Footwear to go with our jackets

[Monitor]

Are these Sendra? Fryes look superb, but they seem to be almost impossible to find in the UK. I did see a pair or two on Amazon UK, but they were reaching £700 and £800 in the price listed; in the States I'm sure they're about half that. I'll get some black ones eventually, but what I really fancy are a pair in a mahogany brown with a strong red undertone, and brass colour fittings.

Nope, these aren't Sendra though I understand why you'd think that as they do look very similar.
All I know is that these boots were made in Germany but that's about as much as I can tell you 'cause there's no mention of the maker anywhere on 'em. There's a certain home made, old school manufacturing vibe to them. Sendra (that I am selling in the Classifieds at the moment) are very similar in shape but I'd be lying if I said they're made of equally nice leather. Plus they've got that more mainstreamed look.

I also have Frye's which I fully intend to keep since I don't think I'll ever score another pair like that. Got to be either a genuine vintage pair or some special run as they're premium all over. For starters, all Frye's have rubber soles while mine are leather. And they're made in over-dye hide, too which will fade to brown with. Plus 2.5" cuban heel! Tough as nails, too. Really, really good (looking) boots.

Though I can tell you that Sendra are at the exact same level of quality as Frye & being almost exactly the same shape, you can't go wrong with 'em. Actually, they're much better than current Frye's, mainly 'cause of better material, tougher hide and of course with Sendra, you've got more options.

Sendra delivers a fantastic, high grade product, even at a retail price.

Grinders are okay and the shape of the boot is actually very nice but they're so shabbily stitched it's not even funny. They'll hold but you can not a lot of love went into 'em.

Either way, Sendra is the way to go and size up!!

 

[Edward]

Nope, these aren't Sendra though I understand why you'd think that as they do look very similar.
All I know is that these boots were made in Germany but that's about as much as I can tell you 'cause there's no mention of the maker anywhere on 'em. There's a certain home made, old school manufacturing vibe to them. Sendra (that I am selling in the Classifieds at the moment) are very similar in shape but I'd be lying if I said they're made of equally nice leather. Plus they've got that more mainstreamed look.

I also have Frye's which I fully intend to keep since I don't think I'll ever score another pair like that. Got to be either a genuine vintage pair or some special run as they're premium all over. For starters, all Frye's have rubber soles while mine are leather. And they're made in over-dye hide, too which will fade to brown with. Plus 2.5" cuban heel! Tough as nails, too. Really, really good (looking) boots.

Though I can tell you that Sendra are at the exact same level of quality as Frye & being almost exactly the same shape, you can't go wrong with 'em. Actually, they're much better than current Frye's, mainly 'cause of better material, tougher hide and of course with Sendra, you've got more options.

Sendra delivers a fantastic, high grade product, even at a retail price.

Grinders are okay and the shape of the boot is actually very nice but they're so shabbily stitched it's not even funny. They'll hold but you can not a lot of love went into 'em.

Either way, Sendra is the way to go and size up!!

Such a shame we can't trace the origin of your German boots!

I've heard Frye aren't what they used to be, which also helped make me wary of them. Funnily enough, I came very close to buying a pair of Grinders last year, but I was looking for brown and they seem to have dropped the smooth leather (not over-shiny, but not matte either) I liked in favour of a brown that isn't as nice in the harness, and dropped brown altogether from the Eagle model. Pity. Eventually when I feel safe going up there again, I'm going to hit Camden and see if I can find a Sendra stockist. Brand should be more available in the UK since Beckham was spotted wearing a pair of their engineers....

 

[Monitor]

Such a shame we can't trace the origin of your German boots!

I've heard Frye aren't what they used to be, which also helped make me wary of them. Funnily enough, I came very close to buying a pair of Grinders last year, but I was looking for brown and they seem to have dropped the smooth leather (not over-shiny, but not matte either) I liked in favour of a brown that isn't as nice in the harness, and dropped brown altogether from the Eagle model. Pity. Eventually when I feel safe going up there again, I'm going to hit Camden and see if I can find a Sendra stockist. Brand should be more available in the UK since Beckham was spotted wearing a pair of their engineers....

