Club Obi Wan

I received a pair of the new Indy Boots from Todd today, and I have several observations.
My first impression is very positive. For the price, you simply can't go wrong. I now have an option of paying $85.00, with shipping, or I can pay whatever the going rate is for AB Indy Boots, say $500.00. Now I've spent a lot of money foolishly in my life, but I've got to ask another question. Why would you do that?
Now, the Todd's boots obviously cut a lot of corners, which leads me to another question. Why can't someone take the Todd's boots and upgrade them with a fully leather-lined interrior, and/or other niceties, and come in at around $150.00 with a really nice boot?
Schmidty, you are still the BEST DEAL in Indy-land, but the Todd's Indy Boot is a real good deal. I will end up wearing out several pair, I'm sure.

Many Thanks
Randall

*Shrugs*

Give it time, I say. Maybe Todd will put out a custom boot or something.

rrhanselka wrote: Why would you do that?

Because Todd's boots, fantastic deal that they are, fantastic value for money that they are, do not approach Alden quality in any way whatsoever. That's why. Until you've held in your hand, and worn a pair of real Aldens, you don't appreciate what a real pair of shoes is. I'm sure Todd would agree.

They're a brilliant buy but as has been said previously they're not Aldens or anything like them in quality.

I agree with Tom; as much as I think Todd has produced a wonderful product, they don't hold a candle to a pair of Aldens. And when you buy your Aldens through AB, you're basically getting THE Indy boot. Exactly what Ford wore in Raiders. It's too rich for my blood, but for those with deep enough pockets, enjoy. -M

Yes, but for $500 you can do better than Aldens too. No matter what, you're paying a premium because of the Indy connection. Once you get to a certain price for what are mostly plain old leather boots, how much better can they get?

I too would like an upgrade of the Todd's boot for around $100. As they are, they're great, but I'd gladly pay a bit more for a bit more leather.

Thank You Raider S. WELL SAID

Randall

i could imagine many circumstances that i have been in where i would rip todd's boots to shreds whilst the alden's would take the roughhousing like a trooper. there's a reason why they cost so much.....imo, they should be capped at about $250 as that is a good price to pay for sturdy tank boots....maybe add some dough for the orthopedic reinforcements. any price after that, you are paying either for customization and/or the fact that indy wore these exact boots on his adventures.

for $80 boots, todd's boots are a great bang for the buck (in the ratio that the akubra holds). my boots are perfect for my daily wear....back and forth from the office and to do my odd errands and such. if i had to go in the woods or on a nice rocky hike....i'd probably grab the aldens first ;-)

Raider S wrote:Yes, but for $500 you can do better than Aldens too. No matter what, you're paying a premium because of the Indy connection. Once you get to a certain price for what are mostly plain old leather boots, how much better can they get?

I too would like an upgrade of the Todd's boot for around $100. As they are, they're great, but I'd gladly pay a bit more for a bit more leather.

That may well be the case and if you're swithering in this manner then for you Todd's boots are the way to go. And nobody could possibly criticise your choice. They're fantastic value for the money. If the original sizing hadn't been so far out I'd have kept mine and probably not bought my 405s. But that's another story and now I've got my Aldens I've no regrets because they're a class apart. If you want a pair of very high quality boots, and you want the closest you can get to Indy's boots, your only choice is the real thing. I've got 405s and AF64s and they're the best made pieces of footwear I've ever owned. And that includes Tony Lama, Justin, and a load of other quality boots I bought when I lived in California in the 80s.

It's your money and your choice and I hope you enjoy whichever boots you go for.

I want to clarify my position and opinion. I own 2 pair of Rockport Farnums that I wear every day. I also own a pair of Alden 405's, thanks to Schmidty, and I love them. I have worn Alden's since the 60's and own several brand new pair of dress shoes from Alden from the 70's that I've never worn. I believe that at $250.00 the 405's are a great boot, and I would continue to purchase them as necessary. However, the 405's do wear out, just like other boots. When it comes to price versus quality, there is a point of diminishing return. Now, when you get to the AF64 at over $400.00, you are there. I have never seen a pair and I'm sure they are wonderful. Personally, however, I could not and would not put them on my feet, because every time you wear them, they are one wearing closer to wearing out.

Obviously, everyone gets to decide how to spend their own money. I simply wanted to make the point that there should be an Indy boot somewhere between $80.00 and $300.00. Todd proved it could be done. With a few changes and improvements, it should be a no-brainer.

Many Thanks
Randall

I also have the Todd's boot and wear it somewhat sparingly. Sometimes the weather here doesn't always warrant it. Anyways, can someone take the boot to a cobbler and have them make it better? I don't know, I haven't had much experience with cobblers. Just a thought.

My Mom used to always say:

You get what you pay for.

Raider S wrote:Yes, but for $500 you can do better than Aldens too. No matter what, you're paying a premium because of the Indy connection. Once you get to a certain price for what are mostly plain old leather boots, how much better can they get?.

I agree with you, RS, on being able to do better than Aldens at their price point. There are lots of great looking, tough and comfortable shoes out there that are cheaper viable options for the people who don't want to spend that type of money. If you've to have the real deal then, yes, they are the ones to get but I say smart money goes to a shoe other than the Alden Indy boot.

Having said that, I don't think the fact that it's an Indy boot is what is driving the price point:

Unless the 500 bucks refers to the AB Aldens, my understanding of the Alden pricing premium has more to do with the connection to medical and orthopedic correctness that they've had for over half a century now. This is what they were know for LONG before Indy and Harrison started wearing them and is why Harrison started wearing them in the first place if I recall correctly. It's not just their Indy boot that is expensive nor or the Indy boots the most expensive that they carry. My uncle has a couple of pairs of Aldens that are not Indy of which one of those pairs cost nearly five hundred dollars and they were not a custom made shoe. I only found out about his shoes because I was showing him my Alden Indy boots griping abou t

Regarding the premium for toughness and durability, as a former lineman I can tell you that I've had boots that (and they don't really resemble and Indy boot but for the sake of toughness and durability comparison) are much tougher than the Alden Indy boot of today for about two thirds of the price. I wore them for years under incredibly harsh conditions in call kinds of weather and terrain not to mention utility poles. Utility poles aside I don't see my Aldens as having been capable of handling the beating that I've subjected these boots which are still going strong today.

Don't get me wrong, the Aldens Indy's are a great shoe, especially the ones made a few years back and earlier based on some recent reviews I've read, and if you can get a pair, great. They're currently the only de facto way to get the same exact style shoe as the one Indy wore if you've got the dough. They're the holy grail of Indy boots for me but not the holy grail of boots in general as some others seem to be implying. Of course that's just my opinion. Obviously everyone is entitled to their own.

For what they are, the Todd's version is one of the best deals out there!

;0

May we see them?

Cheers!

Dan