***The official Alden thread *** Share enthusiasm, reviews, sizing, advice, and photos.

[Mr.K]

Just a heads up to anyone that keeps an eye on the seconds lists from The Shoemart. I was talking to Joe today about a new order and he said the new e-mails should go out in about 2-3 weeks.

 

[rkusmant]



I'm torn between the brown chromexcel Indys and the natural chromexcel Indys, both with commando soles. Any thoughts on the versatility of the different shades? Any difference in durability of the finishes? These would be used during Michigan winters.

I like my brown ones better than the natty, but I wouldn't wear during heavy winter/snow. Get a custom made White's boots or Wesco boots.
The Indy will survive through the winter but too much maintenance is needed.

 

[Beatlegeuse]



Just a heads up to anyone that keeps an eye on the seconds lists from The Shoemart. I was talking to Joe today about a new order and he said the new e-mails should go out in about 2-3 weeks.

Nice, thanks for the heads up. I just got myself added to their seconds list, so I'll stay on the lookout for that.

 

[CHRK33]



I'm torn between the brown chromexcel Indys and the natural chromexcel Indys, both with commando soles. Any thoughts on the versatility of the different shades? Any difference in durability of the finishes? These would be used during Michigan winters.

Where are you getting the Natural Indys on commando? I would be seriously interested in that. I would really appreciate a heads up. Thanks.

 

[Marcellionheart]

I got my 405s back from Bnelson having resoled them to an English commando sole which has much thicker lugs than the stock Alden commando sole. The old sole had worn out. Pics below. They are very shiny again but they'll dull again once I put some wear on them.

 

[CTYGGG]



color 8 nst saddle
argyles otc

Looking sharp Mac!

 

[jasonfoote303]



Thanks for the info Jason, very informative.

How often are you applying the boot cream? I've got some Venetian shoe cream which works well, just not sure how often to use it. Also do you apply the cream first and then wax or do you treat them as mutually exclusive of one another?

I only apply stuff once in a while... like maybe every 3 months. Sometimes if I get a bad scuff I'll rub a little cream in to keep it nice.

I wouldn't use cream and wax at the same time. I think that it would be too much. My opinion is to just wax from time to time if you want a little shine and nourish every few months.

Also, brush off the dirt frequently

Have fun!

 

[Wes Bourne]



Now please understand, I think these boots look and feel great, and I (probably) wouldn't hesitate to buy them all over again even knowing what I know now. It's just my misfortune that they have to be made by a company with such an egregious lack of quality control and apparent inability to perform prompt or competent repairs.

I should point out that I don't consider this to be Leather Soul's fault in any part, but rather, their regrettable burden when their hapless customers resort to seeking their assistance with a poorly made product.

I can't say that I hadn't been forewarned; I had read this thread from front to back before making my purchase, and had seen posts about the sub-par quality control, (thanks for that, StyleForum!). But my advice after all this? Send back for replacement or refund and NOT for repair.*


*Unless, like me, replacement isn't possible and you really are unreasonably smitten by the boot.

That's a repair worthy of a sketchy shoe repair/key cutting place, not something you'd expect when sending faulty boots back to the manufacturer for warranty. My own Alden QC episode is a few pages back; I ended up exchanging the wingtips for a pair of Alpine Perf Tip boots. The boots aren't perfect, but I kept them anyway because I didn't want to deal with the hassle of another return.

It's a combination of QC issue (shouldn't happen in the first place) and customer service (lack the will to go all the way to either fix or replace). Anyway what was their exact reason for not able to replace it for you? Alden think it looks pretty acceptable or nothing would go wrong?

Def. QC issues with Alden. Customer service? They have none. If anyone has a positive cs experience to share, I'd sure like to know about it because I don't recall ever reading anything of the sort.

 

[pistolero]



Def. QC issues with Alden. Customer service? They have none. If anyone has a positive cs experience to share, I'd sure like to know about it because I don't recall ever reading anything of the sort.

Well, last year I broke some laces on my new-ish indy's, I called Alden and left a message, got a call back within a few hours, and I had replacement laces in my hands three days later, free of charge. Sometimes, it's the little things, I guess?

 

[bl@ster]



if anyone is looking to unload some 11ds in barrie, hit me up interested in most aldens!

Not Barrie, but Trubalance. I've got these in 11D that I'm looking to move. Worn 3 or 4 times only.

http://www.theshoemart.com/alden-me...xcel/pvc-ald-mxs-40022_ald_m_indy_oxford.html

 

[mcarthur]



Looking sharp Mac!

thank you

 

[CWJr]



Where are you getting the Natural Indys on commando? I would be seriously interested in that. I would really appreciate a heads up. Thanks.

Leffot preorder.

 

[CHRK33]



Leffot preorder.

Thanks...I just emailed Steven to try to get on the preorder. Much appreciated.

 

[Chicagobred]

Does anyone have any experience with Alden's burgundy calfskin leather? I just noticed that Blackbird restocked the Alden short wing blucher in burgundy calf. I already have a long wing in brown, and my wardrobe could use a burgundy colored shoe. Is there a place for burgundy calf in a world when we know that color 8 cordovan is out there? Is there any place out there to get a color 8 short wing?

 

[harrythedog]

leather soul has a #8 short wing coming out this fall, hopefully! there was a pre order back in january. check their page for more details... if your a d width, it's prolly not too late as they were planning to order a full run for their store's