***The official Alden thread *** - Page 1241

Quote:

Originally Posted by granjamo 

Neoprene cork or commando sole questions:
- which has better durability?
- which is better for a wet climates?

The neocork sole is astonishingly durable, but it's not going to grip as well as the commando sole. Still, I find that it grips well enough for the northeast U.S. that a commando sole has been unnecessary for me. Unlike some, I don't wear nice shoes in truly foul weather, and instead just have a pair of Chippewas with a Vibram sole for when mother nature is angry. The rest of the time, double leather and neocork soles actually work fine.

Depends on where you live, I suppose.

Quote:

Originally Posted by granjamo 

Neoprene cork or commando sole questions:
- which has better durability?
- which is better for a wet climates?

I'm definitely no expert, but the commando should be better in wet conditions and should be more durable, BUT I have indys with both of these soles and find that the neo-cork is definitely more comfortable to wear and lighter in weight

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceoceo 

Neoprene sole is good enough for 'wet' road. Not good enough for use in Minnesota where mother nature constantly tries to kill you.

East Coasters who bitch about how L.L.Bean and Lands End are shitty quality and disposable have never braved a midwestern winter. Everything you own gets destroyed.

In other words, my recommendation is UGGs.

Deleted

Quote:

Originally Posted by sazon 


Ahhhhhh, that was you who got the last 10D. I had it in my cart and hesitated....
Enjoy them. If you decide you don't want them, let me know.

Hehe, yeah I called Sunday and they had one pair left, I called back Tuesday and they still had them. I can't wait to get them - should have them today. I saw the "natural" color boots in person at Shoe Mart, I really like them but I also wanted commando soles - for all the hiking I do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by granjamo 

Neoprene cork or commando sole questions:
- which has better durability?
- which is better for a wet climates?

I'm not a rich man so my shoes have to have dual use. Go from the office to church to the woods. And the fact that I live in New England. I'm now the proud owner of two pair of Aldens (though one is still on the way, they are boots). Both will have commando soles. I purchased my first pair of Alden a few weeks back from Shoe Mart (they were in the sale room). They were a deep burgundy pebble grain oxford - they already have a number of hiking miles on them. They clean up nicely and when you are standing you could hardly tell that they have commando soles.