- Thread starter
- #61
ALERT: The shoes have arrived from Alden six weeks to the day. This is going to be pic heavy so be ready.
[/URL]
Inside the box contains the box of shoe trees and the another shoebox which has the shoe style and size which is a nice feature since I regrettably discarded the original some time ago.
[/URL]
Cedar shoe trees in the split-toe style. Nothing like the smell of new cedar shoe trees.
[/URL]
Inside the shoe box is the flannel shoe bags
[/URL]
Shoes come inside plastic bags.
[/URL]
So the shoes arrive just as if they were a brand new pair of shoes.
Now for the Before and After Comparision Photos:
Before
[/URL]
After (Note: The white flecks are from the packing and are not on the shoes.)
[/URL]
Before
[/URL]
After
[/URL]
Before
[/URL]
After
[/URL]
Before
[/URL]
After
[/URL]
Now for some additional photos:
Nice stitching on the soles...
[/URL]
[/URL]
New footbeds...
[/URL]
The new sole acknowledges the resto job...
[/URL]
Note the outer edge of the double outsole...
[/URL]
Take a closer look to see the ridges on the top portion of the outsole.
[/URL]
Now check it out next to the same pair of shoes but in black. Both shoes are a Straight Tip Blucher in two different colors. Does the restoration version not only appear to be different in style but does it also appear to protrude more than the original shoe?
[/URL]
Some more views of both shoes....
[/URL]
[/URL]
[/URL]
[/URL]
To my eye, it does appear to be different. Either way, it doesn't bother me. I think it looks just fine.
For comparison with B. Nelson, here is the Alden Restoration Sole:
[/URL]
Here is the B. Nelson resole:
[/URL]
Quite frankly, the B. Nelson sole resembles the original Alden sole more closely than the Alden resole does.
Nevertheless, here is the finished product.
[/URL]
As for fit and comfort, the shoes feel perfect. It's like getting new pair of shoes that are already broken in. What's better than that?
What have I learned from this experience?
One of my main concerns was that the fit of the shoe would change. I know now that I can be confident using either one of these companies. Perhaps, after a second or third resole that might be the case but as for the initial resole, the shoes came back feeling the same, if not better then when I sent them in.
I know now that I would not hesitate to use either one of these restoration programs in the future. Both provided excellent customer service. B. Nelson's customer service did add a bit more of the personal touch with emails and a phone call from Nick Valenti. Nevertheless, Alden delivered within the time-frame they indicated. More pointedly, Alden indicated 6-10 weeks and delivered the shoes to my front door exactly 6 weeks to the day I mailed them out. B. Nelson had the shoes done and returned to me within 10 days. They indicated a two-week turnaround at the outset.
With Alden, you get a few more bells and whistles, which are included in the cost of the refurbishment while they are extra at B. Nelson (i.e. shoe trees and flannel bags). For the true shoe buff, the inclusion of the original Alden shoe box (with the size and model of the shoe) is a bonus, if you don't have it anymore.
So there you have it. The Alden Restoration Program vs. The B. Nelson Restoration Program is now concluded. Now the true test begins to see which craftsmanship holds up over time.
For those of you that are considering restoring a pair of shoes, whether they be Alden or another brand of shoe, hopefully this thread will help you with your decision.
And finally, I learned that if I don't get these shoes off of the bed, Mrs. Gold is going to have my head.
[/URL]
[/URL]Inside the box contains the box of shoe trees and the another shoebox which has the shoe style and size which is a nice feature since I regrettably discarded the original some time ago.
[/URL]Cedar shoe trees in the split-toe style. Nothing like the smell of new cedar shoe trees.
[/URL]Inside the shoe box is the flannel shoe bags
[/URL]Shoes come inside plastic bags.
[/URL]So the shoes arrive just as if they were a brand new pair of shoes.
Now for the Before and After Comparision Photos:
Before
[/URL]After (Note: The white flecks are from the packing and are not on the shoes.)
[/URL]Before
[/URL]After
[/URL]Before
[/URL]After
[/URL]Before
[/URL]After
[/URL]Now for some additional photos:
Nice stitching on the soles...
[/URL]
[/URL]New footbeds...
[/URL]The new sole acknowledges the resto job...
[/URL]Note the outer edge of the double outsole...
[/URL]Take a closer look to see the ridges on the top portion of the outsole.
[/URL]Now check it out next to the same pair of shoes but in black. Both shoes are a Straight Tip Blucher in two different colors. Does the restoration version not only appear to be different in style but does it also appear to protrude more than the original shoe?
[/URL]Some more views of both shoes....
[/URL]
[/URL]
[/URL]
[/URL]To my eye, it does appear to be different. Either way, it doesn't bother me. I think it looks just fine.
For comparison with B. Nelson, here is the Alden Restoration Sole:
[/URL]Here is the B. Nelson resole:
[/URL]Quite frankly, the B. Nelson sole resembles the original Alden sole more closely than the Alden resole does.
Nevertheless, here is the finished product.
[/URL]As for fit and comfort, the shoes feel perfect. It's like getting new pair of shoes that are already broken in. What's better than that?
What have I learned from this experience?
One of my main concerns was that the fit of the shoe would change. I know now that I can be confident using either one of these companies. Perhaps, after a second or third resole that might be the case but as for the initial resole, the shoes came back feeling the same, if not better then when I sent them in.
I know now that I would not hesitate to use either one of these restoration programs in the future. Both provided excellent customer service. B. Nelson's customer service did add a bit more of the personal touch with emails and a phone call from Nick Valenti. Nevertheless, Alden delivered within the time-frame they indicated. More pointedly, Alden indicated 6-10 weeks and delivered the shoes to my front door exactly 6 weeks to the day I mailed them out. B. Nelson had the shoes done and returned to me within 10 days. They indicated a two-week turnaround at the outset.
With Alden, you get a few more bells and whistles, which are included in the cost of the refurbishment while they are extra at B. Nelson (i.e. shoe trees and flannel bags). For the true shoe buff, the inclusion of the original Alden shoe box (with the size and model of the shoe) is a bonus, if you don't have it anymore.
So there you have it. The Alden Restoration Program vs. The B. Nelson Restoration Program is now concluded. Now the true test begins to see which craftsmanship holds up over time.
For those of you that are considering restoring a pair of shoes, whether they be Alden or another brand of shoe, hopefully this thread will help you with your decision.
And finally, I learned that if I don't get these shoes off of the bed, Mrs. Gold is going to have my head.
[/URL]
Last edited by a moderator:
