Shoes that look better with age...

[Broark]

Good point Julian, hadn't considered applying those.
Another point I should've mentioned is that I've also been considering the JM Weston 180 loafer in beechnut suede.
The JM Weston seem a bit more dressy and my style is more casual, but I saw some in person in Paris and they were really well made.

[yung_flynn]

31 minutes ago, Broark said:

Getting a little in the weeds here, but looking to buy a pair of Alden snuff suede loafers.
Is the LHS version (6243F) really that much of an upgrade over the machine sewn version (6221L)?
The general consensus seems to be that the LHS version is higher quality, but I was leaning towards the 6221L given the rubber sole.
Looking at photos online and it's hard to tell much of a difference. Might be easier to tell in person, but I don't have that option unfortunately.
Generally I'm not a fan of leather soles, but most people don't seem to mind the flex leather one from Alden.
6243F:

6221L:

I like the softer lines and toe bump of the LHS but the wait time can be huge. If you have a pair of non shell Alden Indy’s, the faux moc toe stitching will be machine sewn so you could imagine that on a loafer. The shell Indy’s are hand sewn. 
 

Have you checked The Shoe Mart for factory seconds of the LHS? You should be able to get some for 30-40% discount

[Broark]

14 minutes ago, yung_flynn said:

I like the softer lines and toe bump of the LHS but the wait time can be huge. If you have a pair of non shell Alden Indy’s, the faux moc toe stitching will be machine sewn so you could imagine that on a loafer. The shell Indy’s are hand sewn. 
 

Have you checked The Shoe Mart for factory seconds of the LHS? You should be able to get some for 30-40% discount

No experience with shell moc-toes, but good point of reference!
The Shoe Mart actually has my size in stock for the LHS but not for the factory seconds unfortunately. I've kept an eye on those in the past, might be worthwhile.

[yung_flynn]

I know that the big Alden-heads really hate the mechanically sewn models, but I have not seen them in person so my knowledge is all secondhand. They could actually be bad or it could just be frustration at change. I've never really dabbled in Alden loafers because my feet make loafer sizing very difficult and I'm never in a place with an Alden stockist for long enough to get properly sized. It's also relatively hard to find secondhand pairs in long and narrow sizes to take a quick sizing flyer.

Alden Model Project compiles all the second hand listings too if you can find a pair in your size. I would not pay much more than $200 - non-shell loafers don't hold the same resale value as their boots.

https://aldenmodelproject.com/

[mlwdp]

Phigvel made a moccasin 

 

[HGS]

I wouldn't say the handsewn is inherently higher quality. The resulting look is slightly different. 

I have a pair of Alden shell tassel loafers (from shoe mart factory seconds, with possibly fewer imperfections than my first quality models -- that's a tale for another time), and I like the machine stitch on the apron.  It's a bit "neater" and that makes it a bit dressier than the handsewn, which works for what I wear them for.  Of course, if you are going for something more casual, then that won't be an issue.  I think there is a place for both.

 

[Graytrain]

On 6/7/2024 at 10:27 AM, cultpop 0217 said:

 

 

These are gorgeous. What has been your sizing discoveries with vintage Noconas? I see info all over the board. 

[mlwdp]

$3,000 for a pair of engineer boots?  You’d get a better deal with Clinch or Role Club than these boots here:

https://the-soloist.net/ja-us/collections/guidi-x-takahiromiyashitathesoloist

[julian-wolf]

Expensive fashion boots are nothing new

Forget Clinch or Role Club, you’d probably get a better product from any of the standard brands in the $8–1200 range

[yung_flynn]

I picked up some Franks boots over Fathers Day and they arrived last week. I’m just getting around to posting pics now but they’ve been breaking in nicely since these photos were taken. These are the stock Wilshire model in Seidel’s Brown Domain leather

[redragon]

Coupen in horse

Length of the shoelace makes the knot comicly large lol

[Alec Leamas]

On 6/14/2024 at 9:02 PM, Broark said:

Getting a little in the weeds here, but looking to buy a pair of Alden snuff suede loafers.
Is the LHS version (6243F) really that much of an upgrade over the machine sewn version (6221L)?
The general consensus seems to be that the LHS version is higher quality, but I was leaning towards the 6221L given the rubber sole.
Looking at photos online and it's hard to tell much of a difference. Might be easier to tell in person, but I don't have that option unfortunately.
Generally I'm not a fan of leather soles, but most people don't seem to mind the flex leather one from Alden.
6243F:

6221L:

I recently picked up a pair of 6423F in snuff suede direct from Alden (as they did the E fitting which was a must for me).

I will say I have no experience with the LMS version, but one of my main attractions to the LHS was the van last and the rounded shape of the toe, the raised moc stitching plays a big part in that and gives the toe it's distinctive structure, and I like the effect.

