The Restoration time:
In 10th Feb 2016, Alden received the 7 pairs of shoes that I sent back to the factory for restoration (1 from myself and 6 from 2 Alden fans who reside in Macau as well) . And Alden notified me that the shoes are done in 26th Apr 2016, which is around 10 weeks for the whole process excluding the shipping time. Alden did suggest a 6-10 week turnaround, that said, the whole process is on the longer side but still within the time frame.
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The Restoration cost:
If you reside in US, the cost is pretty straight forward, USD169 including the return freight. And you may want to go straightly to the "Before and After" part as the remaining part in this section mainly talks about restoration cost for people who live outside US.
If you have been following my IG, you would probably know I reside in Macau, China.
If you reside outside US like I do, the restoration service costs USD169/shoes and freight both ways are on your own. In fact, most Alden retailers are happy to make the restoration arrangement for you. The reason why I chose to send the shoes to Alden myself is because Tassels Hong Kong, which is the Alden retailer located closest to me charges too high for the restoration service. The restoration service costs,
1. HKD1600 (app. USD 206) per pair of shoes which is bought from them.
2. HKD2100 (app. USD270) per pair of shoes which is NOT bought from them.
As all 7 pairs of shoes that I want to send back for restoration are not bought from Tassels Hong Kong, so I decided to do the job myself. With all that said, if you have any Alden retailer located nearby, I think it's wiser to see how much do they charge for the restoration service first, if the price is reasonable, I strongly recommend you to let them do the job and save yourself the hassle.
Now, the total cost we spent for the restoration service,
1. Freight from Macau to Alden : HKD1300 (app. USD168)
2. Restoration service for 7 pairs: HKD9190 (app. USD1183)
3. Freight from Alden to Macau: HKD1300 (app. USD168)
Total cost/pair: HKD1685 (app USD218)
One important thing need to be mentioned is that the shoes were shipped back to me by my friend who lives in US. It's because Alden gave a quotation of USD645 for the freight from Alden back to Macau directly, that freight would make the total cost to HKD2280 (app. USD285)/ pair. That shipping cost is way too high for me and that's why I decided to take a longer route.
_____________________________________________________________
Before and After:
Aside from resoling, the restoration service also comes with,
1. A new Alden shoe box with the model number
2. New Flannel bags and shoe laces
3. A pair of Alden shoe tree
I am pleased to tell you guys that all 7 pairs of shoes fit exactly the same after restoration. Expect the shoes to feel sturdy, just like when it new, but the break in process will be much more faster than before.
Now, let's talk about the resoled shoes one by one, please visit this Photo Bucket Album for bigger photos.
1. Whiskey leisure hand-sewn, model number 6746,
This a well worn pair of Whiskey LHSes which look more like a ravello. The soles of these pairs are not as worn as others, however, I decided to send them back from restoration as well because of water stain. If you look closely, you will see quite a lot of water stain of both side of the shoes, I encountered a pouring rain while I was wearing them the other day. A lot of water stain was left even though the shoes are completely dry. This is also why I try not to wear rare shell in the rainy days. Anyhow, I send the shoes for recrafting and want to see if Alden could get rid of the stain for me. The outcome is certainly below my expectation, I think Alden put quite minimal dye on the shoes if not none, the shoes do look better and the water stain has lightened but far enough from invisible. In fact, people can barely see those water stain in daily life but it doesn't look all that good when you look closely.
Another interesting thing I want to mention is that the sole edges of this pair were dyed in black, and Alden put back the original antique edges on the shoes which makes the shoes look much nicer!
In 10th Feb 2016, Alden received the 7 pairs of shoes that I sent back to the factory for restoration (1 from myself and 6 from 2 Alden fans who reside in Macau as well) . And Alden notified me that the shoes are done in 26th Apr 2016, which is around 10 weeks for the whole process excluding the shipping time. Alden did suggest a 6-10 week turnaround, that said, the whole process is on the longer side but still within the time frame.
_____________________________________________________________
The Restoration cost:
If you reside in US, the cost is pretty straight forward, USD169 including the return freight. And you may want to go straightly to the "Before and After" part as the remaining part in this section mainly talks about restoration cost for people who live outside US.
If you have been following my IG, you would probably know I reside in Macau, China.
If you reside outside US like I do, the restoration service costs USD169/shoes and freight both ways are on your own. In fact, most Alden retailers are happy to make the restoration arrangement for you. The reason why I chose to send the shoes to Alden myself is because Tassels Hong Kong, which is the Alden retailer located closest to me charges too high for the restoration service. The restoration service costs,
1. HKD1600 (app. USD 206) per pair of shoes which is bought from them.
2. HKD2100 (app. USD270) per pair of shoes which is NOT bought from them.
As all 7 pairs of shoes that I want to send back for restoration are not bought from Tassels Hong Kong, so I decided to do the job myself. With all that said, if you have any Alden retailer located nearby, I think it's wiser to see how much do they charge for the restoration service first, if the price is reasonable, I strongly recommend you to let them do the job and save yourself the hassle.
Now, the total cost we spent for the restoration service,
1. Freight from Macau to Alden : HKD1300 (app. USD168)
2. Restoration service for 7 pairs: HKD9190 (app. USD1183)
3. Freight from Alden to Macau: HKD1300 (app. USD168)
Total cost/pair: HKD1685 (app USD218)
One important thing need to be mentioned is that the shoes were shipped back to me by my friend who lives in US. It's because Alden gave a quotation of USD645 for the freight from Alden back to Macau directly, that freight would make the total cost to HKD2280 (app. USD285)/ pair. That shipping cost is way too high for me and that's why I decided to take a longer route.
