Custom White's Boots ... Thoughts?

[Rymanocerous]

I know I am late to respond but these boots look sharp : ) I currently own AE boots and am waiting on White's. I noticed you mentioned you own Alden.
I have read that Alden is a level above Allen Edmonds but how do you compare White's to Alden and if you have to pick one would you rather pick White's or Alden?
Thanks

It’s different. Alden on a whole uses better materials but is less diverse than AE. They also follow a strict retail model and are a few price tiers above where AE is. AE has frequent sales, Alden never does. AE had more QC issues, but also does a much higher production volume. AE is more diverse in styles, Alden is very narrow and traditional.

Construction and materials are superior on White’s, Alden is a more refined and dressier look. You can expect more attention to detail from Aldens and better durability and versatility out of White’s. But I really wouldn’t compare them, kind of like when we discuss a hiking boot vs a dress boot.

That all said, would love to see a plain cap toe Steven’s in Brown Dress. I think it would give many of those Aldens a run for their money. @sambam what do you think?

 

[js0930]

Went into Bakers today. Decided to have them size me in person for my next pair. Great experience, can’t recommend them enough. Current pair is a 9.5, turns out I split the difference on my feet. Should be wearing a 9 on 1 and a 10 on the other. Placed an order for some Bounty Hunters and learned Whites is really behind right now - 10-14 weeks. I’m not worried about it - but figured I’d mention it for anyone that is.

 

[redbaron1980]

Went into Bakers today. Decided to have them size me in person for my next pair. Great experience, can’t recommend them enough. Current pair is a 9.5, turns out I split the difference on my feet. Should be wearing a 9 on 1 and a 10 on the other. Placed an order for some Bounty Hunters and learned Whites is really behind right now - 10-14 weeks. I’m not worried about it - but figured I’d mention it for anyone that is.

That's good to know, it'll give me more time to hide what I just spent on the two pairs I just ordered from the wife

 

[marker2037]

I know I am late to respond but these boots look sharp : ) I currently own AE boots and am waiting on White's. I noticed you mentioned you own Alden.
I have read that Alden is a level above Allen Edmonds but how do you compare White's to Alden and if you have to pick one would you rather pick White's or Alden?
Thanks

I don't necessarily put Alden a level above AE to be honest. They are great boots, but AE has also been putting out great boots recently. More like Alden 1a and AE 1b. As for the the comparison to White's, I don't actually think they are comparable. White's are certainly more rugged and they definitely seem well made so far, though they are also a bit less refined.

Apples to oranges in my opinion.

 

[Legal Eagles]

It’s different. Alden on a whole uses better materials but is less diverse than AE. They also follow a strict retail model and are a few price tiers above where AE is. AE has frequent sales, Alden never does. AE had more QC issues, but also does a much higher production volume. AE is more diverse in styles, Alden is very narrow and traditional.

Construction and materials are superior on White’s, Alden is a more refined and dressier look. You can expect more attention to detail from Aldens and better durability and versatility out of White’s. But I really wouldn’t compare them, kind of like when we discuss a hiking boot vs a dress boot.

That all said, would love to see a plain cap toe Steven’s in Brown Dress. I think it would give many of those Aldens a run for their money. @sambam what do you think?

I think you pretty much nailed it... both Alden and White's gives you a top quality boot, made in the USA... I think you meant that the White's rolled welt construction is more rugged than Alden's GYW and I agree, but from a QC and aesthetic construction standpoint, I have to give the edge to Alden...

Alden is for dress and pure casual, White's is for work and rough casual. This is exemplified by the fact that Alden calls their 405 Indy a "work-boot"... perhaps it is the work-boot of the Alden line, but it is not a "work-boot" in the PNW sense.

Think of it this way... both are top notch, heritage bootmakers, but Alden represents an east coast sensibility, while White's is pure west coast. Sort of like the East Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry of the mid-1990s.

 

[Legal Eagles]

I don't necessarily put Alden a level above AE to be honest.

I respect your opinion, but I disagree.

I believe Alden makes a better boot than AE.

I was disappointed when AE outsourced some of their production to the Dominican Republic.

But discussion and differences of opinion are what makes this group great.

 

[chicagoan2016]

I respect your opinion, but I disagree.

I believe Alden makes a better boot than AE.

I was disappointed when AE outsourced some of their production to the Dominican Republic.

But discussion and differences of opinion are what makes this group great.

I would like to add my observation/experience.
Can't say anything about Alden because I don't own any but I have 10+ pairs of AE boots and they could be a steal
1) If you don't need arch support.
2) Buy them on sale or factory seconds.

