Club Obi Wan

Is it just me, or for the price, shouldn't Aldens be a LOT more comfortable. They're not tight or anything, they're just SO flat and un-squishy. It's like walking on concrete, without the relief that comes when you lift your foot off the ground.

Am I alone here?

You can always use an insert such as the WalkFit. From your post, it sounds like I need to get one myself before I get my Aldens. I'm a racewalker/speedwalker and I walk like a two-ton elephant so it's going to be even more painful for me. http://www.walkfit.com/video.html

Mine are very comfortable and have been right from the first time I wore them. I was surprised that such an old design and such a heavy shoe could be so comfortable. No problem standing for extended periods.

Perhaps I've been in need of orthopedic shoes all along

Mine were comfy from the start as well...Since I have been wearing the heck out of them they have only become more comfy...

I'm a runner, and Alden boots destroy my natural stride....

They are pretty uncomfortable. Having worn light weight running shoes on a daily basis then switching to these, I wanted to cut my feet off it was so uncomfortable. This has a lot to do with the fact that
I actually wear size EE shoes, and I've got D, but I plan on getting a pair
from schmidtty after the premiere of the new film. I just want to have these to wear on the day of.....When I get my new pair they are going to have Lug soles.

First off, let me add a disclaimer that I have yet to own a pair of Aldens...But I do know a bit about shoes...And I own quite a number of shoes and boots of similar design.

One thing you have to understand about shoes (and clothes in general) is that they're all based on a rough approximation of the human shape...in shoes, this is called the 'last'. But since everyone is different, no one 'last' will fit everyone's foot shape. That's just the way it is. I wear a lot of Timberlands because I've found that their last is pretty darn close to my foot. I know others who can't stand them. Their foot is probably just a different shape.

It's the same with Aldens. Unless you have shoes made to the actual form and shape of your foot, regardless of their price they will be based on a particular 'average' foot shape. Most people conform to the shape, others don't. You probably fall into the latter category.

You may get some benefit from the addition of insoles as suggested, or using different styles of socks (I use Thor-Lo hiking socks with great success on some of my 'problem' shoes) of various thickness and design. Sometimes it's all about finding a good shoe/sock/insole combination.

Okay, in the interest of full disclosure, I do have a custom made orthotic. It's just a hard plastic insert that I put in any shoe. So as long as they are wide enough, pretty much all shoes feel the same.

The inserts are in the shop this week, so I've been getting a taste of what all my shoes feel like on their own. The Alden's, which are kind of heavy and awkward even with a custom insert, are the least comfortable so far. Even with some Dr Scholls gel inserts.

I was surprised that my Red Wings biker boots were as comfortable as they are.

As long as Harrison was comfortable...

my aldens are the most comfortabe shoes (well, actually boots) that i have ever worn. i actually have thought about how hard it would be for them to make me a pair with steel toes & metartarsel guards in/on them for work. all the work boots i have worn kill my feet when they reach the two month mark...

From my experience they take a week or two to conform to your feet and then they're gold, just like any great pair of dress shoes. They aren't supposed to and will never feel like a trainer. Putting a squishy insole in them would ruin them for me. I wear a thin dress style sock with them and they're perfect. As comfortable as but in a different way than Mephistos.

Kittlemeier wrote:From my experience they take a week or two to conform to your feet and then they're gold, just like any great pair of dress shoes. They aren't supposed to and will never feel like a trainer. Putting a squishy insole in them would ruin them for me. I wear a thin dress style sock with them and they're perfect. As comfortable as but in a different way than Mephistos.

My boots are two years old. I've worn similar shoes with lug soles and never had a problem. (lug soled military boots with a shank) I never expected them to feel like a trainer. They aren't for running but my feet really started to hurt after 2 miles in them...

My boots haven't arrived yet, but all my alden shoes have cork insoles that gradually conform to your feet after awhile.

They're not meant to feel like running shoes though.

Being flat-footed, I wore vans for years (since I was 3 in fact).

I broke down and bought a pair last Feb. I've never, ever, found a pair of shoes that feel so wonderful as my Aldens. After a full day wearing them, it feels like I'm just wearing heavy socks.

Regardless of the price, I'm wearing these for the rest of my days. I've tossed my Vans in the closet.

Well, I do remember reading an article a while bacfk about a problem the U.S. Military were experiencing with new recruits. The common problem the recruits experienced were stress fractures in their ankles after a short period in the service.

Seems that the kids who were coming in to boot camp had worn running type shoes all their lives, and when they were suddenly thrown into military boots for the first time, their ankles weren't strong enough to handle the stress in the ankle area.

If you're not used to wearing high top heavy work style boots, you could very well have problems if you've only worn and/or used sneaker or running shoes as your normal wear.

Regards! Michaelson

Two things:

1. I tend to wear a thicker sock with mine which helps form a cushion

2. I only lace up the bottom two hooks a'la Indy, which gives more flexibility in your walk.

Michaelson wrote:Well, I do remember reading an article a while bacfk about a problem the U.S. Military were experiencing with new recruits. The common problem the recruits experienced were stress fractures in their ankles after a short period in the service.

