Alden Adventure

Rosenet · Post by **Rosenet** » Mon May 16, 2005 11:33 am

This weekend I was in New York visiting friends and had a couple of hours to kill. Since it’s a commonly known fact that everything is available for sale in New York I did some research and discovered that not only are there several Alden retailers in the city, there is an actual Alden store on Madison Ave. I’ve been lusting after the 405s since I discovered Indygear, and especially since I got my Wested in the fall, but I’ve been hesitant to spend the money based on questions about the pumpkin color, the comfort, and how much use I would get out of them in a hot, humid summer and a cold, wet winter. I definitely wanted to try them on in person, however, so it was worth the time to go on a pilgrimage to see if the Manhattan Alden store carried the 405s.

The store is small so I immediately saw that they did in fact have the 405s, which was especially noticeable since they also had a pic of Indy next to the boot and an “Indy boot” sign. I had told my girlfriend that I wanted to go check out a shoe store, but I hadn’t told her the Indy part and she took great joy in giving me @#$% about my interest in Indy boots. I tried them on and my girlfriend was immediately impressed by how nice they look. They weren’t the pumpkin brown, but they are a warmer brown then the pic on the website. I walked around the store a little, wearing a huge grin the entire time. I asked if the 405s are popular and the salesman said yes, very but there had been a shortage of the leather and they’d just started getting them in stock again.

A note about sizing: I wear 10 ½’s in dress shoes, gym shoes and sandals, but I have never had my feet seriously measured and I don’t usually buy expensive shoes so I’ve never had to consider shoe width. The salesman measured me for 405s that were 10 ½ D.

I had some time so I didn’t rush the purchasing decision and instead decided to do some touristy stuff (the Alden store is only a few blocks from the Empire State Building). I immediately noticed that my Land's End all weather shoes felt completely the wrong size and totally inadequate after the 405s. My girlfriend really liked the boots and helped me justify the purchase, and an hour or so later I went back and bought the 405s. I wore the 405s out of the store and they’re the best fitting shoes I've ever owned and, even after only a day, are much more comfortable then my year old Deckers. Time will be the true test of the value of my new boots, but I’m hoping we’re together a very long time indeed. I just need to figure out how to care for them.

Pics:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/rosenet/boot3.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/rosenet/boot2.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/rosenet/boot1.jpg

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon May 16, 2005 11:37 am

Meletonian (sp?

)shoe creme, and Pecards leather dressing. Pick up some good cedar shoe trees to put in your boots when you're not wearing them. You do these things, you're good to go for years to come. Regards. Michaelson

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Mon May 16, 2005 11:42 am

Well done, Rosenet! And no wait for an order to come in or anything else; you just walk in there and buy them. Look out though, you and I are the same size and you live only two towns over. You better lock those babies up at night.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Mon May 16, 2005 11:44 am

You guys are about to cost me $300.

Question: If I order a pair who should I order them from? The Alden shop in San Francisco?

Gater · Post by **Gater** » Mon May 16, 2005 11:47 am

Great purchase! I finally bought mine in January, but only started wearing them 6 weeks ago, due to weather. My one observation is that these are the ONLY pair of new shoes/boots that I have worn that have not given me blisters!

I really like my Deckers, but they had a heckuva break-in period. Aldens were comfy right outta the box!

Congrats, Rosenet!

Indiana Aidil · Post by **Indiana Aidil** » Mon May 16, 2005 12:13 pm

Hi folks,

Hey Rosenet, those are a very nice pair of alden you have there. You said that you wear a size 10 1/2 in dress shoes and your 405s were 10 1/2 D. That means you didn't went for the half size smaller. Does it fit you perfectly?

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon May 16, 2005 12:22 pm

J_Weaver wrote:You guys are about to cost me $300.

Question: If I order a pair who should I order them from? The Alden shop in San Francisco?

I'd suggest you deal with the Alden shop there, and talk to Allen White at 1-800-273-7463. He's been our point of contact for Indygear for years and years. He's good folks too! High regards! Michaelson

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Mon May 16, 2005 2:57 pm

Indiana Aidil wrote:Hi folks,

Hey Rosenet, those are a very nice pair of alden you have there. You said that you wear a size 10 1/2 in dress shoes and your 405s were 10 1/2 D. That means you didn't went for the half size smaller. Does it fit you perfectly?

