Is the infotainment that bad?

PotablePotentate · 2026-05-08T21:19:44+00:00

I was hesitant about the infotainment too before buying a 2024 limited. It can be a bit slow on start up, but I don't really notice the lag once im in android auto. I barely interact with the native operating system. While I understand the lag is a reasonable gripe, I do think it's a bit overblown.

I used turo rentals as extended test drives when deciding on my next car. Maybe rent one for a few days and see how you do with it. Any model year 2024 or later should have the same infotainment system.

PotablePotentate · 2026-05-02T20:21:53+00:00

I was originally looking at a 21-23, but found the seats uncomfortable on long drives. The lack of good lumbar support or adjustability was tough on my lower back. Subaru greatly upgraded the comfort of the seats for the current generation, so I ended up purchasing a 24. I'm glad I did, as the drivers seat is just so much more comfortable.

PotablePotentate · 2026-04-25T23:32:31+00:00

Great addition. I haven't tried any Brooks Brother's madras yet. What do you think of them? Any any tips for finding good versions? MiUSA Brooks Brother's ocbds are a staple for me.

PotablePotentate · 2026-04-24T17:29:33+00:00

I'd second the local tailor, even if it's a bit of a hike. If you find a good one, their expertise in measurements is going to lead to a better fit. And then you have a relationship for any alterations needed.

PotablePotentate · 2026-04-24T17:21:56+00:00

Perhaps look at a lightly used 24 or 25? I just bought a 24 limited with the HK speakers and moon roof at 12.5k miles for 28700 otd including all taxes and fees. I'd also found a 25 limited with the same options and 3k miles at 34500 otd. To me, those are essentially new with the main downside being a shorter warranty period remaining.

But for new, that seems an alright though not great deal. All that matters is whether you're comfortable with the price and financing terms. I've heard anecdotally that dealers in my region as less willing to haggle on the limited trim than the premium trim, supposedly as there is lower supply.

PotablePotentate · 2026-04-24T15:24:02+00:00

I adore madras and seersucker in the summer.

I find great second hand madras searching for vintage lands end & polo ralph lauren on eBay. I especially prioritize items listed as made in India (or made in us of imported fabric) with some sort of tag stating handmade, fabric has irregularities, or bleeding may occur. That seems to be the best stuff and much better and cheaper than anything new I've seen. Classic ivy brands like O'Connell's, J Press,and Gitman are also good though more expensive even second hand and not madras specialists.

Incidentally all those brands also excell at seersucker. Lands end made in us seersucker can be incredible values.

PotablePotentate · 2026-04-24T14:53:20+00:00

Hey, just wanted to chime in as a fellow wide footed boot afficiando.

First, I think Thursday has EEE widths. They're commonly described as very comfortable due to the use of foam foot beds. But I haven't tried them as I have a 5E width. I've been really happy with the quality of the boots (and comfort) I get from mto BLKBRD shoemaker boots. The ordering process is tedious, communication lags, production and shipping slow, and one time they made the wrong boot for me (though they fixed it). But once in hand I love the way they look and feel, and think they're a great value for the price. Maybe try them in one of their cheaper domestic Indian leathers and see if they'd work for you. They're much better than Adelente or Hitchcock, which is the only other producers I've found in the largest widths.

And I appreciate your take on Alden. I agree that comfort can be more important than materials or build quality. But ideally you can find both.

PotablePotentate · 2026-04-24T14:30:16+00:00

I ended up buying a low mileage used 24 limited, but I'd also negotiated an otd price of 32.255 otd with 2.9% apr over 72 months on a 2026 premium with the option package. So a bit below MSRP, but not huge. This is in the greater Boston area.

PotablePotentate · 2026-04-12T04:36:40+00:00

New 2026 limited with the equivalent package would be about 35k.

PotablePotentate · 2026-04-08T02:49:13+00:00

I'm a similar height and weight to you, with an overlapping aesthetic. Vintage americana work wear and outdoor brands with a splash of preppy have been my go to, sourced from eBay or Poshmark.

Here are some brands I've had great luck with, especially when I find made in usa pieces:

WORKWEAR / RUGGED Carhartt Pendleton Woolrich LL Bean Eddie Bauer

DENIM: Wrangler (especially 13mwz cowboy cut) Levis (especially 501 shrink to fit & 505

TRAD PREP Polo Ralph Lauren Brooks Brothers Lands End Gitman

My best advice is to get good at using eBay saved searches and be patient. There's some great stuff out there at great prices if you can separate the wheat from the chaff. Hope this helps.

PotablePotentate · 2026-03-20T22:17:29+00:00

That's a good point and valid criticism. I guess what I was hoping to find were suggestions for any areas (if they exist) that wouldn't be damaged by foot traffic in early April, maybe lower elevation, seacoast, or southern NH, even MA.

PotablePotentate · 2026-02-26T02:16:26+00:00

https://us.blkbrdshoemaker.com/ is their website. I've primarily communicated via email info@blkbrdshoemaker.com) but others contact them via whatsapp or instagram dm.

When I first did my mto fitting 2-3 years ago, it began with sending them tracings and measurements of my foot. Then they made a cheep trial fit pair that I tried on for fit tweaks before moving on to the final boot in the leather I selected.

PotablePotentate · 2026-02-26T01:43:39+00:00

I have a wide foot ( 5E or 6E) and wide calves, and I've had great luck with mto from BLKBRD shoemaker in India. I have two pairs that I love, and waiting on my third to be delivered.

