Club Obi Wan

awesome michael!!! i hope you'll get your use out of them. i'll take your old one!!! lol seriously they look great. and look comfortable too . take care

keith

Michael, once again I am seriously impressed at your gear! The new Aldens look great!!! Where'd ya get them?

Kyle

they certainly look very nice , hopefully soon i plan on getting a pair , very nice boots indeed .

Hey Michael,

Good work on this comparison thread with the 403's-405's! Similair to your reaction, once I saw the new 403's, I had to have a pair. They look like they are very well made, and I like the leather lined feature. Have ordered from one of our own, Schmidty, and waiting for the delivery.

GREAT boots Michael! I love this darker color, not distressed but just a little "used" just right out of the box!

I always prefer darker colors on leather (the 405's brown is a beautiful example) but with my Todd's boots (that I like it very much) I gave up to obtain this darker tone: I've weathered them to obtain the more brighter and dusty look on certain LC scenes.

But, if in the future I'll have the opportunity to buy a pair of real Alden I'll choose for sure this 405's model!

"...these 403's are made for walkin'....."

Hey TR can you post the steps you took to get them to where they are... in detail?

I'm sure a lot of folks here would like to know.

BTW, they're flippin' sweet!!!!

-TS

These look WONDERFUL, Michael... Congratulations!!!


GREAT photos and really fantastic write-up to go with it... (I learned a LOT, actually!)


Well Done!
(And Thank You!)

405s may have been 'the' boot but those 403s are 'it'

Looking sharp buddy!! Told ya...order your regular size and you will be in heaven!! Very nice boots Michael!

Sean

IndianaSean wrote: Told ya...order your regular size and you will be in heaven!! Sean

I've been preaching that for YEARS, clear back when several of us were at IndyDiggs, but very few listen, Sean.

Regards! Michaelson

Michaelson wrote:

IndianaSean wrote: Told ya...order your regular size and you will be in heaven!! Sean

I've been preaching that for YEARS, clear back when several of us were at IndyDiggs, but very few listen, Sean.

Regards! Michaelson

Michaelson I believe you . I suppose I can understand where new buyers are unsure and take the advice of the salesman. But as proven in the past, experience is the best teacher. The veterans know

Tundrarider wrote:Thanks, Sean, for the kind words AND for your good advice about the sizing!!! I can honestly say now that "Aldens are comfortable!!!"

Michael

Glad you are happy Michael. You will have many miles with your pair.

skinned

Where was that shot taken?

Tundrarider wrote:

theinterchange wrote:Real world pics are always much more of a help than stock product shots.
Randy

"Real world," like this???



This pic shows the first time these boots were out in the "real world" and they already look great without any wear and tear. There's a little dirt and dust on them, but that's it!

Thanks, Randy, for your kind words!

Michael

That's EPIC!!!

You're welcome, and yes, that's real world enough!

Michael, I...

Your photo...

I...

It's just...

...



.

.

.

.

(by the way, that's a pretty darn FINE snapshot there, my friend!)

Question on 403's. Are they also orthopeidic?.
The price: close to 405's or highr/lower.
Those shoes look awsome by the way. I did what you mention w/pecard, sun, olive oil.

Croft

Tundrarider wrote:

theinterchange wrote:Real world pics are always much more of a help than stock product shots.
Randy

"Real world," like this???



This pic shows the first time these boots were out in the "real world" and they already look great without any wear and tear. There's a little dirt and dust on them, but that's it!

Thanks, Randy, for your kind words!

Michael

GREAT picture, Michael. And nice boots.

Tundrarider wrote:The Empire Mine in Grass Valley, CA.

Michael

Very cool!

Wow that's a great picture Michael!

Hey TR the orthopedic part of the 405 Croft is talking about is the heal. The way the heal is made on the 405's, it has a curve and isn't straight like a standard heal. The curve gives more support to the inside of the arches of your feet and helps people whose foot tend to pronate. So if the 403 has the same heal as the 405 it's an orthopedic shoe.


-TS

What width are your boots Michael?

s.

It's been said before but I'm just going to say it again - Mike has some of the BEST looking gear on COW. Any newbies need to keep an eye on this guy!

generalFROSTY wrote:Any newbies need to keep an eye on this guy!

Yep, that's correct. I always keep my two eyes on him .

Michael, I love your gear and thank you so much for all the great reviews you posted (and the amazing pictures).
It helped me a lot when I had to choose my gear .

I'm attempting to darken down my Coyle's boots to match your Aldens. I love my Coyle's boots and really don't see a need to upgrade to the "original" Indy boot at this time, but would like to elaborate on thier color.
I have slathered them with some Pecards, but the weather is SOOO darn cold and windy with so little sun, I really can't leave them outside to suntan.
Do you know if the boots will darken JUST with application of Pecards or will I need to combo it with some sunlight?

Ok so Pecards + heat = darkened leather. I always thought it was the LIGHT that was 'tanning' the leather?

The Q-Tip idea sounds what I would want to do - thanks for the tip....Q tip.....hahahah
I have a sneaking feeling that it is indeed the light of the sun that really darkens the leather - I may dig around the gear distressing threads and see what I can find....but once again Mike, your gear has inspired me.
Oh, and here's a bump to my thread going on my awesome new Joe Strain whip:
http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=49567" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The 403's are now shown on Alden's website.

I recently got a pair of 405's from Aldens, and I asked them what the lining was, and they told me that the 405's are now leather lined.

And thanks again for the help Michael!

I just ordered a pair of 403's from the DC store.

..and I have them on my feet right now. Next-day service, not bad, eh? Of course they only had to travel 10 miles or so.

