Shoes that look better with age...

[denimdestroyedmylife]

They ARE exclusive to the Alden store------their entire "fan" series are custom, produced to Alden-of-Carmel specs. If you try on another shoe with a PLAZA last, you will have a good idea of how these boots will fit.

[sam113]

Gotcha.

One more question, if you don't mind.

Are these, IYO, boots that can stand up to abuse?

Not working construction type abuse, but a couple miles of walking every day and spending most of each day one ones feet? I love the looks of them, and I'm tired of Doc's and combat boots, but if they aren't good and durable I'll have to look in another direction.

I've got dress boots. I need an every day boot with the AF60's looks.

[denimdestroyedmylife]

you won't find a more durable boot. cordovan boots are an heirloom piece---------you may eventually need to resole them, but that's about it. they will outlive you so long as you don't wear them every day. they require minimal maintenance.

one thing to consider:

some advise keeping cordovan boots dry

others say they are perfect for snow and rain

there is no consensus.

[sam113]

Thanks.

Looks like I'm about to own a pair.

[mizanation]

shell cordovan is supposed to be the only leather that a) doesn't wrinkle and is naturally waterproof. i would suspect that they hold up well under bad weather, but due to the heat wave we've been having, i haven't been able to test this out.

[mizanation]

Nothing like a bag of bubbly.

Do you know if they are exclusive to the Carmel store?

My local Alden dealer hasn't even heard of them.

by the way, many local alden stores don't use the AF (alden fan) model numbering system. for instance, my local store in manhattan uses different model numbers to describe simillar shoes as the alden fan shoes.

it's better to ask specific shoe features instead. but, if you want the EXACT shoe that ddml has (black shell cordovan lace-up boot with cap toe and commando sole), you will probably have to order it from carmel.

BTW, i'm loving my shell cordovans. but it's one of those things (like jeans) that you will love more as time passes.

[denimdestroyedmylife]

shell cordovan is supposed to be the only leather that a) doesn't wrinkle and is naturally waterproof.

people report that water makes the leather bubble; some say the bubbles go away when they dry, others report that the bubbles never go away

good choice, sam. keep us abreast and provide pics!

[sam113]

I will do that.

Thanks both of you for all the info.

[malsponge]

DDML-

Any chance we can see picks of the boots with jeans? Just for the hell of it? Thanks

[greentea]

i htink ill pick up these horse's ass leather shoes, for the fall season. stay tuned. where can ig et these in the bay area?

[mizanation]

they have a famous alden store in san francisco.

[denimdestroyedmylife]

there you go, malsponge

[digital_denim]

I'm waiting for the UPS guy to deliver my alden's as I type!

[greentea]

which one did you get digi? i like the one miz got, boots lookin one.

[digital_denim]

Yeah, I actually called the order in to the same store. Not sure if the SF alden has the model. But I would've ordered from them anyways, since they knocked some off the price. Miz, what was the original price on these anyways?

Also saved on Sales tax (40 bucks), just 10 bucks shipping!

[damnIam]

those tricker and russell boots are nice. I'm looking for this redwing model but the only sites that pop up with it are japanese sites. It sucks, i can't find them in the country they're made in. Here's a pic of them worn in. If you know where to get these, let me know.

http://www.onlineshoes.com/productpage.asp?type=brand&brandid=57&brandcatid=454&gen=m&pcid=13594

These are the closest thing I have found and are the same shoe but with a moc toe instead. They are really nice and look great when you break them in but holy shit it takes a while.

[denimdestroyedmylife]

damn! those look fucking nice! thanks------very nice. i love boots w/ crepe soles.

[malsponge]

I just bought these from virtual clothes horse. I am hoping they will look better with age. I think I am getting them for about 150 bucks too, but not sure.

http://www.virtualclotheshorse.com/index.php?page=shop/flypage&product_id=210942&category_id=81083253317

I hope they fit, haha. Now if somone will just buy the nudies I have up for sale on styleforum(where my name is denimaddict)....cough....then I can actually afford these boots.

[denimdestroyedmylife]

that's a great price you got!

[greentea]

i want to get boots cordovan in black,

[digital_denim]

They finally came!

Here they are with my fullcount 1108s.

[denimdestroyedmylife]

so what do you think???

they fit?

what strikes me is how diifferent the #8 color looks in each shot. the leather sole dresses up the boot. they do look good with those jeans.

[bart1]

I have a few pair of shoes that I really like.

My faves are Costume National "Texas". They have a real beefy heel, pointy toe, and almost look like cowboy boots under bootcut jeans.

I also have soime Blundstone black "dress" boots. These Blunnies are awesome. Tough as nails, I wear them almost daily. Super light weight, so they surprised me with durability. If it's okay to post a link, www.aussiegeardirect.com is a great place to buy them.

For tennis shoes, I picked up some John Varvatos laceless Converse recently. They are low top ALL Stars with an edge. Blue suede, pinstripe lining, and a see through sole.

[digital_denim]

so what do you think???

they fit?

what strikes me is how diifferent the #8 color looks in each shot. the leather sole dresses up the boot. they do look good with those jeans.

They actually fit spot on. Can't wait for them to mold to the foot and become really worn in. Yeah, the color is constantly changing depending on the lighting. Thanks for the intro to the brand DDML.

Edit: They are dressy right now. But I think that's because of the shine and newness of them. Hopefully when they get beat up a bit, I can go both ways. There is a pair of Indy Cordovan's in the far far far far future for me though!

[greentea]

hey digi what size do you wear?,they look pretty big on the photos. is it best to get these true to size?since they should loosen up as you break them in.

[greentea]

also how high is the heel?

[digital_denim]

I normally wear 9.5 to 10 depending on the shoe. I went with a 9D on these. If you live in the Bay Area, it's best to just try on some Alden's at the store to figure out your size, that's what I did. They actually look small compared to some of my other shoes. The heels seem standard, measured 1"

[Pauken4]

How did the 9"s fit?

How thick a sock are you wearing with them?

[denimdestroyedmylife]

they say you should size down on plaza lasts; they measure longer than standard. However, I'm 9.5 (rarely 10) and 9.5 plaza feels perfect.

i don't know what last miz & dd's boots are built on. you should go into the SF alden store.

if money were no object, greentea, you may consider placing a custom order for black cordovan indys. heat!

whoa. black indiana jones... played by mos def. directed by... spike lee.

[mizanation]

nice digital denim! the #8 has a lot of character, the color really changes depending on the light.