Club Obi Wan

Well guys, I had a bit of good luck I thought I'd share with you. I read in some other forum that a gearhead bought some Alden "seconds" for a reduced price. Since $300+ for new boots is a little too far out of my price range, I did a bit of research and found an outlet that gets seconds (also called "irregulars") from the Alden factory. I talked to them, and found that of course they didn't have my size, but would be happy to put me on a list and notify me when some came in. I said OK, and was sure that I would be wearing my Sketchers close-enoughs for the rest of my life. Well, only THREE DAYS later I got a message that my size came in.

Since I could return them if I didn't like them, I had nothing to lose. So, for only $199 plus $9 shipping, I bought my new Alden boots. I was expecting them to be both left feet or made with 11 eyelets on one side, so I didn't get my hopes up too high. But when I received them, I was pleasantly surprised. I can't see anything wrong with them, except a tiny tear in the leather at the very top front of the left boot. I guess that's a $100 cut.

Check these out, and tell me what you think!





By the way, I'm not holding out on you... I bought these from The Shoe Mart. They don't show anything about "irregulars" on their web site, but if you call them or email them, they'll let you know what they have. They are really nice people to work with.

These pictures are after wearing them daily for a few weeks, so they are just starting to get some "character". They're great boots for this price!

Tom

Well done and a great find! I can't see anything objectionable about them.

There goes more of my money!

Edit: Quick question. How do those size up? Meaning did you buy the size you normally wear in shoes or what?

that is an awesome find! congrats.....who would have known that shoe mart would be sporting these?

For sizing, I followed the advice of many people on this site- I went to a good shoe store and had them measure my feet. They use a Brannock device, which is a scale with sliding markers that measures your foot length and width. I normally wear a size 9 in a dress shoe or boot, and sometimes a 9 1/2 in a running shoe. My feet measured out at 9D, and thats what I ordered. When the boots came in- perfect fit!

I've read some forums here where some people say get a half size larger, and some say a half size smaller than normal. That never made sense to me when the Alden folks say buy your correct size. If you, like me, can't get to an Alden shop to try them on, get your feet measured. It's a lot easier then sending them back.

Tom

tomelectrode wrote:For sizing, I followed the advice of many people on this site- I went to a good shoe store and had them measure my feet. They use a Brannock device, which is a scale with sliding markers that measures your foot length and width. I normally wear a size 9 in a dress shoe or boot, and sometimes a 9 1/2 in a running shoe. My feet measured out at 9D, and thats what I ordered. When the boots came in- perfect fit!

I've read some forums here where some people say get a half size larger, and some say a half size smaller than normal. That never made sense to me when the Alden folks say buy your correct size. If you, like me, can't get to an Alden shop to try them on, get your feet measured. It's a lot easier then sending them back.

Tom

By the way how long was the shipping transit, I live in CA as well so just kinda wanted an idea.

Great find! I have an outlet shop that gets Alden irregulars,too. I check in with 'em every now and then. They sell em for 199.00 now too. It used to be 176.00. I can't remember the name of the place right now,have it written down somewhere. It may very well be the same place. Enjoy the boots!

TR

The shipping time was three or four days, I don't remember exactly...

Tom

Say, you live around my area, don't you Tom? Where's this outlet store? They look great, man. No foolin'.

Hey Strider, I'm a San Diego native! When my wife Kathleen and I met you at comic-con this year, I thought you were a local guy...

I got these online from The Shoe Mart (check the bottom of the first post). I wish there was a place nearby, then I could check out even more boots that I can't afford!

Tom

tomelectrode wrote:Hey Strider, I'm a San Diego native! When my wife Kathleen and I met you at comic-con this year, I thought you were a local guy...

I remember you both. I'm also a San Diego native, which is why I asked where said store was. I was just kinda testing my memory there. I'm only a local for a couple more weeks though, and then I move to Oklahoma.

Strider, you're leaving America's Finest City for Oklahoma? I don't think it's even legal to wear Indy Gear there...

Just joking, of course! Good luck in your new place.

Tom

In the words of Emperor Palpatine:

"I will make it legal."

You'll definitely be able to read about my exploits out that direction here on the board once I get there. Stay tuned!

