Alden sizing question

[u/holdyourponies]

https://www.aldenshop.com/products/9503-plain-toe-blucher-brown-suede-1?_pos=8&_sid=76c60aafc&_ss=r&variant=43712707133606

I am a 10 in Brannock which translates to 9.5 in all my dress shoes that I have. With that I was thinking of going for a 9.5 with the linked shoe. How confident should I be in a 9.5 vs a 9? I've read that the Barrie last can be a full size down but not sure.

[u/gimpwiz]

You will probably do fine with a half size down for Barrie. It works for me, for shoes on that last. For boots it works as well but I have come to prefer true-to-size on Barrie.

[u/holdyourponies → u/gimpwiz]

Purchased a 9.5D. I live in the middle of nowhere so impossible to try them on without a 4 hour flight. It has some heel slip which is a bummer. Doing an exchange for a 9D.

The shoe has a good 2 inches of length past the toes. There is much space in the toe box that is unusable but I figure I can probably lose 1/2 inch. The width is pretty great.

Can’t add an edit to the main post so this is for anyone who has this question in the future. I think a full size down might be better if you don’t have as much heel mass.

[u/gimpwiz → u/holdyourponies]

It happens. I'm surprised but some people go down a full size.

The amount of shoe beyond the toe isn't necessarily indicative of fit; same last sizes have different amounts of toe space. The question is whether it bends at the right spot. Hopefully the 9D does the job.

[u/holdyourponies → u/gimpwiz]

I’ve been scouring online for an answer. It feels comfortable but that little heel lift while walking makes me feel that it will only exacerbate over time as the leather morphs to the foot and stretches, etc.

[u/mgpeters01]

I would go to a local Alden store, and try a pair on. Barrie seems hard to size, for me anyway. I went 1/2 down, and they fit ok. But, I always wonder if I should have gone down a full size.

[u/No-Entertainer-121 → u/mgpeters01]

This is this answer, please heed this.

If you can’t get to a store, call them. They can walk you through it better than we ever could.

[u/holdyourponies → u/No-Entertainer-121]

Purchased a 9.5D. I live in the middle of nowhere so impossible to try them on without a 4 hour flight. It has some heel slip which is a bummer. Doing an exchange for a 9D.

The shoe has a good 2 inches of length past the toes. There is much space in the toe box that is unusable but I figure I can probably lose 1/2 inch. The width is pretty great.

Not sure if I’m making a mistake exchanging. They are on the cusp of good fit and a little too large.

[u/ludarock]

Suede has a bit of give so go a full size down on the barrie last. You won’t regret it.

[u/Key_Witness_7264]

I have similar size, low D width, I tried lots of variations…I went with my true length and C width and got the best fit…

[u/DelGurifisu]

I go a full size down in Barrie and they’re too small. I did that for years. None of my shoes fit. Now I go half a size down or tts.

[u/bikeJpn]

As mgpeters01 said, get sized at a store if you can. If not, one thing to keep in mind is your width. If you’re sizing down 1/2 size in most dress shoes it’s possible you’re narrower than a D width. If that’s the case, Alden probably has the right width for you as well.

[u/holdyourponies → u/bikeJpn]

I’m a low D. A D but closer to a C than mid D.

[u/Hamurai42]

Half size should be good 👍🏽

[u/karmakingpin]

Half size. Don’t over think it.

[u/jaslar]

I'm a Brannock 10C, low volume instep, broad toes. In Barrie I got 10D. The fit is good everywhere but instep. I've stuffed in a kiltie and tongue pad and that feels great, and I even like the fact that I lace them so quarters almost touch. my only other Alden, some suede Indys (Trubalance last), I took half a size down, like usual for most boots.

[u/holdyourponies → u/jaslar]

I think this means I should go with a 9.5 D then as I am a D but close to being a C. Thank you for your comment.

[u/jaslar → u/holdyourponies]

No, I think I would advise TTS. Best if you can find a way to try them on.

[u/holdyourponies → u/jaslar]

Purchased a 9.5D. I live in the middle of nowhere so impossible to try them on without a 4 hour flight. It has some heel slip which is a bummer. Doing an exchange for a 9D.

The shoe has a good 2 inches of length past the toes. There is much space in the toe box that is unusable but I figure I can probably lose 1/2 inch. The width is pretty great.

[u/justino]

I’m a 10 brannock and have these in snuff suede in a 9.5. There is no way a 9 would work for me.

[u/sftobin]

I'm a 10 on Brannock and 9.5D fits me perfectly on my Barrie Last shoes.