[Southerner]

After reading all of the Alden restoration reviews, I have decided to send my (recently discontinued) BB LHS loafers in for recrafting. Despite the large number of similar posts, I thought some of you might be interested in seeing some more photos of Alden's restoration services.

As you can see, the soles are coming apart, heels are well worn, and the shank has emerged from the left sole. There are also fairly noticeable rain spots on the uppers and the stitching has come undone in spots.

Having read the previous reviews, I eagerly anticipate the results and look forward to posting after-photos in a few weeks.

 

[Oldsport]

How the heck did those shoes get to that condition??

 

[fred johnson]

How the heck did those shoes get to that condition??

What He said!

 

[Southerner]

Seven years of wear nearly every other day. Surprisingly, they clean up pretty well still when shined. They took some abuse during foul weather this past weekend so they look particularly bad at the moment.

I wanted to wait until they desperately needed recrafting to give Alden another opportunity for impressive after-photos.

 

[DCR]

If they restore those, they're wizards.

 

[TimF]

They don't look like trees have been in them much, but that's OK. I think some people over-baby their shoes.

For restoration, I would personally pick a dedicated cobbler over a factory like Alden. Reason being that resoling involves some dangerous tools that, if off by a fraction of an inch, could burn the leather to crispy flakes. A factory setting focuses on volume and is unlikely to take extra care over a single shoe.

Dedicated USA cobblers that can do a proper restoration are few and far between, probably no more than five. But they're around, and could do a more careful and potentially better job than Alden.

 

[TimF]

If they restore those, they're wizards.

Most of the defects are cosmetic. I bet if you brush, polish, wet the leather, put shoe trees in for 3 nights, they'd look drastically improved. Obviously you'd still have worn down sole and heel.

 

[katch]

I bet they come back looking like new. The restorations I've seen are remarkable. As far as getting them done at the factory, I believe that's the way to go. They use the exact last that the shoes were made on and will dye the uppers like they do for new hides.

 

[FLMike]

Any reason you chose not to have them resoled along the way? I’d love the hear the things that the folks at Alden say (or wonder) about you when they unbox those and examine them.

 

[Corcovado]

Great thread. Personally I would not have waited so long to restore but on the other hand the before and after pictures will create a dramatic contrast.

 

[Southerner]

Frankly I waited to send them off until now because I have been reluctant to part with them for two months. I actually have used trees (most of the time), which may have kept them in functioning condition this long.

As TimF surmised, freshly brushed and shined, they really don't look bad on my feet. It's only when you actually inspect them close-up that the flaws become apparent. Once the shank poked through the sole last week I was convinced it's time.

Sending off today, so I we'll have to wait and see the results.

 

[eagle2250]

^^What is Alden's predicted turn around time for restorations these days? I've sent a number of shoes off to Alden in the past for repairs, but waiting six to eight weeks, or longer, to have such work done was a deal breaker for me.

 

[Corcovado]

I have used their services two or three times and it was about 6 to 8 weeks. The first time I got exhausted hoping to get them back any day now! but once I adopted an attitude akin to a watched pot never boils I was more satisfied with the experience.

 

[Califax]

The people at Alden are very kind and considerate. When I sent a pair of mine off for the first time, I thought: "I'm not sending my shoes in this bag - they'll get crushed." So, I sent them off in a used Amazon box. A few days later, I received the box back in the mail, empty. So, I called to ask them why they sent the box back - they answered that they thought I might want the box, so just in case, they sent it. Haha, almost too considerate, if that were possible.

 

[89826]

Those shoes will come back looking like new except for the loose stitching on the right shoe. I think the fix there will be noticeable.

It's the miracle of shell cordovan leather and Alden.

 

[challer]

I feel you waited far too long. I would send them to B Nelson myself. In my experience, far superior to Alden recraft.

 

[Southerner]

Update: Alden returned the shoes to me with a polite note refusing to repair them. I am now giving B. Nelson an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities.

 

[89826]

You should have cleaned the shoes up before you sent them in. It would have made the difference, I bet. There is no damage which a restoration doesn't fix.

However, no one likes to work on abused, neglected shoes.

 

[drlivingston]

Update: Alden returned the shoes to me with a polite note refusing to repair them. I am now giving B. Nelson an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities.

Just a heads up... I would have never sent them to Alden. Their turnaround time is ridiculous and their work has gone downhill in recent years. If B. Nelson doesn't come through, let me know. There are other service providers that do a great job for less money in less time than Alden.

 

[FLMike]

Update: Alden returned the shoes to me with a polite note refusing to repair them. I am now giving B. Nelson an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities.

I can't blame them. Those shoes are trashed. Worn hard is one thing. Neglected and not well cared for is another altogether.