Styleforum › Forums › Men's Style › Men's Clothing › Alden Chukka Boots for cold winter?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Alden Chukka Boots for cold winter? - Page 2

post #16 of 26
1/17/11 at 7:09pm
Thread Starter 
I purchased the Ravello shell cordovans by alden. Any suggestions what I should use to waterproof them?

Thanks for everybody's posts.
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 26
1/18/11 at 12:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ELG View Post
I purchased the Ravello shell cordovans by alden. Any suggestions what I should use to waterproof them?

Thanks for everybody's posts.
A thin coat of wax every dozen or so times you wear them. That's all that's needed.
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 26
1/18/11 at 1:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ELG View Post
I purchased the Ravello shell cordovans by alden. Any suggestions what I should use to waterproof them?

Thanks for everybody's posts.

Shell is already quite water resitant. I'd put nothing but wax on the uppers, if that.

For winter weather, traction is a much bigger issue than warmth. Leather soles on ice or snow can put you flat on your back, hip or knees before you've had time to blink. I'd have treaded rubber sole protectors put on, by a good cobbler.

I've recently had my Alden shell chukkas converted from leather to Dainite soles, after a few years of wear, and that combination is plenty fine for most New York winter days.
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 26
1/18/11 at 3:16pm
Thread Starter 
Well-kept: you're right about the traction. In retrospect, I should have gotten the cigar shell indy boots by alden. However, if I may it back form Chicago, the Chukkas will be more versatile.
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 26
1/18/11 at 4:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ELG View Post
Well-kept: you're right about the traction. In retrospect, I should have gotten the cigar shell indy boots by alden. However, if I may it back form Chicago, the Chukkas will be more versatile.

Yes, I wear my chukkas in Southern California as well as NY, all the time. And it's quick and fairly inexpensive to get Vibram or Topy sole protectors installed over the leather sole. That way, you're more likely to enjoy Chicago, and make it back to San Diego in one piece. My 2 cents.
Reply
Reply
post #21 of 26
1/18/11 at 5:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ELG View Post
Well-kept: you're right about the traction. In retrospect, I should have gotten the cigar shell indy boots by alden. However, if I may it back form Chicago, the Chukkas will be more versatile.
Indy boots with the standard sole (the smooth sole) will provide pretty poor traction in any kind of winter weather. I agree with everything well-kept says in this thread...a think a standard shoe or boot with a $65 Vibram layer put on is pretty decent for 95% of of all days. Dainite is a bit more all encompassing than that, and Commando even more so, but it doesn't look like a dress sole at all. in any case, NONE of those are true winter boots meant for shoveling. I do agree that having a high boot is just nice for protection against bitter wind, and the odd puddle/frozen snow you step in. frozen water/bitter wind vs your sock is not much of a battle. this is what I got. C&J high shell boot (very high, maybe 3 inches higher than a chukka) + dainite sole
Reply
Reply
post #22 of 26
1/18/11 at 6:51pm
^ Beautiful boots, but I thought you were considering getting rid of them?

While height is critical, unless your shoes are insulated, there's very little difference in warmth between leathers. Rather than worry about shell vs. calf, I'd consider going up 1/2 to a full size and wearing thick socks. I have a pair of Alden shell chukkas that are a full size larger than my standard size, and I only wear them with hiking socks. They're my go-to boots for a typical California winter day - ie 50 degrees and raining.
Reply
Reply
post #23 of 26
1/18/11 at 7:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by makewayhomer View Post
this is what I got. C&J high shell boot (very high, maybe 3 inches higher than a chukka) + dainite sole


this is a very nice boot. actually, the height is what i would consider ideal for winter and i live in an alpine territory.

dainite isn't my first choice for snow. the vibram lug sole is most popular among my peers. they come in different degrees of hardness.
Reply
Reply
post #24 of 26
1/18/11 at 10:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by imatlas View Post
^ Beautiful boots, but I thought you were considering getting rid of them?
I hemmed and hawed for a while as they are a very expensive purchase for me...but eventually sold enough stuff to come up with the money so it was a "neutral" expense
Quote:
Originally Posted by imatlas View Post
While height is critical, unless your shoes are insulated, there's very little difference in warmth between leathers. Rather than worry about shell vs. calf, I'd consider going up 1/2 to a full size and wearing thick socks. I have a pair of Alden shell chukkas that are a full size larger than my standard size, and I only wear them with hiking socks. They're my go-to boots for a typical California winter day - ie 50 degrees and raining.
makes sense yes. the shell is really a luxury, I'm sure you could use lotions and potions etc to waterprotect calf as well as shell is naturally
Reply
Reply
post #25 of 26
11/21/11 at 1:49pm

I'm in love with the Alden Chukka, but not the price. Can anyone suggest another option that would still wear well and be supporting enough to last a full days wear.  Thanks in advance.

Reply
Reply
post #26 of 26
11/21/11 at 4:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ELG View Post

Pebblegrain: I have never been in weather this cold before, so I wanted to prepare. I already overcoats, hat's, etc. but no shoes for cold weather. The only non oxfords I have is one pair of loafers and tennis shoes. I felt needed something new for this trip, and I figured cordovan would be warmer.



Just wear regular shoes and wool socks(I wear them from Oct to May) Wear rubber overshoes when it's wet and cold.

 

Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Men's Clothing
Styleforum › Forums › Men's Style › Men's Clothing › Alden Chukka Boots for cold winter?