Seems that the kids who were coming in to boot camp had worn running type shoes all their lives, and when they were suddenly thrown into military boots for the first time, their ankles weren't strong enough to handle the stress in the ankle area.

If you're not used to wearing high top heavy work style boots, you could very well have problems if you've only worn and/or used sneaker or running shoes as your normal wear.

Regards! Michaelson

Thats probably it.
I hardly ever wear boots, until now. .....

I used to wear skateboard shoes all the time, which have almost 0 support, so this makes perfect sense. The pain is in the ridge of my foot and my ankle.

I wear high top military type boots 12 hrs a day 4 days a week .

Maybe that's why my Alden's feel so great!

Kinda goes along with the old "clown shoes" argument. If you're used to wearing Spicoli's Vans or Bruce Lee's Onitsukas, the Aldens do look huge. If you're used to wearing work boots, hunting boots, or even nice heavy dress shoes they look perfect.

I like my Indy Aldens a lot, but they are far from being the most comfortable shoes I have worn. I'm surprised so many people think they are. But then again, feet vary so much from person to person. Personally, Cole Haans are my favorite shoes.

Alden Foot? Sigh. I have Alden Foot. I've worn nothing but the 405's (at work) for nearly a decade now. I have Alden Foot because that's what my feet are used to. I have spoiled myself for lesser shoes!! I can't even wear athletic shoes because there isn't enough support in them. But it is true, they have no cushioning. It is something you get used to. It has never bothered me. And before my Aldens, I wore Rockport boots so I KNOW cushioning. I also wear Keen sandals when I don't have my Aldens on and they have a lot of cushioning too. But the boots have always felt perfect to me.

This may have been mentioned already....but if you want the best possible fit out of Alden's, be aware that you should measure your feet in TWO places: the usual place near the ball of the foot...AND the heel.

Alden sells these shoes in a combination of lasts so that you can get the best fit possible. So, if you have an odd combination of foot width AND heel-width and didn't order them accordingly, you may not have as comfortable of an experience as other Alden customers.

In other words, if you normally wear a 'D' width and ordered your Alden boots in a 'D' width without checking your heel width and including that measurement.....then you might have gotten the wrong shoe.

Does that make sense?

Tony

My wife called earlier, and my Aldens are waiting for me at home. I still got 2 hours until I can see them..............................She was shocked when she saw the price I paid, but I had to remind her that I sold a bunch of stuff to come up with the money and Schmidty gave the best deal....

Tony,

You make an excellent point about getting the best fit possible. However, although you CAN get your heel measured, MOST stores don't have a scale that measures heel width. The second thing is, whereas one USED to be able to go in to a store and say " I need a D width with a AAA heel, shoe companies (Alden included) just don't make that many shoes anymore. The industry standard on combination lasts, is the heel is generally 2 widths narrower than the ball width, so if you buy a D width, the heel width will be a B, or if you buy a C, the heel will be an A. Unfortunately, shoe companies aren't run buy "shoe men" anymore, but large corporations who only see $$$ (IMHO). So they get rid of sizes that aren't selling as many units, and focus on what is. It's sad but true.


Schmidty

I will have to admit my ignorance here; I don't know who Schmitty is or why everyone wants to buy shoes from him.

I just went down to the Alden store in Manhattan. Some schmuck there, and I don't even remember if he even measured my feet, brought me shoe after shoe until I found some that I liked the fit of. I got a pair of black shoes and the 405s.

The black shoes, after a day or so, were so uncomfortable I actually returned them. Luckily they didn't spend much time on concrete so he was able to take them back.

I don't know if there is something missing in the fit of the 405s. They are wide enough for my flipper feet and they give me enough room up front to wiggle my toes compulsively.

Perhaps Schmitty knows something about fitting shoes that my clueless Manhattanite didn't. But then you're all buying from him through mail order...

I think I get my orthotic back tomorrow. I'll give the 405s another chance with the insert in. I might get the tongue stitch that some of you have mentioned, might make the ankle more comfortable.

The reason everyone wants to buy their shoes from him is because he sells them for 275 plus 10$ shipping if I'm not mistaken. My pair cost me 332 after taxes from the local shoe store. So thats a pretty good price. That's why everyone is getting their shoes from him.

Not to mention he has superior customer service skills. I have not had the oppurtunity to deal him myself, but I know people who have and he getsnothing but the highest marks. When my Aldens bite it, I'll be calling Schmidty.

I remember when I first got Aldens. The weight difference was HUGE, but, conversely, my calves got HUGE from wearing them on a daily basis (this is good). Anyway, I always figured that the "alden foot" was from my feet being in the right postion after being in the wrong positions for so long. I know that's how it was with my back after going to a chiropractor.

I asked the chiropractor why my back hurt more after I saw him than it did before I came to see him, and he told me that putting things back in the right place after they've been out of place for so long opens pain receptors the body had just plum shut off because you weren't doing anything to correct the problem. Once it was back where it was supposed to be, all that got opened up again, and you felt pain. Keep up the treatments, and your body would get used to things being right, and you wouldn't have that problem. Not sure how much of that is medical myth or if it's true, but that's what I was told, and I always kind of equated that to why my feet hurt wearing an orthopedic shoe that was supposed to help things.

