Club Obi Wan

My order for Raiders Alden boots with Adventurebilt was just cancelled. What are the current models/colors/leather/dealers for Alden boots that match Raiders?

You may be better off with the cancellation since the current AB offering has met criticism regarding its color accuracy.

Color-wise, the closest production Alden to the Raiders boot is probably the 403 in dark brown Chromexcel leather.

The 405 gets the nostalgia vote because of the workboot leather and original model number, but they're more russet-colored than the true brown of the original. Some folks darken the 405s with shoe polish or dye.

You can find either model online for around $522 shipped. Sometimes a few bucks less. If you're patient, eBay is a good source for discounts.

Thanks for the advice. I will check out the 403. What, if any, are the most significant differences in appearance between the 403 and the screen used Raiders boots?

There aren't a whole lotta differences in appearances alone. There are differences in the leather and construction.

Here are some threads with pics that may help.

http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f ... n&start=50" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f ... lit=+alden" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f ... lit=+alden" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f ... lit=+alden" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f ... lit=+alden" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I think it depends on the model of 405 you actually end up getting...I have some from about 4 years ago, that aren't the reddish colour of some I've seen, and are actually far more brown, closer to the 403's.....

See here....
http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f ... ilit=Alden" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The problem (if that's what it is?) is that Alden make shoes using varying coloured leathers, and sometimes, those leathers can be superb, and others, miss the mark somewhat....It'll depend which one you end up seeing....If there's a shop near you selling them, that's the best way to be sure....Go, have a look, and decide which you like the best at that time....
There are very few differences between the 403 and 405....The leather is different, but aside from some small details, that's all.....So either would make a great choice
Also, one more thing to be aware of, is that recently, Alden have been slipping a touch in the production of their shoes....I've seen several complaints about quality, and service, and those are something to be aware of as well.....

Thanks to all for the info! I will read up and hopefully post back soon with an update.

As Chamber said, compare the two models in person if you can.

Photography lighting is fickle. Even in the latest runs, you'll see the russett tones the 405s carry versus the 403s.

The newest 405s may look "closer" to true brown, but if the Raiders boot color is what you want, the modern 405 isn't it.

Received the 403. Overall I am happy with the quality since I haven't purchased Aldens since about 1998. However, I am concerned about a couple of minor details on one side of one boot- the stitching does not extend beyond the end of the welt strip like on the other sides of this pair, and the leather part of the heel is noticeably not flush with the bottom rubber part. Perhaps if these issues were on the inside of the boot, I would let it pass, but they are on the outside. Seems like "factory second" sorts of problems. The other boot has similar but less noticeable issues. Is this as good as it gets these days, or should I consider exchanging?

I have a couple pairs of the 403 and 405 boots. All of them have that same type of heels not being flush. A couple have the stitching thing as well but have not changed (become loose) after wearing.

Belloq, it's your money. For what they cost, get a refund or exchange if you're not 100% satisfied.

Thanks for the input. I'll mull it over.

I emailed a photo to Alden SF. Exchange is below. I don't seem to have a choice and I'm not in the mood for further dialogue with them about it, so I will keep them. Again, this is not a major flaw, but one should expect near perfection at this price point, not "factory second" flaws like this. After 130 years, one should assume they would be experts at die-cutting and trimming a leather heel spacer flush with the invariable molded rubber part, but what do I know.

From:
Sent: Monday, February 01, 2016 6:48 AM
To: AldenSF@AldenShoe.com
Cc: online@aldenshoe.com
Subject: Re: Alden Shop Order Number:

Hello. I received my boots. Overall quality is excellent but I noticed an aberration on both heels but more so on the right. Leather part of heel is not flush with bottom rubber part. Please see attached photos. Is this a flaw for which I should exchange or is it within acceptable tolerances? Thank you.

From: AldenSF@AldenShoe.com <AldenSF@aldenshoe.com>
Date: Mon, Feb 1, 2016 at 1:04 PM
Subject: Re: Alden Shop Order Number:
To:

Hi BG,
Would you please let Mr. know that the boots are made that way. Thanks

From: <online@aldenshoe.com>
Date: Mon, Feb 1, 2016 at 2:58 PM
Subject: RE: Alden Shop Order Number:
To:

Dear Mr. ,
Thank you for your message and photo.
We feel that it is not flaw and acceptable.
If there are any problems in the future, we are happy to assist.
Hope this helps

Brenda
Alden Shop

Belloq,

The good news is now that you have it in writing, you have the option to simply return the "flawless" boots and roll the dice on another pair. Just a thought.

The heel piece is a bit iffy, but not that bad.

The marks on the leather, well that is a property of Chromexcel. That leather marks so easy, be it scruffs, indents etc. I have a pair of boots in Chromexcel (not Indys) and they mark so easy. You are better off getting the regular 405 in the calf leather.

I tried on a pair of shoes from a shop made in dark brown chromexcel (same as 403) and just from being in the box, each shoe had a few indents on the leather, in each shoe. As much as Chromexcel is a nice leather, I prefer the calf myself.

TheExit148 wrote:As much as Chromexcel is a nice leather, I prefer the calf myself.

+1. Alden would be on to something if they'd just combine the 403's color with the 405's workboot leather.

For what I purchased the boots for, the one thing I DO appreciate about Chromexcel is that it acquires the "adventured in" look much more readily than other leathers.

Agreed. I prefer the the sturdier workboot leather too but I cannot get over the color. I just hope someday they again offer the original brown workboot leather and we all can upgrade!

belloq wrote:Agreed. I prefer the the sturdier workboot leather too but I cannot get over the color.

Before you give up on the 405, check out this video. The reviewer said he used one application of Alden Fine Boot Cream in Brown.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYEPdiCIiJo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The brown color in the video looks pretty good. Is it a permanent color change to the leather or just polish sitting on the orange surface?

belloq wrote:The brown color in the video looks pretty good. Is it a permanent color change to the leather or just polish sitting on the orange surface?

My guess is a bit of both. I'm sure the cream does stain to an extent. Someone with experience may be able to weigh in here.

So I am thinking of exchanging the 403 in favor of the 405. Is the 405 leather surface able to be carefully sanded down and then stained? Would that process ruin the strength of the leather?

I have used mink oil and pecards on my 405 boots and they have darkened some. I actually use mink oil and/or picards on all my non shell cordovan Alden boots vice the Alden dark brown shoe cream. They are good for me as they don't seem to darken the toe stitching very much at all. Of course, the 405 boots will not get the same dark brown as the 403 boots but that is fine with me.