Club Obi Wan

Mitch LaRue wrote:(Michaelson, you'll be pleased -I hope- to know that I bought some cedar shoe trees for that all-important "every OTHER day" when I'm NOT wearing these beauties)

Mitch LaRue wrote:This is lonnng overdue, but here's a couple of shots of my recently acquired Alden's 403's in Brown CHROME EXCEL color.

They fit like a DREAM and definitely make a great addition not only to my Indy Gear Collection but ALSO my regular "Wearin' 'Em Every Other Day in the Urban Jungle" Collection.

(Michaelson, you'll be pleased -I hope- to know that I bought some cedar shoe trees for that all-important "every OTHER day" when I'm NOT wearing these beauties)

Tundrarider wrote:Nice boots, Ray! Congratulations!

Those are a nice color. They will darken even more with some use, Pecards and sunlight. Here's a pic from the original post of my well used 405's next to my new 403's. The color is almost identical.



Michael

Tundrarider wrote:

RayROnline wrote:I am tempted...

There's really no risk. Whether you use Pecards or Lexol it's a very natural process for leather to darken over time. I believe that sunlight does most the work, while the leather treament product simply replenishes what the sun takes away. Just my theory.

Whips, belts, straps, boots...it's all the same. I don't believe any of them will darken further than you want by using this method.

Michael

Tundrarider wrote:Hi Guys and Gals!

Here’s a review of my new Alden Indy Boots (403’s)

MY 403's straight out of the box!!!


History of my 405's: A few years ago, I bought my first Alden Boots (405’s) and following the advice of the gentleman at the store, I ordered them a half size smaller than I normally wear. They have always felt a bit tight and after a full day wearing them, my feet are always happy to be set free. So, though I was very pleased with the 405's and the nice patina they had achieved, I needed a bigger boot.

You can see how different the original “pumpkin color of my 405’s look compared to the 403 on the left.

403 on the left; 405 in the middle


I had worked my boots in and darkened them considerably in the attempt to match the Chromexcel leather seen in the J Crew Indy Boot and the new 403’s. I used Pecards, olive oil and sunshine to get these results. You can see in the comparison photos that the color turned out very close.

My old 405's on the left; new 403's on the right


I almost bought the J Crew version but eventually, the desire for the true Indy style won me over to the 403’s.

Alden customer service: Simply outstanding!!! When I originally received my 405’s a few years ago, there was (what I considered to be) a slight defect in the in the sole stitching. I asked to exchange them and Jim Smith was very gracious about it. Even though he assured me the boot was just fine as is, he sent out another pair immediately! Usually a company wants to get the returned merchandise back to them prior to shipping out a replacement.

Well, when my 403’s arrived the other day, there was a “hiccup” in the stitching on the sole. Functionally, they were probably fine, but it was very evident to me as it was on the toe of both boots. I asked Jim for an exchange to which he cheerfully agreed; only they would be shipped from Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, there was a mix-up and I received a pair of loafers. As soon as Jim found out, he dispatched another pair to me. The new pair was absolutely perfect.

Jim and his customer service team are incredible and I look forward to dropping into the store someday and meeting them.

Sizing: So far, the 403’s in my actual size feel great. Certainly roomier and I can even wiggle my toes a bit. One thing I noticed in many of the shots of Indy’s boots is the lacing; his boots are often laced to the point where the edges along the eyelets are almost touching. My smaller size 10.5’s didn’t do this but the larger size 11’s already mimic this look very well.

Notice how tightly they are laced.


Differences between the 405’s and 403’s:

405: Upper - Heavy, full grain brown waxhide leather.
Lining - Heavy, 100% cotton duck with leather facings at eyestays, back, and top.

403: Upper - Brown Aniline Chromexcel leather
Lining - full glove leather linings in place of the original version's 100% cotton duck lining.

Lower boot: 403......Upper boot: 405


The only differences seem to be the lining used and leather used for the upper. I’m not sure that this is enough of a difference to justify a new pair of boots, but since I needed a larger pair, for me it was a necessity.

If you have a pair of 405’s and you are wishing for the Chromexcel finish of the 403’s you can get your 405’s to look like the 403’s using the ingredients listed above.

Highwater shot to show off the boots!


Thanks for looking! Time to go wear these bad boys in!!!!

Michael

Tundrarider wrote:Ray,

Invest in a tub of this:



$24.00 plus $9.00 shipping and it will last you years. Great for all your leather products, though I like Lexol better for lamb and goat jackets.

http://www.davidmorgan.com/product_info ... ucts_id=29

Slather it on the boots generously and place them out in the sun. Leave them out there until dry. Repeat until you achieve the look you want.

Oil will certainly darken leather, as the oil remains in the leather. I'm not a fan of using oil in my clothing items, so I use all water base products.

