   
Crepe PTB by Alden
Upper - Brown Chromexcel leather from Chicago's Horween Tannery
Outsole - Crepe Sole
Last - Barrie Last
A very comfortable, handsome, and versatile shoe. This 5-eyelet Plain Toe Blucher is done in gorgeous Horween Chromexcel leather. The Plantation Crepe sole is crafted of natural rubber with a leather cap at the front. Alden's Crepe sole is hands-down the most comfortable and long-lasting crepe sole that we've ever encountered. Years down the road, you'll still be shocked at how comfortable these are. These are also one of the best matches for raw selvedge denim that we've ever seen.
This shoe is commonly called the "All-Weather Walker." And with good reason. Both the Chromexcel upper and the Crepe sole are extremely water resistant.
Chromexcel Leather
Chromexcel is produced by Horween Leather in Chicago, a family-run tannery that dates back to 1905. It's produced using a bark retannage from a proprietary recipe, and then genuine hot stuffed with a blend of natural oils and greases. The resulting "pull-up" leather yields a rich, deep finish with very subtle shade variations. It breaks in easily, shines up brilliantly, and is incredibly long-lasting. The Chromexcel of your Crepe PTB will develop more character as it ages - month after month, and year after year.
SIZING
The "Barrie" last runs approximately one-half size big. Order one half size smaller than your typical dress shoe size (e.g. order a 9.5D if you typically wear a 10D).
RECRAFTING
Alden shoes are Goodyear welted and handmade by union craftsmen. As such, they can be easily resoled and recrafted by the factory. When you've worn out the sole (which will take a LONG time), you can return them back to Alden for resoling and complete refurbishing of the upper. The cost is approximately $125. With this excellent program, you can easily get many years of regular wear out of Alden's quality shoes. Which is important - as you'll surely grow very attached to them.
ALDEN HISTORY
The Alden Shoe Company was founded in 1884 by Charles H. Alden in Middleborough, Massachusetts - and it remains in that same town to this very day. Since its inception, the Alden Shoe Company has designed and manufactured classic gentlemen's footwear that represents America's tradition of old-school, custom shoemaking at its finest. They have the well-earned reputation of being the best shoe manufacturer in the United States, and one of the top shoemakers in the world.
Given a modern world that too often prizes the promotion rather than the product, you might well imagine these old-fashioned talents for craft and honest value to be irretrievably lost. Alden's footwear stands as clear, adamant proof to the contrary. Each of their classically designed shoes are handworked from the finest leathers, represent a century-old tradition of craftsmanship, and reflect in a quiet, sure way the solid values and timeless style of the man who wears them. Epaulet is honored to be one of their official dealers.
EPAULET PRESENTS ALDEN
In June 2009, Epaulet co-owner Michael Kuhle and documentary filmmaker/animation artist Tom Eaton visited the Alden Shoe Company in Massachusetts. During our stay, we were treated to a rundown of the entire shoe crafting process, a meet and greet with the Alden staff, and some seriously good cheeseburgers. We're thrilled to present a photo gallery by Michael Kuhle and a 12-minute documentary video by Tom Eaton. Please check them out, and see the dedicated people, intricate work, culture of excellence, and incredible attention to detail that makes an Alden Shoe possible.
"Epaulet Presents Alden" 12-minute HD documentary by Tom Eaton (Hosted on Vimeo.com)
"Epaulet Presents Alden" Photo Gallery by Michael Kuhle
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