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The Official Alden Thread for 2023 - Share Reviews, Sizing, Advice, and Photos.

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smfdoc

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Happy split toe Tuesday.

IMG_2693.jpg
 

blue123

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So I know these are shoes and meant to be worn. I’ve beaten up a lot of my shoes by normal wear and tear. I still take care of them with shoe trees and general polishing etc. I also like the worn in look that patina gives them.

I just picked up my first pair of Alden’s with commando soles. In one of my first time wearing them I hit the rubber part of the front of the sole on a bit of the brick road. I quickly looked down and saw some of the rubber chipped off. It wasn’t even that hard.

How is the durability of Alden commando soles in general? Do they get chewed up pretty easily?
 

Mghart

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How is the durability of Alden commando soles in general? Do they get chewed up pretty easily?
I’ve posted my general disdain for them in the past and wish most vendors would stop using it in the majority of special make ups… the biggest issue is the sole delaminating once some of the outsole stitching wears. This happens especially at the toe where there’s simply a piece of foam attached to the sole.

I end up getting boots that have commando as default resoled by someone else when the time comes.
 

blue123

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I’ve posted my general disdain for them in the past and wish most vendors would stop using it in the majority of special make ups… the biggest issue is the sole delaminating once some of the outsole stitching wears. This happens especially at the toe where there’s simply a piece of foam attached to the sole.

I end up getting boots that have commando as default resoled by someone else when the time comes.

Interesting, I would have thought for the money they would use better quality. I have Wolverine boots that I can kick the side of a building with and no damage. I would think Alden would be above them in durability. The upper on the boot is fantastic though so at least the most important area matters.
 

sterlingindigo

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Interesting, I would have thought for the money they would use better quality. I have Wolverine boots that I can kick the side of a building with and no damage. I would think Alden would be above them in durability. The upper on the boot is fantastic though so at least the most important area matters.
I would say Alden are comfortable hand-made, sturdy, fit-focused, style boots but wolverine is going to be less comfortable, more sturdy, generic-fit, work-boots. Probably steel toed too?
 

blue123

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I would say Alden are comfortable hand-made, sturdy, fit-focused, style boots but wolverine is going to be less comfortable, more sturdy, generic-fit, work-boots. Probably steel toed too?
They are the 1000 mile boots and I agree different class. But I find them extremely comfortable too.

WBSM-W990076-010820-S20-045.jpeg

Alden's fit my feet perfectly as well. I think out of all shoes I have tried, AEs were the worst for me for some reason. My feet actually hurt after wearing anything in my size or any variation of my size. (I.E. larger smaller etc)
 

Mghart

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Interesting, I would have thought for the money they would use better quality. I have Wolverine boots that I can kick the side of a building with and no damage. I would think Alden would be above them in durability. The upper on the boot is fantastic though so at least the most important area matters.
I think the reason for the wear/durability issues are a combination of how the soles are attached and the desire to keep it as low profile as possible. So it is what it is, but it’s my least favorite sole they offer. I’d much prefer something like a vibram 700 half sole which is still low profile and probably similar traction as Alden’s commando lugs are shallow to begin with.
 
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