In my opinion, it is the sunlight that darkens the leather; the Pecard's just "put's back in" what the sun takes out.

Michael

RayROnline wrote:

Tundrarider wrote:Ray,

Invest in a tub of this:



$24.00 plus $9.00 shipping and it will last you years. Great for all your leather products, though I like Lexol better for lamb and goat jackets.

http://www.davidmorgan.com/product_info ... ucts_id=29

Slather it on the boots generously and place them out in the sun. Leave them out there until dry. Repeat until you achieve the look you want.

Oil will certainly darken leather, as the oil remains in the leather. I'm not a fan of using oil in my clothing items, so I use all water base products.

In my opinion, it is the sunlight that darkens the leather; the Pecard's just "put's back in" what the sun takes out.

Michael

You talked me in to it. Just put in the order. I'll let you know (eventually) what happens. Thanks!

MARQ wrote:Short and sweet..what size to choose when one lives in European Union and wears a size 44 to 45...PLEASE HELP!

michael wrote:I ordered my 405s from J. Crew, but sizing can be wacky. I ordered them a half size small as recommended, but I ended having to go to a store and exchange them for a pair that is 1.5 (!) sizes smaller than my usual US size 10. Fortunately here in NYC we've got plenty of J. Crew stores that receive stock, but even here sometimes the stores run dry for awhile.

If at all possible, try to find a pair to try on before you order.

RayROnline wrote:

michael wrote:I ordered my 405s from J. Crew, but sizing can be wacky. I ordered them a half size small as recommended, but I ended having to go to a store and exchange them for a pair that is 1.5 (!) sizes smaller than my usual US size 10. Fortunately here in NYC we've got plenty of J. Crew stores that receive stock, but even here sometimes the stores run dry for awhile.

If at all possible, try to find a pair to try on before you order.

That is strange. I ordered my 9 instead of the usual 9 1/2 at a store. Perfect fit. Then I got an older pair on eBay with duck liner, size 9. Perfect fit. Then I ordered a J Crew pair of Shell Cordovan Cap Toe (on the same Barrie last as the Indy boot) in 9. Perfect fit. Or perhaps the size 10 you used as standard was not right.

I have actually fit well in shoes marked 9 1/2 (what I call "my size"), 8 1/2, 9, and 10 depending on the maker. You're lucky to have a store near you. I have just 1 Alder dealer in the vicinity.

michael wrote:

RayROnline wrote:

michael wrote:I ordered my 405s from J. Crew, but sizing can be wacky. I ordered them a half size small as recommended, but I ended having to go to a store and exchange them for a pair that is 1.5 (!) sizes smaller than my usual US size 10. Fortunately here in NYC we've got plenty of J. Crew stores that receive stock, but even here sometimes the stores run dry for awhile.

If at all possible, try to find a pair to try on before you order.

That is strange. I ordered my 9 instead of the usual 9 1/2 at a store. Perfect fit. Then I got an older pair on eBay with duck liner, size 9. Perfect fit. Then I ordered a J Crew pair of Shell Cordovan Cap Toe (on the same Barrie last as the Indy boot) in 9. Perfect fit. Or perhaps the size 10 you used as standard was not right.

I have actually fit well in shoes marked 9 1/2 (what I call "my size"), 8 1/2, 9, and 10 depending on the maker. You're lucky to have a store near you. I have just 1 Alder dealer in the vicinity.

Yeah, I'm honestly not sure what the issue was, but it all worked out in the end. These are the most comfortable boots I have ever owned. It's practically like wearing a slipper. The only (exceedingly minor) annoyance is that the tongue on the right boot always slips all the way to the left, which brings out any obsessive compulsive tendencies that may be lurking under the surface.

rnbuda wrote:So the 403s are darker brown than the 405s which almost look pumpkin?

rnbuda wrote:Awesome! Any good online retailers you can point me to? The Alden Shop good?

Thanks!

rnbuda wrote:Thanks!

I used to have a pair of Alden's but they were lost in college! They fit very well to my original size which is a 7!

Tundrarider wrote:

rnbuda wrote:So the 403s are darker brown than the 405s which almost look pumpkin?

Short answer is "yes." But a picture is even more to the point. See the second picture in the first post of this thread.

That post also details other differences as well.

Michael

rnbuda wrote:My 403s arrive tomorrow! I called Brenda to confirm that have the 1/2 size smaller than I ordered in stock incase these are too big. I'd be surprised if they didnt fit as well as my old and lost 405s.

Paladin3 wrote:Awesome. I am watching this with interest for the day when I can buy my own.

MARQ wrote:I´d love a pair of 405´s or 404´s! According to certain source, my Alden size is 10.5..he also wears 44 EU shoes.Now only thing to do is to try to find Alden´s that are third the price...