far as Alden’s Kudu — I’m totally speculating, but I wonder if it has something to do with the reality that Horween’s Kudu isn’t actually kudu leather?

My next decision is whether to go with a boot (the Jumper would be perfect; also considering an Indy boot) or a PTB on the Barrie last. TruBalance is a fine fit for me, but Barrie is perfect.

To me, Horween's faux-Kudu thing is an annoyance, not something that would keep me from buying products made of this leather. Instead, I think Kudu's lack of popularity has more to do with what @Norwester mentioned --- Kudu seems to develop a lot of "character" quickly, and although many people here greatly admire the patina on well-worn leather, Kudu's development seems less appealing. As far as I know, this behavior is cosmetic rather than functional, but if we didn't care about appearance, we probably would not be buying so many Alden's.

As for the boot versus shoe issue, I think it mostly depends on how much snow you expect. This year is an exception, but in a normal year, the snow in my favorite ski town would be well over the top of a shoe by this point. Boots work better because the pants cuffs over the boot tend to keep out most of the snow even if it is over the top of the boot, so I very rarely have to pull out my gaiters. I really wanted a 6-eyelet chukka boot in reverse chamois on a lug or commando sole, but none of the retailers seem to be selling one in my size or even interested in a reorder. I found some 2-eyelet chukkas, but I think the loose fit at the top of a 2-eyelet chukka would let in too much snow. So, I settled for a Barrie lasted boot.