Club Obi Wan

My Aldens are done. I will give them respect, as they are about six years old, and I wear them regularly from the Fall to Springtime... but they are literally falling apart. The soles are separating in several spots and the heels are worn down. However, new Aldens have doubled in price and I see quality has not followed, so I am looking for alternatives.

After my last Alden factory repair experience, (bad) I'm not wasting my time sending them back to resole.

So, what are my options? I see mixed reviews on the Westeds, as far as quality and comfort, and there are a couple of new clones out there from a quick search.

I wear either a 13 or 14 depending on the shoe, so some of the boots I've glanced out are out, because they only go to a size 12. It would be nice to find an actual brown color instead of the orange Aldens, too.

These ones have positive reviews among cosplayers and Indy gear fans:

https://www.luosjiet.com/collections/in ... ctoe-boots

They literally look like Aldens.

Those were my first thought, too, but only go up to a soccer 12.5

I’d recommend looking into other cobblers to resole your current pair. If you really want new ones I’d recommend hunting eBay for a bit to find one in your size for about half the price of a new one.

IJJTM wrote: ↑Sat Oct 26, 2024 12:55 pm I’d recommend looking into other cobblers to resole your current pair. If you really want new ones I’d recommend hunting eBay for a bit to find one in your size for about half the price of a new one.

Definitely this.

With your larger size, if your uppers are still good, I think it would be worth it.

Check the cobblers out on YouTube.

Like the others have said, try a new cobbler. If the leather isn't cracked or torn then they can be salvaged. There are a few who have become well known via YT for deconstructing Aldens and rebuilding them better than factory.

The leather is still in good shape- scuffed up but that’s easily remedied.
What do these cobblers charge to resole?

Here's a place to start with the re sole idea:

https://www.stitchdown.com/cobblers/bes ... -cobblers/

Good article!

Kokopelli, you make it to Nashville very often? Lol!

I’m near Chicago-I see a shop in Peoria on that list.

I’ve read good things about Pekin Shoe Repair (Illinois) but nothing first hand.

Also, there are so many sole options available that you won’t find with Alden service.

Nashville is the closest, I’m in louisville.