New(ish) Aldens

[Indiana Greg]

After nine years here I now realize I was all wrong.
I just picked up a gently used pair of 405s & finally, I GOT IT!

All ya'll were right from the get-go,
I now own a good $1000 of "close enough" boots. I could have saved beaucoup bucks had I listened to my elders.
They are right as rain, i.e. - SAVE FOR ALDENS!
None of my close enoughs are close enough anymore.
I return, humbled, like the prodigal son.

These are fine! I never thought I'd own any, very happy feet!

[Michaelson]

HIGH regards! Michaelson

[Illinois James]

You're not the only one to come to that realization, Greg!

[Forrest For the Trees]

Congrats on gettin' the right shoes, Indiana Greg.

Question for you: How's the sizing on the Aldens for you? I'm looking to pick up a pair, and I'm not certain about size. I wear an 11 athletic shoe and 10.5 dress shoe and boot. Heard Aldens run big, so thinking of ordering a 10. Thoughts?

[Michaelson]

Don't guess. Get professionally measured, then order that correct size.

Regard! Michaelson

[trancoss]

I wear size 11 and went to the Alden store in NY, they measured my foot and my Alden size is 10.5.
They fit like a glove.
I hope it helps

[Michaelson]

Well, thing is, if Alden measured you with a Bannock device and measured you to be a 10.5, that's your actual size.

You wearing a size 11 is by personal choice.

Regards! M

[car96]

I wear a 10 in most shoes, primarily athletic running style shoes.

In Alden Indy boots...it's a 9.

[whipwarrior]

Alden sizing is weird. Back in the day, I e-mailed them about sizing prior to purchase, and they requested my shoe size in two different brands of shoe that I wore. Since I can wear either an 11 or 11.5, they extrapolated my Alden size as 12.5D, and the boots fit absolutely perfect when they arrived. I ordered my second pair last summer (405 chromexcels), same size, same exact fit. Those folks in Middleborough really know their shoes!

[trancoss]

No, size 11 is my size. 10.5 is small for me. However for Alden's I am 10.5

[Ridgerunner58]

Admittedly I vary size by brand, but I measure at 9.5 D and that's what I wear in every Alden shoe I own. I've tried 9.0 and 10.0 and the misfit is noticeable in each.

[Indiana Greg]

I am a spot-on 10 in other boots & aldens fit me like they were bespoke!
I do use cushy insoles in all my footwear though.

[whipwarrior]

The astonishing diversity of foot shapes is why everyone's fit is different and, to a degree, custom!

[Forrest For the Trees]

Well, I got a good deal on some nearly new 403s on ebay. They're size 10. I'll know how how they fit on Wednesday when they arrive. If they don't work out, I don't expect to have too much trouble finding them a happy home.

[Forrest For the Trees]

Perfect fit!

I have wide-ish feet and I wear orthotics for my low arches, and they fit like a dream. They'll take some getting used to, as there is a lot more shoe here than I'm used to. I have similar pair of Frye's, but they are much lighter weight and unlined. Looking forward to wearing them out and about. Nearly new and snagged 'em for $350. Still a lot for boots, but hope they last a good ten years or so. I've had my Fryes for 8 years, and they're still going strong.

[whipwarrior]

Believe me, Aldens last. I've had the same pair since 1998, and they're in spectacular condition. Not a single loose stitch. The only reason I bought a new pair last year is because now they're available in a more screen-accurate color.

[Cajunkraut]

Good deal, Greg and Forrest - can we see 'em?

[baddates1]

2nd that!

[Forrest For the Trees]

Here they are.

[Cajunkraut]

Beauts!

[baddates1]

[Forrest For the Trees]

Wore my Aldens with orthotics for a bit, but they didn't feel right, so I removed the orthotics. Guess what? No orthotics necessary. Alden boots have so much support that I was essentially doubling up on the support which made them feel weird. Sort of like putting on a pair of glasses, forgetting that you had already put your contacts in.

Got some new laces on order since the ones they come with seem pretty flimsy. Going with a non-SA contrasting oatmeal color.

[Ride Guy]

Does anyone have pics of worn-in Alden 405s in chromexcel (not 403s)? I am pulling the trigger on a pair from Alden SF and since I already have a newish pair of the regular 405s in brickish-brown and thought for the second pair I might try a more brown color.

Do these darken over time to look more Raiders SA. Any thoughts or pics you have would be appreciated. Thanks.

http://www.aldenshop.com/Store/DrawProd ... D=&Action=

Ride Guy

[Rikimaru]

Does anyone have pics of worn-in Alden 405s in chromexcel (not 403s)? I am pulling the trigger on a pair from Alden SF and since I already have a newish pair of the regular 405s in brickish-brown and thought for the second pair I might try a more brown color.

Do these darken over time to look more Raiders SA. Any thoughts or pics you have would be appreciated. Thanks.

http://www.aldenshop.com/Store/DrawProd ... D=&Action=

Ride Guy

You could ask WhipWarrior about his Natural Chromexcel as he has had his pair for awhile. I received my Natural CXL only a month ago, so they don't have too much "wear and tear" yet. I don't think these would be the best choice if you want to achieve the Raiders look. Most people go for the 403 Chromexcel to get that look.

[Tennessee Smith]

Wore my Aldens with orthotics for a bit, but they didn't feel right, so I removed the orthotics. Guess what? No orthotics necessary. Alden boots have so much support that I was essentially doubling up on the support which made them feel weird. Sort of like putting on a pair of glasses, forgetting that you had already put your contacts.

I know exactly what you're talking about Forrest. I've also been having major problems lately with my plantar fasciitis so I decided to make my Aldens my everyday shoe. They've been the only thing that's helped. Which surprised me.

By the way your new boots look great!



-Erin

[Michaelson]

I know exactly what you're talking about Forrest. I've also been having major problems lately with my plantar fasciitis so I decided to make my Aldens my everyday shoe. They've been the only thing that's helped. Which surprised me.

-Erin

Really? Why? They are, and have always been, orthopedic platforms made specifically for people with foot problems, so yeah, that's what they're SUPPOSED to do.

Regards! Michaelson

[Duck9000]

Wore my Aldens with orthotics for a bit, but they didn't feel right, so I removed the orthotics. Guess what? No orthotics necessary. Alden boots have so much support that I was essentially doubling up on the support which made them feel weird. Sort of like putting on a pair of glasses, forgetting that you had already put your contacts.

I know exactly what you're talking about Forrest. I've also been having major problems lately with my plantar fasciitis so I decided to make my Aldens my everyday shoe. They've been the only thing that's helped. Which surprised me.

By the way your new boots look great!



-Erin

So, that's the reason why I no longer suffer from plantar fasciitis . Another great reason to convince my wife to get another pair of Aldens

[Duck9000]

Here they are.

Awesome pair, Forrest. Enjoy them!

[Tennessee Smith]

I know exactly what you're talking about Forrest. I've also been having major problems lately with my plantar fasciitis so I decided to make my Aldens my everyday shoe. They've been the only thing that's helped. Which surprised me.

-Erin

Really? Why? They are, and have always been, orthopedic platforms made specifically for people with foot problems, so yeah, that's what they're SUPPOSED to do.

Regards! Michaelson

That I know... I didn't think they'd work as well as they do thoug

Much better than my inserts