I emailed this place a couple days ago and have received no response I guess I'll try calling tomorrow, I'd really like to get a pair of Aldens at this price.

I emailed the store and got a nice reply from an employee named Ed (can't remember the details, it's on the work email.) He did not have my size but asked that I send him my address and telephone number so he could put me in his file. This exchange took about one day.

I'd try and email them again.

matt1466 wrote:I emailed the store and got a nice reply from an employee named Ed (can't remember the details, it's on the work email.) He did not have my size but asked that I send him my address and telephone number so he could put me in his file. This exchange took about one day.

I'd try and email them again.

Just checked my email and I received a response this morning. According to Ed the Indy boot fits fairly large. But I'm more inclined to go by what you guys have said that you get your foot size. They actually have my size but not in the width I requested but actually what they did have in the medium would be much better, so I called over there an left a voice mail for Ed hopefully he calls me back today and I can get that order placed!

Edit: Placed my order, they ship Monday!

yikes.

That store is only 35 Minutes away from me.
Time to take a drive.

Thanks to this thread I have a pair from shoe mart on the way to me --I'm pretty excited to have a "back up" pair at 199 myself. Thanks again Tom for the good find...

Tome, what a fantastic buy! That works out at just under £100 over here in the UK.

It really works to email them and get put on a list. It was only 5 days before they emailed me letting me know they had my size.

I just wanted to say thanks for the heads up on the boots. Soon I will have my first pair of real Indy boots and not close enoughs (I have 2 pairs of those). Joe was great to talk to and hooked me up right away. Let's see: pants check, jacket check, boots check, hat check, bag and shirt still looking.

I really was impressed with my Aldens from there. I could not find any faults with them at all --- let us know what you think of them when you get them.
Cheers
Nick

well the boots arrived today and they are heavy, but i like them already. they do appear a little darker in person then what i see of the pics from above though. it is nice that my gear collection is almost complete (yeah, right). i post another review in a few weeks after i wear them around town a bit. and yes, i will try to get some pics, but like i said they only vary just a hair in color from what i see above. one more thing, the only reason i can see they were so cheap is a small scratch on the right toe.

davyjones007 wrote:well the boots arrived today and they are heavy, but i like them already.

The other boots I most often wear are Vasque hiking boots. Those are heavy! And I have a pair of Chippewa 'Test Pilot Boots' (these). Those are pretty heavy too. The Aldens are like wearing slippers by comparison.

WOW for 199 $!
That's an unbelievable price for irregulars.
I would take 'em,too.Clearly

Just called Shoe Mart. They have the irregular boots for $250 now. You know what they say about a good thing...

That's too bad...they were a great source at 199....250 though....still better than 350...

Enjoy your score Gentlemen, the price at the Shoe Mart is now a whopping $269 for irregulars! Bad time to buy Indygear. Everyone wants a piece of the Indy dollar. It's ironic; these people wouldn't even know it was an Indy boot if it wasn't for people on this forum. Oh well...

Regards, Dr. J

Dr._J wrote:Enjoy your score Gentlemen, the price at the Shoe Mart is now a whopping $269 for irregulars! Bad time to buy Indygear. Everyone wants a piece of the Indy dollar. It's ironic; these people wouldn't even know it was an Indy boot if it wasn't for people on this forum. Oh well...

Regards, Dr. J

Thanks for the update Dr. J. I missed this thread when it was first posted. sorry to hear of the price jump.
best
Canada

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Regards, Dr. J

Even at $269 it's still better than paying the most recent $320 price (Which I recently did)...Still though I contacted The Shoe Mart and had them put my name on a list for my size and if they turn up I may still pick up a pair...A second pair of these boots would be great anyway...

I just read this thread completely. That's interesting on the price increase. I orderd a pair of irregulars a week ago and picked them up for $229.00. I must have just beaten the increase in price.
I will say that I am pretty happy. They came in today, and I can't find the flaw. The fit is right on. I ordered my normal shoe size and sure enough it was right on with the Aldens. This is my first pair of Aldens, so I can't comment yet on the durability and long term comfort just yet. But they do feel good right now.

Edit: I did find the flaw finally, a nick on the tongue of the leather. I can live with that especially after the saving nearly $90.00.