Alden Shoe Restoration v. B. Nelson Shoe Restoration

[johnniegold]

@Marco - you're welcome.

@blantyre - although I’ve never inquired of Alden whether they do metal toe plates, I don’t see that they offer it as an option so I’m guessing that Alden does not offer it.

 

[Rhody]

Great pics thanks for the great write up taking us along on this journey

 

[The Knize]

I love the combo heels!

 

[johnniegold]

Alright, Gentlemen. I am still awaiting the arrival of the Alden Black Shell Cordovan Medallion cap-toe shoe from Alden.

I am now sending the final pair of shoes from my collection for restoration (at least for a while) to Alden.

It is the same shoe that I am currently waiting for from Alden except it is the Color 8 version.


As you can see with all my shoes, the heavy wear by the toe area of the sole

Worn down heels exposing metal which can get slippery at times so the repair is also for safety reasons. Also, the middle area of the sole is getting soft when you depress it indicating that a hole will be appearing shortly.

As with the last pair that had a slight crack in the leather (and Alden decided to go ahead with the repair) this pair has a similar issue as well. This one is not as noticeable but let’s see how Alden feels about it.

And they are off. The cost of the restoration has increased slightly from $175.00 to $179.00. Still worth it IMO.

 

[johnniegold]

Today, I received Alden’s notification postcard that they’ve received the shoes I just sent last week. It says 8-10 weeks so I’m guessing those shoes should be arriving some time in late September.

 

[FarmerTan]

Very nice!

 

[johnniegold]

I see Alden has charged my account for the shoes sent on June 22nd so they should be arriving next week. Anxious to see how this pair turned out.

 

[FarmerTan]

I see Alden has charged my account for the shoes sent on June 22nd so they should be arriving next week. Anxious to see how this pair turned out.

Me too. Following!

 

[johnniegold]

The Aldens sent on June 22nd are back.

PART I - THE PACKAGING


The shoes are returned in a new box along with shoe trees that are included in the price of the restoration.

Along with some new shoe bags.

Shoes are returned in plastic bags

On to Part II...

 

[johnniegold]

PART II - THE RESTORATION

BEFORE:

AFTER

BEFORE:

AFTER:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

As for the small tear/crack in the leather, as you can see there is really nothing that can be done to repair it. Let’s just call it “character”.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

So there you have it. The 5th restoration is in the books.

The newly restored Alden Black Shell
Cordovan Medallion Cap Toe.

I am pleased with this restoration.

 

[Basil]

Sucks about the crack. Did they add any backing to it on the inside?

 

[johnniegold]

Sucks about the crack. Did they add any backing to it on the inside?

I did check to see if there something placed in the interior lining and there was nothing.

 

[Basil]

Hmm I just figured they would have.

 

[sanookd]

PART II - THE RESTORATION

BEFORE:
View attachment 1005125

AFTER
View attachment 1005124

BEFORE:View attachment 1005126

AFTER:
View attachment 1005118

BEFORE:
View attachment 1005127

AFTER:
View attachment 1005120

As for the small tear/crack in the leather, as you can see there is really nothing that can be done to repair it. Let’s just call it “character”.

BEFORE:
View attachment 1005128

AFTER:
View attachment 1005121

So there you have it. The 5th restoration is in the books.

The newly restored Alden Black Shell
Cordovan Medallion Cap Toe.
View attachment 1005123


I am pleased with this restoration.

But how do the shoes feel on your feet now? It doesn’t matter how great the restoration turned out if the fit was so altered that the shoes are no longer comfortable to wear.

 

[johnniegold]

But how do the shoes feel on your feet now? It doesn’t matter how great the restoration turned out if the fit was so altered that the shoes are no longer comfortable to wear.

Thus far, none of the Alden shoes felt any differently after being restored. It’s like they are “new” old shoes. The fit was the same as before. My guess (and an uneducated one at that) is that all of the Alden shoes that I had restored have a midsole (a double outsole) so the overall structure of the shoe is maintained after being restored.

However, the J&M shoe felt differently in the footbed because of more cork being added but now, after being worn several times, that difference is not as pronounced. That particular style of shoe is a single outsole, therefore the work performed is “closer” to the interior of the shoe which could impact the fit after the work has been done.

Only once did I receive a pair of shoes where the fit had changed so much and were so uncomfortable that I hardly wore them. It was a pair of J&M that I had restored twice by J&M (again, a single outsole). The first time they were fine but the 2nd time, the fit in the toe-box was too snug so those shoes were relegated to foul-weather shoes. Perhaps, it was poor craftsmanship. It might be worth mentioning that J&M no longer offers a refurbishment program for their shoes so that might be indicative of something.

 

[sanookd]

Thus far, none of the Alden shoes felt any differently after being restored. It’s like they are “new” old shoes. The fit was the same as before. My guess (and an uneducated one at that) is that all of the Alden shoes that I had restored have a midsole (a double outsole) so the overall structure of the shoe is maintained after being restored.

However, the J&M shoe felt differently in the footbed because of more cork being added but now, after being worn several times, that difference is not as pronounced. That particular style of shoe is a single outsole, therefore the work performed is “closer” to the interior of the shoe which could impact the fit after the work has been done.

Only once did I receive a pair of shoes where the fit had changed so much and were so uncomfortable that I hardly wore them. It was a pair of J&M that I had restored twice by J&M (again, a single outsole). The first time they were fine but the 2nd time, the fit in the toe-box was too snug so those shoes were relegated to foul-weather shoes. Perhaps, it was poor craftsmanship. It might be worth mentioning that J&M no longer offers a refurbishment program for their shoes so that might be indicative of something.

I was curious to know. I have a pair of identical style to the ones in your photo which are shell cordovan burgundy color that have a double sole. My shoemaker told me I better really like them because as easy as I am on shoes they will never wear out. The original heels lasted 20 years. I just had the heels replaced with a dovetail ones like from the factory but didn’t send them back to Alden to do it. Now that I’m retired for sure the soles will never wear out.

 

[Marco]

@johnniegold

Bob, no metal toe plates this time? Or Alden just does not use them in their restorations?

 

[johnniegold]

@johnniegold

Bob, no metal toe plates this time? Or Alden just does not use them in their restorations?

It does not appear that this option is available as part of their restoration program.

 

[The Knize]

<It might be worth mentioning that J&M no longer offers a refurbishment program for their shoes so that might be indicative of something.>

Probably of J&M's decline as a serious player.

Yeah, too bad about the crack. I would keep wearing them, though. Adlai Stevenson would have.

Great shoes. Nice restoration.

 

[johnniegold]

Probably of J&M's decline as a serious player.

Yeah, too bad about the crack. I would keep wearing them, though. Adlai Stevenson would have.

Great shoes. Nice restoration.

No doubt about J&M. Can’t pinpoint exactly when they went south but I have a few pair from the late 90’s, early 00’s (before I ventured off into Alden) and the quality of those shoes were still pretty decent.

And as for the crack, you know I’m going to keep wearing them.

Prince Charles would...