Club Obi Wan

What came first, the chicken or the egg? This question could be asked of these two fabled boot makers, as well. It has been stated that the Wolverine 1,000 mile boot was first intoduced some 125 years ago, are still produced in the same town as the originals were, and are priced in the $325-$725 range, depending on the boot model and retailer. Considered one of the best close enough boots on the market today, I put them to the test, against possibly its most formitable competitor, the Alden 403's. The results may surprise you.

The Wolverines as received:
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Side by side:


Plain toe vs. Moc toe:


Interior construction:


Four eyelets vs. three:


Alden's leather/cork/leather/rubber heel construction vs. Wolverine's leather/rubber heel.



Alden's cork sole & rubber heel vs. the all leather sole and thick rubber heel.



At different times in the hobby, and open to other possibilities, I have purposed to find a boot that would compete favorably with the Alden "Indy" boots, in terms of overall appearance, price and quality of construction. I found the Wolverine 1,000 mile boot's outter leather shell to be comparable, in terms of thickness of the leather and color. However, the 1,000 mile boots could not compete with the Alden 403's superior heel width, length and thickness of the heel and soles, nor its smooth leather interior. Overall, and most importantly, the Alden 403 outpaced its competitior in the area of fit and comfort. The 403's are simply more comfortable, and feature a more contoured heel support structure, fitting the heel snugly against the back of the boot. The 1,000 mile boots also have thinner and solid leather soles, causing slippage on smooth surfaces, as opposed to the more stable, cork sole of the Alden boot that grips better. The bulbus, plain toe of the Wolverine did not leave a favorable impression. Clearly, the Aldens outclassed its competitor.

In summary, if you are considering a quality Indy boot or otherwise, save money and buy the best. You will not be disappointed, provided that you and your salesperson find that just right fit!

The Red Wing 9030 is a great boot that very closely resembles the Alden. It comes in the color "cigar." The Red Wing 9029 is the same shoe only in black. They have lug soles and regular heels Google these shoes and you will see what I mean. I believe they retail for $360.00 however, your chances of getting them at a meaningful discount somewhere are better than finding Aldens at any discount. Check them out!

Considering the 405/403 Alden boot is actually a 'Tru-Balance' orthopedic design to help correct medical foot problems, it's not surprising they outdistanced the other boots they're being compared with.

In the case design engineering, it's an apples to oranges comparison.

Regards! Michaelson

Righto. My reasoning was that if a competitor decides to make such a boot that very much resembles the tried and true that we have become familiar with, prices it accordingly, etc., then they basically step into that arena. Soles and heel design, thickness, etc. was really where it was beaten up. Pummeled actually.

Thanks for your input.

True, but then most of the boots from that time period up through the 1940's ALL looked like that, so if Wolverine has been in the same business for 125 years, they're not exactly 'copying' the Alden style, but just reproducing what they used to make.

That aside, it's all the heart of the design that folks forget about (not referring to you, of course ), and that's the fact that just because the shoe LOOKS like an Alden, that's not what makes an Alden an 'Alden'. It's the design, 'function over form', so to speak. That's where other shoe vendors miss the boat.

Regards! Michaelson

Good point!

All my rambling aside, your comparion just goes a long way to prove that very point. It's the actual design that makes the boot work, NOT the appearance.

Regards! Michaelson

Texan, those 403's look awesome. Did you distress them yourself or is it all from wearing?

Wow, thanks TScott for this informative and image-laden review. I've long been eyeing to get myself a pair of 1000 milers for daily use. I've already got 405s which I've beaten the tar out of, and henceforth aren't really up to the task of city/work wear. Perhaps I'll end up with another pair of Alden's (403s this time?). I don't think I'll ever be able to destroy the pair I have now, so I know they're quality.

Alex

Only on our site would we have an appreciation for 'distressed' Aldens! I know what you mean. Funny how the more 'used' something is, the better we like it!

