Alden Indy boot creasing

[pgkopf]

I have a 7 year old pair of Alden Indy boots. They were my first pair of nice leather boots and I did not know proper shoe care at the time. Still, I knew enough to keep cedar trees in them when not wearing. I recently began using a cream polish on them about 6 months ago, every 10 wears or so. I love the boots and they are super comfortable, but there is noticeable creasing in the boots, particularly the toe and ankle of the left boot (pics attached). Is this type of creasing normal? Thank you!

 

[Reiver]

I don’t really know Indy boots other than appreciating them but I think if they are the chromexcel leather then that creasing looks fairly normal to me.

They look in good shape for 7 year old boots.

regular brushing should prevent the creases developing into cracks.

 

[Ancestral Star]

I don't have the answer per se, but you should post your question in the dedicated Alden thread. You'll guaranteed to get many answers:

THE OFFICIAL ALDEN THREAD FOR 2020 - SHARE REVIEWS, SIZING, ADVICE, AND PHOTOS.

I am trying to remember who said it initially, don't actually think it was Mac, but he definitely concurred and abided by that... There has been a bit of personnel turnover in the threads since I started following it... -Mike It’s a flair on r/goodyearwelt but I’ve heard it a while here on styfo.

www.styleforum.net

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Creasing is normal. Creasing is also unpredictable as your foot, gait and the selection of hide will affect it

I see absolutely nothing unusual in what’s going on. They look like well worn and well taken care of boots. Keep wearing and enjoy.

Edited later for typo’s.

 

[dieworkwear]

That's called loose grain wrinkling. It happens when the leather is cut from certain parts of the hide (away from the spine). More common in some leathers than others; and more common among certain makers than others. For a workboot, I think it's fine, but the issue bothers some people.

 

[Phoenician]

That's called loose grain wrinkling. It happens when the leather is cut from certain parts of the hide (away from the spine). More common in some leathers than others; and more common among certain makers than others. For a workboot, I think it's fine, but the issue bothers some people.

Alden went cheap and cut pieces closer to the belly; more common with CXL leather, which is a reason I won't buy CXL boots like that; not a fan of how much they crease. and in regards to shoe care, CXL is one of the leather that need very little, so you're fine with not caring for them for a long time; they were going to look like that regardless. If you want something devoid of creases, get shell cordovan; or for fewer/finer creases, a superb quality calfskin or even suede doesn't show it anywhere near as much.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

I guess I just don’t really care for work boots. I’m not a fan of the CXL leather. Even with boots, I still like a bit more refined look.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

That's called loose grain wrinkling. It happens when the leather is cut from certain parts of the hide (away from the spine). More common in some leathers than others; and more common among certain makers than others. For a workboot, I think it's fine, but the issue bothers some people.

I’ve noticed this before but never understood the technical reason. Thanks.

 

[pgkopf]

Thank you for your comments. Good to know that this is normal for CXL leather. I will avoid this type of leather in the future.

 

[JFWR]

All hide leather eventually creases, and after 7 years of wear, having creases is absolutely normal. Shell cordovan doesn't crease, it ripples, but really no shoe is going to avoid creasing in the long-term.

You literally cannot stop this from happening. The creases don't diminish the aesthetics of the boots, so sadly just have to deal with it, as it were, and realize it's part and parcel of owning shoes.

As much as us gentlemen might like a creaseless shoe it's impossible.

 

[dieworkwear]

 

[DG123]

I have a 7 year old pair of Alden Indy boots. They were my first pair of nice leather boots and I did not know proper shoe care at the time. Still, I knew enough to keep cedar trees in them when not wearing. I recently began using a cream polish on them about 6 months ago, every 10 wears or so. I love the boots and they are super comfortable, but there is noticeable creasing in the boots, particularly the toe and ankle of the left boot (pics attached). Is this type of creasing normal? Thank you!

If the creases emerged and, or, became more prominent about the time you began applying shoe cream, I expect the shoe cream is a contributing factor.
In this photo my 8 year old Indy #405 boot (work boot leather) is on the left, and on the right, a brand new pair. Neither has much noticeable creasing. I don't apply and polish or cream to these boots.