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Dbear · Mar 6, 2011

Originally Posted by mediahound

Those don't come with shoe bags unfortunately, just plastic bags. I've bought other models of Alden's that did though (like Cordovans).

He sorta has a point since these are work boots, meant to be worn and beaten up. That said, what model did you get? A neutral boot creme maybe once a year should do the trick but I wouldn't use polish.

PS, the manager there really likes to get people out of the store as quickly as possible, which is something I don't agree with. When he's not there, your shopping experience is much better.

Gotcha. It made sense, but it's just a knee-jerk reaction when you get a nice pair of $400+ shoes, to want to take care of them. Just wanted to check w/ the experts here to make sure. I'm no shoe guru.

I think these are the ones I got. http://www.aldenshop.com/DrawOneShoe.asp?CategoryID=145

He just said to come in after 6 months and see where I want to go w/ the coloring and then he'll prescribe a cream.

Also, which one is the manager? Is it the guy that kind of speaks in a low hushed one in the back? The asian guy was the one that was helping me.

mediahound · Mar 6, 2011

Originally Posted by Dbear

Gotcha. It made sense, but it's just a knee-jerk reaction when you get a nice pair of $400+ shoes, to want to take care of them. Just wanted to check w/ the experts here to make sure. I'm no shoe guru. I think these are the ones I got. http://www.aldenshop.com/DrawOneShoe.asp?CategoryID=145 He just said to come in after 6 months and see where I want to go w/ the coloring and then he'll prescribe a cream. Also, which one is the manager? Is it the guy that kind of speaks in a low hushed one in the back? The asian guy was the one that was helping me.
Okay, those are the 403s. I got those too, awesome boots. They wear very well with nothing actually. Later on down the road, if you decide you want to treat 'em in a few years, you can just clean them with a damp cloth and then use some Neatsfoot Oil (available for cheap on Amazon, etc.). That's what the Horween leather company puts on there at the factory (the leather supplier used in the 403 boots). A neutral boot creme can also be used although that will mainly clean it rather than add oil back into the leather. Alden sells that, I think it's like $9.00. I believe you probably saw the manager in the back. I think the Asian guy who helped you is Lawrence. There is another guy named Robert who is quite nice and helpful. The issue is, when James is there, they have to act in a certain way which may be different (worse) then when his is not there.

zippyh · Mar 6, 2011

Originally Posted by mediahound

Congrats on your new boots!

Those don't come with shoe bags unfortunately, just plastic bags, probably because they would have to make a larger shoe bag to fit boots and they choose not to. I've bought other models of Alden shoes (not boots) that did come with flannel bags though.

Nope. There are bags which come with boots. They just don't include them with the base Indy.

enigma77 · Mar 6, 2011

^^ Ehh... Wouldn't recommend neatsfoot oil tbh; it's not that oily of a leather. Some kind of conditioning cream is, I think, the way to go. I once used renovateur on my 403s and they looked amazing, but renovateur is definitely overkill for Chromexcel.

Agree, though, that something neutral should be used. Chromexcel ages really well, but like most well-tanned leathers it ages gradually. (Natural tannages age quicker.)

enigma77 · Mar 6, 2011

Originally Posted by zippyh

Nope. There are bags which come with boots. They just don't include them with the base Indy.

Truth. My ravello shortwing boots came with bags.

mediahound · Mar 6, 2011

Originally Posted by enigma77

^^ Ehh... Wouldn't recommend neatsfoot oil tbh; it's not that oily of a leather. Some kind of conditioning cream is, I think, the way to go. I once used renovateur on my 403s and they looked amazing, but renovateur is definitely overkill for Chromexcel.

Agree, though, that something neutral should be used. Chromexcel ages really well, but like most well-tanned leathers it ages gradually. (Natural tannages age quicker.)

Yeah, Neatsfoot oil is sorta gross stuff.

ChrisGold · Mar 6, 2011

Originally Posted by enigma77

Truth. My ravello shortwing boots came with bags.

Exactly, they do make a large bag, they just don't come with Indy's - again, it's a work boot and is not meant to sit in a flannel bag.

wj4 · Mar 6, 2011

Originally Posted by ChrisGold

Exactly, they do make a large bag, they just don't come with Indy's - again, it's a work boot and is not meant to sit in a flannel bag.

This only applies to the 'base' Indy's, ie 405. Indy's in special makeups do come with them.

AKMarkB · Mar 6, 2011

Horween recomends Neatsfoot oil for Chromexcel. "The last step for Chromexcel is coat of Neatsfoot Oil, so when people ask me how to condition this leather, that’s always my first recommendation." http://horween.wordpress.com/2010/03...excel%C2%AE-2/ Its been around along time and is good for any leather. It will darken the leather slightly. I just re-applied some to my Danner Winter Lights. Water just beads off of them. Oh and I've had these boots for over 20 years.

WhatAboutBob · Mar 6, 2011

Originally Posted by mediahound

Congrats on your new boots!

Those don't come with shoe bags unfortunately, just plastic bags, probably because they would have to make a larger shoe bag to fit boots and they choose not to. I've bought other models of Alden shoes (not boots) that did come with flannel bags though.

That's not true. Talking to Alden customer support, it depends on the retailer. I got them with the Indy's from JCrew, but not with the 404's from a local retailer. I also got them from Leather Soul with the Safari boots. Didn't get them with the Indy seconds from TSM...

Kenal0 · Mar 6, 2011

Originally Posted by mediahound

Congrats on your new boots!

Those don't come with shoe bags unfortunately, just plastic bags, probably because they would have to make a larger shoe bag to fit boots and they choose not to. I've bought other models of Alden shoes (not boots) that did come with flannel bags though.

He sorta has a point since these are work boots, meant to be worn and beaten up. That said, what model did you get? A neutral boot creme maybe once a year should do the trick.

PS, I know for a fact the manager (James) there really likes to get people out of the store as quickly as possible, which is something I don't agree with. Don't really like him-when he's not there, your shopping experience is *much* better because the salesguys there are quite nice and helpful and don't mind chatting. Problem is, you can never be sure when Jim won't be there...
I got some shoe bags with my Indy Cigar shell boots from J. Gilbert. They are made larger than their regular shoe bags. I did not get any with my regular Indy boots however.

Kenal0

interlockingny · Mar 6, 2011

Originally Posted by WhatAboutBob

Didn't get them with the Indy seconds from TSM...

Shoe bags don't come with seconds from Shoemart. But for the price, I'm not complaining.

mediahound · Mar 6, 2011

Originally Posted by interlockingny

Shoe bags don't come with seconds from Shoemart. But for the price, I'm not complaining.

If you need some for shoes (not boots), you can order these for only $10. free shipping:

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline...p_category=216

They're quite nice even though they don't say 'Alden'.

CTYGGG · Mar 6, 2011

Sorry for not know how to post thumbs...but here's some links to my latest pickup the Alden Shell #4 4x4's waiting for their maiden voyage. : )

http://img849.imageshack.us/i/imagexjj.jpg/

http://img7.imageshack.us/i/imagewgh.jpg/

http://img87.imageshack.us/i/imageoas.jpg/

http://img97.imageshack.us/i/imagevdo.jpg/

P.S. Would have loved to post thumbs but could figure it out on imageshack or photobucket. I can upload pics to these sites from the iPhone, but couldn't figure out how to upload the links correctly to SF. Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

cold war painter · Mar 6, 2011

^ Either site will give you the links, on imageshack it's under "embed this image" on the right.

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