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

[somatoform]

For three months that's some serious over-pronation. What do your other heeled and non-heeled shoes look like?

 

[g transistor]

Absolutely nothing like that. This is the first time I've ever had heels wear through like that. I don't know, it might be because the Aldens are supposedly 25 years old (I don't know if I believe that, but that's what the seller told me) but I'm not sure how that would make a difference. My other boots are absolutely fine, even ones I've had for longer...

 

[skunkworks]

You haven't put much of a dent on the bottoms of the sole at all, so it might be that the rubber heel is just old, more brittle, and therefore susceptible to wear. Or are you dragging your heels excessively when you walk?

 

[WatchGuy]

The Lineup (sorry for the crappy pic):

Tanker, Cigar 8 Shell, LSH Ultimate Indy

 

[Trapp]

Nice line-up. How old are the cigars? Would love to see some close ups of those.

.

 

[nohomo]

Do Indy boots ever go on sale? $344 doesn't seem to bad, but seeing how it's almost 200 more than the RW GTs, I wanted to see if I could get a better deal.

 

[DrZRM]

I have to say that I am pretty disappointed in my Aldens with commando soles. I have the Ultimate Indy and a monkstrap, both with a commando sole. Neither are glued on well (though of course they are stitched around the edge). On my Indys, I wore through the stitching to the sole on the outside of my left foot and it will happen soon on the right (I think because the commandos seem to come in only one width and I'm a size 13, so on a larger foot the tread is high in the middle and the stitching can easily touch the ground) and the sole is coming loose where the stitching is worn. I didn't take a pic of the Indys before dropping them to get fixed, but on the pic of the monk below, the stitching that is worn on the Indys is at the lower left part of the commando sole where there is more space between the stitching and the tread (to the left of my thumb). On the monks (pictured below), where my thumb is the glue has just come unstuck, and it's open like a pocket. If I step in a puddle, water will get trapped under the sole against the leather, and it will take much longer to actually dry and can potentially rot the leather. I think I'm all done with commando soles, I'll just stick with leather from here out.

Originally Posted by Trapp

Are the commando soles a significant improvement over the standard neoprene soles on color 8 shell indy's, or is it just a matter of how you will be wearing them? I recently opted for a pair w/the commando, but it was a tough choice. I like the distressed, leathery, scuffiness of the worn in neoprene (that i have seen pics of, but have never worn myself).

 

[Trapp]

^Thanks for the input. It's pretty disappointing considering the cost of these shoes.

Are the commando soles simply added to their standard leather outsole? I'm wondering if the commando's can be pulled off, leaving a functional leather sole beneath (and saving the cost of a re-sole). I obviously wouldn't do it unless they become a problem, but in the event that they do start behaving as your's are, I'll want to consider options.

What about Aldens does your cobbler complains about? You didn't finish the thought.

Anyone else have problems with the commando soles? I seem to remember seeing a lot of praise for them a while back, and I also remember the Alden Shop in SF pushing them for the chukkas.

 

[SLAB]

Originally Posted by WatchGuy

The Lineup (sorry for the crappy pic):

Tanker, Cigar 8 Shell, LSH Ultimate Indy


beautiful collection; really want to see some close ups of the cigar indys

 

[erbs]

What last are the cigar boots on?

 

[false]

Originally Posted by nohomo

Do Indy boots ever go on sale? $344 doesn't seem to bad, but seeing how it's almost 200 more than the RW GTs, I wanted to see if I could get a better deal.

Read the last few pages.

 

[rick]

Originally Posted by erbs

What last are the cigar boots on?


i am almost certain all indy boots are on trubalance

 

[Trapp]

^I think so, too, unless they are some kind of custom make.

The tankers are sometimes on the Aberdeen...the ones from Shoe Mart for example.

 

[srivats]

Originally Posted by rick

i am almost certain all indy boots are on trubalance

Not really - Moulded shoe makes indy boots on the modified last.

 

[Alias]

Just received my Context tankers today. They're pretty nice, although the price is a bit steep. Sucks to read about problems people are having with their Aldens, but I'll keep a close eye on mine as I wear them in.

I'm a perfect 7D US and contrary to suggestions ordered my boots in size 7. The boots fit very well. I feel if I had ordered a 6.5 they would be unbearably snug. But that's just me.