Club Obi Wan

I would have posted it in the other thread that used to be here about Alden size, but I guess it got trimmed.

Anyway, my dad dropped a bomb on me earlier today. He told me he was getting me some Alden 405's as an early X-mas present. He says he ordered size 10 1/2 D's, since I usually buy size 10 1/2 D shoes. I've been doing that since I can remember.

But anyway, I went to get my feet measured earlier, after I found out, and the guy told me he thought 9 1/2 D's would be a little too tight, and to go with size 10 D's. I was scared. Scared that my beautiful new Alden's would kick my ever lovin' arse, and end up in the classified section, as I hobbled around in a pair of regular sneakers again.

I called my dad and explained how Aldens are different from the average shoe you buy at Foot Locker, and recommended that he change the order from size 10 1/2D to 10 D. Thing is, the guy who measured my foot was like: "your big toe is barely in front of the 9 1/2 marker. I think they'd be a little too tight. I'd go with size 10, if I were you."

Are these Aldens going to mess me up, or will size 10's be fine, if 9 1/2's would be a little tight?

I wear a size 13 in everything! I tried a Aldens in a size 12. - too tight! I like a little bit of room at the toes. I bought the 13's. At first, I thought the were a bit loose - I put in a pair of cushion in-soles and they are close to perfect. If I had to do it all over again, I would try the 12.5's first. I think I made the right choice.

Strider, is the guy who measured your foot familiar with Alden sizing? If so, I'd probably go with his advice. However, see if you're able to exchange the Aldens if they don't fit. When I got my Aldens, they seemed a tiny bit snug when I got them, but in a short amount of time they broke in nicely. Just be sure not to wear them outside if you plan to return/exchange them. Either way, that's an incredible gift!

Actually, here's what I suggest. Call Kathy Flynn, the manager at the Alden store in Washington, DC and tell her your concern. 202-452-0710. She should be able to answer your questions. She pesonally helped me in sizing my Alden 502 boots and they fit me beautifully.

bink

Strider, it's great to hear that you are getting a pair of Aldens!

I'm really happy for you! You deserve it!

Strider, dude, take my word for it, they'll fit fine. 1/2 size down's the way to go, especially if he said your toe is a smidge past the 9.5.


have a nice half-size-down day.

Well, normally, I would take your word for it. However, my dad already ordered them at a size 10D (he corrected it to that from 10 1/2). So, I am going to let them arrive, and give them a try. My dad said 10 would be better anyway, because with 9 1/2, my big toe would be up against the inside of the shoe, and I don't think I'd like that. Besides, I've worn 10 - 10 1/2's all my life without a problem ....

I'll see how it goes. If nothing else, an exchange is always in order.

That's what I'm sayin'. From the info your giving about the measurements, the 10 will be perfect - "Trust me"



have a nice day.

Alright, new questions.

I have my Aldens now, and I've been wearing them a few days. I notice that I don't really have any free movement of my toes in these shoes, like I am used to having in sneakers and other regular shoes. What I mean is, I can't really bend my toes or stretch them apart very far in the Aldens, where I used to be able to do that in other shoes. Is this normal?

Do these shoes tend to be a tad snug, width wise, until you break them in?

I've also noticed that the front pads of my feet (the pad area just under my toes) are experiencing a sensation whilst wearing the Aldens that is neither painful nor comfortable. More like: "Hey, I can feel that. I don't necessarily like it."

Right now, I am chalking this up to the fact that I was on my feet from 1 pm until 10 pm for the most part, with just a few short periods of less than 20 minutes off my feet. I figure it's because I'm mainly standing still for the majority of the day, with little to limited movement. This used to happen with regular shoes too, but I'm just wondering if it has anything to do with Aldens.

Any help is appreciated, thanks.

Anyone?

Strider,

I wear a size 10 1/2 sneaker and a size 10EE Alden (measured by THE man Fritz). They definitely run a half size smaller. Yes, they will stretch over time and YES they definitely feel wierd for a while. You're probably not used to wearing heavy shoes like these! After a bit, they mold to your feet and feel great!

Regards, Dr. J

Now i understand why all of you say you have to go for a half size smaller wit Alden boots, you only and always wear sneakers!!!

