Club Obi Wan

Okay, I've hung around here long enough that I've finally caved. I'm going to buy a pair of expensive boots, that is I'm going to buy expensive boots when I get enough cash for them (which will likely be around August or September ). However, I'm at a loss as to which boot to buy. If any of you guys who have both Magnoli's offering and Aldens have any advice for me, I'd be thrilled to hear it. And any other information I should know I'd like to hear as well, pertaining to these two boots at least. If it matters, I'll likely buy a size 8 or 8 1/2.

Thanks,
Kodiak

Magnoli's boots only came out a couple days ago, so I doubt anybody has his yet. However, if the quality of his other offerings is any indication, the boots will be VERY good. :junior: -IJ

Agreed....anything said now would only be conjecture at this time...but in my opinion, if Indy's boots are LIGHTER in weight, that's a DEFINITE plus in my book.

Regards! Michaelson

IndianaJones wrote:Magnoli's boots only came out a couple days ago, so I doubt anybody has his yet. However, if the quality of his other offerings is any indication, the boots will be VERY good. :junior: -IJ

Are you the guy with the Bass boots, or am I confusing you with somebody else? If so, I think I might have the same ones.

Back on topic now...

Wow, you do have a good memory, Kodiak! Yep, I still have them, although the insoles have worn out, causing them to hurt my feet. The SKU# on them is QNU6. I'm not sure if that's the model or a serial number. :junior: -IJ

IndianaJones wrote:Wow, you do have a good memory, Kodiak! Yep, I still have them, although the insoles have worn out, causing them to hurt my feet. The SKU# on them is QNU6. I'm not sure if that's the model or a serial number. :junior: -IJ

Are they about 5-6 inches high, with seven holes and no hooks? Is leather kind of sueded so that if you run your finger along it it'll change color, sort of? Kind of interested, because I don't think that they are much count for general wear. What do you think?

And how durable are the Aldens vs. Magnoli offering? Magnoli... what do you say?

6.25" high, 7 eyelets (holes), no hooks, but it's definitely not suede. Just normal leather. From what I hear, the only complaint people have about Aldens is that they have almost no traction on snow. That's one thing I'm hoping Magnoli will correct. :junior: -IJ

The Aldens grips just as well as any other boot on rock. However, they do get slick in the snow.

My bad, I'll correct that. BTW Weaver, you spelled Virgil wrong in your signature. :junior: -IJ

Well, I've been wearing my boots for a few days and [img]luckily?[/img] it has been raining a bit. I feel a bit more confident running around on wet cement in these than in the Aldens, but I can't honestly say if that is because these are new or if they will change after wearing down a bit. So far, so good. They do feel lighter than the Aldens and are softer in the start. These feel a lot like Aldens do after they broken in a little bit. That being said, there probably isn't as much ankle support right off the bat as Aldens, but my cobbler said that this can be catered for.

Also, I will be offering various treads on these. At the moment, my cobbler only has one large work boot tread in stock which I will use to make a digital reconstruction of my boot shortly. I'm hoping to find some lower profiles with a bit more grip but without the chunky look. If you don't mind that particular look, these treads may be what some are looking for.

As for sizing, these are custom-made, so they are sized to whatever you send. You can also request the "fit" of the boot. I asked for these to be made with a "medium" fit and there is a bit of room inside for movement of toes. Some people may be more used to a "tight" fit, but this is left up to personal judgement and comfort.

Hope I've offered some answers instead of adding confusion.

Kind regards,
Indy

IndianaJones wrote:My bad, I'll correct that. BTW Weaver, you spelled Virgil wrong in your signature. :junior: -IJ

Wow, sharp eye man. Thanks!

Will they be offered in a 'B' width, Indy? That's what I've been 'cursed' with over my lifetime....long, narrow feet.

Regards! Michaelson

Your not alone pal, me too.

No problem God, I've gotta get around to reading the Aeneid some day.

That's what I've been 'cursed' with over my lifetime....long, narrow feet.

Ditto, although I'm not quite B width. :junior: -IJ

Since these are entirely fitted to the shape and size of your feet, we should be able to make a pair of these to fit your hands, if you want! So a "B" width shouldn't be a problem.

And for you, Michaelson, I may be able to work in a watch pocket!

