Alden is a step above many brand sun terms of construction but not the end all. This year was interesting with the Alden community response to rose anvil’s video about Alden Indy boots, but imo there are two types of “imperfections”. 1 are aesthetic ones that don’t impact shoe integrity and unless you are paying $1500+ you cannot expect a maker to be free of these, 2 are functional imperfections and those would be expected to not be found in an Alden pair
Im ok with my toe box, I just find it hard to believe that my heel is coming off after 5ish wearS. I have Crockett and Jones, JM Westin, Carmina, churches. And this is the first time I’ve seen this happed. And I still haven’t gotten an answer back. rose wore his pair 30 straight days too. My were 5ish wear with days in between and using Alden shoe trees. Honestly I think I’m going with Lobb and carmina going forward. Thanks for the conversation!
Been digging your videos we have very similar tastes. I have the #9 cordovan just got them but haven’t wore them yet. I’m going to be inspecting mine for defect but now I might just do crocket and Jones or Jm Weston. The Jm Weston le moc I really liked. I just can’t find a leather I like and don’t want suede. Are you bailing on the the Alden’s? I have the indy boot and love them. Wore them all day on my last trip to nyc and was all good.
Love Crocket and JM. I’m honestly still in the fence. I love Alden’s tassel loafers. Had a pair of JM but same as you. Don’t love the colors. Might save a little longer and get a pair of EG. might give Alden another chance.
The #9 cordovan is so hard to let go off so on that fence with you. Have you thought about John lobb? Similar color constraints as the JM. The JM I tried recently was the le moc brown suede. Great fit and rubber sole is nice but a little too casual on the color.
Hey brother love the videos! Was wondering what the sizing is like on these? Seems like you sized down a bunch? Excited for the 1 year review! Also did Alden take care of you for the issues?
Honestly everything about these loafers was terrible, no one ever responded. They are to small, I think the shoes are to different sizes. Purchased a 7 should have been a 7.5. The heel cups are different hights so my foot slips out of the shoes on one side. Honestly I stopped wearing them and I can't sell them because I wouldn't want someone use to have the same experience.
Thank you for your detailed review including the flaws. It’s surprising to see the flaws after only 18 wears. Crockett and Jones make a very similar loafer in cordovan. I’ve been looking at both and until now unsure which to get. I guess all these shoes are handmade using natural materials and flaws are inevitable, but still the stitching flaw and heal separating is a bit concerning.
Honestly I would go with Crockett. I love there Harvard loafer. I think it's the perfect looking shoe. I believe the lined on is called the Boston. Both are great.
It’s pretty typical of Alden these days. Those of us balls deep in the GYW world have come to terms with these issues. They will still last for decades but it’s a bummer. Maybe check out the Grant Stone loafer? Those are always on point with QC.
@@JamesHerlihyif you like Alden, you should really give Grant Stone a try. I have 7 pairs of Alden, all but two of them shell, but have added a number of Grant Stone pairs (on sale) recently. The quality and consistency on Grant Stone is scary good. Basically flawless construction. I don't own any of their shell stuff (always sold out), but I have their loafers in kangaroo, antelope and suede and they're perfect. Alden still has the edge on some of the materials they get, but for half the price, GS is hard to beat.
@spiritusmentis honestly not much of a fan of Alden personally it really like grant stone great quality stuff. I don't have a pair but would like to own at sompoint.
No one should accept that lack of quality control. I have two Alden Indy boots, one from Dashing Chicago, with a defect in the leather. I am visiting Chicago later this month and will see him related to the defect. Give Crockett and Jones a try; you will not be disappointed. I have several pairs, and the quality is far better than Alden. Also, Grant Stone produces high-quality shoes and boots for a reasonable price.
Love Crockett. I have a pair of those and also JM Weston. I was hoping to get more of an American classic with the Alden but these will probably be my last pair. I think I might try paraboot next.
