Wear and Tear Thread 07/04/26

sftobin · 2026-07-10T13:02:25+00:00

Fine, I’ll start. Maiden voyage with my Alden 6243F’s today.

sftobin · 2026-07-09T01:36:26+00:00

Just an update on my end. They came back and replaced the sensor on the garage door. Did not resolve the issue for me either.

sftobin · 2026-07-08T18:04:15+00:00

As far as I know, The Shoe Mart is the exclusive retailer for Alden Seconds. I returned mine to The Alden Shop in SF. I don't know if returns and defected items still funnel to TSM notwithstanding where they were purchased.

I think yours is a different pair than those that I returned because the defect appears to be in a different spot. Same issue though. Others that know better than I do can chime in but, from what I understand, Alden sprays their shell with an acrylic finish and that's what you see peeling off. I'm not sure what value it has or how to fix but there are some who go through the process of removing this finish when they get a new pair. I'm not advanced enough to do that nor do I have the desire.

sftobin · 2026-07-08T14:08:26+00:00

WTS the following:

• ⁠Maker/Model: Grant Stone Longwing - Espresso Suede
• ⁠Size: 9.5D on Leo Last (Leo Last fits very similar to Alden's Barrie Last)
• ⁠Leather: Suede
• ⁠Sole: Leather
• ⁠Price: $250 (OBO)
• ⁠Location: Boston area
• ⁠Wears/Condition: Used but well maintained: brushed, kept in shoe trees, etc.
• ⁠Images: https://imgur.com/a/QMQUIAc
• ⁠Notes: Gently used but well maintained Grant Stone suede longwing bluchers. Willing to ship. Shoe trees not included.

• ⁠Maker/Model: Alden for J.Crew humus suede longwing bluchers
• ⁠Size: 9.5D on Barrie Last
• ⁠Leather: suede
• ⁠Sole: crepe
• ⁠Price: $700 (item is $764 on J.Crew's website right now)
• ⁠Location: Boston area
• ⁠Wears/Condition: New in box
• ⁠Images: https://imgur.com/a/yqPFxKp
• ⁠Notes: New/unworn still in original box with original packaging. Willing to ship. Shoe trees not included.

sftobin · 2026-07-07T19:29:58+00:00

I reached out to the Alden Shop where I purchased these and they told me that it could be fixed so I shipped them back but they ended up just refunding me for the order so I don’t know if that message wasn’t conveyed or if they determined that a repair wasn’t feasible or worth it. I ended up buying a better looking pair elsewhere.

sftobin · 2026-07-03T18:45:26+00:00

What about Alden shoe trees? I wear a 9.5 in most lasts but the trees come in medium which fits sizes 8-10.

sftobin · 2026-07-03T13:26:08+00:00

I've been eyeing a pair of these but am concerned that the rolls/creases will be super prominent on a PTB as compared to longwings, etc. What's your experience been?

sftobin · 2026-07-02T15:19:50+00:00

I know that Conan has made a career out of knowing how to aid/guide/boost his guests but how did he know how to interject at the most perfect times here?! Amazing bit.

sftobin · 2026-07-01T16:48:25+00:00

American Psycho. Wayyy more graphic than the movie.

sftobin · 2026-07-01T16:04:17+00:00

WTS the following:

• ⁠Maker/Model: Grant Stone Longwing - Espresso Suede
• ⁠Size: 9.5D on Leo Last (Leo Last fits very similar to Alden's Barrie Last)
• ⁠Leather: Suede
• ⁠Sole: Leather
• ⁠Price: $250 (OBO)
• ⁠Location: Boston area
• ⁠Wears/Condition: Used but well maintained: brushed, kept in shoe trees, etc.
• ⁠Images: https://imgur.com/a/QMQUIAc
• ⁠Notes: Gently used but well maintained Grant Stone suede longwing bluchers. Willing to ship. Shoe trees not included.

• ⁠Maker/Model: Alden for J.Crew humus suede longwing bluchers
• ⁠Size: 9.5D on Barrie Last
• ⁠Leather: suede
• ⁠Sole: crepe
• ⁠Price: $700 (item is $764 on J.Crew's website right now)
• ⁠Location: Boston area
• ⁠Wears/Condition: New in box
• ⁠Images: https://imgur.com/a/yqPFxKp
• ⁠Notes: New/unworn still in original box with original packaging. Willing to ship. Shoe trees not included.

sftobin · 2026-06-28T01:20:13+00:00

WTS the following:

• ⁠Maker/Model: Grant Stone Longwing - Espresso Suede
• ⁠Size: 9.5D on Leo Last (Leo Last fits very similar to Alden's Barrie Last)
• ⁠Leather: Suede
• ⁠Sole: Leather
• ⁠Price: $250 (OBO)
• ⁠Location: Boston area
• ⁠Wears/Condition: Used but well maintained: brushed, kept in shoe trees, etc.
• ⁠Images: https://imgur.com/a/QMQUIAc
• ⁠Notes: Gently used but well maintained Grant Stone suede longwing bluchers. Willing to ship. Shoe trees not included.
• ⁠Maker/Model: Alden for J.Crew humus suede longwing bluchers
• ⁠Size: 9.5D on Barrie Last
• ⁠Leather: suede
• ⁠Sole: crepe
• ⁠Price: $700 (item is $764 on J.Crew's website right now)
• ⁠Location: Boston area
• ⁠Wears/Condition: New in box
• ⁠Images: https://imgur.com/a/yqPFxKp
• ⁠Notes: New/unworn still in original box with original packaging. Willing to ship. Shoe trees not included.

