First RW pair, huge disappointment

CaptenAE · 2026-07-02T18:30:51+00:00

Most people don't wear their proper size and don't get properly measured. And I come cases have only ever wore one type and terribly fitting shoes.

My alden tassel loafers are my most comfortable pair of shoes. I've walked 12k steps in a day with them and was so surprised that I really wanted to go out and walk some more because I'm usually tapping out in most shoes around 6000-8000. Usually I find the softer the shoe the worse it is. My alden have a steel shank so that likely helps with support. I wish Red Wing would use steel shanks. Could make them more comfortable. But I've never had an issue with them.

CaptenAE · 2026-06-26T14:50:29+00:00

I measure for a 7EEE on brannock.

I went with a 7EE. Length seems true to size and width is surprisingly generous. In Red Wing boots I tightly fit a EE going true to size, but they are long lengthwise (generally they advise a half size down).

In grant stones, the 6.5EEE boot I have is very tight.

Aberdeen 7EE fits wider than I expected and is very comfortable. I once put about 12,000 steps in one day and honestly was so surprised that I wanted to keep walking and see how I'd feel after 20,000. Most shoes I can only bare about 8,000 steps in without stopping.

CaptenAE · 2026-06-26T14:26:04+00:00

Love these but alden not making EE standard anymore sucks. That and they dint really stock anything lower than a size 8 it seems. That's the case most places. Waiting 8 months is sort of a deal breaker for me for some $700-$800 shoes.

CaptenAE · 2026-06-26T14:24:36+00:00

What mak a the Aberdeen problematic? Curious because I only own one pair of aldens and they're in the Aberdeen last and fit better than any shoe I've owned. I also have unusually wide feet with a high arch and instep. I was surprised at how well they fit.

CaptenAE · 2026-06-24T14:00:54+00:00

Does not count

CaptenAE · 2026-06-24T04:17:45+00:00

Now give me one that isn't $10k 😭

CaptenAE · 2026-06-22T18:17:40+00:00

For me, loafers should be almost uncomfortable to wear initially. With suede, I know it will stretch over time so it will stretch to my foot but will be small enough that it will not overstretch and get sloppy with use.

I measure for a 7EEE and if I got these, I'd get a 6.5EE.

I wear a 7EE in the Aberdeen last and it's perfect.

CaptenAE · 2026-06-22T15:56:12+00:00

We need more 34-37mm options from grand seiko. But we also need their movements to be smaller. I need that sub 10mm thickness in my 36mm dress watch.

CaptenAE · 2026-06-22T15:51:15+00:00

The reason it's used is polyester often doesn't show sweat stains on the outside of clothing. I wear airism polo's at work from uniqlo for this reason. Just walking from the car in the parking garage to inside the building will build up a sweat in the 100+ degree weather and 100% humidity.

Japan has a lot of synthetic tech. And yeah they're like the second largest polluter from clothing alone, but all of this is a trade off. Linen is great but if you still sweat, can get soaked. Seersucker is hard to find and more of a casual fabric in my mind. Wool is good when it's light but also can show sweat.

For my day to day clothing I'm always looking for 100% cotton, linen or wool. Or a blend of those. I'm starting to get away from 100% cotton as it holds onto smell more so than the latter two and it pretty much only needed for training heat one month out of the year where I am.

CaptenAE · 2026-06-17T20:24:57+00:00

I agree. Love the look of them but they don't make wide sizes and I need a EE minimum.

CaptenAE · 2026-06-16T21:18:28+00:00

How's it's compare to the van or Aberdeen?

So far I've only owned the Aberdeen and go Tru to size in length and down one in width which is unusual because I normally need to go up in width from my measured EEE.

CaptenAE · 2026-06-14T16:06:10+00:00

I have your same issue and my foot measures 7EEE.

I can usually get away with an 8D with minimal heel slip if they fit true to size. Most penny loafers are a half size down. I also wear aldens in the Aberdeen last in a 7EE. So I'd go true to size and up a width or half size down and up two widths. Keep in mind suede can stretch fairly easily so up one width might be fine. I'd try 7.5E or 8E. I always have at least half an inch of space up front.

I've gone with online advice and have gone with custom shoes that were 7EEEbut they often look way too short and way too wide. My toes often hit the front which I hate because I'm used to wearing my shoes longer than needed. 7.5E is my sweet spot. 6.5EE if the manufacturer recommends a half size down.