For example, I have three pairs of AE Higgin Mills boots, one was on sale (and factory first) the other two pairs were F2s (one in black CXL for $157 and other in brown CXL for around $190, don't remember the exact price). I can't tell the difference between the factory firsts and factory seconds' quality.

 

[chicagoan2016]

I think you pretty much nailed it... both Alden and White's gives you a top quality boot, made in the USA... I think you meant that the White's rolled welt construction is more rugged than Alden's GYW and I agree, but from a QC and aesthetic construction standpoint, I have to give the edge to Alden...

Alden is for dress, White's is for work. This is exemplified by the fact that Alden calls their 405 Indy a "work-boot"... perhaps it is the work-boot of the Alden line, but it is not a "work-boot" in the PNW sense.

Think of it this way... both are top notch, heritage bootmakers, but Alden represents an east coast sensibility, while White's is pure west coast. Sort of like the East Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry of the mid-1990s.

How is arch support on Alden boots?

 

[chicagoan2016]

I think you pretty much nailed it... both Alden and White's gives you a top quality boot, made in the USA... I think you meant that the White's rolled welt construction is more rugged than Alden's GYW and I agree, but from a QC and aesthetic construction standpoint, I have to give the edge to Alden...

Alden is for dress, White's is for work. This is exemplified by the fact that Alden calls their 405 Indy a "work-boot"... perhaps it is the work-boot of the Alden line, but it is not a "work-boot" in the PNW sense.

Think of it this way... both are top notch, heritage bootmakers, but Alden represents an east coast sensibility, while White's is pure west coast. Sort of like the East Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry of the mid-1990s.

That all said, would love to see a plain cap toe Steven’s in Brown Dress. I think it would give many of those Aldens a run for their money. @sambam what do you think?

I think Alden boots should be compared to White's Goodyear welted boots? Alden is Goodyear welted?
This collection

Lifestyle Boots: White's Boots, Inc.

 

[marker2037]

I respect your opinion, but I disagree.

I believe Alden makes a better boot than AE.

I was disappointed when AE outsourced some of their production to the Dominican Republic.

But discussion and differences of opinion are what makes this group great.

And likewise, I would disagree as well. None of the AE GYW boots and shoes are made in the DR. The DR is used for production of handsewns, like Maritime boat shoes (which I own and love), and some other cheaper lines with glued construction, but not for their top range shoes and boots.

I would put up my new AE Hamiltons from the most recent trunk show up against any of my Alden boots and I own many from both brands.

 

[chicagoan2016]

And likewise, I would disagree as well. None of the AE GYW boots and shoes are made in the DR. The DR is used for production of handsewns, like Maritime boat shoes (which I own and love), and some other cheaper lines with glued construction, but not for their top range shoes and boots.

I would put up my new AE Hamiltons from the most recent trunk show up against any of my Alden boots and I own many from both brands.

View attachment 1530783

D@mn!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shell? what color?

 

[marker2037]

D@mn!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shell? what color?

Burgundy (Color 8) shell

 

[Rymanocerous]

... I think you meant that the White's rolled welt construction is more rugged than Alden's GYW and I agree, but from a QC and aesthetic construction standpoint, I have to give the edge to Alden...

Alden is for dress and pure casual, White's is for work and rough casual. This is exemplified by the fact that Alden calls their 405 Indy a "work-boot"... perhaps it is the work-boot of the Alden line, but it is not a "work-boot" in the PNW sense.

No I meant what I said. White's is a rugged boot. An Apocalypse boot. You could actually do work in them. Alden, is a dress foot, a fashion book, and workday warrior. Your follow up statement indicates you also feel the same. Construction has little to do with it. I think a GYW White's will still stomp the tar off of any Alden. And sure, a rolled welt is much harder to dress up.

I think Alden boots should be compared to White's Goodyear welted boots? Alden is Goodyear welted?
This collection

Lifestyle Boots: White's Boots, Inc.

See my thoughts above. I still don't think they are comparable. Many things are made similarly and yield much different results.

At the end of the day, Alden is simply and antiquated, geriatric fashion boot. White's is still basically just a work boot.

 

[chicagoan2016]

I think a GYW White's will still stomp the tar off of any Alden. .

High praise for White's Goodyear welted boots (and the Goodyear welted White's are $350-$400)!!

 

[Legal Eagles]

Construction and materials are superior on White’s,

Perhaps I misunderstood... what exactly then did you mean by the word "construction" in the sentence above?
The way the boot is actually built, or the quality of the aesthetic finish and overall QC, or something else entirely?