Sendra is the maker you need to go with, believe me. It's a no brainer. Best boot, best value. And by best I mean seriously good boot by any possible standard! Plus they have some mean brown hide, too.

Only thing Grinders' got goin' on for themselves are the shape of their boot and that's about it - Plus at the end of the day, the money you'd save doesn't justify ****py stitching (even though the boots themselves are tough and seem like they'd last a good while). Sendras are what, some 100 Euros more but the make is infinitely better, leather is nicer and the overall impression is that you got a premium Harness boot.

Current Frye's are okay, I guess, but rubber sole shouldn't even be an option for anyone who likes boots. I'd rather go with NewRock in that case.

Vintage Frye, on the other hand. . .

 

[handymike]

Vintage Frye’s are the way to go!

 

[TheOldFashioned]

My boy started Kindergarten this year and the bus stop is couple houses down the street, so now I have something to look forward to in the morning. Recrafted 1000 Mile with a Cuban heel and Kehoe CR got the nod today:

Wondering how long before the other parent asks how many jackets (and boots/shoes/hats) I have.

 

[handymike]

Those Wolverine’s look good with a different heel. That’s been the one thing that has me looking at White’s semi-dress.

 

[TheOldFashioned]

Those Wolverine’s look good with a different heel. That’s been the one thing that has me looking at White’s semi-dress.

I've been wanting to get a black Cuban heel boot for a while but wasn't sure if this was the best pairing since the 1000 Mile are more utilitarian in my opinion. I have plenty of brown boots but had nothing in black except for some steel toe work boots.

These were a recent cheap eBay find. The seller said he had them recrafted, wore a couple times, then they got buried in his closet. I figured low-risk with high upside, and so far I've been very pleased with them.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

The heel is definitely a big improvement on those Wolverines

 

[Salmosalar]

Colchester Rubber hitops to go with the Aero Slimfit MC in black badalassi….

 

[Ole K. Vik]

Going with Alden Norwegian Split Toe black shell cordovan paired with the FW Mulholland. Clean and tidy...

 

[ABCD]

Going with Alden Norwegian Split Toe black shell cordovan paired with the FW Mulholland. Clean and tidy...
View attachment 358549

Perfection

 

[Mich486]

Where do you guys in Europe buy Alden? They seem virtually unobtainable outside of the US as US shops can’t ship them abroad. Has anyone ever gone down the proxy route?

 

[ABCD]

Where do you guys in Europe buy Alden? They seem virtually unobtainable outside of the US as US shops can’t ship them abroad. Has anyone ever gone down the proxy route?

I was in the market for a pair of cordovan Aldens (buy I eventually went with C&J).

https://www.fransboonestore.com/collections/alden
https://www.shoesandshirts.nl/alden/
https://www.upper-shoes.com/homme/marque-alden.html
https://www.royalcheese.com/fr/brand/170-alden-shoe-co
https://anatomica.fr/

I didn't know my size in Alden's so I decided to go to a local retailer to try some on. I tried a pair of cap toe boots (4060h) in #8 cordovan. The shoes felt comfortable and the #8 color was nice, but I was much less impressed with the finish. They had a couple of minor yet obvious flaws (wobbly stitching, empty hole).

Maybe it was just this pair so I decided give it another try in Paris last weekend. I visited three Parisian retailers that sold Aldens, unfortunately it was the same story. The attention to detail is just not what I expect from shoes in this price range. In the states, a pair of cordovan Alden boots can be bought for $750 (=€633). In Europe, the same boots are now sold for about €1100 (I've been told that's due to recently imposed import fees on shoes from the USA, which were a reaction to Trump's market protectionist policies).

At €1100, Alden's are too expensive for what you get imo. I ended up buying these Crockett & Jones Harlech, which are awesome (and without flaws). Less expensive, higher quality.

 

[Tom71]

T

I was in the market for a pair of cordovan Aldens (buy I eventually went with C&J).

https://www.fransboonestore.com/collections/alden
https://www.shoesandshirts.nl/alden/
https://www.upper-shoes.com/homme/marque-alden.html
https://www.royalcheese.com/fr/brand/170-alden-shoe-co
https://anatomica.fr/

I didn't know my size in Alden's so I decided to go to a local retailer to try some on. I tried a pair of cap toe boots (4060h) in #8 cordovan. The shoes felt comfortable and the #8 color was nice, but I was much less impressed with the finish. They had a couple of minor yet obvious flaws (wobbly stitching, empty hole).

