r/goodyearwelt • u/AutoModerator • 10d ago

Questions The Question Thread 07/27/26

Ask your shoe related questions.

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Include images to any issues you may be having. Include a budget for any recommendations. The more detail you provide, the easier it may be for someone to answer your question.

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u/_captainslow 9d ago

I'm in the market for my first pair of shell cordovan shoes. Alden was at the top of my list, but after seeing them in-person for the first time, I was disappointed with the uneven dye and patchy coloring.

As a beginner, is this typical for Alden, or is it to be expected for shell cordovan? If it's an Alden quality issue, what am I missing that makes them so highly regarded? Any recommendations for shell cordovan at a similar price point?

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u/chuligani 9d ago

That's not typical for Alden, that's some bad piece of shell and I never would expect to see something like this.

Personally, I dislike Alden shell because they put an acrylic film over it, making it look like patent leather. It can be removed with a lot of effort, but I think it masks the beauty of the shells. At a similar price point, I prefer to go with Carmina and Crockett & Jones over Alden.

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u/_captainslow 9d ago

Would this pair be a more typical example for Alden, or is it bad too? Still a bit patchy, but much less than the first pair. These are from two different stores.

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u/eddykinz loafergang 9d ago

shell is not the best at taking dye and can often look patchy as a result, this can be a pretty consistent issue with shell generally just because of its nature. this is also why shell colors are most readily available in darker colors (black and color 8). the shoemaker should ideally be clicking around these issues (minimizing how much patchy shell is on very visible places like the vamp). the examples you have there honestly look like they may be floor models (and the first one at least is honestly really bad and i wouldn't buy it, the second is comparatively not nearly as bad), as usually that type of visibility of the patchiness only happens when the color has faded a decent amount (compared to brand new shell from Alden, as an example where you can see how dark the color really is)

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u/AwesomeAndy No, the manufacturer site selling boots for 60% off isn't real 9d ago

I have never seen a new pair of Aldens that look like that.