Finally found Aldens in Toronto @ NOMAD!

[KrYpToNiAn1]

The store is called NOMAD, and they are the first store, that I know of, that offer Alden boots in Toronto. They are also, to my knowledge, one of, if not the only store in Ontario that carries them. They are offerring the 403, 404 and of course the famous 405. They have been open since 2005 at their Richmond St. location, however are just about to launch their Queen St. W. flagship store.

http://store.nomadshop.net/collections/footwear

Currently, they only offer Aldens in the standard D width, but I asked and they will do special orders on specific widths as long as you pay for the shoes in advance. They are $495 Canadian.

Anyways, I am so glad I can try a pair on before buying now. Phew! Once I figure out my size, I still may go the Schmidty route. Depending on shipping costs...

I'm looking at getting a pair of 405s and then darkening them up a bit.

s.

[KrYpToNiAn1]

I popped in to NOMAD today to try on a pair of the 405s. Just like I've learned on COW, in an Alden I'm down a whole size. Normally, I fit a 10.5. But, in an Alden I'm a 9.5. Almost a 9, but not quite. But, I definitely require the E width. The standard D width is too narrow.

They recommended to protect the boots, I should get soul savers put on by a cobbler. Has anyone else done this to their 405s?

Oh, and I snapped this before I left. Thought I'd share...



I'm probably gonna pick up a pair as soon as I hear back from Schmidty. =)

s.

[Long John Tinfoil]

My shoe repair guy recommend that for leather soles, but as I recall he suggested wearing them for a while to get the soles scuffed. That was for a pair of western boots he re-soled for me a couple of years ago. Guess I should go back and get them put on one of these days.

What was the atmosphere in the place like? I'm near Toronto, but not much of an urban animal. Looking at the rest of what they sell, it doesn't really look like my kind of place (and I don't need another pair of Aldens).

LJ

[Canada Jones]

This is very helpful. Were these people cool about you trying on the shoes and then leaving or was there pressure to buy?
thanks
Canada

[KrYpToNiAn1]

I'm a little bit drunk from sampling Holiday brews at the Raven's Den, but this is what I think...

'It's all in the width, and how tight you tie the boot.' When I tried these on, I didn't tighten them up like I could have. They are $500! I didn't want to crease or break in the leather much. So, I tried them on and used my judgment. I can feel where the arch should be, where the foot sits. For my foot, in an E width, a 9.5 feels like it should, even though usually I wear a 10.5.

Do you want to look like Indiana Jones? or... BE Indiana Jones? Feel like Indiana Jones? My vibe is, stop lookin' at the tongue and the laces. Start to rely on how you feel in them. Trust yer gut.

s.

[KrYpToNiAn1]

Oh, and Canada - they were very cool. They were playing up the Queen St. Toronto attitude a bit, but overall were sensitive to my geeky attraction to a shoe.

And Long John, they have a lot of cool clothing lines. Not stuff for everyone, but there were a couple things that spoke to me.

s.

[Kt Templar]

Hey KrYpToNiAn1, is that some sort of LOMO filter you have?

[TheExit148]

Nomad rocks, so many nice clothes there. Alden's in Toronto finally is pretty sweet. Hopefully it works out for you. Good luck

[KrYpToNiAn1]

Hey KrYpToNiAn1, is that some sort of LOMO filter you have?

http://hipstamaticapp.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



s.

[Kt Templar]

Ha! Pretty cool.

Just bought a MBP 13" so the iphone will have to wait!

[nickgignac]

If I spent that much on footwear, I wouldn't want to wear them out of the house! Give me a solid surplus combat boot any-day.

[KrYpToNiAn1]

Schmidty's totally helping me out with my Alden purchase, his expertise and service is top notch. From his experience, he feels that the Alden's fit true to size. My problem is, when I tried on the 10 1/2 D on at Nomad today, I really think they felt too big. Schmidty says the longest toe should almost touch the mock toe stitching. The link below is to a couple pictures I took of my foot in a few different sizes. Read the photo descriptions for details.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21592752@N ... 88/detail/

As you can see, my toe is under the mock toe stitching in all of the photos.

My foot was measured at 10.5 E. But, maybe I should order the 10 E or 9.5 E in an Alden... I'm so confused.

What are your thoughts guys?

s.

[TheExit148]

My foot measured 11D at the Alden shop in Washington DC, and I bought a pair of 10.5D boots, and they fit like a dream. So thats 10.5 in the True Balance last which the Indy's are made on, and then I also take a 10.5D in the Barrie last which is slightly wider then the true balance. You may want to go back and try a 10D.

[KrYpToNiAn1]

My foot measured 11D at the Alden shop in Washington DC, and I bought a pair of 10.5D boots, and they fit like a dream. So thats 10.5 in the True Balance last which the Indy's are made on, and then I also take a 10.5D in the Barrie last which is slightly wider then the true balance. You may want to go back and try a 10D.

Sounds like the 10E should be my best bet. How close to the mock stitching are your toes in your Aldens? Here is my foot in the 10D, my finger approx. marks where my big toe was... http://flic.kr/p/8ZGuxx

s.

[interbak]

Knapp's in Listowel Ontario carry Alden's as well. They don't keep much stock, but they'll order anything you like.

http://www.knapps.ca/index.html

Brian

[TheExit148]

My foot measured 11D at the Alden shop in Washington DC, and I bought a pair of 10.5D boots, and they fit like a dream. So thats 10.5 in the True Balance last which the Indy's are made on, and then I also take a 10.5D in the Barrie last which is slightly wider then the true balance. You may want to go back and try a 10D.

Sounds like the 10E should be my best bet. How close to the mock stitching are your toes in your Aldens? Here is my foot in the 10D, my finger approx. marks where my big toe was... http://flic.kr/p/8ZGuxx

s.

My big toe is a bit higher up there then yours. The end probably lines up with the top row of stitching on the mock toe. You have to go with what feels most comfortable for you, especially at that price point.

[Timmythekid]

$500 seems a bit steep, considering you can get the JCrew 405s new on the 'bay for under $400 can., shipped to BC...nice to be able to try them on though...