View attachment 358633

Maybe it was just this pair so I decided give it another try in Paris last weekend. I visited three Parisian retailers that sold Aldens, unfortunately it was the same story. The attention to detail is just not what I expect from shoes in this price range. In the states, a pair of cordovan Alden boots can be bought for $750 (=€633). In Europe, the same boots are now sold for about €1100 (I've been told that's due to recently imposed import fees on shoes from the USA, which were a reaction to Trump's market protectionist policies).

At €1100, Alden's are too expensive for what you get imo. I ended up buying these Crockett & Jones Harlech, which are awesome (and without flaws). Less expensive, higher quality.

View attachment 358628 View attachment 358629 View attachment 358630 View attachment 358631 View attachment 358632

Thanks Marc. This is really interesting! I am pretty tempted by a pair of Alden Penny Loafers. C&J are great, but their loafers are a bit boring, IMO. On the other hand, Tod´s are really flamboyant (very Italian!) and super comfy, but I wear them down in perhaps 3-4 years with moderate wear.

But you´re absolutely right: at EUR 1.000, they would have to be really, really perfect.

 

[Harris HTM]

(I've been told that's due to recently imposed import fees on shoes from the USA, which were a reaction to Trump's market protectionist policies)

This is what I've also heard from two different retailers in the EU.
1100e for a pair of Alden's (actually for anything but hand-welted shoes) are way too much IMO.
Last week I bought me my fourth pair of Alden shell cordovan shoes (their 9901 Derby - or plain toe blucher) - and my 5th pair of Alden's in total. It was on sale and got it for 650e.
I've been drooling about the Harlech in Whiskey shell. Did you get it from their shop in Paris?

 

[Salmosalar]

T
For that sort of price you could look to upgrade to a pair of Cleverley's tbh….https://www.georgecleverley.com/readytowear-collection

Thanks Marc. This is really interesting! I am pretty tempted by a pair of Alden Penny Loafers. C&J are great, but their loafers are a bit boring, IMO. On the other hand, Tod´s are really flamboyant (very Italian!) and super comfy, but I wear them down in perhaps 3-4 years with moderate wear.

But you´re absolutely right: at EUR 1.000, they would have to be really, really perfect.

 

[Tom71]

Flame Panda Moc Toe during a business retreat, inherited by @dudewuttheheck.

These boots are monuments! Never had heavier footwear before. The leather isn´t even that thick, but the whole construction is just a feast of details. The last rests on an outer sole as thick as an oak tree.

For the first time, I feel that I am wearing something borderline practical. I seriously could not run after a departing bus in these, and I have yet to see what a full day hiking through a city would do to my system. Yet, for two days of sitting in a conference room with short intermissions in the sun over a cup of coffee, they are infinitely attractive.

 

[ABCD]

C&J are great, but their loafers are a bit boring, IMO. On the other hand, Tod´s are really flamboyant (very Italian!) and super comfy, but I wear them down in perhaps 3-4 years with moderate wear.

I agree, C&J's can be a bit boring. There are some lesser known Italian makers who offer a great selection of penny / tassel loafers. I own several pairs of both brands and they're great quality:

https://eu.velasca.com/pages/moccasins-and-loafers

https://www.calzaturebelfiore.com/shop/mocassino-england-con-nappine/

 

[ABCD]

Did you get it from their shop in Paris?

Yep, their Madeleine store.

 

[Mich486]

Cool, thanks all for the replies re Alden availability outside of US.

I think C&J are awesome but often their lasts look a bit too elongated and dressier for my taste. I think the Coniston is their only boot model I like (though not a fan of 360 degree welt). I have a pair of their shoes I use for the office.

Alden in my view naturally sits in that spot in between workwear and more formal, and does that better than other makers. Part of the allure for me is also that they are a classic brand with a strong identity (or in other words… hype? ).
The price difference between US and Europe is quite the turn off though.

I’d like a pair of their cap toe boots on some generous last, a pair of tankers and some tassels… we’ll see