***The official Alden thread *** Share enthusiasm, reviews, sizing, advice, and photos.

[tifosi]



Speed hooks/eyelets are very easy to replace or exchange. Any cobbler can do it.

Yea, but the spacing is different on the speedhooks vs the eyelets on a boot with both. I think it would look funny to replace the hooks with eyelets.

 

[wonsmithr8]

Speed hooks/eyelets are very easy to replace or exchange. Any cobbler can do it.

Ah I see, I'll have to think about it haha

http://needsupply.com/mens/brands/alden/union-hill-indy-boot.html
I know there are others from time to time.

Ah thanks man, I saw those before but I don't wear suede shoes/boots.

 

[budapest12]

LS ravello shortwings for me today.

Don't tell me. Sitting in the back of your closet, forgotten, for the last few years?

I happen to agree with you that there is a place for many materials and textures in the shoe closet. I myself have observed here that calf doesn't get as much love. I'm currently eager to expand my boot lineup in terms of rare shell, but that doesn't mean I don't maintain a soft spot for the likes of cxl. I happen to think others are offering great non-shell boots. If I seem down on the Indy it's not that I'm hating it, I'm just more interested in Alden's other offerings. I reach much more frequently for wingtip and captoe boots than Indys.

Yes, to each his own.

If I want calf I almost never consider Alden. I can get C&J for a little more or AE for a lot less. Actually, when on sale, I can get C&J for a lot less. I'm not saying nobody should buy Alden calf, but I don't see myself doing it any time soon. For my money, Alden is for shell, other brands are for other things.

Leffot has by far the best pre-order policy going. They only put it up once they have received confirmation from Alden so you are never going to wait 2+ years and they only require roughly $100 so you do not have to pull the full balance up front and they can play the float. That is not to say clays and problems are not going to occur but they are mitigating it as much as possible with this system.

Agree that Leffot is pleasant to deal with and the 20% downpayment is extremely reasonable.

 

[blackboard_knowledge]



Hi gang,

Question on the indy boot: I'm once again very close to pulling the trigger on my first pair & am considering these from Union Made: http://unionmadegoods.com/product/alden-stevenson-indy-boot-in-natural-chromexcel-d3803h/

I've got a note into them but haven't heard back yet so I'm wondering : what's the difference between this "Stevenson" indy & the traditional indy in natural? Looks like a leather sole instead of cork - anything else? How would the leather differ in support from the cork?

Anyway replies greatly appreciated. Oh & is the regular natural CXL indy typically always abailable? Currently out of my size at the shoe mart.

THANKS
ww

I don't think that any pair of Aldens has had more **** talked about it on this forum than the Unionmade Stevenson Indys. There were considerable quality issues. Mine had problems --gaps and slightly different shading-- but they are not noticeable to most folks.

So, as someone that owns a lot of Indys, here are a couple of thoughts. The waterlock soles on the Stevensons are interesting, but if these are your first pair, I would go for Indys on the neocork or commando sole, as they are more versatile. Next, the sole edging on the Stevensons are pretty light.

I agree with the feedback from other folks that if you are wed to the Natural Indys and want them now, you should consider picking them up on the neocork sole from The Shoe Mart, North River Outfitters, etc. Honestly though, for all the Indys that I own, I end up wearing the J. Crew Indys most of the time. They are the most versatile, have darker edging than the standard make-up (you will appreciate it), bombproof, and easy to take care of.

 

[blackboard_knowledge]



Is there an Indy boot without speed hooks? That's one of my biggest holdups in trying them.

There are not enough Indys without speedhooks. It is too bad that you don't do suede, as depending on your size, you might be able to get questionably the best Indys ever released from Brown's. Unfortunately, my size is out.

 

[anrobit]

There are not enough Indys without speedhooks. It is too bad that you don't do suede, as depending on your size, you might be able to get questionably the best Indys ever released from Brown's. Unfortunately, my size is out.

Is that price serious? I get there are import duties and shipping costs to Europe, but 570 gbp for a pair of suede Aldens?

 

[blackboard_knowledge]



Is that price serious? I get there are import duties and shipping costs to Europe, but 570 gbp for a pair of suede Aldens?

It is insane. US folks get the 20% VAT back, which makes them only...more than cordovan Indys! They are beautiful though.

 

[wonsmithr8]

There are not enough Indys without speedhooks. It is too bad that you don't do suede, as depending on your size, you might be able to get questionably the best Indys ever released from Brown's. Unfortunately, my size is out.

