Hm.. where to get good priced Aldens??

[Michaelson]

Yep, that's it.

[ChrisMD]

Thanks for link on that M, I use typical pecards creme/gel on my cowboy boots once a year. I hadn't seen the weatherproofing one until now. I'll have to pick some up. My boots get pretty abused and still look pretty good after an application.

[Indiana]

If you're around Chicago, Haberdash recently got a new shipment of Alden 403's in. They'll probably be gone by the end of October, so hurry if you're interested. I bought the only pair of 11.5 403's they got and absolutely love them. Expensive? Sure. But in Alden's defense it's a quality boot, made of quality Horween leather (the leather these boots are made of is amazing quality), and made in small numbers in the USA.

The price was $512 plus tax, I believe. I thought about ordering online, but when buying a shoe this expensive I have to try it on first and that makes having to pay the $50 sales tax worth it.

If you can save up, if you can afford it, the Aldens are far superior to any close enough boot--there's a reason these guys have been making shoes for over 100 years. You can tell it in the quality and comfort of their products. Not just the 403's but their dress shoes as well.

[trancoss]

[quote="ChrisMD"]To be honest you can get a better shoe for FAR less. I cant stand smooth bottomed shoes so I always go for close enoughs. Alden's dont hold up to abuse. They are more like dress shoes. So depending on what you plan on doing with them, YMMV. My abuse may be different than other peoples.

I got my Aldens 3 years ago for Christmas (that's alll I wanted) and I love the boots. They are extremely comfortable, nice looking (I get compliments often) and I wear them quite often in the winter. I try to clean them and polish them every two weeks or so and they look very good.
I know they are expensive, but they must be some of the most comfortable shoes I own. If I can get 10 years out of them (and I think I will) then to me is a good investment.
I guess I should start saving for a new pair. Who knows how much a pair would be in a few years?

[whipwarrior]

If I can get 10 years out of them (and I think I will) then to me is a good investment.

Trust me, you will. I've had my original pair of Alden 405's for well over a decade, and they're solid as a rock; not a single loose stitch, and I've only had them re-heeled about 4 times. With Pecards dressing and moderate wear, these boots will last for a lifetime.

[Cajunkraut]

Warrior,

Any updates on the progress of your 405's using brown Pecard's?

[whipwarrior]

Having sun-tanned & applied Pecards brown leather dressing, boot oil, and Alden meltonian cream, I think the boots are about as dark as they're likely to get, sans natural darkening with time. Today I did my 1st photo shoot with final LC outfit, and the Aldens look rather spiffy for a 2-month-new set of boots:



Hi-res: https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2945/153 ... 2f09_o.jpg

Whaddya think?

[Cajunkraut]

Love the pic and the pose!

The boots are coming along. I have a feeling that continuing the brown Pecard's will darken them even more over time.

How did you keep the moc stitching white?

[whipwarrior]

I went over them very lightly, but most of the brown dressing (surprisingly) soaked into the thread without darkening it. Same with my vintage Aldens: over a decade of natural wear and Pecards without much darkening of the stitch-work.

And yeah, my pose was *ahem* inspired:

[Cajunkraut]

Oh, I recognized it right away, Junior!

[whipwarrior]

"DON'T call me junior!"

P.S.- A few more pics and the gear breakdown here: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=40802&start=1200" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[baddates1]

"Hold on Dad! Let me tie my shoe! And don't tell me I'm getting slow!"

[whipwarrior]

That must be from a LC deleted scene!

[Michaelson]

You ONLY forgot the tie.



Great looking outfit, Dale!

Regard !M

[whipwarrior]

Thanks, Michaelson. I got rid of my LC tie last year, having worn it only a few times in a decade. I don't like ties. They're uncomfortable and bothersome, always flapping outside of the jacket as I walk. Don't get me wrong, it looks great with the outfit in the movie, but I don't find it practical in real life. Plus, I've never been able to tie those stupid things, hence my disdain for them.

[Michaelson]

Understood. I was only talking about your ability to accurately and completely duplicate the Ford photo above in all details. Nothing more.

Regards! Michaelson

[whipwarrior]

Gotcha! But how on earth did costume designer Anthony Powell decide that Indiana Jones required a neck tie, of all things, for his adventures (unless he was dressing up a bit to impress Elsa?).

[Michaelson]

As I recall, he first put it on to visit the castle, so it was as ''dressy' as he wanted to get without putting on a suit while making a formal visit.

Regards! Michaelson

[whipwarrior]

Maybe it's an unwritten rule of protocol that all Scottish Lords wear ties, befitting the status of a visiting dignitary.

[Michaelson]

Well, if it isn't, we'll SAY it is.

Regards! M

[whipwarrior]

[Indy Magnoli]

I always thought the addition of the tie was for his dad's benefit. He still called him "sir"... so obviously rescuing him without a tie would be a no-no.