Thanks for posting a new update! I always enjoy your reviews. You seem very knowledgeable about the manufacturing process and where each manufacturer gets their materials. I just purchased a couple pairs of AE Fifth Avenues that I'm really enjoying. Thanks again for your outstanding reviews!
It's great to see your reviews and updates, especially of Alden shell cordovan, as I'm (very slowly) building my own collection. I'm a bit surprised that the color changed that much in a year, but you polish the Indy Boots at all, particularly using a dark polish (i.e. Saphir Bourdeaux)?
That is the most beautiful ageing of shell cordovan I can find among all the RU-vid videos. How do you find this crepe sole on raining days or on wet surface? Does it slip? Also there are many articles says calf leather is better than shell cordovan in terms of water resistant (durability with water), what’s your experience so far?
Thank you for the kind comment. The crepe has been fairly durable except for the leather toe protector. It gets soggy and wears down. I have found shell cordovan to be more durable and easier to clean up. But, it is very much dependent on individual shells that you receive. For some reason, some shells are susceptible to water spots if they get wet then dry, and some are not. My experience is roughly 30% get spots, 70% don’t.
@@KeenanModica wipe with a damp cloth and then condition with something like Venetian Shoe Cream or Saphir Renovateur. That should be all you really need to do to remove water spots. Hard to pinpoint, but some other conditioners can actually exacerbate the spotting after it rains.
Does anyone know why the color changed so much? Is this the norm with cordovan? I really love the color 8 but wouldn't want mine changed to a more brown color.
Yes, they are cordovan. Not only can you tell by the rolls and lack of creases, you can tell by the texture of the cordovan leather between the white stitching on top.