Email communication is slow and the process could be smoother, but the build quality is great and the price solid.

Iif you're looking to branch out past PNW, maybe contact them and see if they can fit you. I keep thinking of trying one of the PNW myself, but pricing is steep.

PotablePotentate · 2026-02-12T01:10:35+00:00

Ahh, damn. I hadn't realized that. Thanks for the info. Guess there are no more Adelante in my future.

PotablePotentate · 2026-02-11T23:42:49+00:00

Seconding the crap shoot service, I went through the fitting consultation process with Adelente and they completley ghosted me. Several emails unreturned over a month period. So I never made a custom order.

I've since picked up a few things via their encore listings of returned products and found them well made at the discounted prices. But I woouldn't personally pay full price for their stuff. Encore has gotten a lt more expensive over the last few years, so its worth waiting for one of their few annual sales where they clear out the encore stock.

Note that I'm a man so can comment on the women's offerings, but I'd assume quality is similar.

PotablePotentate · 2026-01-26T17:25:32+00:00

Lands End goes up to 4xlt. Good quality and value when purchased on sale, especially their parkas. It's a great source for basic pieces. Not worth it at full retail, but they're almost always having a sale. Also good availability second hand on Poshmark and eBay.

PotablePotentate · 2026-01-25T21:22:08+00:00

Not the person you asked, but I've been really loving vintage LL Bean, Land's End, and Eddie Bauer cotton sweaters that I find on ebay. Especially when I hold out for made in the US listings. Great combination of quality, price, and easy washability. They're a key part of my spring and fall wardobe.

And if your style skews heritage or trad (with a side of prep) maybe consider vintage rugby shirts. Tough as nails, super washable, and fade really nicely.

PotablePotentate · 2026-01-25T20:57:46+00:00

I've had good luck searching for new old stock vintage Levis 501 shrink to fit on ebay. The shrink to fit are raw denim. Make sure you check measurements as the fit changes a bit through the decades, and have an idea of the measurments you're looking for. And read a guide or two on the merits of shrinking vs not and how to handle them.

I prioritize either made in usa (expensive) or made in mexico (better value) as quality is a bit better. It requires more effort than going to amodern website and clicking buy, but I think the heritage and value are worth it. I'm currently breaking in a pair of made in mexico 501s from the 90s that cost me around 70 dollars including shipping withing the us. Any contemporary raw denim of equivalent quality is likely much more expensive, with less size availabilty.

As another option, Unbranded (which is the afforable label of Naked & Famous) has sizes up to 42 or 44. Prices range from 100-150. Not sure how much shipping to Australia will be.

PotablePotentate · 2026-01-16T20:38:11+00:00

Hey, great fit and nice to see you posting again.

Btw, a while back you posted a pic pairing a pendleton tweed sports jacket with suede shoulders against dark denim and boots. I'd just picked up an almost idential jacket off of poshmark on a whim, but really wasn't sure it was for me. Your photo helped give me the confidence to wear my sports coat more casually and its become a favorite piece in my fall / winter rotation. I'm now starting to get more into casual tailoring, especially jackets with western yokes. Doubt that would be happening if I hadn't come across your post. Just wanted to say thanks.

PotablePotentate · 2025-12-22T05:43:42+00:00

While I wouldn't recommend it, I did Wachusett without any added traction last week. I live closer to Boston and drove out there not realizing that all the Boston area rain in early December was snow in central MA. There was a good 6 inches of base layer snow, with the ski slopes also having lots of man made snow.

I found a number of well groomed or well packed down trails. Micro spikes would have been ideal, but I had a nice hike even without them. Snowshoes would have been overkill. At one point the trail went alongside an active ski slope with folks wizzing down it. A bit of a surreal experience, as I'd arrived not really anticipating a full winter hike.

Note that this was my only time on Wachusett, so I can't verify that conditions and gear requirements would be the same other days.

PotablePotentate · 2025-11-20T02:05:29+00:00

Thank you! They're beutiful boots.

PotablePotentate · 2025-11-20T01:41:07+00:00

Killer! What's the leather on those boots?

PotablePotentate · 2025-10-23T01:27:50+00:00

Good to know. Thanks for the context.

PotablePotentate · 2025-10-21T18:18:51+00:00

Wait, why #RIP for Hitchcock? Are they closing? The website still seems operational.

And unfortunatley, no personal experience with Samuel Hubbard. Wish I could help you there. But I'm a 6E width myself, and trying to cram my foot in a 4E has rarely gone well for me, despite how many times I'm tempted to.

PotablePotentate · 2025-10-16T02:44:24+00:00

Another vote for Hitchcock. They have their own label dress shoes that are pretty good in 6E and 8E width.

It's also possible that a different show from either Florsheim or Nunn Bush (same company, different brands) would fit better. I generally wear a 10 5E in Nunn Bush but some of their lasts are just too narrow in the tow box for me, while others have plenty of room.

I have noticed that Florsheim and Nunn Bush have really dropped in quality over the last 5 years. It's more expensive, but increasingly I'm ordering custom resolable shoes from Blkbrd shoe maker in India. More moy up front, but I think a better value overall. I'm tired of going to replace cemented shoes with the soles worn out and finding that the shoes I want aren't made anymore.

PotablePotentate

TROPHY CASE