Since he was in the shop, he had his feet professionally measured for the shoes. That's the best way to go. Some folks have been okay with the half size smaller deal, and others have regretted it. I got my feet measured specifically for my Aldens and have a perfect fitting shoe. I really can't emphasize the importance of getting professional fitted for these shoes, if you can.

Question: If I order a pair who should I order them from? The Alden shop in San Francisco?

Check your local orthopedic shoe stores. Chances are they can order them. What's more, they should be familiar with Aldens to measure your feet properly for them. Either way, if they don't fit, you won't have to pay anything until they get you a proper pair. I got mine in Fort Wayen, Indiana, far from ANY Alden store. My local shoe store ordered them and I had them in two weeks.

bink

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Mon May 16, 2005 3:14 pm

binkmeisterRick wrote:Check your local orthopedic shoe stores. Chances are they can order them.

You mean Wal-Mart and Shoe Show right Bink?

Actually there's not anything like that anywhere near my small town. I got measured yesterday by the cobbler I mentioned in that other thread. I feel sure a 12.5 B will fit me perfectly.

ij1936 · Post by **ij1936** » Mon May 16, 2005 3:44 pm

J_Weaver wrote:You guys are about to cost me $300.

Question: If I order a pair who should I order them from? The Alden shop in San Francisco?

That's where I got mine from!

A thought to ponder: Considering the amount of usage feet get, are they not worth a mere $300.00 for proper footwear?

Richard~Buxton · Post by **Richard~Buxton** » Mon May 16, 2005 6:43 pm

Great looking boots you got there, as soon has I get the morney, their my next gear to get.

JerseyJones · Post by **JerseyJones** » Tue May 17, 2005 11:27 pm

Aaaah.....so new !

Mine looked like that once upon a time.

They have been used daily for over a year and while they show wear, they feel great and look very lived in.

Enjoy them !

Ken

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Wed May 18, 2005 10:09 am

J_Weaver wrote:
binkmeisterRick wrote:Check your local orthopedic shoe stores. Chances are they can order them.
You mean Wal-Mart and Shoe Show right Bink?
Actually there's not anything like that anywhere near my small town. I got measured yesterday by the cobbler I mentioned in that other thread. I feel sure a 12.5 B will fit me perfectly.

Well, in that case, at least you got measured up by a cobbler!

bink

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Wed May 18, 2005 7:30 pm

Well, you guys did it! You just cost me $283! :evil:

I talked to the Alden Shop in San Francisco this afternoon. Believe it or not that had my size in stock and their holding a pair for me!

I'm sending a money order first thing tomorrow.

P.S. I don't have a digital camera, so do you guys still want a review of them when I get them?

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Wed May 18, 2005 8:31 pm

No camera for pics? Who let you in here, anyway?

Congrats on the purchase! Let us know how they break in and what you think of them.

bink

Richard~Buxton · Post by **Richard~Buxton** » Wed May 18, 2005 8:53 pm

Big congrats on getting a pair, I don't think you will regret it. Look forward to the review.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Wed May 18, 2005 8:58 pm

I just kinda slipped in the back door when the mods weren't looking. 8-[

I've really got to get a digital camera though. I don't know where I will get the money because my next purchase is gonna be a horsehide Wested.

Bink, maybe you could show me the art of the group hug.

But if thats a trade secret I'd understand.

Indiana Wayne · Post by **Indiana Wayne** » Wed May 18, 2005 9:07 pm

J_Weaver wrote:Bink, maybe you could show me the art of the group hug. But if thats a trade secret I'd understand.

He is that pickpocket in Casablanca.

Watch Casablanca and see how he does it.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Wed May 18, 2005 9:12 pm

Hold on, didn't he get shot?

Its been a while since I've seen that movie.

Feraud · Post by **Feraud** » Wed May 18, 2005 9:31 pm

Congrats on the boots Rosenet! They look real good. After talking with you through p.m. I had to check them out for myself. I visited the shop on Madison and walked away very impressed with them. I bumped them up a few spots on my 'to get' list! I told my wife my precious feet have to be worth $300 bucks...

Alabama Jones · Post by **Alabama Jones** » Wed May 18, 2005 11:12 pm

J_Weaver wrote:Well, you guys did it! You just cost me $283! :evil: I talked to the Alden Shop in San Francisco this afternoon. Believe it or not that had my size in stock and their holding a pair for me! I'm sending a money order first thing tomorrow.

P.S. I don't have a digital camera, so do you guys still want a review of them when I get them?

I knew it!

You're gonna love 'em.