I felt, from photos that the LMS toe looked that bit pointier and more slender, which I wasn't keen on. Also, in the UK the only width available on the LMS was D, which given what I have now experienced the E to be like, would have been wayy too slim.

I don't mind a leather sole, and so far, the sole on the 6423F has proven itself very comfortable.

TLDR; I'm not an Alden purist I just really like the look of the snuff suede LHS (been a grail item since I got into menswear really), and I just see the difference as being an aesthetic one

[Duke Mantee]

On 7/1/2024 at 9:43 AM, redragon said:

Coupen in horse

Length of the shoelace makes the knot comicly large lol

Worst laces ever offered on a pair of shoes or boots. I replaced them all and threw those out … except for one pair which I sent back to RDT telling them how bad they are.

[l13902733261]

2 hours ago, Duke Mantee said:

Worst laces ever offered on a pair of shoes or boots. I replaced them all and threw those out … except for one pair which I sent back to RDT telling them how bad they are.

First time I lace them up lol, doubt it could be worse then those jerky strips Lofgren offered.

[Duke Mantee]

1 hour ago, l13902733261 said:

First time I lace them up lol, doubt it could be worse then those jerky strips Lofgren offered.

Just put good waxed cotton laces on them - or some rawhide strips

[Broark]

The RDT laces might actually be worse than the Lofgren ones.
Within the first 2-3 times of wearing my pair the laces on one shoe snapped.

[julian-wolf]

That’s hard to believe, I’ve tried 4 different Lofgren laces now and they’ve been 4 of the 5 worst laces I’ve ever tried

[Broark]

The Lofgren ones are terrible, but somehow RDT managed to source even worse ones.

[Alec Leamas]

Why do laces appear to be such a sticking point with some footwear brands?

I have also had Yuketen laces snap on me within a month or so of use (raw hide ones, apparently)

[Broark]

So I was set on ordering the LHS version of the Alden snuff suede loafers, I looked at more photos and you can tell a difference in the stitching.
...until I saw a factory seconds pair of the machine sewn version on TSM this morning in my size.
Hard to ignore the nearly ~$250 difference in price. Gonna think on it a little bit and see what I decide.

[Alec Leamas]

32 minutes ago, Broark said:

So I was set on ordering the LHS version of the Alden snuff suede loafers, I looked at more photos and you can tell a difference in the stitching.
...until I saw a factory seconds pair of the machine sewn version on TSM this morning in my size.
Hard to ignore the nearly ~$250 difference in price. Gonna think on it a little bit and see what I decide.

That's absolutely fair, $250 is not inconsiderable, either way I'm sure you will come out with a great pair of loafers.

[Broark]

1 hour ago, Alec Leamas said:

That's absolutely fair, $250 is not inconsiderable, either way I'm sure you will come out with a great pair of loafers.

I'll post some photos and thoughts once they arrive. TSM sent out a free shipping coupon for the 4th so I jumped.

[chicote]

Can anyone with Moto shoes speak to how you determined sizing? I am looking secondhand as their website is always sold out, but finding sizes are all over the place, where a “0” is sometimes listed as 23.5cm and sometimes 25cm, a “2” is sometimes 25cm and sometimes 27cm … not to mention a handful of reviews which say they can run a size large… I am looking at a pair of moc toe low top shoes… are those considered oxfords? don’t really know lol. anyway, grateful for any help!

[julian-wolf]

@chicote Their sizing supposedly varies quite a bit between lasts. I’ve had good experiences emailing them in the past to confirm—but also each of their product pages generally lists a suggested foot length range for each model, which I’ve found to be reliable

[diggers]

REDWING 2268

[julian-wolf]

Far from the standard fare, here, but I can never resist a direct old vs. new comparison

La Sporta Mythos Eco, old ones have seen around 3 years as training shoes, 2 front resoles (fourth photo), and enough hand stitching on the uppers (second photo) to call it a day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[smoothsailor]

Old shoes always look better. @julian-wolf

i guess you buy these for function, but did you also bought these because they look nice?

 

Edited July 8 by smoothsailor

[julian-wolf]

@smoothsailor It’s a bit of a mix I guess. I strongly prefer full leather uppers for reasons unrelated to aesthetics, but the way they age is a nice bonus

It surprised me to see how much they’ve darkened up—if you’d asked me before I ordered the replacements, I would have guessed they started off brown

[Broark]

Received my Alden loafers today, for factory seconds they seem to be pretty solid!
There's some small cosmetic flaws but nothing that I'd think too much about for the price.
It's surprising how comfortable they are right off the bat, no break in period needed.
The moc stitching is a little disappointing since I've seen photos of the LHS versions, but given the price I paid I'm happy with these.




Feel like I've officially reached peak menswear.

[julian-wolf]

Is the mock moc stitching on the machine sewn version even some transverse to the leather, or is it just two rows of straight stitching right through to the inside (mock mock moc)? Either way they look great on you