Any old Aldens kept in good condition?

dirtyepic129 · Post by **dirtyepic129** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 7:02 pm

I've seen a lot of threads of people with their old Alden's that have been distressed, either naturally or, well, unnaturally. I'm still at the point where I clean and treat mine frequently and want them to last a loooong time. In other words, no adventuring in them ... I wear them as dress shoes. I'm curious to see if anyone has pictures of their older Aldens that they've taken care of and use as dress shoes?

Browncoat · Post by **Browncoat** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:37 pm

I don't have any pictures of mine but they were bought 2001/2002. I forget the exact year. At the time I bought them, they were indeed the most expensive pair of boots I had ever owned. I treated them as such and still do.

Mine have held up nicely but I do admit I have worn them sparingly in my rotation of boots. They still have the original heel which is a claim I probably could not make if they were daily; if not once a week wearers.

Imahomer · Post by **Imahomer** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:47 am

I could just say ditto to browncoats posting. I've had mine for some years now, and I wear them sparingly, so they are in excellent condition.

schmidty612 · Post by **schmidty612** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:59 pm

The pair I wear most every day (even though I know it is a cardinal sin of the shoe business) is probably 6 years old. They are a little worse for the wear as I hate polishing shoes and don't use shoe trees. I have had probably 3 new soles put on them, and maaaaybe 5 new heels. Most comfortable pair I think I own. I'm still breaking in my new ones. That'll take a while.

Imahomer · Post by **Imahomer** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:33 pm

I'd say you're getting your monies worth out of them!!!

dirtyepic129 · Post by **dirtyepic129** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 7:00 am

*gasp* Schmidty doesn't use shoe trees!?

sneakertinker · Post by **sneakertinker** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 9:39 am

Not old but not distressed either...I'm keeping this pair looking new as possible...

Imahomer · Post by **Imahomer** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 9:40 am

That a nice color. Did they start out the pumpkin orange?

Bogie1943 · Post by **Bogie1943** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 11:40 am

I can say this, my first pair of Aldens are now eight years old this month. They have been with me across three continents and all across our country. Last year I sent them off for the Alden restoration process after seven years of wear. I highly recommend that to all Alden owners. However, in eight years I have only had to have the heels replaced twice. Every other element on the boots has held up amazingly.

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dirtyepic129 · Post by **dirtyepic129** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 5:37 pm

sneakertinker wrote:Not old but not distressed either...I'm keeping this pair looking new as possible...

Nice ... what did you darken them with?

knibs7 · Post by **knibs7** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 6:51 pm

I think these are the AB Aldens

Nibs

sneakertinker · Post by **sneakertinker** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:09 am

knibs7 wrote:I think these are the AB Aldens

Nibs

Right on Sir...They are indeed the AB Alden's...I do plan on keeping them looking nice though so hopefully in a couple years I can post them up on there and they can look pretty close to that picture right there...