The Official Alden Thread for 2023 - Share Reviews, Sizing, Advice, and Photos.

[CasuallyWorked]

Does anybody know of a makeup exactly like this but with speed hooks? Indy Trubalance Shell

 

[MajorDash]

Does anybody know of a makeup exactly like this but with speed hooks? Indy Trubalance Shell

What sole?

Alden Madison has one like that (color 8, antique split welt, speed hooks) on Neocork.

40538H - Indy Boot w Neoork Sole in Color 8 Shell

Style 40538H Color 8 Shell Cordovan Cork Neoprene Sole (Original Indy Sole) Truebalance Last Hand Stitch Speed Hooks Antique Welt We recommend going down 1/2 size for Trubalance last.

aldenmadison.com

 

[CasuallyWorked]

What sole?

Alden Madison has one like that (color 8, antique split welt, speed hooks) on Neocork.

40538H - Indy Boot w Neoork Sole in Color 8 Shell

Style 40538H Color 8 Shell Cordovan Cork Neoprene Sole (Original Indy Sole) Truebalance Last Hand Stitch Speed Hooks Antique Welt We recommend going down 1/2 size for Trubalance last.

aldenmadison.com

exactly like the model I attached (shell, trubalance, 360 antique split welt, commando sole) the only difference is I want speed hooks, I have looked everywhere and I see no retailor do it. The model I attached is by the shoemart

 

[mdubs]

In all the photos I've seen of this boot, the color of the shell looks much darker than normal color 8, almost like cigar-eight. Is this the case in real life, or is that a trick of the lighting against the brass eyelets and lighter welt? They look beautiful regardless.

They are definitely dark. Seems fairly similar in shade to the other pairs that I got in the last year. But I find modern Color 8 harder to capture on camera.

Best color 8 boots they've made in forever. It looks so much better with the light welt and brass. Hope Alden takes that hint. I wonder if DW got L&F's C8 and L&F got DW's C4?

I have been told that these are actually Color #4 Shells that they were #4 all the way through production until finishing, where they were mistaken for #8 and subsequently got the #8 treatment. So I don’t think they were swapped per that story but I did hear the recent #4 was quite dark, which is how these got mistaken for #8. It is plausible that the L&F’s were supposed to be #8, but they accidentally grabbed darker #4 by accident (or on purpose), however this is purely conjecture. In the end, all are getting amazing boots, that will last.



-Mike

 

[Hisheirness23]

Does anybody know of a makeup exactly like this but with speed hooks? Indy Trubalance Shell

Ran through the usual suspects and yeah, you're right! Unable to find a make-up like this with speed hooks. Have you thought of just getting them from TSM and having a cobbler change the top 4 eyelets to speed hooks?

 

[CLH03]

Does anybody know of a makeup exactly like this but with speed hooks? Indy Trubalance Shell

I honestly prefer the eyelets. Speed hooks rotate after a while.

 

[Don L]

 

[smfdoc]

Happy Tuesday forum pals.

 

[branpureza]

exactly like the model I attached (shell, trubalance, 360 antique split welt, commando sole) the only difference is I want speed hooks, I have looked everywhere and I see no retailor do it. The model I attached is by the shoemart

I got mine from Shoemart and had Aram swap out the hardware. Another flawless job from him. Turnaround time was 2 weeks.

 

[CasuallyWorked]

View attachment 1970095


I got mine from Shoemart and had Aram swap out the hardware. Another flawless job from him. Turnaround time was 2 weeks.

That’s color 8? it almost looks like cigar. I was thinking of doing that but then I’d have to spend even more money on an already expensive pair. He does seems to do great work. I see in the background a suede pair on the sand wedge sole, great taste I was also interested in that pair, who’s the retailer?

 

[branpureza]

That’s color 8? it almost looks like cigar. I was thinking of doing that but then I’d have to spend even more money on an already expensive pair. He does seems to do great work. I see in the background a suede pair on the sand wedge sole, great taste I was also interested in that pair, who’s the retailer?

B&M

 

[slows2k]

Something I've noticed over the years that I find interesting is where rare shell makeups tend to come from, in terms of which retailers. Brogue has got to be a top tier alden retailer but I don't think I've ever seen rare shell from them. I don't see much from Leffot, either, tho maybe they both do sell some but they never pop up here. B&M seems to sell a ton, as does Shoemart. Any insight as to how these seem to be divvied up?

