Aldens arrived Friday...

IllinoisJones · Post by **IllinoisJones** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 1:54 pm

but for some reason the toungues keep slipping to the outer side of the boot. This happen to anyone else? How does one fix it? Illinois

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 2:03 pm

A fairly standard problem that has occured with the boots when they're new. Not to belabor the search function, but see if you can do some back peddling in the past gear section, as this has been discussed in detail, and many 'fixes' have been posted in the past. This is the first post I've seen about this in quite some time.

Regards! Michaelson

IllinoisJones · Post by **IllinoisJones** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 2:08 pm

Thanks, Illinois

IllinoisJones · Post by **IllinoisJones** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 3:50 pm

I went throught he forum, and noticed two ways, one was stitching it, the other was adding an insole. Insole wont work because thy fit rather well, and stitching seems rather extreem. Any other ideas? Illinois.

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 4:06 pm

The stitching trick seemed to be the most popular. I have found it interesting that it seems to be different from boot to boot. I have a pair I've worn for years, and have NEVER had this problem. The last pair I got (which are now owned by a very prominant hat maker we all know

) seemed to have that turning problem on my foot. I never heard it doing it to him, though, so I'm not sure if it's the boot design, the particular leather OF that boot, or the foot it's being worn on.

Regards! Michaelson

IllinoisJones · Post by **IllinoisJones** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 4:55 pm

Thanks, I think Ill get them stictched, but where? and how far? Sorry if its been covered, I dont feel lke finding the thread again. Illinois

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 5:14 pm

I just had the tongues of my new pair of black Aldens stitched. I've had this done to my 405's, too. All they do is run a couple stitches along the top of the tongue and boot, right along the existing shoe stitches. This keeps the tongues of my boots perfectly in place. I took it into an experienced cobbler, and he did it right there on the spot. It cost me five bucks and five minutes of my time.

bink

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 5:15 pm

Thank you bink. I knew you had this done, but I was hoping YOU'D give him the info yourself. I appreciate it!

Regards! Michaelson

IllinoisJones · Post by **IllinoisJones** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 5:17 pm

Thank you much. Illinois

Montresor · Post by **Montresor** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 9:50 pm

I've seen this problem with other boots and shoes as well. All I had to do was make sure I was puttiing the shoe on properly and not being lazy about it and doing it slovenly. Works every time for me. I alway put my Aldens on properly and never have any problems.

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 12:12 am

There is one more option.............

Now, I have your attention. I noticed that all Mountain hiking boots have a gusseted tongue. Just stiching the tongue would work but it would be quite a chore taking the foot , in and out. With gussets you have extra pieces of leather on each side of the tongue that would attach to the boot. Next time you are in a outdoor recreation store like REI or EMS check the hikers out. Then ask if who does repair on hiking boots. Those type of boot guys would be able to put in a custom gusset.

I will slowly get there. I just did the non-skid repair to the soles of me Aldens. My soles wore out. Rather than sending them to Aldens I had my local shoe guy install a non-skid Vibram sole. It was not the full lug type sole, but a less intrusive sole that has the same look as the regular crepe sole. But on wet pavement or slick rocks, the Vibram grips like a Gecko on a shower wall.

IndianaGuybrush · Post by **IndianaGuybrush** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 12:33 am

IndyBlues did the same ting to his Aldens and I believe he was quite pleased ith the results. I figure thats the way I'm going when my soles wear-out.

Prof. Ed · Post by **Prof. Ed** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 6:27 am

Hi all,

Do Aldens run true to size, both in length and width? This coming from someone that wears orthodics in his shoes and it sometimes changes my B width to a D. I normally wear a 10, but again sometimes a 10.5.
It isn't easy, but experience counts here.

Best,

Prof. Ed

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 10:02 am

Ed,
These shoes do require some fitting. Although I wear a standard 10D, I know quite a few others deviated from their normal size. With the cost of this boot and if orthodics are the solution, then I would suggest a pro fit your Aldens.

