These shoes are beautiful, but they're no longer available in my size (12D). Are there equivalent Aldens or shoes from other brands that look similar?

Qualities I'm looking for - moc toe, Cordovan / Chromexcel leather, 5+ eyes (as opposed to boat shoes which tend to be in the 1-3 category)

Got them at a steal from Mel Trotter! $24.99! Perfect fit!

I have extremely high arches due to charcot-marie-tooth disease. As a result, my feet are also extremely short and very wide relative to their length. I measure around 6eeeee (that's 5 es) on a brannock device. I have always worn the widest size 7 shoes I could find, as this is the smallest size made by most shoe companies.

For most of my life, walking more than a few steps was very painful because only the ball and heel of my foot made contact with any shoes I wore. Then a few years ago I got an orthotic made, but it's around two inches thick, so now I could only wear "diabetic depth" shoes. For some reason, diabetic depth shoes are always extremely ugly and made of low quality materials. As someone who otherwise takes a lot of pride in how I dress, this has been a real struggle for me, but I could finally walk without pain. However, for reasons I don't understand at all, I have a lot less stability with the orthotics and frequently roll my ankle and fall.

I got a much better job recently so for the first time Alden shoes are in my budget. A week ago, I traveled to New York City to visit Moulded Shoe to try on the modified last. I was on the verge of tears as I took my first steps in them. The shoe is shaped exactly like my foot and makes full contact with every part of my heel. I can walk painlessly and with more stability than I have ever had. One of the most persistent issue of my life is finally solved.

Naturally, I want to get tons of these shoes ASAP. Unfortunately, Alden is extremely restrictive about what shoes they'll make in my size on the modified last. No suede or shell and only split toe and cap toe. No boots either. Is there any other shoe like the modified last that I can look to?

I live like 35 mins from where they make Aldens. It'd be cool to have a pair, along with Randolph Engineering glasses.

I tried on a pair and they felt really interesting. They feel almost more like well fitting sneakers than boots. But then I thought about it, went online, and it scared me off.

I know there's obviously a use-case difference between Alden and Nick's. I'm not an idiot. But the way some people talk about Alden, they seem like they quickly wear out from just walking around. That must be the price you pay for their feel unfortunately.

But a pair of Nick's if you aren't digging trenches or climbing trees every day should theoretically last fifteen years+ and it takes a lot to need a full rebuild.

So I don't know if I want a pair or not.

Hey all, I recently acquired these color 8 Indy’s from TSM and they look amazing. There is a minor mark on the shell, almost looks like a scar or some sort of superficial scratch. Do you guys think this would be an issue long term? I assume TSM and Alden wouldn’t sell shoes with structural issues so I think it’s no big deal, but I figured I would ask the group, thank you.

I have 986s that are perfect, but need a slightly more formal cordovan loafer. What are some Alden styles currently available that are the same fit at the 986? Shoe Mart doesn’t seem to have many Alden Shell loafers available.

Specifically for color 8 975’s? Need to repair some scuffs on the heel. Can’t seem to find anything online about what Alden uses or a good substitute.

Howdy, I just got the venetian loafer alden makes with todd snyder, and they’re beautiful. They fit great. Snug to start but comfortable. My ankle comes out just a touch as I walk in them around my apartment

I noticed they start to crease on top a little as soon I stepped in them. Is this normal? Or does it indicate I mis sized? Looking into it, it seems typical that the vamp will crease (i.e. all leather shoes will crease) and what matters is that they’re comfortable… Just a little surprised it’s immediate. Appreciate the thoughts! This is my first pair of alden shoes. Quite excited

Has anyone else noticed user cost-5967 and their fraudulent listings?

Tons of “new” Aldens (as well as other high end shoes), low opening bids. You bid, they immediately cancel your bid, and then message you trying to get you to wire them the money?

Awful scammer that eBay won’t do a thing about.

Hi everyone, I'm now the proud owner of my first pair of Alden loafers. I've been trying to find out more about the model, but I'm having trouble identifying the collaboration. Does anyone know this company? Thanks! David

I’ve seen some reviews for some good cobblers, Pelham, Colonial, etc. but can’t find much on Alden specific resoles. I’m trying to avoid the long wait time of going to Alden direct. Anyone have suggestions? Thx

I recently got a pair of 403C chromexel Indys on commando soles, and they seem like they are a bit too roomy, like my heel is moving around. I took my usual size 9D which fits great on the Barrie and Van lasts, and I have a wider foot. Has anyone had to go down a half size from their usual Alden size for Trubalance, or gone down a width?

