Club Obi Wan

I know a lot of fans love them, I have yet to get a pair or any indy-look shoes, as the Aldens are one of the more expensive items of the gear.

What are they like?

morgan

I was a bit hesitant to get a pair of Aldens given the price and what not...lucky for me I got a great deal on a great brand new pair here in the Classifieds...but let me say this, if for some reason they were ruined, mangled, stolen, squashed, stretched, mutilated or otherwise unwearable - I would not even think twice about dishing out 250 bucks for a brand spanking new pair. They are WONDERFUL shoes, and are - in many people's opinions - the most usable piece of gear. I really am attached to my Aldens, and they wear terrifically. They have been with me from the Mayan temples of Guatemala, to the jungles of Belize, and more recently up and down the dusty cliffs of the Grand Canyon...and they are still going strong. The craftsmanship is EXCELLENT in these shoes...and that is why the price is so high. There is a break in period in which you may wonder whether or not you made a mistake...but once they break in, look out! You might not want to put on another pair of shoes. There is really no thick padding on the inside like a sneaker, but notheless they are extrememly comfortable and I have never once experienced foot pain after wearing them (they are, after all, orthopedic). So, with that said, I would say that if you can really spare the money - go for it.

-John

they are, after all, orthopedic

I never knew that, I also thought that orthopedic shoes are suppose to be horrid. You learn something new every day!

morgan

I shelled out the extra cash and got them delivered to the UK and I'm more than happy. I wear them everyday they are so comfy, plus you get the added 'wearing the gear' buzz.

I'll be getting another pair if these ever wear out.

morgan wrote:I know a lot of fans love them, I have yet to get a pair or any indy-look shoes, as the Aldens are one of the more expensive items of the gear.
What are they like?
morgan

They are like clunky, stiff, orange, overpriced clown shoes. But they do cradle and cushion the foot. And they DO complete and look perfect with the Indy outfit. (Once you break 'em in and do some color adjustment.)
But IMO they're hideous otherwise.

-Rabittooth

Tell it how it is, Rab!
If not for being Indy boots, I'd never imagine buying a pair in my life!
Nevertheless I've grown to love mine. They're surprisingly comfortable and are great for correcting bad posture. I've personally never been able to slouch whilst wearing my Aldens.
They're also rumoured to provide support to those who suffer from lower back pain.

Is that why indy always looks bolt upright when he’s geared up. Like in TOD just after the scene when Willie says “Lets get out of here” and indy replies “Yeah… All of us” then goes and saves the little kids.

morgan

What are Aldens like?

They are like sipping a fine wine while looking into the eyes of a beautiful woman as your setting on rolling green hills on the first day of spring.......

......actually.....I do adore my Aldens, but it wasn't love at first sight. Much like my friend Rabbitooth, I too held the opinion that Aldens were WAY over priced. Being the fortunate lad that I am, I have the store that sold Ford his back when he was a carpenter just twenty minutes down the road. So I decided to check them out. Fritz, the heart and soul of Fredrick's shoe store measured my feet then brought out these pumpkin colored, heavy clown shoes. Egads!....I exclaimed to myself. After fitting them on my feet, I walked around the store feeling like my feet were in casts. I left the store thinking those guys online are nuts!!......well....I still do but that's another story.

Over the next year or so I met guys like _, Abner and Lee Keppler who said they loved their Aldens and went on and on about how comfortable they are. Also they were a nice brown instead of the funky pumpkin color. I learned that Alden changed the color at some point.

Finally I decided to give Aldens a second chance. I went back and this time Fritz pulled out a pair that were the rare sought after brown! Before I tried them on I had already decided I had to get them even if only to pass them on to another Indy fan. But they were different this time. They felt good....not great, just good. After shelling out way more money than I thought reasonable for any pair of shoes, I considered seeking professional help.

In a very short time they broke in and became the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. Originally I thought that I would wear them on the weekends or something, but unless I have a business meeting that day, the Aldens are what are on my feet. I wore the heels off and Fritz replaced them with an even better, longer wearing heel.

I admit it. I have been converted.

I'm glad I took the time to read your entire post, as your first couple of lines scared me. I REALLY like my Aldens, and unlike most here, mine WERE prescribed for me by my doctor (ain't I lucky? (grins)), but to use the comparison that you did to describe my shoes, uh, well, not exactly... High regards. Michaelson (glad you got back safely from Death Valley, by the way!)

