Finally got Todd's boots (plus a fix for hooks)

[Mark Brody]

I've been wanting Todd's boots for a while now. I finally wore through the soles of my Rockport Farnums, so I figured it must be time. First impressions: they look great. They feel pretty solid, as they should. They may not be high end orthopedic boots, but for $150, they should be more than just a costume piece. Sizing runs about a half size large, as advertised.



Now for the bad. I don't know if these shoes are assembled with nails or not, but it feels like there is a nail just under the ball of my feet (odd place) very shallow below the insoles. As it's on both shoes, I don't expect I'd have any better luck by returning them. Perhaps if it bugs me, I can just get inserts. Also, as many reviews have said, the underside of the hooks are quite rough. The damage in the picture below was done just by trying the boots on briefly for fit. Over time, I imagine this could get pretty bad.



I got some moleskin to attach to the underside. I don't know how well it'll hold up over time, but it feels like it'll protect fairly well.

[baddates1]

Those soles are accurate right? Are the boots accurate? From what I see, they seem to be dead on except for not having the nail holes or just holes on the heel.

[Ridgerunner58]

Those soles are accurate right? Are the boots accurate? From what I see, they seem to be dead on except for not having the nail holes or just holes on the heel.

Semi-accurate.

Alden's neo-cork soles are brownish, not black. The leather on the welt looks too light.

The heel shape emulates the Tru-balance heel pretty well, but the internal construction is probably not the same.

The toe area looks a little more "boxy" than the real ones as well and the stitching around the top on the originals is not white.

And not that laces really matter, but the laces should be flat waxed not round.

The hooks are always an issue. I have a pair of 403s that I had to smooth down with a file because they had a rough edge on one hook that would tear up the lace in a few hours of wear.

But at half the price, these are pretty darn close and with a bit of wear would probably be indistinguishable.

[baddates1]

Ok thanks and are they comfortable? I would like a pair of Todd's boots but I need to know the details to decide if I want some or not.

Regards from an endangered gentleman: baddates1