Club Obi Wan

I was looking at the "boots" page and it said indy's boots were an orthopedic model. aren't orthepidic shoes usually made for people with foot problems? I would think that for someone not needing corrective shoes wearing them would be uncomfortable or even harmful!

Yup.

Michaelson wrote:They are high topped to help those with weak ankles, have the Trubalance heel and platform design to help those of us (I'm in this group) with neuroma of the feet, and the leather is soft for those who can't take the long hard break in period that a heavy leather boot usually requires.

You can read more about it here. http://www.indygear.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5846

Just to add, the Aldens were boots that Ford himself brought to the character, as he was a wearer of the 405's as a carpenter before he became a star, so apparently he may have some problems himself. They're also good for folks who are on their feet a lot, so that may be the reason he liked them at that job. Regards. Michaelson

[Done with infomercial style enthusiasm]
As a band director, I stand on my feet all day and have always had knee and lower back problems. Since I got my Alden 405's, I have worn them virtually everyday and my knee and back problems disappeared!! THANKS INDYGEAR AND ALDEN!!

Seriously, I do wear them everyday and my feet, knees, and back have stopped hurting like they used to. In fact, last week when they were in the shop, I had to wear a pair of Johnson & Murphy shoes and I was in SO much pain even my students noticed (I griped a lot, tougher on tests, and sent three kids to detention for chewing gum ). Everyday I came home, took of my shoes, and said, "I hate these things. I hope my Alden’s get done soon." I don't know if I should be prescribed 405's, but these are the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned.

The ONLY problem I have with them is during this time of year, and the problem I have is in my control room with static discharge. When I'm producing two classes at the same time, I have to step back and forth between two classroom production racks across a carpeted steel floor deck. Apparently I'm building up a pretty good charge with the soles of my 405's, as when i get within 7 inches or so of a steel rack, a blue spark jumps between my fingers and the rack. Needless to say, I'm NOT a happy camper when this occurs. The old shuffling of shoes across a carpet is still a bad practice in dry air! Hurts! Regards. Michaelson

What about inserts? What do you guys put inside the shoes to cushion your foot. The Aldens come with no padding at all and I've been trying to find a good pair of inserts for them. Any ideas?

To be honest, I have found that I don't need them in my 405's. In some of my other shoes it is a must and I use the Dr Scholls gel inserts. Even with shoes with padding in them I need to have inserts, but not the Aldens. Also, with the padding, those shoe are no where near as comfortable as the 405's.

What about inserts? What do you guys put inside the shoes to cushion your foot. The Aldens come with no padding at all and I've been trying to find a good pair of inserts for them. Any ideas?

I wear 3/4 length insoles for my high arches. I never tried them in my Alden boots until a few weeks ago, but what a difference!! The boots fit better, are more comfortable, it was incredible. If you normally wear insoles, I highly recommend putting them in the Aldens!! Full length insoles might not work, but 1/2 or 3/4 length should work.

I J

Magnum wrote:What about inserts? What do you guys put inside the shoes to cushion your foot. The Aldens come with no padding at all and I've been trying to find a good pair of inserts for them. Any ideas?

I have arch problems (relative lack thereof), and have used orthotics for several years. My orthotics work wonderfully well in my Aldens, to the point where wearing them every day has me ready for my first resole job! The 405's are absolutely comfortable, and give me the added benefit of ankle support (I have also had ankle fractures in my past...). Renderking may swear by his Akubra, but my 405's are the best pair of footwear (shoes, boots, or any other) I've ever owned.

Regards,

Henry Jones, Sr.