Alden care questions.

[IndyBlues]

I have a few questions for the long time (and not so long time) Alden owners.
Let me see if I can explain this right, without pics:
On the Alden heels, there are 3 shims, or spacers, between the actual rubber heel, and the sole. There are 2 light brown spacers, and one dark brown.
The dark brown spacer on my Aldens, seems to be squeezing out of the side of the heel. I can press it back in, but in a few days, it works it's way back out again. Anyone else notice this on there Aldens, and if so, is there a remedy?
I was thinking this may be a way that the Alden conforms to the way you walk, or stand, and maybe your supposed to cut off the extra shim material that protrudes from the heel. Don't want to do anything until I know for sure.

AND,
Instead of starting another thread, quick Pecards/Polishing question.
Which is best to do first? Pecard the boot, or polish it with Kiwi?
Also, over time I assume the shoe polish will start to build up. Is it a good idea to strip the shoes every year or so, to remove polish build up?

[Bufflehead Jones]

Hey Blues,

I've never heard of the shims coming out. I know that you said you had yours resoled. Did they also replace the heel? It sounds like the heel is trying to come off to me. I would take it to a shoe repair shop or contact Aldens and ask. Here are some numbers for you to try:

Alden Shoe Company 508-947-3926

For details of shoe restoration 1-800-325-4252

[Bufflehead Jones]

What color Kiwi are you guys using on the Aldens?

[ob1al]

Blues, I have the same thing on my Aldens, but I wouldn't worry about it too much. I think it's just a little natural movement owing to the shape of your foot, the way you walk and so on. The movement on my boots is exclusive to the heel, the area with the most weight and pressure on it so naturally over time the heel will begin to 'splay' slightly.

[Bufflehead Jones]

Don't use kiwi on those babies,,,,,get some Meltonian creme polish,,,the color is brick..,,even if you want to darken em a bit , stick with the meltonian,,,the stuff is like a thick whip cream!! Really rich and quality polish.

Mikey, I agree. I have used the stuff and agree about it's quality. They had mentioned Kiwi and I was just curious as to what color they would use. I didn't know Kiwi made a color that I would consider as being real close to the color of the shoes. The only thing that I have put on my new Aldens so far, is a coat of Pecards weatherproof dressing for shoes in the neutral color. I did this just to protect the leather from water and to condition the leather. I used the neutral color and you can't even tell I ever applied anything to the brand new shoes. But, I know that they are protected.

[IndyBlues]

Where can one aquire this... Meltonian Shoe Creme...you people speak of??? Do they offer it on brown, because since I dyed my Aldens brown, the brick won't work for me.

[Bufflehead Jones]

Where can one aquire this... Meltonian Shoe Creme...you people speak of??? Do they offer it on brown, because since I dyed my Aldens brown, the brick won't work for me.

Blues, you shine your shoes with a brick? Dang, I bet that will distress the heck out of 'em.

[Bufflehead Jones]

Blues, I have seen it at various shoe stores, at the mall and such. But, I never have looked for the brick color. That may be harder to find. I don't think you would have a problem locating brown. Just try some of the fine shoe stores in your area and you will probably be sucessful. I think I am going to look online to see if I can find "brick", unless someone already knows of a source.

[IndyBlues]

Where can one aquire this... Meltonian Shoe Creme...you people speak of??? Do they offer it on brown, because since I dyed my Aldens brown, the brick won't work for me.

Blues, you shine your shoes with a brick? Dang, I bet that will distress the heck out of 'em.

LOL, that does look out of context, doesn't. Hey, maybe I can use a brick to distress my jacket. Great idea, Bufflehead!

[Henry Jones Sr.]

I have a few questions for the long time (and not so long time) Alden owners.
Let me see if I can explain this right, without pics:
On the Alden heels, there are 3 shims, or spacers, between the actual rubber heel, and the sole. There are 2 light brown spacers, and one dark brown.
The dark brown spacer on my Aldens, seems to be squeezing out of the side of the heel. I can press it back in, but in a few days, it works it's way back out again. Anyone else notice this on there Aldens, and if so, is there a remedy?

IndyBlues:

I had exactly the same problem with one of the shim/spacers (cobblers have a different technical name for it, but it escapes me at the moment...) squeezing out of both sides of both of my Aldens. At first, I pushed them in, only to have them squeeze back out within a day or so. Then I tried a touch of leather glue in the gap, then pushing them back in. They still managed to squeeze back out within a few weeks. I took the boots in to a shoe repair shop and the guy there said that those particular "shims" were simply missed by the nails up through the heel. I asked what could be done, and he told me that basically, other than completely reconstructing the heel, that the old "glue and push" method would probably be the best way to keep them in.

Now I tried leather glue (it seemed logical at the time...), and that seemed to be effective for several weeks. Perhaps a cyanoacrylate glue might have a longer-lasting hold. Just a suggestion; perhaps someone else out there has additional wisdom to add to the matter.

Eventually, I wore through both soles (my boots looked like pictures of guys' shoes during the Great Depression!), so when I got them replaced, I had the heel replaced, too. There are probably cheaper cobblers out there, but the whole operation cost me just over $60. I didn't have quite enough money or time to send them back to Alden for their "Ultra Service", so I stayed with a local craftsman. He did a fine job, too, if I do say so myself. Good luck with your Aldens!

Sincere regards,

Henry Jones, Sr.

[Bufflehead Jones]

I knew it didn't sound right for something to be working it's way out. Blues, since yours are fairly new, I think I would contact Alden and have them fix it. I think it should be free as this sounds like a manufacturing defect to me.

[IndyBlues]

I knew it didn't sound right for something to be working it's way out. Blues, since yours are fairly new, I think I would contact Alden and have them fix it. I think it should be free as this sounds like a manufacturing defect to me.

Unfortunately Bro, these were purchased from a fellow gearhead. They were brand new, but since I'm the second owner, I think any warranty may be null and void. I'd probably need a receipt, or help from the original owner.
'Blues

[Bufflehead Jones]

Well then, a local cobbler should be able to replace the heel or at least reattach it.

[Castor Dioscuri]

I have a few questions for the long time (and not so long time) Alden owners.
Let me see if I can explain this right, without pics:
On the Alden heels, there are 3 shims, or spacers, between the actual rubber heel, and the sole. There are 2 light brown spacers, and one dark brown.
The dark brown spacer on my Aldens, seems to be squeezing out of the side of the heel. I can press it back in, but in a few days, it works it's way back out again. Anyone else notice this on there Aldens, and if so, is there a remedy?
I was thinking this may be a way that the Alden conforms to the way you walk, or stand, and maybe your supposed to cut off the extra shim material that protrudes from the heel. Don't want to do anything until I know for sure.

I had to ressurect this thread as the original question seems very similar to what I was wondering about. My boots seem to be 'melting' for lack of a better term at the light brown spacers. I'm starting to notice small gaps between the spacers and the upper brown sole, and some kind of black, sticky putty-like substance occasionally coming out. I'm guessing this is bad...

[Mola Ram]

probably just glue.
The heel risers are made of pressed paper,
and look like this on the inside.



can't be anything too bad.