r/Alden

Added another pair of Alden to my rotation. The Alden 972, bought these brand new with free shoe trees at Ebay for $367 exclusive of shipping. I conditioned and polished them after trying them on. I opted for a soft shine since I prefer it over a mirror shine unless I am wearing a tuxedo. I was skeptical at first since the Aberdeen last is TTS and these were a half size down with up a width but they turned out perfectly. They seem darker than some 972s but I read that some batches may differ in colouring.

So

I have been eyeing these modified lasted Indy seconds for a couple of weeks now and really want to pull the trigger I just simply don’t need anymore of any I’ve become gluttonous. However… IDO need a new pair of Indy’s as mine ARE 17 years old!

Lol

However I just realized it’s actually two different boots I thought I must have scrolled backwards or something that side is kind of Janky begin with. So I’m looking at them and honestly I guess that one of them is just a calf and one of them is CXL (??)

They are both modified last 270° welt one of them clearly says CXL however the other one to me looks just like a trubalance 403 but on a modified last right?

There’s every chance that the difference is very obvious and I’m simply overlooking it

Is this Alden seconds quality? Should I keep or send back? There appears to be a noticeable divot at the interface between the leather upper and the welt. I’m concerned about the longevity of the shoe and the leather lifting away with repeated wear.

I accidentally got some polish on them when I was shining them. Not sure what I should do now, and whether they’d look nicer coloured in anyway.

I had to pick up a pair of these. I was looking for a Viberg scout at the time and ran across this Alden, leather and wedge combo. I was already familiar with the leather. Russell Moccasin carries it as their Pecos Chamois. It’s a great oil and wax infused leather, making it almost waterproof and very scratch resistant. This is my first new pair of Alden’s. I usually buy seconds or used. I know from past comments, that sometimes the new ones look more like seconds but I didn’t find anything wrong with these.

I just picked up these Rare Color 2 Shell Cordovan Long Wing Blucher and I’m in love. Breaking them in before my job interview next month. I’m up to be a partner in a law firm, after eight years of toiling as a lawyer. I’m hoping that they’ll bring me good luck.

I've been enjoying some unseasonable warmth over the past couple of days. Dovers from the Shoe Mart, LHS from Gentlemen's Footwear.

These are probably my two favorite Alden models, particularly in the summer.