Mr. White who runs the Aldens Shoppe in SF, suggested that people that can't come into his store, they can send a tracing of your foot while standing. I think it was something like putting oil on your bottom of both feet and standing on paper to get the exact outline. But you may give him a call. I think our link from the main page is still current.

-Sergei

ShanghaiJack · Post by **ShanghaiJack** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 10:57 am

Illinois,

You may want to consider stitching the tongue on one side only and a bit farther down. The tongue on my left boot, but not the right–go figure!, was constantly slipping to my left. I had it stitched on the right side only about where the eyelets end and the speed laces begin. Problem solved, and it is still as easy as pie to slip the boots on and off. Good luck.

Regards,
SJ

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 12:19 pm

Agreed.... But the gussets keep dirt and small objects out of interior of your boot, whilst bushwacking in the outback. Or do you guys just wear them in urban settings? Man, this boot is an SUV to be taken out in the backcountry. It's like watching soccer Mom's driving around a LandRover that hasn't seen anything tougher than a grocery store parking lot. <end of rant>

)

Post by **Michaelson** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 12:26 pm

Sergei....we call them 'urban adventurers', thank you very much!

I know...I 'r' one.

High regards!

Michaelson

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 12:28 pm

Sergei wrote:Agreed.... But the gussets keep dirt and small objects out of interior of your boot, whilst bushwaching in the outback. Or do you guys just wear them in urban settings? Man, this boot is an SUV to be taken out in the backcountry. It's like watching soccer Mom's driving around a LandRover that hasn't seen anything tougher than a grocery store parking lot. <end of rant> )

Right on Sergei! I use my Aldens for daily use and hiking on easy to moderate trails. However, when I'm headed off trail and into rough country I wear my mountianeering boots.

P.S. As a Lamd Rover owner..., er driver,

the soccer mom thing kills me. Very few Rover ever go off road. But I certainly use mine. I've had it in some pretty rough spots. I Neary rolled it off roading last summer. That could have been expensive.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 1:26 pm

I wear my Aldens every day. They've seen plenty of "urban adventures" but did incredibly well while climbing about Chitchen Itza in Mexico.

bink

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 1:54 pm

J_Weaver wrote:
Sergei wrote:Agreed.... But the gussets keep dirt and small objects out of interior of your boot, whilst bushwaching in the outback. Or do you guys just wear them in urban settings? Man, this boot is an SUV to be taken out in the backcountry. It's like watching soccer Mom's driving around a LandRover that hasn't seen anything tougher than a grocery store parking lot. <end of rant> )
Right on Sergei! I use my Aldens for daily use and hiking on easy to moderate trails. However, when I'm headed off trail and into rough country I wear my mountianeering boots.

k:

Couldn't agree with you more. There are limits to Aldens in the backcountry. In tough boulder and mountain terrain, you would be kidding to not wear anything more robust. Mountaineering boots are the ultimate. Aldens are day hiker class.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 3:13 pm

I think if I was going on a real back country trek, I'd want something with good treds. I love my Aldens and they serve me very well, but I couldn't see the original soles gripping very well across slippery rocks.

bink

rick5150 · Post by **rick5150** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 5:10 pm

Sergei wrote:Man, this boot is an SUV to be taken out in the backcountry.

...But watch out for pine needles

That and wet rocks as bink said, are the biggest downfalls of the Alden 405's.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 11:23 pm

rick5150 wrote:
Sergei wrote:Man, this boot is an SUV to be taken out in the backcountry.
...But watch out for pine needles That and wet rocks as bink said, are the biggest downfalls of the Alden 405's.

Dry leavers are slick too! Really though, I haven't see any thing that grips on slick rocks.

Honestly though, I'm surprised by how well the boots grips without a tread. I've had no issues hiking on easy to moderate terrain. But then again, I know where to draw the line as where to go with the boots. My only real complaint with the Aldens is the lack of a padded insole. Its not an issue for everyday wear, but after about 5 miles on the trail the bottom of my feet start getting sore.