I just received the second batch of the special made AB Alden boots and as expected, they're TERRIFIC!!!
As you can see, they're identical to the first batch:
...ALMOST that is! I could talk Alden into re-using the old die, that they used in the late 70's / early 80's!!! Small detail of course, but to the purists among us (incl. me) this is just the icing on the cake (and yes, that's an AB only):
Personally I haven't worn any other shoe or boot then my Aldens since October last year, when I received the first batch of AB Aldens. One reason is, that every other pair of shoes in my locker jam my little toes (I have fairly wide feet, so the EEE is HIGHLY appreciated from my feet), the other is the beautiful patina that these boots develop over time and last but CERTAINLY not least: I know I can have them COMPLETELY rebuilt, no matter what. After being a real hog with my first pair of 405's that I bought five years ago (very little to absolutely no care at all, dragged all over Europe and beyond, using them when renovating with concrete, working on the car etc. etc. etc.) they started falling apart. Considering that I treated them like that for five(!) years before they "gave up" on me, really tells how well these shoes are made. Well, my conscience finally got a hold of me and I couldn't bring myself to simply throw them away. So I called up Alden, who in return sent UPS to me to fetch my old 405's, with a little note how bad I actually felt for having treated them so badly. Some time down the road, UPS showed up with a package: my renovated boots. I was EXTREMELY happy of how they turned out. Instead of just redying the upper leather, it had been cleaned and polished. The scars and the patina that had developed over the years was still visible and gave the overall impression of a pair of well loved boots. Parts of the inside had been renewed, the sole completely new (incl. the goodyear welting and the heal), new laces, all neat and nice. The funny thing was to put them on, as it took a couple of days to break them in again - which is more then I had expected. For those still reading, thanks for listening to my blabbering on bringing a pair of neglected boots back to life. I wear them two days a week again and I like them more then ever.
Here's what the looked like right after I got them back:
Regards,
Marc
What an awsome job they did on your boots.
The one with the coffee is actually quite funny, even though I prefer not to walk that plank with the price yet a third time. Please do a search on the topic Gents - we've been down that road before. Thank you.
Anyway, glad Alden was able to fix up those Aldens that have seen some great use.
Hopefully they get here soon, I may wear mine to my cousin's wedding. Looks great Tron, extremely stylish. 
Well... I'm still considering getting yet another pair 
I don't wear anything else anyway and now that I know that they also go well with a black suit... 
...This is why I'm getting a second pair of yours so that I can actually start with my rotation again...
