Alden 405 fit?

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 1:11 am

theinterchange wrote:
knibs7 wrote:actually, mine are a whole size
SMALLER in aldens

NIBS
It appears that is applicable to me as well.

I'm going to ask a values based question here, to anyone who owns them and care to answer.

Are they REALLY comfortable, or merely just part of the Indy look.. meaning do they honestly feel comfortable to you?

Because, I'm seriously thinking of pulling my Alden trigger in the next day or so. And this would be helpful
Randy

if you get the right sized boots.....you'll never need another pair of footwear again, imo.

JimL · Post by **JimL** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 7:33 am

I wear mine nearly every day.

I am shocked to hear anyone would need a full size smaller!

Mine are 1/2 size smaller and would be 'more perfect' if they were the proper 1/2 size larger (my true measued size)...

Make sure you are measured correctly before ordering! I sound like a broken shoe salesman, but this is so important in this type of shoe.

It is not like buying a pair of Timberlands! These are hand-made dress shoes! (that happen to be for work) and need to be fited as such.

If you get the right fit, they will be very comfortable, supportive and durable.

They don't look it, but you can stand all day on concrete without going home with sore feet! I cannot remember the last pair of shoes that did that for me!

I am quite happy with mine, and may continue to order 405's as my every-day shoe. They are that nice.

maboot38 · Post by **maboot38** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 9:30 am

I can only speak for myself, I think they are VERY comfortable, although if you have flat feet like I do, you should consider sole inserts. The other problem is that the tongue can slide down to the outside of your foot as you are wearing them, and that can pinch.

Even with these issues, they are incredibly comfortable.

JimL · Post by **JimL** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 9:34 am

I have flat feet... No insert neded for me.

Tongue can slide down on the right shoe only (for me) but it has never pinched me.

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 10:39 am

Ok, I thought I've read similar reviews, and some that found them uncomfortable. BUT, those could not be used to wearing boots, which I am very used to boots. I hardly wear sneakers anymore other than for jogging.

Randy

JimL · Post by **JimL** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 10:45 am

I think it is important to think of these as DRESS SHOES and not boots at all.

I think this may be an important detail lost on some people...

Size than as if they are to be dress shoes, and I think you will be fine.

whipitgood · Post by **whipitgood** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 1:37 am

J!m wrote:I think it is important to think of these as DRESS SHOES and not boots at all.

I think this may be an important detail lost on some people...

Size than as if they are to be dress shoes, and I think you will be fine.

I agree, as most of my dress shoes run slightly larger do to style. I pretty much only wear my WWII M1943 boots and it is a different feel than 405's. These are heavy, heavy shoes and take some getting use to. The problem I have with them is finding the right cut of pant to wear them with. I normally wear a straight leg jean that isn't wide or tight. The 405's seem to need a wider leg opening to look aesthetically pleasing.

knibs7 · Post by **knibs7** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 2:02 am

theinterchange wrote:
knibs7 wrote:actually, mine are a whole size
SMALLER in aldens

NIBS
It appears that is applicable to me as well.

I'm going to ask a values based question here, to anyone who owns them and care to answer.

Are they REALLY comfortable, or merely just part of the Indy look.. meaning do they honestly feel comfortable to you?

Because, I'm seriously thinking of pulling my Alden trigger in the next day or so. And this would be helpful
Randy

I think they are VERY comfortable

NIBS

whipitgood · Post by **whipitgood** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 12:31 pm

Well Randy I do think Alden's are comfortable shoes, but I have shoes that are more comfortable. If you don't want to drop that kind of dough, wait for Todd's version of the Alden. I think he said they'll be between $50-100.

Satipo · Post by **Satipo** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 12:42 pm

whipitgood wrote:I normally wear a straight leg jean that isn't wide or tight. The 405's seem to need a wider leg opening to look aesthetically pleasing.

I think they look pretty good with my 501s, but I agree, they looked fantastic with a pair of boot-cut jeans I once had.

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 12:06 am

Satipo wrote:
whipitgood wrote:I normally wear a straight leg jean that isn't wide or tight. The 405's seem to need a wider leg opening to look aesthetically pleasing.
I think they look pretty good with my 501s, but I agree, they looked fantastic with a pair of boot-cut jeans I once had.

501's have a generously cut leg opening, in my experience.

Randy

whipitgood · Post by **whipitgood** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 12:49 am

theinterchange wrote:
Satipo wrote:
whipitgood wrote:I normally wear a straight leg jean that isn't wide or tight. The 405's seem to need a wider leg opening to look aesthetically pleasing.
I think they look pretty good with my 501s, but I agree, they looked fantastic with a pair of boot-cut jeans I once had.
501's have a generously cut leg opening, in my experience.

