The Official Alden Indy Appreciation Thread

[DooWopMario]

Below are photos of the Foot Balance rubber heel cap which Alden uses for their cork sole Indy boots. My experience has been that the Alden cap wears relatively fast. The SoleTech brand of aftermarket heel caps fits the Alden Thomas heel and seems to provide 50% more longevity than the Alden heel cap. Specifically, for my boots I wear thru 3 pairs of the Alden heel caps each year, and the Sole Tech heel caps require replacement twice per year. View attachment 1601214 View attachment 1601220
View attachment 1601221

Has anyone else used these Soletech heel caps to replace the original Alden Foot Balance heels? I'm considering getting several of these at about $13 a pair on ebay to have when I need to re-heel my boots.

 

[Soundchasr]

That size width is too narrow a width for you.
How is the length ? If it's at all short go up a .5 size in length and down one width more narrow.
Also, instead of the CXL model 403 you will find that the calf model 405 upper is a bit more sturdy.

Interesting that you said they were too narrow (did you mean wide?). I thought they might be too wide. I have a ton of room. Had to put an insert to fill some room. They're a 12E. I tried the 12D's on and they were a bit snug. I probably need a 12.5D but can't find them anywhere - that's why I went with the 12E.

 

[Soundchasr]

I was more wondering if the bulge on the right shoe was a defect. I'm ok if their a bit big overall but the bulge on the right shoe (when I'm not wearing them) seemed weird.

 

[DG123]

Interesting that you said they were too narrow (did you mean wide?). I thought they might be too wide. I have a ton of room. Had to put an insert to fill some room. They're a 12E. I tried the 12D's on and they were a bit snug. I probably need a 12.5D but can't find them anywhere - that's why I went with the 12E.

My previous post included a typo, sorry. Yes, the boots are too wide a width for you.
The Alden Shop, SF has in their current inventory 5 pairs of size 12.5D Indy boots.

The Alden Shop of San Francisco

 

[DG123]

I was more wondering if the bulge on the right shoe was a defect. I'm ok if their a bit big overall but the bulge on the right shoe (when I'm not wearing them) seemed weird.

I looked at the photos you enclosed and notice two pairs a model 403 and a model 405.
Is the 405 also a size 12E?
Did the 403 bulge at the sides when brand new never worn or only after you wore the pair for a bit of time ?

 

[Soundchasr]

I looked at the photos you enclosed and notice two pairs a model 403 and a model 405.
Is the 405 also a size 12E?
Did the 403 bulge at the sides when brand new never worn or only after you wore the pair for a bit of time ?

The photos I posted were just of the 403s I bought. They are brand new. The left shoe was fine and the right had a bulge. I ended up returning them for another of the same since Alden of NY had another 12E.

Alden of SF doesn't have any 403s that I can see.

 

[DG123]

The photos I posted were just of the 403s I bought. They are brand new. The left shoe was fine and the right had a bulge. I ended up returning them for another of the same since Alden of NY had another 12E.

Alden of SF doesn't have any 403s that I can see.

Style 403 appears at the middle of the list.

 

[Soundchasr]

Style 403 appears at the middle of the list.

Missed em. Ordered!

 

[Soundchasr]

Style 403 appears at the middle of the list.

Just got the "out of stock" email. Thanks though.

 

[Soundchasr]

Any tips on how to tone down the color of the welt?

 

[DG123]

Any tips on how to tone down the color of the welt?

Wear the boots outside and the brightness of the welt will diminish.

 

[audog]

Any tips on how to tone down the color of the welt?

Wear them and it will diminish over time

 

[XWT]

Any tips on how to tone down the color of the welt?

Unless I'm mistaken that leather is basically unfinished. As the others said, it will dull out and change color with wear. I recommand applying a conditionner like Pecard's or Canadian Bee Seal on it, it speeds up the color changing process a little.

 

[Soundchasr]

Am I correct that these won't make it through airport security because of the steel shank?

 

[acessmokin]

Am I correct that these won't make it through airport security because of the steel shank?

What do you mean? Like will you have to take them off, probably. You can definitely wear them though if that’s your question.