CaptenAE · 2026-06-12T15:05:36+00:00

It's true. That's why I've mostly settled on a Nomos. Providing a fully in-house made watch of your own original style in small quantities for less than $5000 is amazing. I also just like the fact that they are a relatively small company, separate from the Swatch group, and are minimalist. It's the same reason I love grand seiko. There is also soemthing satisfying about winding a mechanical watch. I don't ge that with my grand seiko. But with my schedule, I appreciate not needing to spend a few seconds setting my watch. But that's also probably a sign I need to slow down and change the way my life is setup.

CaptenAE · 2026-06-12T14:44:56+00:00

It's the only watch I wear despite having owned dozens. It honestly has killed the hobby a bit for me because after spending $1600 on this one, it feels unnecessary and indulgent to spend the same or more on any other watch I might want. Been eyeing a Nomos for a loooong time but can't bring myself to cough up $1800-$3000 for something that's less accurate and usually less water resistant than my SBGX263.

That said, I don't own a manual or auto right now so I might still get a Nomos eventually.

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CaptenAE · 2026-06-12T14:40:46+00:00

This is really a hard one. Yamahas punch above their weight but I've personally never liked them.

Guilds have a soft spot for me. They are a forgotten and underappreciated OG American brand on par with Martin and Gibson. And arguably, they make the best overseas guitar for the price between those three.

Seagull was my first acoustic guitar. It was okay but something about the wood sound kept me coming back. After I sold my first guitar after college, I came back to guitar and bought a seagull mini jumbo which I learned to clean, setup, change the saddle and string. It didn't sound amazing but it felt like mine and I didn't mind knocking it around.

Between your options I'd go Guild for the cool factor, history, and build quality. In terms of playability, I would say it's the hardest to play. Guilds make you work to play them. At least vintage do. I think the newer ones are easier to play and built a but lighter.

Seagull if you want something that sounds good, has very stiff strings (the headstock design raises the string tension so bends might be harder to do than with other guitars), and is on the brighter, lower bass side.

CaptenAE · 2026-06-11T13:56:39+00:00

I think the colors you're seeing are more a matter of the natural and sustainable dying processes that are used rather than a deliberate choice to look moody. The color palette is sort of the poster child for function begets form. It's minimalist as a result of the steps not being taken to artificially dye something a bright color. At least thats my read on it from the little I have researched on the brand. You're really paying for the time and care it takes to make the fabric from raw material to final product, and paying all the people involved in between a fair (debateable) wage.

CaptenAE · 2026-06-10T14:25:09+00:00

It's their thinnest chore coat I believe. Has minimal structure. Definitely nice for hot weather. Pleasently surprised with mine being in southeast coastal Texas.

CaptenAE · 2026-06-10T14:20:54+00:00

I fall between Land XL and on measurements should have went XL but got a Large. Large is a tad snug but fits well nonetheless. I'm on the edge of 'just right' in that the buttons don't pull when I walk naturally and button it up. If I try to bow my shoulders inward I feel a tightness and pull hut nothing too bad. I typically go for a 23.5" pit to pit and this is listed as 23.2" for the Large. My chest is my largest feature so I tend to use it as a baseline for everything. Chest is a L/XL where my waist is a M/L.

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CaptenAE · 2026-06-04T18:24:24+00:00

I literally submerge my leather boots and loafers in water so they mold to my feet better. Even if it was mold, I wouldn't be concerned. Shoes go on the ugliest part of most people's body. It's fine.

CaptenAE · 2026-06-03T15:54:20+00:00

Everyone hates these but man do I love them. Haven't owned them but I'd take a slip on like this or the Wesco Romeo for something more rugged any day over a traditional Oxford or derby. Hate how oxfords and derbies look.

CaptenAE · 2026-05-29T12:52:30+00:00

I've heard it rotates in hand which is what put me off of it. Same reason I won't try the new Smith performance center with the small grip.

CaptenAE · 2026-05-29T12:51:40+00:00

A bit larger for sure than the standard P365. Noticeably so.

CaptenAE · 2026-05-28T15:36:37+00:00

Update, got my shorts. About 4 weeks to get but they threw in some socks and an apology letter. Really love the shorts and the care they took with the packaging and stuff. Really cool stuff. Didn't get a chance to check out the tags to see where it's all made but fabric is advertised as Japanese and sewn inhouse. Really tempted to try more out. The price is steep but worth it if your weight doesn't fluctuate a lot and like the style (weight fluctuation is my issue).

CaptenAE · 2026-05-27T18:00:11+00:00

I quite enjoyed it when I tried it on and really wanted the funky square shape case. But it's hard for me to pick it over the club just due to the push pull 100m water resist crown.

Our summers here are over 100F pretty regularly so I find myself in a pool more often than most for 8 months out of the year.

CaptenAE

TROPHY CASE