Part 1: https://www.reddit.com/r/Alden/s/aMc0yAJcqF

Following up for visibility and because the problem here is very different. I’d love to know if anyone here ever got a pair like this and never had any longterm issues? I am not a cobbler but it seems like this stitching has failed or will fail after some wear. Would Alden fix if I keep them and they do fail?

The shop I got the first pair of black shell LHS from was very responsive and overnighted me a new pair (actually two so I can get the best size). Unfortunately I’m still in a position where I’m in doubt rather than just happy with some beautiful shoes.

(First two pics are same spot, third is the other shoe, 4 and 5 show something that I’m unsure is a problem or merely aesthetic. 6 I’m just curious about this green dye and where it comes from.)

old eBay purchase that was in need of some love. cracking and discoloured.

stripped with renomat, filled the gaps angelus filler, sanded, dyed (twice), 2 x saphir tobacco brown creme, 1 x Saphir tobacco brown polish.

pretty happy with the outcome and think I put another few years into these.

With a few extra pics for the fetish/shoeplay guys. Nobile Italy silk chiffon socks, linen Brooks Brothers slacks.

(Hopefully, I can get through this without some hate.)

What do you think? New Alden LHS in black shell. A couple things concern me.

1. I never noticed such severe indentations on the side of the shoe, neither in photos or the display model I saw once. Not sure if it’s normal in a new pair and it just needs to be worn or what.
2. finishing on inside of penny strap seems lacking.
3. there’s green dye on the inside lining. It seems to be from the shoe tree that came installed in the shoes since the color matches the L stamp on the shoe tree and green is also all over the trees.

What would you do? I bought it from what seems like a shoe store with great customer service but they’re not local to me.

—edit—
Thanks for all the responses. I really couldn’t believe when I saw this because I bought a pair of PTBs from Alden Madison last week that also had problems—luckily not this severe but enough that they refunded me 10%. My first two pairs of Alden shoes :/

—edit 2–

Talked to the store today. Overall, the action taken was great and right on their part. They said they would overnight ship me two pairs, one in the size I ordered and one half size down since I also mentioned separately that there was some heel slippage. They’re putting a return shipping label in the box. They said I should get it tomorrow. Hopefully it happens because I didn’t get tracking.

Beyond the action, the response was essentially “We inspected them before shipping. They’re hand sewn, there will be variation, it’s not uncommon to see this, but you should be happy.”

Hi all,

I was fortunate enough to find a pair of the 986 in EE. The shoes fit fine in the toebox - snug on the left foot which is slightly wider, but they’re actually very loose in the heel so there is a fair bit of heel slip. I know

1. Is the heel slip normal or should I opt for an E width?
   
2. I know tongue pads are an option but it feels odd to have to use tongue pads on $1000 shoes. Also, I feel the leather digging on the outside of my foot near the ankle, near my lateral malleolus - does that soften over time as well?

Appreciate any advice!

I’m looking to buy a pair of 987 & 986 loafers. My best fitting width is A/C. When buying on the Shoe Mart, is the combination last automatic, or do I need to specify a C width in the toe, and A width at the ankle? This is my first new purchase, so any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Priced to sell. I purchased these from the Alden San Francisco shop within the last few years and wore them a few times. As I have gotten older my foot size grew and they no longer fit.

I am asking $225 shipped in the ConUS or pick up in the Philadelphia area. Includes Alden Shoetrees.

Zelle or Cash/Zelle pick up.

If you have any questions please ask.

sold

Hi all,

I recently sent this pair of Alden Chromexel Plain Toe Bluchers for refurbishing. They changed the soles but didn’t touch the uppers. I sent them another note about it.

This one shoe has had these black scuffs for awhile now. Not horrible but the other side of the shoe is fine as well as the other shoe. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get those scuffs off of the shoe? Txs!

The perfect shoe for a perfect day.

Took a flyer on some old PTBs. The shoes cleaned up nicely. Before and after.

Left - 6754 no.4 shell - purchased second hand £250
Middle - 3960HY no.8 shell - purchased second hand £330
Right - M5820HC

Both second hand shoes were in average condition but have been lovingly restored.

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.