Club Obi Wan

Hi, I have 2 pair of AB Aldens... which are awesome. One pair I try to wear, the other stay in the box. Only one problem... The right boot is slightly tight in the outer front of the foot.
My right foot is the dominant one and only slightly bigger than the left. With other shoes, I've never had any issues ordering my size. And with the Aldens, the left boot fits perfectly, whereas the right is a little uncomfortable. Now, like I said, I have another identical pair with the same issue... so I'm pretty positive it's not some mistake on Alden's part.

My question is, can I stretch the right boot a little in the area that is tight? Has anyone here had this issue with their Aldens?

Cobblers have the tools to stretch shoes out, right where you need it, and do a good job. You can buy a cheap stretcher and try it yourself, but I've never had much luck with that.

I always buy the size I measure on my larger foot, and don't go the 'half size down' route on the 405, and have no problems. My feet differ over half a size.

I think shoes actually shrink over time anyway, like anything leather that repeatedly gets exposure, without good protection and using shoe trees. So I never buy shoes that feel like I need to stretch out, even a little.

I'm a little worried about a cobbler messing up the shoes because they're kinda pricey. But, hey... that's why I have another pair. Thanks for the advice. I was leaning that direction, but it always helps to get a little push. I appreciate it!

As recommended above, go to a GOOD cobbler who has been in his craft for a while and get this done. If they know what they're doing, you'll be quite pleased with the final result.

Regard! Michaelson

This is good info for me because I have the same issue with my sizing, so I haven't placed an order for Aldens yet. I was wary of the fit, but knowing I'm not the only one who would have an issue, and that there is a way to correct for my right foot size, helps a great deal.

I had the same issue with one of my boots. It was a bit snug in the same area and like it was mentioned before I had my local cobbler stretch them out for me.

He did an amazing job and actually did it for free after he saw my boots. He said he hadn't worked on a pair of that caliber in a long, long time. He talked for a good while about the boots and described the craftsmanship that went into them.

I do understand your concern about stretching a $500 pair of boots but trust me, like Michaelson said, a good cobbler will know what he's working with and should take pride in his own work.

Let us know how it turns out.


-TS

I guess the key word here is "GOOD". They aren't as plentiful lately in the age of throw away footwear. A shop near me just recently closed down, and he was one of the best around. And word-of-mouth references aren't too likely these days, either. When I mention 'cobbler' to people, they really think I'm talking about dessert, at first.

But these boots are pricey, as stated above. But they're even more pricey if you don't want to wear them because they're uncomfortable, so you have little to lose by stretching them. The other option would be to sell them as-is and go shopping for some that are properly fitted.

If you are hard to fit, probably should try to find a retailer to fit you in person. If your feet are sized or shaped very differently from one another, they should be able to help you strike a happy medium on size, and avoid all the stretching.

I used to buy boots based on what I thought I needed, until a Redwing store set me straight. Just wearing the Alden in the right size, without any orthotics, has actually corrected most of the damage I did to my feet when I was younger, wearing cheap work boots that were ill-fitting.

My right foot is about a half-size smaller than my left, so my right boot feels 'roomy'. But remember, that's one of the reasons laces are on shoes. It makes them adjustable and able to accommodate minor differences between feet, and between people.

A half-size isn't even 1/4" different in length from the next, but is very different in overall volume, and that's what I immediately feel.

thanks for the advice guys. I'll start shopping around for a good cobbler.

Michaelson wrote:As recommended above, go to a GOOD cobbler who has been in his craft for a while and get this done. If they know what they're doing, you'll be quite pleased with the final result.

Regard! Michaelson

Right on target here. I have never had a problem with my Aldens, in this regards, but I have had other shoes that were perfect except for certain pinch points in the toe area(s). The shoes and a couple of pair of boots were indeed the right length, but just a bit too snug to be truly comfortable in the toes, so after some encouragement from my wife, I tried the cobbler route. Great results! Not expensive and as if they were all totally different shoes/boots. Great and easy way to save a good pair of foot covers! Highly recommend it as a solution. W>

We got a great boot and shoe repair shop in our town. Shelton, WA has a rich history in logging and mill work so boot repair is a must. I arrived here in 1980. The story in the newspaper back then was the old established cobbler found a homeless guy living literally under one of our bridges in town. He took him under his wing and taught him the trade and this younger fellow took over the business when the original owner retired.

I've had nice Vibram soles put on dress shoes by this shop and he did a fantastic job.

http://www.manta.com/c/mm2fb7r/todd-shoe-repair

Sadly the only 'old school' cobbler we had in my area passed away a few years back, and no one has ever taken his place, which to me seems odd, as this area is the home of the Tennessee Walking horse, and there are literally dozens of horse farms around here. You'd think there'd be someone taking care of THEIR boots...but I sure haven't found them.

Fortunately Tennessee Smith located a good one in his town 45 minutes northwest of me, so if/when I have a need for a shoe repair, I'll be talking to TS and getting that contact information.

Regards! Michaelson

This is a bit OT, but do anyone have the problem with the 'front flap' of the Aldens always shifting to the side after a bit of walking? With 'front flap' I mean the flap on the front of the shoe which gets covered and tightened by the shoe laces.

This kind of annoys me, and the strange thing is that it always happends on my right foot, and when it's shifted towards the side, my sock is all exposed! Have tried to tighten the laces more when wearing the boots, but that doesn't seem to help.

Folks sure have.

Do a search on the topic and read some of the discussions.

There are a lot of fixes to the problem at your local cobbler that will stop it from moving on you.

Regards! Michaelson

Just my 2 cents, would shoe trees help stretch the shoe a little over time? Because my Aldens were a little tight in the begining, after time though and in conjunction with my shoe trees they have relaxed a lot.

littledragon88 wrote:This is a bit OT, but do anyone have the problem with the 'front flap' of the Aldens always shifting to the side after a bit of walking? With 'front flap' I mean the flap on the front of the shoe which gets covered and tightened by the shoe laces.

This kind of annoys me, and the strange thing is that it always happends on my right foot, and when it's shifted towards the side, my sock is all exposed! Have tried to tighten the laces more when wearing the boots, but that doesn't seem to help.

YES! On some similar boots and it was only on one. Its called the tongue and mine would completely slide down and out the bottom of the laces. It was rediculous and happened quickly. The shoe guy just made a couple if vertical slits in the middle center of the tongue which one of the laces crossovers would go through and problem solved. The laces hold the tongue in place now and I wear them regularly.

After seeing this simple solution I would have done this myself had I known.

Indyzane wrote:Just my 2 cents, would shoe trees help stretch the shoe a little over time? Because my Aldens were a little tight in the begining, after time though and in conjunction with my shoe trees they have relaxed a lot.

Maybe a little, but mostly shoe trees are used to help shoes/boots maintain their shape after they've been worn, as well as absorb any moisture by wicking away perspiration from the leather.

By using your shoe trees after use, it helps stop the leather from shrinking as it cools and dries out after use. That's why your boots feel more 'relaxed', as it was due to this being used..

They're not really made for stretching a shoe.

Regards! Mchaelson