Are the Alden's true to size like some people say, or are they a half size small like others say?

The Alden sites seem to say the new 403's run more on the large size - so it would appear that your size would be what you should order.

When I ordered my last pair (albeit the JCrew version) I went down half a size and they fit perfect - My 405's I order in the regular size I would take - so fit is probably in the feel of the beholder at times

Heya Michael...

Thanks for the thread! It's helped me work out what I'd like next! Although I'd still love to hear your opinions further on as well? I'm not sure which line to go with, 403's or the 405's, and I'd be very interested to hear people's opinions on the plusses and minuses of both? What would you choose and why?

I'm going with Bryan since he's one of "us" and offering a rather great deal, but since I have some time I'd like to hear more opinions about what I should go with and why? Anyone?

Oh, and sizing too.. I'm usually about a 9.5 (US sizing), my feet measure 27.5cm's... Schmidy recommended perhaps considering the 10.5's since those may be my REAL size, and I just live with slightly smaller shoes, but what would you all say? I'm thinking 9.5's, since those seem to be my usual.. Anyone think otherwise?

Thanks for the help and thanks for the photos! Great stuff!

Warmest regards..

It does indeed... Once again, thank you Sir!

I like the 403's... I think I'll probably go with those... The 405's are a touch too light for my liking..

All the best.

I recently got a pair of 403s, due in part to this review...

They were ordered true to my real size and I am well pleased with the fit.
Very comfortable from the beginning, no real 'break-in period' was needed.

Hope that helps.

Looks like you and I are onthe SAME quest, Ben.

It's 403s next for me as well... and like you, I've send a PM to Schmidty asking that we discuss if he can help me with this process.

Michael, I want you to know that once I've got 'em, I'll likely be giving them the moniker "the Tundra Riders"

I tend to spend most my time in the jacket section, but I gotta get out more often. Holy smokes, Michael... Between jacket reviews, shirt reviews, shoe reviews, you should put all those posts in a book. Great stuff! I picked up a pair of the J. Crews's and they seem pretty nice. Do you notice any notable differences between those and your new ones?

Mitch!

Just saw this! LOL... "Same quest" eh? Well, I promise that if it comes down to it, I won't be sliding down to jump into a seam in the earth to beat you to the last pair!

I think the 403's look amazing... Deep colour and very good styling.. So it's my aim.. If I can sort these out, all I'll really be missing is the holster.. But since I'm a Jujutsu man, I reckon I'll be fine with a knife and my hands!

All the best..

fifthchamber wrote:.. If I can sort these out, all I'll really be missing is the holster.. But since I'm a Jujutsu man, I reckon I'll be fine with a knife and my hands!

Remember...knife versus gun...


TMFR

Yeah Ben, while we might be after the same prize, I'm sure there's plenty to go around! So let's make sure neither of us gets too scuffed up trying to get their mitts on these 403s!

Having said that, I have to agree:
These are a handsome pair of boots, to be sure... can't tell you how much I love that deep, rich colour. Many thanks to Michael for showcasing these so nicely.
And if it's cool with you (Tundrarider), once I get mine I'd love to post a photo or two here in this Thread you started (y'know, just to add to the scenery)...
Ben, I hope you do the same once you get yours.

All the Best,
Mitch

Just a few observations about sizing of the coveted 403's that may be of help.

I wear a US size 13 (UK12) shoe. Doing the foot measurement (sitting on the chair with pen and paper) my foot is 11.5inches long (29.2cm) and 4.5inches wide (11.4cm).

I was very lucky to get a pair of twice worn 403's - size 13D - on the bay and the fit is perfect. In dress socks I have a bit of toe wiggle room. With thicker walking socks the boots feel snug with just the right amount of wiggle room.

So I can just reiterate the advice that has gone before about ordering true to size.

To the previous owner of these beautiful boots, my hat off to you sir!

I just got to spend a few minutes reading this thread and it was very informative! Thanks for sharing! I really do need to upgrade my indy shoes!

Great read. I am looking to buy Alden's myself so it was very informative.

Does anyone have a comparison between the Pumpkin 405 and the current 405?

Ugh, well I originally ordered my 405's in my real size of 13D, but when they arrived, they seemed too big. The tip of my big toe was just at the white stitch line...they felt large and clunky.

So I emailed Brenda at Alden SF and she said most customers order a half size smaller and are happy...so I sent them back in exchange for 12.5..

They arrive tomorrow...and I hope they fit..but after reading some of the post..I am afraid I am going to have to send them back yet again for 13D's...

Hey good luck with the 12.5 - as a fellow 13D wearer I'm interested to hear how the half size smaller goes! By way of comparison I bought a pair of Doc Marten work shoes today in a US13 and compared the shoe size against my size 13 403's and they actually look to be exactly the same length. I wonder if the higher spacing in the 403's compared to shoes gives the impression of being too roomy?

Anyway, good luck with the 12.5's !

Just received and wearing them now. 12.5 definitely a better fit!!!!!

Already Jonesing for another pair

Congratulations - you chose wisely! I hope they go for miles and miles and miles...

Does anyone know what type/color laces Indy uses? I just got my Alden 403s, yesterday. To me, they look perfect! Before I pulled the trigger on the buy, I looked at many different screen grabs from all of the films...and to me, the 403s look most like a solid RAIDERS version. The boots have very different shades of brown, from film to film (even within the same film)...but I went for the darkest look in RAIDERS. But I plan to get some 405s, as well, for the sake of authenticity & variety. And now, I just got on the list for a pair of Marc's version from Adventurebilt Deluxe. They truly are a beautiful boot...and EXTREMELY comfortable!!!! Treat your feet!!!