These shoes have always been worn in all kinds of conditions and in all kinds of weather. At work and play. I purposed to make these a 'well worn' pair of boots, in that tradition, and so I wore them in the rain and sun, working in the yard, digging, stepping across puddles of water, etc. I never cleaned them though. I had a hunch and played it. As they have demonstrated in these movies by artifical aging methods, weather, wear, dirt and water give leather the black appearance. These have just been worn, unmercifully, in and through all kinds of conditions.

I suppose I have nearly 1,000 miles on them!

IndyOriginal wrote:Wow, thanks TScott for this informative and image-laden review. I've long been eyeing to get myself a pair of 1000 milers for daily use. I've already got 405s which I've beaten the tar out of, and henceforth aren't really up to the task of city/work wear. Perhaps I'll end up with another pair of Alden's (403s this time?). I don't think I'll ever be able to destroy the pair I have now, so I know they're quality.

Alex

It has been and is common to attempt to find a cheaper pair of boots that look a whole lot like Aldens. As a guy that looks for value, and good deals myself, I too have looked for quality close enoughs out there. The internet makes the searching easier, yet one thing remained: the ominous price tag of $425, staring me right in the face. I mean, put up the money or compromise, those were the choices I was faced with. Offhand, we really don't like to pay that much money for footwear. Preconditioned by the price, style and comfort of athletic shoes, why should we? However, take a boot that is considered one of the best quality out there, and put it side by side with Alden and there really was no comparison. Truely, you get what you pay for in terms of price and quality. The fact that the Alden goes well with the gear is a bonus.

texan scott- awsome boots ! have you ever had the heels on those aldens replaced yet or are they the originals ?

There are the originals, but one day, I will no doubt need to, though. They have sort of become a part of me.

just add stitching.....Almost identical.

I will say that with these Alden's there is hidden value that is not always obvious. I bought these 403's with the knowledge that my right foot needed to be adjusted somewhat in its alignment. It was somewhat painful to my right foot to wear them at first, but the more I wore them, the better my foot felt, and the more these Alden's adjusted my feet, moving them back to a more proper alignment. There is much more to them than standard use as an Indy boot, and being a year or more on the other side of the purchase, I'm glad I did. fyi.

The only problem I have with buying Aldens is I had to buy them through mail order. This will be my first pair and I read all the stuff about thier sizing. So if you wear 10 you order a 9 1/2. I also needed them in a wider size which I ordered. Even though a return policy exsist you have to worry about the fit. No fun sending things back and forth through the mail. They will be here tomorrow. Say a little prayer for me. Most expensive pair of footwear I have ever bought.

Gailen

Hi Gailen,

And due to the price, I would make very sure they would fit right and that you are happy with them. Most have recommended having your feet measured by someone in the business to get the best fit, and so there is no guess work involved. I wear between a 10-11, depending on the shoe maker, and had my foot measured by the machine, the one you step into at a Redwing shoe store, and it said to get an 11, so I did, and have not regretted it. Maybe, I could have ordered a 10 1/2, but there is only 1/8" of an inch difference between 1/2 sizes. Sometimes a person needs a little extra room in the toe, etc. The main thing is will it fit and have no slippage in the heel? If it does, it is too large. There is a downside to internet ordering, but it can be overcome.

Thanks for the advise. No direct dealers down here in the Florida Panhandle close to me. I'll just keep my fingers crossed.

This comparison, and all the posts, have given me cause to look at a pair of Alden's for my next shoe. I was looking into a "good-enough" pair since I need new shoes for wearing to work, but wanted something that could be part of my "gear" too... and now seeing that even Wolverines don't stand up to Alden's, knowing that they're orthotics, it makes a big difference in what the shoe is worth to me. And, of course, a price is only as good as what it's worth to the buyer...

I just got my Alden's via Fedex and I'm setting here with them on. I can't even feel them on my feet!! I'm glad it turned out to be the right choice in size. My wife said they looked good and never asked what they cost. This is good!

Gailen David

Sounds like you ordered just the right size.

I can't believe it, something went right!