Alden fit & finish is really bad. It's true. I have ordered a number of boots from them, and they have all come with serious mistakes such as scratches, fucked up stitching, and poor staining of the leather. These are the kinds of mistakes that should have ended up with the shoes in the "Seconds" bin. Just cos the company is old and storied does not mean they are good now. Alden also does some shit with their main buying country of Japan, like higher stitch density and better QC.
I had a pair of loafers once and they were really comfortable- made from suede. When the police took me to a mental institution they took my loafers and gave me really thick socks to walk around in. 🤪I'm not crazy...it was just a misunderstanding. 🤪 I have sensitive feet from diabetes so they allowed me to have my loafers back, especially because they didn't have laces. I wore them with the really thick socks they gave me and it stretched them out too much for regular wear. Once I was certified as crazy they let me go and I haven't worn loafers since. I have to see how it fits in with my wardrobe but i would love a pair maybe with a mini lug sole. I see the G.H. Bass Larson Lug Weejuns Loafer is sold out on thier site 😕
@@JamesHerlihy It's funny thinking back on it now 😄 I now have so much compassion for people seeking help in that kind of institution. At least I got to encourage those I was locked up with. They were beautiful people.
That’s unfortunate this is the first pair I had the problem with. Honestly I already got rid of them. The left shoe was a full size smaller than the right
I love your penny loafers. 😊
Unfortunately I sold mine! Hope yours worked out better
Have you tried Allen Edmunds shoes ? I take a size 6 D shoe and very few shoe companies make shoes in my size.
I have a pair of the 5th avenue and really like them. I wear a 8d
Alden is a step above many brand sun terms of construction but not the end all. This year was interesting with the Alden community response to rose anvil’s video about Alden Indy boots, but imo there are two types of “imperfections”. 1 are aesthetic ones that don’t impact shoe integrity and unless you are paying $1500+ you cannot expect a maker to be free of these, 2 are functional imperfections and those would be expected to not be found in an Alden pair
Im ok with my toe box, I just find it hard to believe that my heel is coming off after 5ish wearS. I have Crockett and Jones, JM Westin, Carmina, churches. And this is the first time I’ve seen this happed. And I still haven’t gotten an answer back. rose wore his pair 30 straight days too. My were 5ish wear with days in between and using Alden shoe trees. Honestly I think I’m going with Lobb and carmina going forward. Thanks for the conversation!
Been digging your videos we have very similar tastes. I have the #9 cordovan just got them but haven’t wore them yet. I’m going to be inspecting mine for defect but now I might just do crocket and Jones or Jm Weston. The Jm Weston le moc I really liked. I just can’t find a leather I like and don’t want suede. Are you bailing on the the Alden’s? I have the indy boot and love them. Wore them all day on my last trip to nyc and was all good.
Love Crocket and JM. I’m honestly still in the fence. I love Alden’s tassel loafers. Had a pair of JM but same as you. Don’t love the colors. Might save a little longer and get a pair of EG. might give Alden another chance.
The #9 cordovan is so hard to let go off so on that fence with you. Have you thought about John lobb? Similar color constraints as the JM. The JM I tried recently was the le moc brown suede. Great fit and rubber sole is nice but a little too casual on the color.
Hey brother love the videos! Was wondering what the sizing is like on these? Seems like you sized down a bunch? Excited for the 1 year review! Also did Alden take care of you for the issues?
Honestly everything about these loafers was terrible, no one ever responded. They are to small, I think the shoes are to different sizes. Purchased a 7 should have been a 7.5. The heel cups are different hights so my foot slips out of the shoes on one side. Honestly I stopped wearing them and I can't sell them because I wouldn't want someone use to have the same experience.
LHS Van Last fit to ture size or down size?
I have no clue these were deff not the right size. Dont wear Alden anymore honestly.
Ohhh yeaa early morning post 🤩
Good way to start a Monday!
Thank you for your detailed review including the flaws. It’s surprising to see the flaws after only 18 wears. Crockett and Jones make a very similar loafer in cordovan. I’ve been looking at both and until now unsure which to get. I guess all these shoes are handmade using natural materials and flaws are inevitable, but still the stitching flaw and heal separating is a bit concerning.
