I bought these at the Alden store in San Francisco nine years ago. The salesman asked me if I wanted them boxed up and I said "No, I'll start breaking them in now". I hiked around the city for three or four hours and was amazed that my feet didn't hurt. I've only used a little Pecards now and then and I just got new laces from Aldens after my old ones finally broke.
Nine years old? wowww... I knew Aldens last a lot but never imagined that much. I only use Timberland boots and they last 3 to 4 years and I think is amazing. But 9 years?
Have to re-evaluate my concepts...
great looking boots. have they been re-soled at all ? i only wear my aldens occasionaly but the heels seem to wearing down quite quickly,as i live in the uk i'm not sure how easily i could get them re-heeled.
donovan wrote:great looking boots. have they been re-soled at all ? i only wear my aldens occasionaly but the heels seem to wearing down quite quickly,as i live in the uk i'm not sure how easily i could get them re-heeled.
No, they still have the original soles on them. You should be able to get them re-heeled by a good cobbler.
tekors wrote:Nine years old? wowww... I knew Aldens last a lot but never imagined that much. I only use Timberland boots and they last 3 to 4 years and I think is amazing. But 9 years?
I got mine in December '99, so I've been beating them for almost 11 years, and (with the exception of one resoling) they're still going strong. They were one of my first pieces of gear and actually the only thing I have left from my first "round" of gear collecting, all those years ago... they're just amazing boots.
Love mine. The most comfortable footwear I've ever owned and I hike in them- I've even chased criminals in them. They're fantastic. The single most practical item of gear in my book
Here's a quick pic I snapped of my Aldens a few mornings ago. As I mentioned above, they were one of my first pieces of gear, got 'em in December '99. As you can see, they've darkened considerably with age. They've been resoled once, re-heeled a couple of times, and twice a year I clean 'em up with saddle soap and put on some Pecards. Other than that, I don't do anything to baby them or treat them nicely.
Mate, great looking boots. Ive had mine for only a couple of years now and they've had quite a bashing but still remain looking not too worn. Even yours i dare say you could give a good 'ol boot polish and they would look quite smart!
I think it can safely be said they are the one piece of gear that would have lasted Indy a long, long time.
...on that note, I actually just found these pictures while trolling around my hard drive for something else. I took these two years ago, it's a "before and after" for the cleanup/Pecards treatment. Granted the colors are a little wonky (and they don't look THAT shiny in real life), but you get the idea.