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

[Markintosh]

I can’t take my eyes off of the pair from Brogue. Fortunately (I guess) Mack doesn’t have my size. Though I did scratch an itch with another pair from him that I should be taking delivery of sometime next week [sigh]. Downsizing due to impending retirement is simply not working out as planned………



Thanks so much for this. I’ve never been one to follow trends but I will admit that I am stumped by what seems to be a popular opinion regarding the wearability of blue suede shoes. I am interacting with the shop and I like the spec’s and will likely get on the preorder later today. The brass eyes make me a little nervous but I really would like some blue suede and would prefer a long wing.

I looked through their site as well - was there a picture of the make up? I dropped them a note I might be interested.

 

[Markintosh]

Wanna hear something crazy? This is exactly what I’m thinking about……..

I thought your preference was commando? Maybe that’s just in boots.

 

[Markintosh]

You guys must be tired of burning money in the fireplace for heat, haha. I'm not quite in a place where I can spring for a pair of $700 shoes and add another $200 on top for the sole to be replaced immediately. In the future, maybe, but not quite yet...

Shares of NVDA make it a little easier….

 

[Shawnc]

I looked through their site as well - was there a picture of the make up? I dropped them a note I might be interested.

Yessir………..

I thought your preference was commando? Maybe that’s just in boots.

You nailed it. Strong preference with boots. Shoes? Really depends on the make/style.

 

[als2775]

My favorite Alden style is the plain toe Blucher on the Barrie last and Double Leather soles. Perhaps it is a fools errand, but I have aspirations of collecting one or more "rare shell" versions of this style. I'd appreciate it if anyone can tell me when Alden SF last ran their Model 9900 - Ravello Plain Toe Blucher or Alden DC ran their Model 9905 - Whiskey Plain Toe Blucher?

I was able to get some 9905s at Alden SF back in early December.

 

[Markintosh]

Yessir………..



You nailed it. Strong preference with boots. Shoes? Really depends on the make/style.

I was looking at the Claymore Shop - thank you...I'm on the fence...I don't have blue suede LWB...

 

[Shawnc]

Apologies @Markintosh, misunderstood the ask. I could not find it on the Claymore Shop site either.

 

[Weldy]

379X Vtip “Kudu” Brogue x Shoemart

complete review on Reddit if anyone is interested https://www.reddit.com/r/goodyearwe..._app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=2&utm_term=1

 

[Hisheirness23]

Okay, maybe a wild question but this has to be the best place to ask: anyone had luck shrinking their suede LHSs a little bit?

I have a pair of the snuff in my standard van/barrie size but after a couple years they’re just a bit too loose with my medium weight socks, making them less secure than I’d like when wearing. Wondered if I could put them on and soak them in water to see if they’d tighten up a bit since they’re unlined. Kind of like people do With STF denim.

Thoughts anyone?

If it's a heel slip issue, a tongue pad could help. They also make heel/achilles pads to keep your heel down. The tongue pad could be the answer if the upper has stretched wider, as now the additional volume will get taken up (vertically). Much cheaper and non-damaging approach to try that, first.

 

[slows2k]

If it's a heel slip issue, a tongue pad could help. They also make heel/achilles pads to keep your heel down. The tongue pad could be the answer if the upper has stretched wider, as now the additional volume will get taken up (vertically). Much cheaper and non-damaging approach to try that, first.

That is a great suggestion that seems so immediately obvious. Never would have thought about it on my own here because pads like that are entirely off my radar. Definitely worth trying that before anything else. Thanks!

 

[TokyoStroll]

I'm sorry if I missed this in other posts, but I have a question for anyone with experience with both the modified & trubalance lasts. Is the toe box area in the trubalance wider or higher than in the modified or are they about the same?

In the modified both 9D & 9.5C fit and I'm wondering if a 9C in the trubalance would be too narrow in the toes.

 

[Shawnc]

Gang,

Quick question. Can anyone speak to the advantage of a boar bristle v horse hair brush, specifically as it relates to shell? Seems like boar bristle is stiffer and the online research is sketchy at best. Anyone use boar bristle for shell?

 

[Keyser_Söze]

Gang,

Quick question. Can anyone speak to the advantage of a boar bristle v horse hair brush, specifically as it relates to shell? Seems like boar bristle is stiffer and the online research is sketchy at best. Anyone use boar bristle for shell?

I use boar when I have bad blooming I need to deal with. Otherwise I just use horse hair to move around the fats and clean off some dirt.

 

[Shawnc]

Makes sense @Keyser_Söze, thanks. Any recommendations on brand?

 

[JTMD]

Gang,

Quick question. Can anyone speak to the advantage of a boar bristle v horse hair brush, specifically as it relates to shell? Seems like boar bristle is stiffer and the online research is sketchy at best. Anyone use boar bristle for shell?

I've been using horsehair on my shells for 15 years..pretty much because that was the "common wisdom" when I got into it. As such, even though my boar bristle brushes are stiffer, I've always stuck with horsehair for shell. Kind of one of those "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" things.