Honestly I would go with Crockett. I love there Harvard loafer. I think it's the perfect looking shoe. I believe the lined on is called the Boston. Both are great.
Thanks for your advice
Cool Loafer! Can you tell me red stitch black jeans info you wear in video?
I got you!
www.selfedge.com/sugar-cane?product_id=1453
It’s pretty typical of Alden these days. Those of us balls deep in the GYW world have come to terms with these issues. They will still last for decades but it’s a bummer. Maybe check out the Grant Stone loafer? Those are always on point with QC.
Thanks! I think I’m just going to go back to JM Westin and Crockett & jones
@@JamesHerlihyif you like Alden, you should really give Grant Stone a try. I have 7 pairs of Alden, all but two of them shell, but have added a number of Grant Stone pairs (on sale) recently. The quality and consistency on Grant Stone is scary good. Basically flawless construction. I don't own any of their shell stuff (always sold out), but I have their loafers in kangaroo, antelope and suede and they're perfect. Alden still has the edge on some of the materials they get, but for half the price, GS is hard to beat.
@spiritusmentis honestly not much of a fan of Alden personally it really like grant stone great quality stuff. I don't have a pair but would like to own at sompoint.
Thank you for sharing those shoes look awesome
Alden is a hit or miss. Crocket and Jones are a much better shoes overall in terms of quality control, style and fit.
Agreed!
could you do an updated video on the morjas boots if you still have them?
I got you. You’ll have it this week or next
No one should accept that lack of quality control. I have two Alden Indy boots, one from Dashing Chicago, with a defect in the leather. I am visiting Chicago later this month and will see him related to the defect. Give Crockett and Jones a try; you will not be disappointed. I have several pairs, and the quality is far better than Alden. Also, Grant Stone produces high-quality shoes and boots for a reasonable price.
Love Crockett. I have a pair of those and also JM Weston. I was hoping to get more of an American classic with the Alden but these will probably be my last pair. I think I might try paraboot next.
Wow! Never seen these problems before.
Yeah I’m kinda surprised
The town is Middleborough Massachusetts
good to know!
Alden fit & finish is really bad. It's true. I have ordered a number of boots from them, and they have all come with serious mistakes such as scratches, fucked up stitching, and poor staining of the leather. These are the kinds of mistakes that should have ended up with the shoes in the "Seconds" bin. Just cos the company is old and storied does not mean they are good now. Alden also does some shit with their main buying country of Japan, like higher stitch density and better QC.
Completely agree! It's really sad because I wanted to love them so much. I ended up selling them on eBay
I had a pair of loafers once and they were really comfortable- made from suede. When the police took me to a mental institution they took my loafers and gave me really thick socks to walk around in. 🤪I'm not crazy...it was just a misunderstanding. 🤪
I have sensitive feet from diabetes so they allowed me to have my loafers back, especially because they didn't have laces. I wore them with the really thick socks they gave me and it stretched them out too much for regular wear. Once I was certified as crazy they let me go and I haven't worn loafers since.
I have to see how it fits in with my wardrobe but i would love a pair maybe with a mini lug sole. I see the G.H. Bass Larson Lug Weejuns Loafer is sold out on thier site 😕
Bummer! Sorry to here
@@JamesHerlihy It's funny thinking back on it now 😄 I now have so much compassion for people seeking help in that kind of institution. At least I got to encourage those I was locked up with. They were beautiful people.
I got the same pair. Alden’s soles are crap, just embrace it.
Hahah I might put them below Allen Edmonds at this point
Their cordovan finish is one of the kind, plus good looking lasts and Americana flair
Completely agree
All of my Alden’s have the same flaws
That’s unfortunate this is the first pair I had the problem with. Honestly I already got rid of them. The left shoe was a full size smaller than the right
Those are factory seconds. You got ripped off.
Yeah you live and learn.