I thought I had the wrong size at first, and was paranoid and heartsick at the thought, but after they broke in, I hated wearing any other kind of shoes. They were so comfortable and homey, I'm still sorry I had to sell my Aldens.

Bowie,

Wow. Thanks for the compliments man. And we've never even met!! I've said it before and I'll say it again. When a COW member calls me at the store, or PM's me, that makes my day. Not because I may sell a pair of boots (believe me, I make NO commission) but because I get to talk to some one about Indiana Jones. Before I joined COW, I would constantly "preach the gospel" of the Indy Boot to anyone who would listen. I think some guys actually bought them to shut me up But you guys, you want them BECAUSE they are Indy Boots. And to me that's cool because I'm talking to another FAN. One of MY PEOPLE. My coworkers think we are all NUTS but that's OK. I told everyone that I was going to frame a piece of felt I got in the mail (from Steve Delk) and they thought I was insane. But that also, is OK. By the way, my sister and her family live in Queen Creek!! I wonder if you know them??

AdaminNYC, If you still have questions regarding the fit of your boots? Let me know man! I am HAPPY to try and help you figure it out. And I DO mail them out, but I do everything I can to make sure that you are getting the right size. Going so far as to measure scans of a foot, sent to me via email, or pieces of string cut to a length given to me by someone who doesn't trust their local shoe store. I've been fitting shoes professionally for close to 15 years, so I'd like to think I know what I'm doing. Anyway, I am happy to help however I can!! Just let me know

Regards,

Schmidty

Regards

Yup you never go wrong with Schmidty. Because I know if something did go wrong, he'll do whatever he can to fix it. You seldomly get that kind of service nowadays. By the way, my Aldens really well broken in now... can't believe how comfy these shoes are. At first I thought it was all a hype, but it sure does work. Thanks Schmidty... Hope that second pair I ordered for my friend comes in soon.

Canuck, I am expecting them this week. Actually a little surprised they didn't come in today. But they DID tell me they wouldn't get them out until this week, they were closed for inventory apparently. But I'll let you know ASAP!!

Regards,

Schmidty

Schmidty,
I'm evidently not smart enough to private message you.

I see you're near Chicago? Do you work at the Chicago Alden store? Are you working on Monday? I'm in Chicago on business on Monday and I finish up around 4. I'm not looking to buy another pair of Aldens, but if you're working, I'd like to chat with you, maybe see if I have the wrong size.

Thanks!

schmidty612 wrote:Alden Foot? Sigh. I have Alden Foot. I've worn nothing but the 405's (at work) for nearly a decade now. I have Alden Foot because that's what my feet are used to. I have spoiled myself for lesser shoes!! I can't even wear athletic shoes because there isn't enough support in them. But it is true, they have no cushioning. It is something you get used to. It has never bothered me. And before my Aldens, I wore Rockport boots so I KNOW cushioning. I also wear Keen sandals when I don't have my Aldens on and they have a lot of cushioning too. But the boots have always felt perfect to me.

And THAT'S why I've ordered me a second pair from our friend Schmidty!
He not only sells the product, he USES the product, and has for a decade. Now THAT'S belief in ones wares!

Regards! Michaelson

Well....

I've been sitting on the fence for a long while... I dig the Indy Boot... it's INDY'S boot!!! Cool... but also... everything I've read just leads me to believe that this is the salvation for my poor feet. So I entered into the pursuit of the Indy Boots with Schmidty... and bought a pair. Bryan is totally the real deal. He has walked me through this process when my nerves about it were shot. I SCANNED my feet and emailed him pdf's... and though he's digitally challenged, managed to size 'em up and figured the right size for me. He took a lot of time with me... calming my fears, explaining the mechanics of the foot to me, and the orthotic hoodwinking that goes on in retail. In praise and thanks, I sent him this little doodle along with my money order...



and he CALLED me yesterday... he CALLED me... to let me know that the package arrived... and the excitement in his voice... and the appreciation... well it made my day... a shining moment in a dark week...

Now it's my turn to wait... I'm looking forward to Alden foot... from everything I've read... and from Bryan's testimonial... it's THE way to go.

A giant thanks to Bryan and Greg at Giesche Shoes... you guys are TOPS in my books.

This one was a little thanks to Greg...



luv,
-r!

You made the right decision. I have had mine for five days now, and I can not wear them enough. They feel great. Unfortunately, I can't wear them everywhere. My wife said they did not go with my workout attire. I thought a little sweat would help break them in quicker, but she didn't go for it. Anyway, I know you will love them.....

DOHERTY,

The comment about the workout attire KILLED ME I can just imagine!! Glad you like em!!


Schmidty

Okay, I got my orthotics back from the shop and I spent most of memorial day walking around Central Park in my Aldens. I do have to say they were pretty comfortable. Were they any more comfortable than any other shoes with the inserts? Hard to say. Perhaps the strong but supple leather added some comfort. And the flat sole was surprisingly agile on the trails.

Okay, I'll take back any slanderous comments I may have made about Aldens. Though for the price I would expect them to be just a bit more comfortable without the insert.