Randy

I prefer the look of the Levi Hesher. It's a straight leg with a slightly wider leg than 501's.

Satipo · Post by **Satipo** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 8:39 am

I always took 501s to be a straight cut. I agree, it's a comfortably sized opening, but no where near my boot-cuts. Never seen Heshers before.

schmidty612 · Post by **schmidty612** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 12:05 pm

Hey All,

I felt it was time to chime in again. I hate to do this because I don't want to sound preachy, as I am a very non-preachy person. I've been reading all of the posts stating, "I wear this size in this, this and this" or "I normally wear this size but went to this size in the 405".

Just a friendly reminder, that all shoes run differently, not necessarily because of where they are made (as is popular belief) but due to the different types of construction we use to build shoes. Athletic shoes for example, are primarily built using a "slip-last, cement construction" meaning they take the upper of the shoe, attach it to the sole using glue, then they shove the last ( a form that gives a shoe it's particular shape) in and heat it all so the glue forms a bond. Two things happen in this type of construction. 1. When they are attaching the upper to the sole, they have to make sure there is so much upper material underneath so the glue has a solid hold. 2. The heat in the setting process causes the shoe to shrink a little bit. What does this mean? It means athletic shoes by and large, have a tendancy to run small, therefore you should be going a little larger than what you measure.

The second thing I want to point out is that fitting shoes is very subjective, and a personal thing. Everyone likes their shoes to fit differently. For example, I have a relative who came into the store a couple of weeks ago who measures a solid 10 B. I fit him in a pair of Rockport walking shoes and they fit PERFECTLY. However, he INSISTED they were too big, and wanted to try a 9 1/2 N. His toes were crammed down at the end of the shoe, but he said they were comfortable. I told him they were too small, and explained why. He still bought them. I mean, why would he listen to his son-in-law, who's only been doing this for nearly 15 years...Sorry. Lost my train of thought

So when someone says, "I went to this size, even though I measure a different size, and they are perfect" keep in mind that this is subjective to how this person may like their shoes to fit. And to anyone who has followed that half size down thing, I'm not trying to get down on you guys either. If you're happy with that, that's cool. Just not my philosophy.

Anyway folks, point is, every shoe runs different. And everyone likes their shoes to fit differently. I am here to offer advice based on my experience with these things, and tell you how I think they should fit, if you choose to take my advice, that's cool. If not, that's cool too. and if you've read this far and are still awake, thanks, man.

Schmidty

whipitgood · Post by **whipitgood** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 2:21 pm

Satipo wrote:I always took 501s to be a straight cut. I agree, it's a comfortably sized opening, but no where near my boot-cuts. Never seen Heshers before.

You should pick up a pair if you can find them. I was a 501 guy for many years, but when the Levi's premium jeans came out I discovered the Hesher. To me it's the perfect cut of Levi's and the cotton is very soft yet still durable. They come in a boot cut and straight cut. I like both as the boot isn't as severe as others. I think the boot has a 19" leg opening and the straight varies between 17-18". They are usually very expensive, but I pick them up on Ebay all the time for a little more than what I would pay for 501's. Barney's outlets have them all the time as well. Definitely check them out if you can find them. Sorry to get off topic mods.

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 3:42 pm

The Heshers look pretty nice, had to check them out! Do they fit like the 501 in the waist? I have to size up in them or use my pant stretcher, but other Levi's cuts I don't have to go up or stretch.

Randy

The name sort of reminds me of the country pronunciation of hush, "hesh".

whipitgood · Post by **whipitgood** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 4:19 pm

theinterchange wrote:The Heshers look pretty nice, had to check them out! Do they fit like the 501 in the waist? I have to size up in them or use my pant stretcher, but other Levi's cuts I don't have to go up or stretch.

Randy

The name sort of reminds me of the country pronunciation of hush, "hesh".

They are a little bit of a lower rise than a 501, but not too low like trendy denim. I prefer the way the waist fits over 501's, because it's a more modern cut. 501's started to feel like "Mom jeans" to me after switching to these. No offense to any moms out there. I would say Hesher's fit pretty true to size. If you do buy them through an outlet, sometimes they are mislabled, so try them on first. Another thing is many of the new Hesher's only come in one length, which I think is 34 or 35. I really don't understand why they do this. It was much easier when you could choose your inseam.