Alden Color #4 LWB
Well folks, here we are – the Alden Color #4 Shell Cordovan Longwing Blucher (LWB). It just does not get any better than this. Bringing out the best that Alden and Horween have to offer. Marrying together true classics from both. This is a shoe that I have often dreamed of, but never imagined actually owning.
The Longwing Blucher is one of Alden’s most classic models. It brings a truly lovely Blucher design with a line of Broguing that can only be described as incredible. It is often referred to as the “Gunboat”. This nickname comes from the design looking like an old warship or what I prefer to think of a pirate ship with cannons lined down the side of the ship.
For those who are unaware of Color #4, it is one of Horween’s truly magical shades of Shell Cordovan. It uses the same dye of their classic Color #8, their phenomenal Burgundy shade that is synonymous with Cordovan, but at half the concentration. This yields an absolutely amazing shade that is a perfect combination of brown and red. The perfect shade for a perfect style!
These glorious beauties were designed perfectly by my friends at Alden Madison. Hitting every element that you would dream of, both from a Gunboat as well as from a Color #4 model together. From a Gunboat lens, these Bluchers are made around Alden’s famous Barrie Last. Providing a hefty size to the shoe, but also providing a level of classical formality to it. The heft of these gunboats are complimented by the Pre-Stitched Reverse Welt that goes all the way around these Gunboats. That welt helps to build on top of the Double Leather outsoles, which are soaked in Oil, or what Alden calls the waterlock outsole. The Color #4 is matched the way that we all dream of – with Alden’s antique edge, which allows a slight contrast that makes the Color #4 just pop out. These design elements just come together to provide the Gunboat that dreams are made out of.
Sometimes pictures are worth 1,000 words and this is absolutely the case here, so enjoy some additional pictures below.