Ah no worries, thanks though. I was always on the fence about the Indys so no big loss. I'm just picky with what I want and going to try and buy just what I like (i.e. no black, color 8, NST, wingtips I waver back and forth).

 

[coinopcollector]

If I want calf I almost never consider Alden.  I can get C&J for a little more or AE for a lot less.  Actually, when on sale, I can get C&J for a lot less.  I'm not saying nobody should buy Alden calf, but I don't see myself doing it any time soon.  For my money, Alden is for shell, other brands are for other things.

I agree 100%. I can justify Alden prices for shell because it is rare, hard to work with and lasts forever. I won't pay Alden prices for calf or suede, even though I love a lot of the Alden suede models. I know I can get 20 good years out of well cared for shell. Not so for calf or suede, which I see as 3 years at best with any regular wear.

 

[budapest12]

If I want calf I almost never consider Alden. I can get C&J for a little more or AE for a lot less. Actually, when on sale, I can get C&J for a lot less. I'm not saying nobody should buy Alden calf, but I don't see myself doing it any time soon. For my money, Alden is for shell, other brands are for other things.

I agree 100%. I can justify Alden prices for shell because it is rare, hard to work with and lasts forever. I won't pay Alden prices for calf or suede, even though I love a lot of the Alden suede models. I know I can get 20 good years out of well cared for shell. Not so for calf or suede, which I see as 3 years at best with any regular wear.

3 years? Ouch. I've had calf going 8-10 years and still in great shape. Mainly Church's, A. Sergeant, A. Testoni (higher quality rather than lower quality line). Though they were well cared for and rotated through -- and all see less wear now than they did years ago.

 

[coinopcollector]



3 years?  Ouch.  I've had calf going 8-10 years and still in great shape.  Mainly Church's, A. Sergeant, A. Testoni (higher quality rather than lower quality line).  Though they were well cared for and rotated through -- and all see less wear now than they did years ago.

I can see calf lasting much longer in a serious collection where they get worn only a couple to few times per month. Until about 2 years ago I wore 4 pairs of shoes in rotation 5 days a week. 2 pairs of Hanover shell LWBs, one cordovan and one black, brown Alden calf full strap loafers and black AE calf tassel loafers. I still have and regularly wear the Hanover shell LWBs which are on their 3rd soles and 20 years old. The calf shoes always wrinkle and just get worn looking and I never saw the value in resoleing them, simply replaced now by more shell cordovan and a pair of value priced AE calf tassels.

 

[mdubs]

Ravello LHS









-Mike

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]

I am

9D plaza shoes
9.5D plaza boots
9.5D grant boots
I have purchased one grant shoe, in 9D, but had to return it as it was too small. They had no 9.5 D.

What do you wear on Barrie-last shoes/boots? Curious because I know my size on the Barrie and curious how it translates. Thanks.

9C/9D

 

[sazon]



My 1st Impression of Alden #401 Indy Boots (Black). Alden Boots are GREAT! Highly recommend them! Perhaps 405s will be next! Great looking boots. Congrats.

#8

Classic. Well played.....

LS ravello shortwings for me today.

Too good. These should really be made again. And again.

Ravello LHS

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Dude! So awesome. -Mike

 

[docalden2013]

If I want calf I almost never consider Alden. I can get C&J for a little more or AE for a lot less. Actually, when on sale, I can get C&J for a lot less. I'm not saying nobody should buy Alden calf, but I don't see myself doing it any time soon. For my money, Alden is for shell, other brands are for other things.

I agree 100%. I can justify Alden prices for shell because it is rare, hard to work with and lasts forever. I won't pay Alden prices for calf or suede, even though I love a lot of the Alden suede models. I know I can get 20 good years out of well cared for shell. Not so for calf or suede, which I see as 3 years at best with any regular wear.

3 years seems quite a short window of viability for quality calf shoes, even for heavy rotation. Heck, in the days before my styleforum profligacy, I had Kenneth Cole glued rubber soled shoes that lasted at least that long while rotated among, at most, 4 pairs of shoes.

I don't mind paying Alden prices for calf or suede, even if it might be a bit marked up. I know their lasts well, don't feel like taking time to shop around with other brands and their idiosyncratic fits, feel comfy with the Alden retailers with whom I deal, and am happy with what I get.

Definitely agree about getting AE for a lot less. I like their quality, but their aesthetics are sometimes questionable. I still shake my head at myself for buying the casual Neumok bal; that AE offering appears to have an identity crisis.

I'm excited to see my shells and their patinas 20 years out. Do you have any vintage shell you care to share with us?