 

[JSO1]

You just don’t see brogue’s rare shell because it all ends up overseas

 

[Vincent George]

"Let's Continue..." wearing my Alden Indys for years to come...

What does Steve say? “It’s not a repair; it’s a restoration.”

Steve from Bedo's Leatherworks recently restored my Alden 405 Indy boots—correction: he elevated these to a new level of excellence with his meticulous attention and decades of expertise.

These were my first Aldens, so obviously they hold a certain planet’s weight of memories for me. I purchased these in 2018 and wore them as my GADA (“Go Anywhere / Do Anything”) boots until the welt blew out and the heel started to separate (270 degree construction).

I’ve read horror stories of people sending problematic boots back to Alden (Wonka’s Factory) in Middleboro, MA only to have their items confiscated and replaced—I don’t want a new pair of boots; I want my boots.

I sent these to Steve in January 2023. He called me the day that they arrived to discuss particulars and review my plans for the restoration. Along the way, he kept in contact to update me on progress (including one phone call in which I asked for a minor adjustment to the plan—no problem). Steve converted the 270-degree welt to 360, added a leather midsole, installed Vibram 100 lug soles, and completely re-finished the uppers. Job was completed in June 2023. Is this a “long time”? I guess that’s relative. As a 10eee, if I want any special Alden make-ups, I’m waiting 9-12 months anyway…

Some notes: if the welt hadn’t have blown out, I may have opted just for a re-heeling / heel repair as the neocork was still surprisingly robust after 4 years of hard wear and tear. But, I used this as an opportunity for a conversion that I’ve rarely seen—an Indy with “real” lugs and not just a commando-style sole. (That is, outside of 1 or 2 fellow posters on styleforum and on the GYW subreddit and the “all terrain” Indy models that are occasionally run.)

Admittedly, I’m biased because I am a longtime fan of his YouTube channel. If you are, too, then you should know the deal: if you want cheap and fast—go somewhere else. If you have a sentimental item that you want to keep for years to come, then consider having the professional’s professional take care of you. Thank you, Steve.

 

[madhat]

"Let's Continue..." wearing my Alden Indys for years to come...

What does Steve say? “It’s not a repair; it’s a restoration.”

Steve from Bedo's Leatherworks recently restored my Alden 405 Indy boots—correction: he elevated these to a new level of excellence with his meticulous attention and decades of expertise.

These were my first Aldens, so obviously they hold a certain planet’s weight of memories for me. I purchased these in 2018 and wore them as my GADA (“Go Anywhere / Do Anything”) boots until the welt blew out and the heel started to separate (270 degree construction).

I’ve read horror stories of people sending problematic boots back to Alden (Wonka’s Factory) in Middleboro, MA only to have their items confiscated and replaced—I don’t want a new pair of boots; I want my boots.

I sent these to Steve in January 2023. He called me the day that they arrived to discuss particulars and review my plans for the restoration. Along the way, he kept in contact to update me on progress (including one phone call in which I asked for a minor adjustment to the plan—no problem). Steve converted the 270-degree welt to 360, added a leather midsole, installed Vibram 100 lug soles, and completely re-finished the uppers. Job was completed in June 2023. Is this a “long time”? I guess that’s relative. As a 10eee, if I want any special Alden make-ups, I’m waiting 9-12 months anyway…

Some notes: if the welt hadn’t have blown out, I may have opted just for a re-heeling / heel repair as the neocork was still surprisingly robust after 4 years of hard wear and tear. But, I used this as an opportunity for a conversion that I’ve rarely seen—and Indy with “real” lugs and not just a commando-style sole. (That is, outside of 1 or 2 fellow posters on styleforum and on the GYW subreddit and the “all terrain” Indy models that are occasionally run.)

Admittedly, I’m biased because I am a longtime fan of his YouTube channel. If you are, too, then you should know the deal: if you want cheap and fast—go somewhere else. If you have a sentimental item that you want to keep for years to come, then consider having the professional’s professional take care of you. Thank you, Steve.

View attachment 1970191 View attachment 1970193 View attachment 1970195 View attachment 1970197 View attachment 1970199 View attachment 1970201

Dood. When I scrolled through the pics I thought this was a screw up by Steve! Maybe start with them next time? 😀