_____________________________________________________________
Before and After:
Aside from resoling, the restoration service also comes with,
1. A new Alden shoe box with the model number
2. New Flannel bags and shoe laces
3. A pair of Alden shoe tree
I am pleased to tell you guys that all 7 pairs of shoes fit exactly the same after restoration. Expect the shoes to feel sturdy, just like when it new, but the break in process will be much more faster than before.
Now, let's talk about the resoled shoes one by one, please visit this Photo Bucket Album for bigger photos.
1. Whiskey leisure hand-sewn, model number 6746,
This a well worn pair of Whiskey LHSes which look more like a ravello. The soles of these pairs are not as worn as others, however, I decided to send them back from restoration as well because of water stain. If you look closely, you will see quite a lot of water stain of both side of the shoes, I encountered a pouring rain while I was wearing them the other day. A lot of water stain was left even though the shoes are completely dry. This is also why I try not to wear rare shell in the rainy days. Anyhow, I send the shoes for recrafting and want to see if Alden could get rid of the stain for me. The outcome is certainly below my expectation, I think Alden put quite minimal dye on the shoes if not none, the shoes do look better and the water stain has lightened but far enough from invisible. In fact, people can barely see those water stain in daily life but it doesn't look all that good when you look closely.
Another interesting thing I want to mention is that the sole edges of this pair were dyed in black, and Alden put back the original antique edges on the shoes which makes the shoes look much nicer!
2. Ravello Longwing Bluchers, model number 97504,
I think Alden did a remarkable job on restoring this pair. As you can see in the before photos, the shoes are pretty beaten up. The heavy creases relieved quite a bit after the restoration. The shoes are much cleaner and shinier without significant color change. This can really showcasing how much a shoes could change after a proper recrafting service.
I think Alden did a remarkable job on restoring this pair. As you can see in the before photos, the shoes are pretty beaten up. The heavy creases relieved quite a bit after the restoration. The shoes are much cleaner and shinier without significant color change. This can really showcasing how much a shoes could change after a proper recrafting service.
3. Black Alpine Grain/Whiskey Cordovan Saddle Shoes, Model number 89921,
A pretty unique make-up made for Leffot back in 2011. The shoes look much cleaner after restoration. Nevertheless, Alden didn't seem to pay enough attention to the saddle pieces made with whiskey shell, the scratches are still quite obvious after restoration. A bit of disappointment on this one.
A pretty unique make-up made for Leffot back in 2011. The shoes look much cleaner after restoration. Nevertheless, Alden didn't seem to pay enough attention to the saddle pieces made with whiskey shell, the scratches are still quite obvious after restoration. A bit of disappointment on this one.
4. Color 8 Longwing Bluchers, Model number: 975
I wasn't sure if Alden would restore this pair as there are cracks in the eyelets and heel areas. Turns out Alden decided they are still fit for restoration and they look absolutely amazing after restoration. Althrough the cracked areas cannot be repaired, the shoes look significantly better after restored. The shoes have been dyed and look a lot darker, I think Alden uses the same color 8 dye which they also use on the recent color 8 shoes. For comparsion, I put the restored 975 along with a pair of color 8 Wingtip boot from Dec,2015 and a pair of Perforated cap toe boot from May, 2014. As you can see in the comparsion photo, the recent color 8 is much darker. That's why if you are happy with the current shade of your color 8 shoes but plan to have your shoes restored by Alden, I strongly suggest you to leave a note on your shoes to indicate Alden not to touch the uppers.
I wasn't sure if Alden would restore this pair as there are cracks in the eyelets and heel areas. Turns out Alden decided they are still fit for restoration and they look absolutely amazing after restoration. Althrough the cracked areas cannot be repaired, the shoes look significantly better after restored. The shoes have been dyed and look a lot darker, I think Alden uses the same color 8 dye which they also use on the recent color 8 shoes. For comparsion, I put the restored 975 along with a pair of color 8 Wingtip boot from Dec,2015 and a pair of Perforated cap toe boot from May, 2014. As you can see in the comparsion photo, the recent color 8 is much darker. That's why if you are happy with the current shade of your color 8 shoes but plan to have your shoes restored by Alden, I strongly suggest you to leave a note on your shoes to indicate Alden not to touch the uppers.
5. Snuff suede Indy boot, Model number: 40535H,
Not much to say, just want to show you how good a suede shoes can look after taken proper care of. I don't think Alden did anything to the uppers but thanks for the natural characteristic of suede, the boots look like nearly brand new after restoration.
Not much to say, just want to show you how good a suede shoes can look after taken proper care of. I don't think Alden did anything to the uppers but thanks for the natural characteristic of suede, the boots look like nearly brand new after restoration.
Conclusion
Alden restoration does not disappoint. I will not hesitate to send my shoes back to Alden for restoration. I know there are many good cobblers out there who can resole for you but I think it's never as good as rebuilding the shoes from the ground up by the original maker with the original last. If you don't mind waiting for a longer time and you are fine with the original sole edge and sole setting (In case you don't know, Alden will only resole your shoes with the original sole edge and sole setting, no modification is allowed), send your tired shoes back to Alden and they will revive!
Alden restoration does not disappoint. I will not hesitate to send my shoes back to Alden for restoration. I know there are many good cobblers out there who can resole for you but I think it's never as good as rebuilding the shoes from the ground up by the original maker with the original last. If you don't mind waiting for a longer time and you are fine with the original sole edge and sole setting (In case you don't know, Alden will only resole your shoes with the original sole edge and sole setting, no modification is allowed), send your tired shoes back to Alden and they will revive!