I only have a pair of sneakers (i quite hate sneakers), they are 12 and half. But all the rest of my "normal" shoes are 12. I just think that your meter of sizing is wrong from the beginning, you sneakers fans. (no offence for Americans, i know 99.99% of you wear plastic shoes, they're quite common)

The fact is that the sneakers are always a half size or a size more than normal, it's not Aldens 405 to be half size smaller!

This is the first time I've posted, but I think I can help you here. I also just ordered some Aldens but I didn't do my research so I have sent them back to exchange for a smaller size. But that's another story which I will tell only if anyone is interested.

I have, however, owned lots of boots as I am in the military and I do lots of activities outdoors. The length is the key. As long as your boots aren't too short you should be okay. What you don't want is for your toes to be pushing against the front of the boot. As for width, all leather boots will stretch so if they are a little snug now, they should be fine after a few weeks of regular wear.

Here we go again!

On my right foot, one of the stitches on the toe broke, and one is fixing to. Is this something that should worry me? And if so, how do I go about fixing it? Thanks!

Oh geez Strider, when I first read that your stitches on your toe broke, I thought maybe you'd gotten into another fight, but then quickly scrolled up and realized I was on an Aldens thread.

Indiana Texas-girl wrote:Oh geez Strider, when I first read that your stitches on your toe broke, I thought maybe you'd gotten into another fight, but then quickly scrolled up and realized I was on an Aldens thread.

The answer to both cases would be 'use staples'.

I'd just keep an eye on it...if it looks like a second one is gonna go, YEAH, FIX IT! Since it isn't a real moc toe, there's no chance of the boot coming apart (right?), and hence there shouldn't be enough pulling and yanking on it to make it keep coming undone before you get a chance to do something with it.

Any competent shoe repair ought to be able to remove and replace that one stitch - think about it, you don't need it to be contiguous, just not look broken, right? So why not have one dummy stitch tied on in it's place? It's better than letting someone take the ENTIRE STITCH OUT (and replace it with something pink - bleah!).

Just spitballing from the back...curious to see what Pyro, MN, Michaelson, and the other 'lifers' say...

Indiana Texas-girl wrote:Oh geez Strider, when I first read that your stitches on your toe broke, I thought maybe you'd gotten into another fight, but then quickly scrolled up and realized I was on an Aldens thread.

J,

I wouldn't mind a dummy stitch. I don't even mind them looking busted, so long as the whole thing wasn't going to come undone and cause problems, or look bad. One stitch broke, and one is fixing to. As soon as I got these, I started putting them through their paces, as I walk a great deal of the distance I travel in a day. I also didn't hesitate to go hiking in them the first week I got 'em. I figured that it wasn't a real moc toe, but I didn't know, so I thought I would check.

Strider, how long have you had these shoes?

Oh...'bout a month or so. I walk a whole lot. At least a couple of miles a day. And the first week I had the shoes, I went hiking in them. Like I said, I wasted no time putting them through their paces.

Hi all,

I've worn my Aldens for 8 days now. The right foot feels ok with my cushion and prescribed orthodic. I can still feel the arch support in my left foot. It bothers me because I think about it I've worn these orthodics for five years now. I really don't know why I feel it presently.
My feet and ankles don't hurt, but my thighs sure do. I can tell that I walk without pronating and seem to stand straighter.
Now, if I can only get used to the left shoe I'd be happy.
These are expensive shoes, but I see that they have flaws in the coloring. As my cobbler said they are made by people, so expect a variance.
I have treated mine twice in the last week with a weather proofing substance and a softener. They look good. I'm not distressing mine.
I love the shoes, but really feel an OCD type problem because of thet lump in the left shoe.
The stitching around the ankle is not real tight on mine. I guess they are made with cotton thread and just don't do well. The stitching seems to be more of an adornment.
I have a few miles on the shoes and the soles and heels are not scratched. They still look new. Wierd
Best regards,

Ol' Prof. Ed the champion of OCD

Well, my ankles and thighs hurt for awhile, too. They're heavy boots, kind of. Of course, now that I don't spend so much time on my feet every day, it has subsided. For awhile, I had the same problem you do, Ed. One foot felt different than the other one.

"My right foot's bigger than my other one is, like a reg'lar zombie hoof!"

After awhile of wear, the problems went away.

