Club Obi Wan

After nine years here I now realize I was all wrong.
I just picked up a gently used pair of 405s & finally, I GOT IT!

All ya'll were right from the get-go,
I now own a good $1000 of "close enough" boots. I could have saved beaucoup bucks had I listened to my elders.
They are right as rain, i.e. - SAVE FOR ALDENS!
None of my close enoughs are close enough anymore.
I return, humbled, like the prodigal son.

These are fine! I never thought I'd own any, very happy feet!

HIGH regards! Michaelson

You're not the only one to come to that realization, Greg!

Congrats on gettin' the right shoes, Indiana Greg.

Question for you: How's the sizing on the Aldens for you? I'm looking to pick up a pair, and I'm not certain about size. I wear an 11 athletic shoe and 10.5 dress shoe and boot. Heard Aldens run big, so thinking of ordering a 10. Thoughts?

Don't guess. Get professionally measured, then order that correct size.

Regard! Michaelson

I wear size 11 and went to the Alden store in NY, they measured my foot and my Alden size is 10.5.
They fit like a glove.
I hope it helps

Well, thing is, if Alden measured you with a Bannock device and measured you to be a 10.5, that's your actual size.

You wearing a size 11 is by personal choice.

Regards! M

I wear a 10 in most shoes, primarily athletic running style shoes.

In Alden Indy boots...it's a 9.

Alden sizing is weird. Back in the day, I e-mailed them about sizing prior to purchase, and they requested my shoe size in two different brands of shoe that I wore. Since I can wear either an 11 or 11.5, they extrapolated my Alden size as 12.5D, and the boots fit absolutely perfect when they arrived. I ordered my second pair last summer (405 chromexcels), same size, same exact fit. Those folks in Middleborough really know their shoes!

No, size 11 is my size. 10.5 is small for me. However for Alden's I am 10.5

Admittedly I vary size by brand, but I measure at 9.5 D and that's what I wear in every Alden shoe I own. I've tried 9.0 and 10.0 and the misfit is noticeable in each.

I am a spot-on 10 in other boots & aldens fit me like they were bespoke!
I do use cushy insoles in all my footwear though.

The astonishing diversity of foot shapes is why everyone's fit is different and, to a degree, custom!

Well, I got a good deal on some nearly new 403s on ebay. They're size 10. I'll know how how they fit on Wednesday when they arrive. If they don't work out, I don't expect to have too much trouble finding them a happy home.

Perfect fit!

I have wide-ish feet and I wear orthotics for my low arches, and they fit like a dream. They'll take some getting used to, as there is a lot more shoe here than I'm used to. I have similar pair of Frye's, but they are much lighter weight and unlined. Looking forward to wearing them out and about. Nearly new and snagged 'em for $350. Still a lot for boots, but hope they last a good ten years or so. I've had my Fryes for 8 years, and they're still going strong.

Believe me, Aldens last. I've had the same pair since 1998, and they're in spectacular condition. Not a single loose stitch. The only reason I bought a new pair last year is because now they're available in a more screen-accurate color.

Good deal, Greg and Forrest - can we see 'em?

2nd that!

Here they are.

Beauts!

Wore my Aldens with orthotics for a bit, but they didn't feel right, so I removed the orthotics. Guess what? No orthotics necessary. Alden boots have so much support that I was essentially doubling up on the support which made them feel weird. Sort of like putting on a pair of glasses, forgetting that you had already put your contacts in.

Got some new laces on order since the ones they come with seem pretty flimsy. Going with a non-SA contrasting oatmeal color.

Does anyone have pics of worn-in Alden 405s in chromexcel (not 403s)? I am pulling the trigger on a pair from Alden SF and since I already have a newish pair of the regular 405s in brickish-brown and thought for the second pair I might try a more brown color.

Do these darken over time to look more Raiders SA. Any thoughts or pics you have would be appreciated. Thanks.

http://www.aldenshop.com/Store/DrawProd ... D=&Action=

Ride Guy

Ride Guy wrote:Does anyone have pics of worn-in Alden 405s in chromexcel (not 403s)? I am pulling the trigger on a pair from Alden SF and since I already have a newish pair of the regular 405s in brickish-brown and thought for the second pair I might try a more brown color.

Do these darken over time to look more Raiders SA. Any thoughts or pics you have would be appreciated. Thanks.

http://www.aldenshop.com/Store/DrawProd ... D=&Action=

Ride Guy

You could ask WhipWarrior about his Natural Chromexcel as he has had his pair for awhile. I received my Natural CXL only a month ago, so they don't have too much "wear and tear" yet. I don't think these would be the best choice if you want to achieve the Raiders look. Most people go for the 403 Chromexcel to get that look.

Forrest For the Trees wrote:Wore my Aldens with orthotics for a bit, but they didn't feel right, so I removed the orthotics. Guess what? No orthotics necessary. Alden boots have so much support that I was essentially doubling up on the support which made them feel weird. Sort of like putting on a pair of glasses, forgetting that you had already put your contacts.

I know exactly what you're talking about Forrest. I've also been having major problems lately with my plantar fasciitis so I decided to make my Aldens my everyday shoe. They've been the only thing that's helped. Which surprised me.

By the way your new boots look great!



-Erin

Tennessee Smith wrote:I know exactly what you're talking about Forrest. I've also been having major problems lately with my plantar fasciitis so I decided to make my Aldens my everyday shoe. They've been the only thing that's helped. Which surprised me.

-Erin

Really? Why? They are, and have always been, orthopedic platforms made specifically for people with foot problems, so yeah, that's what they're SUPPOSED to do.

Regards! Michaelson

Tennessee Smith wrote:

Forrest For the Trees wrote:Wore my Aldens with orthotics for a bit, but they didn't feel right, so I removed the orthotics. Guess what? No orthotics necessary. Alden boots have so much support that I was essentially doubling up on the support which made them feel weird. Sort of like putting on a pair of glasses, forgetting that you had already put your contacts.

I know exactly what you're talking about Forrest. I've also been having major problems lately with my plantar fasciitis so I decided to make my Aldens my everyday shoe. They've been the only thing that's helped. Which surprised me.

By the way your new boots look great!



-Erin

So, that's the reason why I no longer suffer from plantar fasciitis . Another great reason to convince my wife to get another pair of Aldens

Forrest For the Trees wrote:

Here they are.

Awesome pair, Forrest. Enjoy them!

Michaelson wrote:

Tennessee Smith wrote:I know exactly what you're talking about Forrest. I've also been having major problems lately with my plantar fasciitis so I decided to make my Aldens my everyday shoe. They've been the only thing that's helped. Which surprised me.

-Erin

Really? Why? They are, and have always been, orthopedic platforms made specifically for people with foot problems, so yeah, that's what they're SUPPOSED to do.

Regards! Michaelson

That I know... I didn't think they'd work as well as they do thoug

Much better than my inserts