Alden Shoe Company, founded by Charles H. Alden in Middleborough, Massachusetts, 1884, has a rich history deeply rooted in the American Northeast. Despite the competitive landscape of shoemakers in the region, Alden's dedication to in-house production and hand craftsmanship has allowed it to thrive over the past 140 years. Iconic designs such as the Leisure Handsewn Loafer, Indy Boot, and Wholecut Oxfords have become symbols of traditional American style.

The blucher, one of Alden's most cherished styles, is distinguished by its open lacing system, allowing for greater flexibility and a more accommodating fit than the more formal Oxford. These shoes come in various styles, including plain-toe, cap-toe, and brogue, each featuring a Goodyear welt, dovetailed heels, and full glove leather-lined flexible pure vegetable-tanned leather insoles. Underneath the insole is a layer of cork for added resilience and insulation, while a tempered steel shank provides extra strength and comfort.

990 Plain Toe Blucher - #8 Shell Cordovan & 9901 Plain Toe Blucher - Black Shell Cordovan

The 990 Plain Toe Blucher in #8 Shell Cordovan and the 9901 Plain Toe Blucher in Black Shell Cordovan exemplify Alden's craftsmanship. Despite its name, which comes from early 19th century military boots implemented by Prussian Field Marshal Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, the blucher is an American style, with Alden's Plain Toe Blucher (PTB) being a prime example. Built on the Barrie last, this model has a thick shape with a touch of military influence. The single-piece vamp is applied without perforations or stitching, and the eyelets are attached to small strips of leather, defining the blucher style.These shoes feature Horween Leather Co.'s shell cordovan, a material known for its tight grain structure and subtle aging process. Horween's tanning process, which takes more than three months, results in leather that requires minimal maintenance, only occasional brushing and buffing.

975 Long Wing Blucher - #8 Shell Cordovan

The 975 Long Wing Blucher in #8 Shell Cordovan, also made on the Barrie last, offers a more intricate style with its wingtip design and broguing. The perforations along the toe resemble a bird's wing and are known as broguing. The name comes from the Gaelic word bróg, meaning shoe, and was added to help water drain from the shoe.

962 Norweigian Front Blucher - Tan Calfskin

The 962 Norwegian Front Blucher in Tan Calfskin features a construction style from Northern Europe, brought to the United States by Scandinavian settlers in the late 19th century. Purportedly developed by fishermen who wanted to keep their feet dry, the shoe's central feature is the split toe, which allows for large side panels, lowering the amount of stitching required along the welt. With its split toe and large side panels, this shoe is designed to work well in both formal and relaxed settings. The hand stitching on the toe, the vamp seam, and the single-piece calfskin front highlight Alden's commitment to craftsmanship and attention to detail.