Club Obi Wan

Indy Magnoli wrote:I haven't seen these boots in person, but hooks snapping is VERY common. I've had that happen on pretty much every boot I own (including several high-priced boots)... except for Aldens. They must use some really well tempered metal!

Now I don't own the TODDs boots to compare but the hooks on my Aldens appear to be Stainless which would make them much stronger than ordinary steel. What are the hooks on TODDs made from?

I must say though, very very impressed with the look of these boots. I'm gonna be in the market for some new ones soon, Ill definitely keep these under strong consideration.

Charybdis wrote:Now to the boots. I opened the box and there they were. Not as red as I thought they might be, but reddish none the less. NO problem on my end. I tried them on and they fit just about near perfect. I was wearing very thin dress socks and I could wear them easily, with plenty of room inside for my foot and toes. They would feel just a bit better if I get some thicker socks, but I can't complain. Very nice. Very stiff leather. These will take a bit of wearing to get them to soften up, but a trip here and a trip there should do nicely to break them in.

Also maybe consider some insoles. My Todd's (and Land's End of similar style) both felt very comfortable to put on, but were a little hard to stand / walk in for extended periods. I dropped insoles into both pairs and the increase in comfort was very dramatic.

You're right. That might make them feel just a bit better on the feet. I am wearing them right now at work for the very first time. They sure are stiff in the uppers mainly. the actual shoe portion feels great. In fact, I hardly even feel them, they feel good. The main thing I'm feeling is a bit of a hard rub on the upper part of my ankle where the top of the boots rubs against my leg. Again, it feels hard and is a bit stiff, but that's the plan to wear them in. I'm sure once they get softened up, I will hardly feel it anymore.

I haven't worn ankle boots for a long time now and it's just a matter of getting used to them. But they look fantastic!

I believe the Todd's hooks are 0.2mm brass. Very weak metal, especially that thin. I just use the broken one as a loop now, the others have held up fine.

I'm no expert on these hooks, but I believe they're probably heavy enough gauge, but perhaps just not tempered perfectly. Mine are still perfect, but inconsistencies are frequent on small alloys, even in the same batch, like fasteners and screws. They seem strong, but once you bend one, I feel like it's gonna snap.

Hard to believe such a common item that is used on so many boots isn't more readily available. Anybody try Alden? They'll send you laces, too.

I had a pair of Wolverines with hooks so sturdy, they eventually pulled out of the boot intact, through the leather hole. I just started using the hole. The boots were work boots and were very oily, which may be why the hooks started 'slipping' out of the holes.

Does anyone know when Todd's would be getting in a new batch? I wear a size 10 and thier size 9.5 are unavailable. I wrote an email a couple of days ago but never heard anything back. Probably busy with the Holidays and whatnot. I don't want to keep pestering with e-mails if I can help it.
I go on my first adventurus vacation in January and I would love to have them by then..Can't do much "adventuring" in flippy floppies.

well...... if these babies are roughly a half size big.... I can't buy them as my size is not sold.... drats! I was needing a good pair for work! I'll keep looking...

I just received my pair of Todds boots today. I'm very impressed! I wear a size 10 and ordered his 10's and they fit just fine. Alittle roomy in the toes but that's how I like my shoes.

backstagejack wrote:well...... if these babies are roughly a half size big.... I can't buy them as my size is not sold.... drats! I was needing a good pair for work! I'll keep looking...

Same here. I've asked about restocking, but only getting a "We have none in your size at this time" reply. I'm worried Todd's fiasco with customs with his last batch might deter him from future restocking.

When he gets new stock in I hope that the incredibly cheap eye-hook problem is fixed, and non-marking soles would be a big plus as well. I've only got two usable eye-hooks left on one of mine.

InLikeFlynn wrote:When he gets new stock in I hope that the incredibly cheap eye-hook problem is fixed, and non-marking soles would be a big plus as well. I've only got two usable eye-hooks left on one of mine.

Can you not replace these at a shoe repair shop? With stronger hooks?

curtishart wrote:Can you not replace these at a shoe repair shop? With stronger hooks?

Yes I could, if there was a decent shoe repair shop near to where I live, unfortunately he closed his shop years ago. I have ordered replacement hooks like those that are installed on White's and Hathorn boots however I do not have the necessary tool to install those yet. As soon as I acquire that then I'll replace the hooks myself. The whole point is that I should not have to replace broken hooks. Don't get me wrong I think that Todd's boots are A1 for the price but the eye-hooks are just cheap.

No offence or anything but aren't the shoes a teensy weensy bit off accuracy ? I mean, if you look at the KotCS they had a different heel. But compared to the Raiders, not bad. There is just one thing missing I don't know what.

Regards from a gentleman: baddates1

What's different about the heel? The Alden's are the same in Raiders as in CS, except for different distressing. Same curved orthopedic shape. I'll pay attention when I watch it next time.

What I mean is the boot itself. The leather color is different between movies, even scenes, given the boots worn by stuntmen and such.

Maybe the heel is stacked or colored differently?

Just got my Todd's boots in, and now I'm stressing out about the hooks!

First impressions on the latest version is that they're well built for the price. I ordered my regular size according to Sue's recommendation, and I suspect the extra room will help me cinch the laces close together like Indy's.

Has anyone stained the welt brown for a more SA look?

I haven't stained mine, but after a year of regular use the welt has darkened up all on its own. I still have all the original hooks, too. I only tie the bottom two, and make sure to pull to the sides instead of up/out when tying them. I did replace the laces after a few weeks due to fraying issues.

My biggest issue with the boots is the softness of the soles/heels. Overall I still love these boots (and the regular compliments I get on them), but I'm looking forward to the day when I have them resoled.

cm289 wrote:I haven't stained mine, but after a year of regular use the welt has darkened up all on its own. I still have all the original hooks, too. I only tie the bottom two, and make sure to pull to the sides instead of up/out when tying them. I did replace the laces after a few weeks due to fraying issues.

My biggest issue with the boots is the softness of the soles/heels. Overall I still love these boots (and the regular compliments I get on them), but I'm looking forward to the day when I have them resoled.

Nice. Thanks for the info, '289.

cm289 wrote:I haven't stained mine, but after a year of regular use the welt has darkened up all on its own. I still have all the original hooks, too. I only tie the bottom two, and make sure to pull to the sides instead of up/out when tying them. I did replace the laces after a few weeks due to fraying issues.

My biggest issue with the boots is the softness of the soles/heels. Overall I still love these boots (and the regular compliments I get on them), but I'm looking forward to the day when I have them resoled.

I would say that you wouldn't need to stain the welt too. Over time, mine have darkened up nicely. Mind you, I have worn them alot over the past year!

The laces snapped on mine after a few weeks, but replacements are easy to find and cost only a few pounds.

Ive just has the heels replaced and set of sole protectors put on (A Timpson chap did them for me for £25). But I would agree that the soles are very soft!

Overall they are still holding up well (I do keep them regularly conditioned and polished which does help) but its a shame about the two hooks which have broken.