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

[ctkim]

I just got some new Alden Unlined Suede Chukkas. These are my first aldens and I love them, however the edge of the back of the shoe is digging into my achilles and breaking skin.

Has anyone had this issue before? Is this part of the "break-in" process?

The back of the shoe is very stiff and I don't know if it'll ever become soft. Maybe I need to develop some callouses on my achilles or something.

 

[Bbombers85]



I just got some new Alden Unlined Suede Chukkas. These are my first aldens and I love them, however the edge of the back of the shoe is digging into my achilles and breaking skin.

Has anyone had this issue before? Is this part of the "break-in" process?

The back of the shoe is very stiff and I don't know if it'll ever become soft. Maybe I need to develop some callouses on my achilles or something.

I had this issue with my color 8 chukka a and cigar PTB. It went away after a few wears and break-in. That being said, you should make your own determination if your shoe is simply too tight.

 

[marvaments]

I just got some new Alden Unlined Suede Chukkas. These are my first aldens and I love them, however the edge of the back of the shoe is digging into my achilles and breaking skin.

Has anyone had this issue before? Is this part of the "break-in" process?

The back of the shoe is very stiff and I don't know if it'll ever become soft. Maybe I need to develop some callouses on my achilles or something.

I'm experiencing the same thing on only one shoe. Hoping with more wears it goes away...

 

[Ohatride]

Do the plain toe boots look more ravello than cigar? Color 8 for color comparison.

Here's another comparison with a pair of 403s:

 

[Jazzitdown]

Hi all,

I'm curious if anyone has both an Alden Barrie last shoe and a Hampton. I currently own a pair of Alden Longwing Cordovans in the Barrie last and they fit perfect. They are an 8 D/EE. I'd really like to buy either the Perf Tip Bal or the Medallion Tip Bal in the Hampton last but am unsure what size to order. My best guess based on sizing I've read around the web is 8.5 EE or 8.5 EEE. Does anyone know which one I should order? Thanks

 

[mdubs]

Yeah, they look more Ravello to me. But honestly, on the color differentiations blur in the edges and after wear. My Whiskey LHSes that I am wearing right now, now look more Ravello than Whiskey.

 

[Joenobody0]



Yeah, they look more Ravello to me. But honestly, on the color differentiations blur in the edges and after wear. My Whiskey LHSes that I am wearing right now, now look more Ravello than Whiskey.

That's very correct. Whiskey tends to darken with wear, while Ravello gets lighter. They often meet in the middle after a couple years.

 

[RevisIsland]



That's very correct. Whiskey tends to darken with wear, while Ravello gets lighter. They often meet in the middle after a couple years.

Exactly the reason why I seem to have a hard time buying the same shoe in Ravello and Whiskey. There is definitely a pretty decent gap in color to start, but my whiskeys have been darkening up pretty quickly. If you take a look at some of uncle mac's aged whiskey and ravello, sometimes it is hard to tell the colors apart.

 

[JezeC]

Exactly the reason why I seem to have a hard time buying the same shoe in Ravello and Whiskey. There is definitely a pretty decent gap in color to start, but my whiskeys have been darkening up pretty quickly. If you take a look at some of uncle mac's aged whiskey and ravello, sometimes it is hard to tell the colors apart.

would somebody pull up some pictures to see how ravello and whiskey age? interesting...

 

[RevisIsland]

Found some of Mac's old NST photos. Can you tell which one is Ravello?

 

[Handcuffed]

@MrDV

Did the LS choco suede tanker deposit for you actually go through? Another member and myself never had the $100 taken out of our accounts and apparently the order was delayed by Alden so it's not yet a pre-order.

 

[Bbombers85]



@MrDV

Did the LS choco suede tanker deposit for you actually go through? Another member and myself never had the $100 taken out of our accounts and apparently the order was delayed by Alden so it's not yet a pre-order.

I was contacted and confirmed I'm in, but was also never followed up on the $100. They were meant to call me since I didn't want to send CC info via Email.

 

[ctkim]



I had this issue with my color 8 chukka a and cigar PTB. It went away after a few wears and break-in. That being said, you should make your own determination if your shoe is simply too tight.

Thanks for your reply. For me, it's not so much that the shoe is too tight. I have skinny ankles so I have some wiggle room when I tie up the shoes.

 

[sleepyinsanfran]

Found some of Mac's old NST photos. Can you tell which one is Ravello?

Whiskey in the top pic, ravello in the botom pic?

 

[mdubs]



Whiskey in the top pic, ravello in the botom pic?

Nope, the Aberdeen Boot is Ravello. The Barrie Blucher is Whiskey.