Club Obi Wan

I just noticed when I was cleaning my 'worn every day for the last year' 405's tonight that the (cotton) lining inside the toes of my boots has been worn right through to the leather on both boots, from the tip of the toes almost up to the base of the tongues. I mean, that lining is shot.

Anyone had this happen to them, and how did you fix it?

The boots are still totally comfortable and good to wear, of course, but I don't want the lining problem to get any worse by continuint to tear / come away further up the boot.

Local cobbler, do you think?

Sound like an Alden rebuild to me. I think Alden can refurbish it, but it ain't cheap. Anyone back me up on this?

bink

Bink, I'd only consider the rebuild as a last resort - yeah, it's pricey but even more so considering shipping to and from the UK...I'd almost be better off buying a new pair.

I have to say, the leather uppers, soles and heels are in grrreat shape - these boots are well cared for with the old pecards, shoe creme etc.

I was really wondering if my local cobbler could just put in a replacement cotton lining in the toe of each boot...?

A complete rebuild is/was about $150, but from what I'm reading here, you're just requiring a re-lining. You need to bounce that off of our man in California, Allen White, at the Alden shop. His phone number is 800-273-7463. Tell him where you got this info, and see what he can suggest you do regarding the lining. Never heard that one before myself. Regards. Michaelson

Thanks guys, I'll give the shop a call and see what they suggest.

Maybe my 'Howard Hughes toenails' idea wasn't so hot after all...

Let us know what they say--mine are probably the exact same way, although when it gets wet I don't notice anything. But BOY when it gets cold...


-James

Will do, James.

I just got off the phone to the Alden shop - unfortunately Allen's not in today, but the guy I spoke to was very helpful. I explained the problem and he said that any local cobbler should be able to take care of it no problem, it's a simple job.

So there we go - another crisis averted. I'll take them into my local shoe repair shop tomorrow morning, if I can bear to prise them off my plates of meat for a day or two...

Hey, Al, let me know how the lining turns out and about how much it set you back.
bink

Or:
1. Find an old but fully functional sock and wear it.
2. Put your Alden boot on.
3. Staple gun your boot, see to it that your foot doesn't get caught.
4. Remove boot and sock from foot. Done.
Hope this helps. This time I'd like a Kilkenny please.

When I got my Aldens there was a small hole in the leather lining back at the heel in one of them. I went to a cobbler(ess) and she fixed both of them with a patch of leather in the back for about $20. Like new again.

Any chance of some before and after pics?

Regards,
Swindiana

1. Find an old but fully functional sock and wear it.
2. Put your Alden boot on.
3. Staple gun your boot, see to it that your foot doesn't get caught.
4. Remove boot and sock from foot. Done.
Hope this helps. This time I'd like a Kilkenny please.

Swindy your a genius! Let me try that right now.....::click::...OUCH!

I'd like to do the before and after pics, but I left my camera in the office whilst I'm at home on a few days holiday...besides, I'm not sure how I'd get the camera inside the shoe to show you...

I'll show you the 'after' next month, whilst you are buying me a Guiness.