A pair of brown leather shoes, serially underestimated.

I’ve worn these shoes primarily in sunny Southern California, where the low cut let my ankles breathe and the leather soles kept my feet comfortable. They were part of a routine that included desk job weekdays, nights at bars and events and weekend getaways to the mountains, the beach and cross-country trips.

Brown CXL, could there be a more common leather in our corner of the footwear world? Beyond the always comfortable CXL on this pair, the unstructured toe and unlined uppers distinguish it from the standard dress shoe and push it distinctly into the casual category. It is in this domain where patina continually enhances the shoe, making it better with every wear and conditioning. With this leather one should not expect dramatic color change but rather subtle marking and highlighting. The leather is not struct-through and thus a teacore effect was revealed through the months.

Overall these fit quite well with dress socks. Anything thicker and I would have preferred to go up a width. The CXL is forgiving but the standard 1/2 down from bannock worked well for my low volume low instep feet. Being unlined with leather soles makes them extremely comfortable and forgiving.

The design of the shoes is where they really shine. Great looking last, with great features. Really the quintessential brown shoe. Construction quality is standard Alden, refined in comparison to a work boot but casual when compared to a high end dress shoe. This is the Alden sweet spot.

The leather sole is extremely comfortable, protective but they leave no doubt about what resides on the ground beneath your feet. The city is this shoes natural habitat. Through a near rainless fall and winter in Southern California they held up very well.

I feel these shoes are a great alternative to a loafer. Many of the same features but with the benefit of laces and a bit of a different vibe.