Alden boots …… Indy’s Favourite and a Step in Front of the Competition

[OperationCoffee]

Ever tried "superfeet" insoles ? With that much room in the boot they should slip in easily

 

[mulceber]

And this is why I love the VLJ - I'll post a problem I didn't even know there was a solution to, and someone has ideas for how to tackle it. Thanks OC. I'll give them a look.

 

[Chandler]

View attachment 73582

Dug these ones out of the closet to share. I bought these Alden 405s back in 2007, so they're about 15 years old now, and, as you can see, have been very well worn. Heck, they look like they just got done with an Indy movie. After a long time trying to make them work, I've concluded Aldens just aren't for me. They're very well-constructed shoes, and @Chandler, they might work for your arches, but I really need shoes with plenty of cushioning in the toes and the Indy boot just doesn't have that (although, to be fair, very few old-school shoes do). I've heard plenty of people rave about how comfortable they are over the years, so I know they're good. Every foot's different though, so the way one boot fits isn't going to work for everyone.

Um. What size? Seriously, I'm pretty good at refurbishing shoes and Alden soles are easily replaced with their Goodyear welt.

Funny observation, you say they weren't that good on your feet, but damned if you didn't get some use outta them!

 

[MikeyB-17]

Funny observation, you say they weren't that good on your feet, but damned if you didn't get some use outta them!

I was gonna say the same! First thing I did with all my Red Wings was to buy a pair of Red Wing Shaped Comfort insoles. They make a big difference.

 

[mulceber]

Well, that’s the thing, for about the first decade they were okay - definitely not my most comfortable shoes and the toe thing bothered me a bit, but I liked the look, so I stuck with ‘em. Then in my late 20s, they became more uncomfortable. Could be they’re in need of re-soling (I have had them a couple times before), but I think my feet also just got worse around then, because nowadays I’m very careful about what shoes I buy.

 

[B-Man2]

So…. After co writing this thread with Harris, imagine my surprise when I stumbled on this EBay listing today …….. What has this guy been smoking ?

Alden Lace-Up Us10 Leather Round Toe Indy Brown Size US10 Boots | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Alden Lace-Up Us10 Leather Round Toe Indy Brown Size US10 Boots at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Chandler]

So…. After co writing this thread with Harris, imagine my surprise when I stumbled on this EBay listing today …….. What has this guy been smoking ?

Alden Lace-Up Us10 Leather Round Toe Indy Brown Size US10 Boots | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Alden Lace-Up Us10 Leather Round Toe Indy Brown Size US10 Boots at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Well, the full description says to make your best offer, so...

If they were a 10-C I might offer $250 to see where I'd get.

But what's all the "rod" gibberish?

 

[entertainment]

So…. After co writing this thread with Harris, imagine my surprise when I stumbled on this EBay listing today …….. What has this guy been smoking ?

Alden Lace-Up Us10 Leather Round Toe Indy Brown Size US10 Boots | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Alden Lace-Up Us10 Leather Round Toe Indy Brown Size US10 Boots at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Insane.

 

[B-Man2]

Well, the full description says to make your best offer, so...

If they were a 10-C I might offer $250 to see where I'd get.

I was thinking that at that price … maybe they’re the real Indy Boots that Ford wore !

 

[Harris_HTM]

So…. After co writing this thread with Harris, imagine my surprise when I stumbled on this EBay listing today …….. What has this guy been smoking ?

Alden Lace-Up Us10 Leather Round Toe Indy Brown Size US10 Boots | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Alden Lace-Up Us10 Leather Round Toe Indy Brown Size US10 Boots at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

And I thought that the shell cordovan version was expensive...

But what's all the "rod" gibberish?

As the seller says: "We will put your rod in strong cardboard cylinder or another safe box... cause, we send rod by strong tube, outside package will not fit that tube."

 

[MikeyB-17]

All sounds a bit fishy to me.

 

[gramballard]

Just chiming in on the comfort issue. Alden's roots as a shoemaker were as makers of orthopaedic footwear, so arch support in the correct last for your feet is generally really good. The Trubalance last is pretty forgiving for a lot fo foot types so unless you have particular arch needs the 405 should work very well.

I think one area where the current, stock 405 differs from the original boot is that they are no longer lined in duck cotton canvas. I still have a pair from about twenty years ago with cotton lining and old logo which are thankfully still going strong.

 

[ShanghaiJack]

I've worn my 405's all over the World, and have for 3+ decades.
They are the most comfortable all purpose footwear that have
ever graced my feet. Well... with second place going to original
USGI Jungle Boots.

I'm glad to see other Alden 405 enthusiasts on the VLJ forum.

Tails Up!
SJ

 

[Chandler]

... with second place going to original USGI Jungle Boots.

That's a pretty wide comparison!

Or is it? Worn jungle boots, never worn Aldens -- I really *hope* they aren't comparable based on my experience!