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

[shaunw]



Hmm, good to know. I would be very interested in Cigar Indys, but I expect they're sold out everywhere right now, no? I do see that they're on the Madison Ave website, though; maybe I'll drop in tomorrow, just in case.

If you had to choose between Cigar Chukkas and Cigar Indys, what would it be? I'd been thinking 403 + Cigar Chukka for the purposes of variety, but Cigar Indys may be just a little too awesome to pass up, given the chance.

I'm no Alden expert by any means. I don't own any chukkas just not my cup of tea I guess. I got my cigar indys from theshoemart I think they still have a few sizes in stock?

 

[Bateman87]

I'm no Alden expert by any means. I don't own any chukkas just not my cup of tea I guess. I got my cigar indys from theshoemart I think they still have a few sizes in stock?

Only size 12, sadly.

 

[fitchottie]

Also, can you tell by this picture if the fit of this boot is correct?

 

[stevent]



I think this description must have been a mistake in transposing from the chromexcel info. Alden definitely uses other animal hides in the occasional makeup (see this recent Bison, for example) and I'm pretty sure kudu is just what it sounds like... I've got the LS Kudu UI and it is not of the same character as my other chromexcel calf pairs.
Perhaps Jason or Tom could chime in here with an authoritative answer...

The "kudu" that Alden uses is indeed full grained cowhide, hand curried in a process similar to shell cordovan.

From:
http://horween.wordpress.com/2010/03/23/chromexcel®-2/

There are many varieties of Chromexcel at this point – Wooly, Beaufort, Cavalier, Plainsman, Huntsman, Kudu, and Horsefront, to name some.

I have the 404s and I would say it is definitely cowhide but at least 3x as oily as the CXL in the 403s

 

[mediahound]



Also, can you tell by this picture if the fit of this boot is correct?

There's no way anyone can tell the fit of a shoe via a picture. Only you can tell that by how it feels when wearing it.

 

[jasonfoote303]



Also, can you tell by this picture if the fit of this boot is correct?

that one crease that goes diagonally to a point under the quarter makes it look like those boots might be a little long but the width looks good.

but yeah, how do they feel?

 

[fitchottie]



that one crease that goes diagonally to a point under the quarter makes it look like those boots might be a little long but the width looks good.
but yeah, how do they feel?

great with the width, a tad long maybe... when I tried on the 11.5 the shoe hurt around my instep....

 

[meego]

Does anyone know any online shops that stock Alden shoe trees and other shoe care products, who would be willing to ship internationally?

 

[furo]



The "kudu" that Alden uses is indeed full grained cowhide, hand curried in a process similar to shell cordovan.

Good to know, thanks for confirming this

 

[advan031]



that one crease that goes diagonally to a point under the quarter makes it look like those boots might be a little long but the width looks good.
but yeah, how do they feel?

Oh really? My cap toe creased this way but they fit just fine with generous toe room. How much toe room do u guys leave for boots?

 

[jasonfoote303]



great with the width, a tad long maybe... when I tried on the 11.5 the shoe hurt around my instep....

sounds like you could be an 11.5E in Barrie for a better fit. Try it sometime if you can

 

[Alcibiades]



I have the jcrew Indy which is basically the 403 and also have the cigar shell Indy. I would say that either could be worn with just about any casual pant....jeans, chinos, etc. If I could go back in time any only buy one of the two it would definitely be the cigar Indy....just my .02

Hmm, good to know.  I would be very interested in Cigar Indys, but I expect they're sold out everywhere right now, no?  I do see that they're on the Madison Ave website, though; maybe I'll drop in tomorrow, just in case.

If you had to choose between Cigar Chukkas and Cigar Indys, what would it be?  I'd been thinking 403 + Cigar Chukka for the purposes of variety, but Cigar Indys may be just a little too awesome to pass up, given the chance.

This may sound dumb to some, but IMO get a "real" Indy (either brown leather or Chromexcel) and then get another cigar boot (chukka, captoe, whatever). The Indy is probably Alden's most casual boot, it looks best in the more casual leathers IMO. The huge stitching on cordovan Indy's doesn't help. Plus, that Indy at Madison has a double leather soul, which decreases the utility of the Indy IMO.

 

[bellyhungry]

Noob question:

I normally wear size 10E or 10.5D for most dress shoes. If I am to get a Barrie-lasted LWB, what size should I order?

Thanks.

 

[NotClever]

Oh really? My cap toe creased this way but they fit just fine with generous toe room. How much toe room do u guys leave for boots?

I think the reasoning there is that if the ball of your foot is too far back then the shoe will crease further up which can cause pain since the quarter is stiffer and will stab down into your toes. You can have all the extra room in the toebox you want as long as your foot is placed properly in the rest of the shoe.

 

[onijo84]

I have decided to part with my NIB Jcrew x Alden Longwing Bluchers tobacco calf(10D) after much deliberations. Barrie last is just not for me it seems. I thought of tossing them over in B&S before returning..If any one you guys want them you know the drill.