Kind regards,
Indy

Indy Magnoli wrote: And for you, Michaelson, I may be able to work in a watch pocket!

Kind regards,
Indy

Indy, old friend, YOU are a man after my own heart!!!

HIGHEST regards!

Michaelson

Michaelson wrote:Agreed....anything said now would only be conjecture at this time...but in my opinion, if Indy's boots are LIGHTER in weight, that's a DEFINITE plus in my book.

Regards! Michaelson

I have to agree with M. A size 10.5 D Alden pair weighs in at a hefty 4.6 pounds

After a day of wear, and at OUR age, Ed, you sure they don't weigh at least 20 pounds? each?

Regards! Michaelson

I just weight these and they come in at about 3.6 lbs for the pair.

Kind regards,
Indy

Michaelson wrote:After a day of wear, and at OUR age, Ed, you sure they don't weigh at least 20 pounds? each?

Regards! Michaelson

Yes sir :!:

I've avoided buying Aldens as I need steel toes for my job. It should be a simple affair to put in the steel toecaps. How's that sound?

After searching this forum, there seems to be an interest in steel toe boots.

I may run a poll............

whats your job?

zeus36 wrote:I've avoided buying Aldens as I need steel toes for my job. It should be a simple affair to put in the steel toecaps. How's that sound?

After searching this forum, there seems to be an interest in steel toe boots.

I may run a poll............

Yes! Steel toes would be a nice extra! That would make Alden's "excavation-proof", 'though I'm not sure, I would wear shoes of that price category at digs ...

I completely agree as far as the steel toes go. I had a pair of great Army surplus combat boots that had steel toes... they would hold up to about anything.

Alright... I'm looking into this option as well.

Kind regards,
Indy

Ah - the pleasure of customer service!

Great, Magnoli! -

The value of customization... great ain't it? Although, it might turn out "non-screen accurate" if you go for steel toes, but I must admit I don't really care if my boots have the same scratches Indy's did .
-Kodiak

It sounds like steel toes are a no-go, but we could probably reinforce the toe with a extra leather on the inside.

Kind regards,
Indy

That would be more of a squeal-toe, then.

(I meant the squeaky leather, I didn't mean when you drop the idol on your toe...) Hmm...Raiders would have been different if it was a safety documentary... Sallah: "Careful, Indy, lift with your legs..."

Indy Magnoli wrote:It sounds like steel toes are a no-go, but we could probably reinforce the toe with a extra leather on the inside.

Kind regards,
Indy

Ah, like Redwings. Oh well... how much would the extra leather cost, and would it do all that much good?

Ha, Raiders as a safety documentary... I can see it now...

Indy... don't touch the idol... don't touch the IDOL!!

Indiana Jerry wrote:That would be more of a squeal-toe, then.

(I meant the squeaky leather, I didn't mean when you drop the idol on your toe...) Hmm...Raiders would have been different if it was a safety documentary... Sallah: "Careful, Indy, lift with your legs..."

Then we'd need to find the screen accurate lifting belt. I'd love to see a instructional/saftey parody with an Indy theme. "Always keep in mind where the props are when the aircraft engines are running." *AhhBzzzzzzBlarggg* We need to start a new thread on that!

On topic, uhh...I guess only Magnoli knows how they compair at the moment.

Alright the "squeel-toe"TM leather reinforced cap will be an additional $10 fee if anyone wants this feature.

As for a comparison... I got my pair of boots made a little larger fit (which is probably a better fit than my Aldens, which are quite snug) and after a couple of weeks of wear, they are a bit more comfortable than my Aldens. But I think this may only be due to the fit. Basically, they seem very comparable to me.

Kind regards,
Indy

jpenman wrote:whats your job?

I work on unmanned aircraft (RPV)

They require steel toes on the hangar floor. I have a pair of the steel toe Redwings that are close to the Alden 405, but have a larger seam around the toe that bugs me visually.....

I've seen the steel blanks for building steel toe boots, it should be no problem to slip them in during the construction phase. But if the supplier says no, then that's that.

I don't think it's a problem of construction, but of supplies. If you'd like to send in some steel caps to have inserted, I'm sure they can be built into these boots.

Kind regards,
Indy

A set of Indy steel toes? That would be sooooo cool.