I also agree with most of what's been said here. Mine were like walking on boards at first, and remained that way for a while since I didn't wear them on too many occasions. Then I wore them once to paint ball and was amazed when everyone else got blisters after a day in a rain-soaked woods firing pellets, but my feet were fine. After they dried and I put them on, they were extremely comfortable. This past year, when I was working construction, I used my Aldens for a bit, but ceased not wanting them to get too broken in. I now wear them a couple of times a week and my feet feel better at the end of the day than when I wear my tennis shoes!

I never experienced the pumpkin or orange color that others talk about, so I wouldn't know about that. I bought mine from Lee back in 1990 and they were the perfect color. YES, I've been a loyal customer of Lee's since then. He's ALWAYS been great to deal with and to share stories with (both Indy and non-Indy) and though we've never met, I'd consider him a friend. Sorry for the blatent gushing, but Lee is THE reason I got into IndyGear!... Or maybe I should place blame on him for my thin wallet and knack for perfectionism?

I still have the LucasFilm Fanclub newsletter where Lee place his first ad, and his original price sheet. It's fun to look back on and see how much items have gone up in value in 12 years!

Anyway, back on topic, you won't be sorry with a pair of Aldens!

Mike

Do they sell them in the brown colour now? and if they don't we should get them to change them back!

morgan

...no, unless you can locate a pair of old stock. The Aldens folks are another group that really don't know what to make of us or our hobby. The 405 has been an old stock item for them for years and years, but comes out of their orthopedic catalog, and are not really a standard off the shelf type product that you'd find just sitting around in a store. The onslaught of orders due to our interest has taken them by surprise, and we've seen them change the color 3 times to date, and even made a slight design change that they won't admit doing to date that saves them material, but causes the boots tongues to twist to one side, and the boots to require longer shoe strings to cover areas once covered by leather. 'Making' them do anything is not an option, as they, like HJ and other old high end companies, have PLENTY of orders and items that they've sold for generations that they're MORE than happy to help where they can, but they're not going to kill themselves to create exactly what we want. Not unless it's a special order with that addtional $75 custom order extra fee. If you can find a brown pair, grab them. If not, still, the 405 is a great fitting and feeling boot that can be toned down with the new brown Pecards leather treatment, or other 'trick's that folks are trying to tone down the color. Regards. Michaelson

I'm in the process of ordering a pair of 405's, do I need to order my same size that I normally would wear for shoes or a little smaller. With living in the UK I need to get the sizing right first time. Can someone help with this?

If I were you, I would go to an orthopod, no wait, (isn't that a doctor with one leg?) I would go to a podiatrist and get measured in a correct and most precise way, then call Fritz. I'm sure someone has his number. I really believe that the key to enjoying a pair of Alden's is getting the proper fit, I really do. I wear mine almost everywhere.
Good luck!
Indiana Philip

'Making' them do anything is not an option, as they, like HJ and other old high end companies, have PLENTY of orders and items that they've sold for generations that they're MORE than happy to help where they can, but they're not going to kill themselves to create exactly what we want.

What ever happened to customer service?

They should take a leaf out of Peter and Noels book, those guys know how to provide a good service.

morgan

They've been VERY responsive to requests for information for years. It has just been since the beginning of the calendar year 2002 that for some reason the doors have been pulled shut more tightly in terms of information and response to inquiries. I have YET to crack THAT nut to find out why. Regards. Michaelson

Well, I ordered a pair last March from Fritz and they came in the dusty red/brown color and luckily my feet are narrow so the "gap" that Michaelson refers to in the lacing channel is all but non-existent. Also, I dyed mine brown with Angelus Brown shoe dye and they look great now. They are really the only gear item next to my David Morgan I am truly happy with.

Regards,
IF

My old pair are exactly like your pair. It's the new and 'improved' orangy versions introduced in January of this year I'm referring to. If you can find the reddish versions, or brown, you'll find a world of difference in the way they're made if compared to the current offering. The new ones are STILL comfortable shoes. I'm wearing mine today. Regards. Michaelson

I bought mine last Spring and they are the orangey or pumpkin colored version Aldens. Luckily I have not experienced any tongue slippage, and with a coating of Red Brick Creme (Meltonians?) they look just fine. I even think they are pretty screen accurate.
I've enjoyed these boots from day one and didn't even go through a break in period of discomfort. I think it's because I got the perfect fit. Can't be sure on that though.
Indiana Philip

They're doctor recommended!