Club Obi Wan

Ok, maybe I'm just having a brain fart, but I want to make sure I am understanding Alden Shoes sizing correctly. Here's the email I sent to them:

Mountaineer Lasher wrote:I am interested in purchasing the style 405 "Indy Boot". I have a question about sizing, though. I have a pair of cowboy boots listed as size 10.5 D that fit me comfortably. Should this be the size that I order from you all?

And here's their reply:

Alden Shoes wrote:Thank you for your inquiry.

We do find that the Indy Boot does run 1/2 size larger than your normal size.

Hope this information helps.

Now, this means I need to buy size 10 D boots from them, right?

Had exactly the same issue when ordering my Redwing 1908s, they suggested to downgrade from 10.5US to 10US. So I did it and I have to say they are a bit, hm, tight. Same thing when ordering my Federation Deluxe: Told them I usually wear a 61 (cm) in Akubras and they suggested a size 60 "because FedDlx has almost no taper". No I'm missing a cm (

Anyway, when ordering my 405s I went for 10.5D which is my actual size and they fit great.

I happen to work around the corner from the Madison Ave. Aldens in New York City. I normally wear size 10.5. When I went to purchase my pair of boots, I asked the manager of the store regarding the 405's running larger. His response was "your shoe size is 10.5, then get the 10.5 boots."

I found this to be good advice. The boots fit very comfortably, and I can wear them with thick socks in the winter and thin socks in warm weather no problem. I can't imagine having a comfortable fit a half size smaller.

So as far as I can tell from my experience, Aldens fit true to size--don't go down.

Michael

Wow, if someone in customer service replied in that manner, ML, they need to be shot!...or at least fired!!

The 405 is an orthopedic base for podiatrists to use for patients with foot problems. If the company making the boot is telling folks to ignore proper sizing and 'guess' one size this way or that, they're doing YOU a dis-service.

Have your feet professionally measured, THEN order the 405. You'll save yourself a LOT of grief.

Regards! Michaelson

I agree with Michaelson 100%. In fact, after a while I got tired of repeating myself every time this question was asked, but I'll do it once more here. If you are getting a pair of Aldens, get professionally measured for them! I did for both pair of Aldens I own (the 405 and 502) and got a perfect fit each time. If you can find an orthopedic shoe store nearby, or one that can order Aldens, buy through them and get measured up. If there's a problem when the shoes arrive, the store should handle it with no extra cost to you and without being stuck with an ill-fitting pair of shoes you'll have to try and unload somewhere. If folks take the trouble to get fitted up for a jacket, hat, pants, or shirt, why not the shoes?

i guess i'm the only one who was successful in following the 1/2 downsizing advice. i e-mailed them and said that i normally took a size 9 in most of the shoes i buy. i ordered an 8.5 405's and they fit perfect.

it was a gamble yes and getting properly fitted would be the way to go as they do charge premium shipping costs.

My Aldens are a US size 10 which would normally eqaul a UK 9. I'm a UK 9 and a half and the ten's fit perfectly- in other words I can confirm that they are a half size bigger than they claim to be!

Unfortunately the size is a gamble, as Indiana G said before. I think I posted the same question about the alden boots as probably many many other users. As I said, unfortunately it's a gamble and there is no much help you can have online. The only idea is asking someone who has the same size of yours to measure the inner sole of his shoes, that would give you an idea of the lenght but not about the width.

For those of you that are normally a size 10.5 (in US measurements), would you mind doing what Erri suggested for me? It would greatly be appreciated.

Keep in mind that UK/European sizing is different than US sizing. Heck, look at the hat sizing chart on the HatsDirect site if you want proof of that! Besides, I'm sure there are orthopedic shoe stores across the pond, too. I've read more complaints about sizing from folks who guessed than I have from folks who got fitted from them (in fact, I don't recall anyone off hand complaining about fit after getting measured up for Aldens). I still think it's more of a gamble if you don't get measured up for them, but hey, they're not my feet. Come on, Michaelson, let's take a comfortable walk and grab a cup of coffee.

Uk sizes are usually one size less than US ones, so a UK 9 is a US 10. However, with Aldens a UK 9 is an Aldens 9.5. It had me worried when I ordered because I thought maybe I was ordering a half size too small. When they arrived they were perfect. Aldens size conversion (US-UK-European) chart on their web site is correct. In other words, their shoes are actually half a size bigger than advertised! I went for the D fitting becasue there's nothing more uncomfortable than shoes that are too narrow. They're great.

djd wrote:Uk sizes are usually one size less than US ones, so a UK 9 is a US 10.

The operative word here is 'usually'.

Regards! Michaelson

I have always worn size 9 US, so when I ordered my Aldens, I ordered size 9. They fit perfect.