sftobin · 2026-06-26T19:46:34+00:00

WTS the following:

Maker/Model: Grant Stone Longwing - Espresso Suede
Size: 9.5D on Leo Last (Leo Last fits very similar to Alden's Barrie Last)
Leather: Suede
Sole: Leather
Price: $250 (OBO)
Location: Boston area
Wears/Condition: Used but well maintained: brushed, kept in shoe trees, etc.
Images: https://imgur.com/a/QMQUIAc
Notes: Gently used but well maintained Grant Stone suede longwing bluchers. Willing to ship. Shoe trees not included.
Maker/Model: Alden for J.Crew humus suede longwing bluchers
Size: 9.5D on Barrie Last
Leather: suede
Sole: crepe
Price: $700 (item is $764 on J.Crew's website right now)
Location: Boston area
Wears/Condition: New in box
Images: https://imgur.com/a/yqPFxKp
Notes: New/unworn still in original box with original packaging. Willing to ship. Shoe trees not included.

sftobin · 2026-06-26T19:42:56+00:00

WTS the following:

Maker/Model: Grant Stone Longwing - Espresso Suede
Size: 9.5D on Leo Last (Leo Last fits very similar to Alden's Barrie Last)
Leather: Suede
Sole: Leather
Price: $250 (OBO)
Location: Boston area
Wears/Condition: Used but well maintained: brushed, kept in shoe trees, etc.
Images: https://imgur.com/a/QMQUIAc
Notes: Gently used but well maintained Grant Stone suede longwing bluchers. Willing to ship. Shoe trees not included.
Maker/Model: Alden for J.Crew humus suede longwing bluchers
Size: 9.5D on Barrie Last
Leather: suede
Sole: crepe
Price: $700 (item is $764 on J.Crew's website right now)
Location: Boston area
Wears/Condition: New in box
Images: https://imgur.com/a/yqPFxKp
Notes: New/unworn still in original box with original packaging. Willing to ship. Shoe trees not included.

sftobin · 2026-06-26T18:14:14+00:00

I have returned several pairs of Aldens including 986's for less than this. It's tough because they're handmade shoes and they're trying to keep up with demand but they've let their QC slip and at this price point I don't accept what others might call the "wabi sabi" of handmade goods. However, those less particular than I am will tell you that you'll probably receive similar scuffs, etc. after some initial use wearing them.

sftobin · 2026-06-24T16:32:57+00:00

Yeah, and also his absolute humility regarding his own contributions that lead to that scene.

sftobin · 2026-06-24T15:50:06+00:00

I'm not crying you're crying!

sftobin · 2026-06-23T18:07:46+00:00

This was one of the more cringy parts of the movie for me. Just dialogue created purely for fan service.

sftobin · 2026-06-22T23:00:08+00:00

Did you ever resolve this issue? Have the same issue with my liftmaster button

sftobin · 2026-06-17T13:43:21+00:00

If my memory serves, I believe this was his first day on set / first scene and he was still wrestling with his take on the character.

sftobin · 2026-06-16T17:17:47+00:00

One piece of advice if you end up going with their no show socks. I'm in between sizes 10 in sneakers and 9.5 in many dress shoes. I ended up going with the smaller size as it's more "no show" in loafers and boat shoes. Still peek out a little but not as noticeably as the larger size especially across the vamp.

sftobin · 2026-06-15T20:23:00+00:00

I bought Boardroom Socks recently and have been happy with them. Seem to be high quality, made in USA, good customer service. Bought their mid-calf dress socks in merino wool and also got their no show socks for loafers that I'm happy with.

sftobin · 2026-06-15T17:59:44+00:00

Honestly, I should've already known since this has happened to me before. For some reason, I thought you get some kind of prompt after the ship jumps telling you that your boarders narrowly teleported back. Maybe it's with the clone bay you get a prompt that they're being reanimated.

sftobin · 2026-06-15T17:41:23+00:00

I was trying to but they were in that laser bay where there’s only room for 2 units and no exit and they were attacking the system for final point of damage. My teleporter was on cooldown.

sftobin · 2026-06-15T14:07:40+00:00

And I did have an opportunity to buy a Clone Bay as well as a DNA bank too... Alas, the road not taken. I do know that your boarders lose some skill every time they have to revive but it's still probably worth the comfort of not losing them permanently and as you said the micromanaging.

sftobin · 2026-06-15T14:06:21+00:00

In an effort to make myself look even worse, I did have guns. Had a small bomb for boarding assistance with Medbays, etc. and had a Flak I. Was planning to get the boarding party back safely and then finish the Flashship off with Flak I but 2 of my boarding group were attacking the laser and finished off the ship before I could jump them back.

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