Oooh, Strider, I'd contact Aldens. Paying that much for a shoe and having structural problems with them less than 2 months after purchase doesn't sound right.

You think? I mean, it's just a couple stitches, most likely the result of the hike I took. I wasn't just walking around, I mean .. I had some friends with me, and we did all sorts of things. I just thought the stitch breaking was a result of that, and not an overall problem with the shoe. None of the other stitches are giving me trouble.

You really think I ought to?

Hey Strider... I've had my Aldens for about 7 years now, and they have been all over the world with me over all types of terrain, in every kind of weather, and I've not had any structural problems... I'd contact Alden and see what they can do for you... they are tough shoes and shouldn't have any problems like that...

Okie dokie, Dr. Jones .. hold onto your potatoes!

I've always loved that line... thanks for the chuckle, Strider!

Leatherneck,

How long did you wear your Aldens before you started to notice the black heel receeding qucikfastinahurry?

Oh, about 27 minutes!

I've had the heels replaced three times now... the heels always seem to take a beating, although I haven't had to replace the soles... yet...

27 minutes ... hahaha

How long between re-heelings, on average? I've noticed the soles are tough as nails, myself.

I've had them resoled on average every two years... that's how long it took for the first set of heel edges to wear to the wooden sole construction the first time... and seems to be the norm for me... my soles always seem to wear un-evenly, too.

Strider wrote:You think? I mean, it's just a couple stitches, most likely the result of the hike I took. I wasn't just walking around, I mean .. I had some friends with me, and we did all sorts of things. I just thought the stitch breaking was a result of that, and not an overall problem with the shoe. None of the other stitches are giving me trouble.

You really think I ought to?

Strider,

If you feel uncomfortable about getting these boots fixed you can do what I do with wallets that have a loose stitch. I take a pin and push the stitch in the hole and the follow with the smallest amount of Super Glue with the same pin. Seems to work and you really can't see the fix.
Another choice is just take them to your cobbler and get an opinion or a quick fix.


The above is for us quiet guys that hate hassles


Prof. Ed

Man, I finally got my Aldens re-heeled. Most of the cobblers I took them to either did not have replacement heels big enough, or had never heard of/seen Aldens before. I finally went to a place that said he could fix them. I wasn't sure (because I didn't have the shoes with me when I asked about them), but I took them in anyway, and lo and behold, he was able to fix 'em! It looks like he found a really big Cat's Paw heel, and chiseled it down to fit the shoe. Heck if I care, it's fixed, that's what I'm talking about. Then, I treated the shoes with brown Pecards. In the movies, the shoe looks darker to me than the pumpkin color the Aldens came to me in.

After the brown Pecards, they look much more screen accurate to me, and after putting them back on after a few months of not wearing them due to the worn down heels, it feels like I never stopped wearing them.

Just an update.

Congrats on getting your shoes fixed! I'm surprised that some of the cobblers didn't have the correct type of heel, but I'm glad you found a place who knew what they were doing. Now you know where to go next time.

It's funny, I didn't notice at first, but after I took a close look, I saw what happened. The cobbler that did the re heeling job took out the two wooden inserts, and put this really thick rubber heel on. It'll be a long time before that sucker wears down to needing to be redone, and it's about the same thickness as it was with the wooden inserts anyway, but that's not a bad thing that he took 'em off, is it?

Hmm. Odd that he changed the construction of the heel, but not bad - not now that it's done, anyway. Guess it was too tough for him to match a heel to the curve of the wooden insert. (Shame, though.)

Your new heel isn't curved like the original, or is it?

Yeah, it is. He must've done that by hand.

Interesting. Well, at least he did that much to match the original structure. I guess it's just a matter of whether or not it works for you, then.

J

Well, so far, I haven't had any problems. What I like about it is that the heel is much thicker now that the wooden inserts are gone. To me, this means that it will be a much longer period of time before I have to have them re-heeled again. Works for me!

Hmm...I'd advise against getting too low, though. As the heel gets shorter, the angle of your foot and ankle may change - can't say for sure, but that might cause some foot soreness. They were designed to support your foot a certain way...if the heel wears down past where the original heel pad was, I'd work on getting them replaced pronto. But at least this way you wouldn't have to worry about chewing the wood at that point.