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

[TokyoStroll]

Yeppers. Went through AoC.

Thanks for the info! I’m thinking of getting a mock toe or tanker style boot before next winter. I love the look of the suede ones but the reverse chamois seems like it would hold up better in bad weather.

 

[barutanseijin]

Hello friends. My trusty Indies are in need of new heels. The neocork soles still have loads of life left. Is there an authorized cobbler in NYC somewhere who can replace genuine Alden TruBalance heels? Or do I need to mail them to the factory and wait half a year? TIA

Moulded Shoes will replace with Alden heels.

 

[Shawnc]

Some killer Ravello’s you have going on lately @JTMD.

 

[JTMD]

Wing Wednesday with classic #8...

 

[JTMD]

Some killer Ravello’s you have going on lately @JTMD.

Certainly content with the half a dozen rares I've managed to get my hands on. Still up in the air as to whether it's fun having to track them down or more of a pain in the rear. I have all these great European manufacturers near me and I'm hunting Aldens in the US...and at a greater cost at that (with shipping and added taxes). 😛

 

[Shawnc]

Certainly content with the half a dozen rares I've managed to get my hands on. Still up in the air as to whether it's fun having to track them down or more of a pain in the rear. I have all these great European manufacturers near me and I'm hunting Aldens in the US...and at a greater cost at that (with shipping and added taxes). 😛

You are a better man than I as I always hated the hunt. I found it maddeningly frustrating. I always believed it was Alden’s way of rewarding vendors, and by extension, high-volume customers, than any issue with shell availability (same Horween colors easily available through other makers, but I digress 😉).

I think 6 is a really good number of’rares’. What’s the mix (shoe v boot / shades)?

 

[JTMD]

You are a better man than I as I always hated the hunt. I found it maddeningly frustrating. I always believed it was Alden’s way of rewarding vendors, and by extension, high-volume customers, than any issue with shell availability (same Horween colors easily available through other makers, but I digress 😉).

I think 6 is a really good number of’rares’. What’s the mix (shoe v boot / shades)?

Cigar 2..LHS and V-tips

Ravello 3... Long wings, plain toe boots, mct boots.

Whiskey 1...George Boots.

Would certainly like to add a #4 & #2 in there 😁

 

[JTMD]

You are a better man than I as I always hated the hunt. I found it maddeningly frustrating. I always believed it was Alden’s way of rewarding vendors, and by extension, high-volume customers, than any issue with shell availability (same Horween colors easily available through other makers, but I digress 😉).

I think 6 is a really good number of’rares’. What’s the mix (shoe v boot / shades)?

Hard to say what draws me to Alden. Carmina is cheaper and has better selection (though their qc and customer service needs improvement). EG calf is in the same neighborhood and EG has excellent QC and customer service. Of course EG shell prices are a bit eyewatering and limited selection. And then there's everyone else here in Europe such as Vass, Dinkelacker, Reiter, C&J, and on and on. All of which would cause less issues with shopping, shipping, and taxes. But they do sort of miss the "hey, look what I just found" element. I also think Alden with its shell and 'rare" shell subsets draws a bit more social crowd. You look at the threads on these other manufacturers and they're not as active as the Alden thread

 

[Shawnc]

Hard to say what draws me to Alden. Carmina is cheaper and has better selection (though their qc and customer service needs improvement). EG calf is in the same neighborhood and EG has excellent QC and customer service. Of course EG shell prices are a bit eyewatering and limited selection. And then there's everyone else here in Europe such as Vass, Dinkelacker, Reiter, C&J, and on and on. All of which would cause less issues with shopping, shipping, and taxes. But they do sort of miss the "hey, look what I just found" element. I also think Alden with its shell and 'rare" shell subsets draws a bit more social crowd. You look at the threads on these other manufacturers and they're not as active as the Alden thread

All very good points. I have owned a few Carmina’s and have not had a single QC issue. They simply don’t have the ‘it’ factor for me and hat Alden does. Yeah, EG’s shell prices are a bit much. I still get tempted from time to time but ouch! And yes, the Alden thread is (IMO) hands-down the best though I also like the EG thread as well. It’s just not as active.