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I found little opportunity to wear these Unionmade Laguna Chukka (Trubalance, Bison leather) when they looked like these

After a fine resoling job by Pioneer Renewer SF, the look offers more flexibility and I've worn them more. Plus the added comfort of the TB last on a 6 eyelet platform.

 

[RobinM]

My point being is regardless of price, if humans are involved mistakes will be made.

True but that's what QC is for. Now, don't tell me the QC "human" makes mistakes too and it is okay.

 

[coolarrow]

King shortwings 2day. Apologies as it seems like my camera has focus issues with half shade pictures:

 

[Watchman1]

True but that's what QC is for. Now, don't tell me the QC "human" makes mistakes too and it is okay.

I actually feel that Alden QC could be a little better.

However, I have bought the best examples of their shoes recently, so, I feel that they have indeed stepped it up quite a bit.

 

[Belligero]



I own way too many Aldens for it to not be an obsession.  I've never seen the heel come loose like that, if it had I would have contacted the retailer where I bought the shoe/boot and asked for support.  I would have done that whether it was less than 1 year old or several years old. Since you state you got less than 1 year of wear; I'm surprised you did not attempt to get anything done with a $700 boot!  I've had a few issues with my Alden's and they have always made things right for me.

Spoiler: ...

Keeping price in mind...I've not found any brand better than Alden in the same price range.  No doubt there are better shoes available, some totally hand made...but there's a price to pay for that, and that's why so many brands exist and why most high end stores that sell men's footwear offer multiple brands to fulfill all price points.  I don't own any shoes that cost over $1,000, but I own custom made cowboy boots and for true hand made custom cowboy boots it takes in most cases 2-3 years to get them once you've been measured, and entry level for basic cow hide starts at $1,500.  You get into a exotic hide like ostrich and its another $1,500,  Alligator belly is $8,000!  That's without any fancy top work.  My point being is regardless of price, if humans are involved mistakes will be made.  I'm more interested in what gets done to make things right?  So far Alden has not let me down.

Steve

The reason that I haven't bothered to get them repaired is that I have several better boot options, so going through the return process isn't something I've been motivated to deal with from Norway so far, and the shipping and customs fees aren't my idea of fun. Good to know that if I do send them in, they should get sorted. However, the fit and the look hasn't given me much reason to do so. If I do get them repaired, it will be primarily out of a sense of lingering guilt for letting so much cordovan (they're size 13) go unused.

Also, I'm in Budapest regularly and I can get custom-spec Vass for less than Alden's European pricing, so it's a different value proposition here. I'll take Vass over Alden every single time, and I've yet to see any quality issues with them so far, even though they're truly handmade. Although I very much wanted to like them, my two pairs of Aldens have been disappointing in actual use and it's unlikely that I'll be getting any more.

Personally, I have experienced similar loose stitchings in two pairs of boots and one pair of shoes.  It is a common "problem", as I remember seeing a few complains over the past few years on this thread.   In almost all instances, Alden considered that a defect and restitched free of charge for the customers (not easy for oversea customers).

I don't have any experience with detached heel stacks, but I assume that is not inconceivable for a boot with 270 degree welt.  I bet it won't happen as easily to a boot with 360 reversed welt though.

Indeed, my 360° Goyser-stitched boots from other makers have been super-durable and confidence-inspiring so far, but even my less-robustly-constructed handmade shoes/boots haven't given me any concerns, despite the soggy Norwegian climate. I'm not sure whether the Indy heel is properly repairable, since the tacks move without any resistance in the holes. It just doesn't seem like that great of a construction method to me in the first place.


Thanks for the replies.

 

[RobinM]

I actually feel that Alden QC could be a little better.

However, I have bought the best examples of their shoes recently, so, I feel that they have indeed stepped it up quite a bit.

Rejoice, there will be more TSM seconds in my size next month.............................................just kidding.

 

[benjaminroy]

It's about time to have the rubber heel on my Indy 401s replaced. Is this something I can/should send back to Alden? Or is it simple enough to trust to a good local cobbler.

 

[smoothie1]

In my view, most of the allure of Alden is about getting some of the best finished cordovan for shoes and boots. While Alden's construction is decent, it is common for flaws of this sort to appear. Alden does repair or replace this type of shoddy work gratis in such cases, and that's a fine thing. However, it's not reasonable in my opinion to beat the living heck out of these shoes and boots, expecting there to be no wear and tear. Eventually, heels will separate, stitches will come loose, and soles will deteriorate. In some cases this will be faster than other brands, in other cases, slower. These things happen will all shoes over time.

You can debate the relative value of Alden to other brands until the cows come home. Alden is a decent brand. I do not think their reps would ever say they make the absolute best shoes out there. Although some on this thread might make that contention. Alden makes solid products. But do not mistake the shell cordovan pricing premium for an all around handcrafted, bench made, or bespoke level of quality. They're machine made shoes with a degree of handwork produced in the USA.

 

[ReppTiePrepster]



Question: When given the choice between the Alden commando sole and the standard leather on a pair of shell wingtip boots (for casual work and off work use), is there any good argument for the commando? In this case: will not be wearing in bad weather or rain, so won't be necessary for that. Nor do I plan to go "off road" in them. I am just about to pull the trigger in the next 24 hours and have the choice between the two, and was wondering whether I might be missing something...

Thanks.

I vote double leather, especially given your circumstances. I'll go with commando for chrmxl, scotch grain, and other more rugged materials.

 

[RobinM]

The reason that I haven't bothered to get them repaired is that I have several better boot options, so going through the return process isn't something I've been motivated to deal with from Norway so far, and the shipping and customs fees aren't my idea of fun. Good to know that if I do send them in, they should get sorted. However, the fit and the look hasn't given me much reason to do so. If I do get them repaired, it will be primarily out of a sense of lingering guilt for letting so much cordovan (they're size 13) go unused.

Also, I'm in Budapest regularly and I can get custom-spec Vass for less than Alden's European pricing, so it's a different value proposition here. I'll take Vass over Alden every single time, and I've yet to see any quality issues with them so far, even though they're truly handmade. Although I very much wanted to like them, my two pairs of Aldens have been disappointing in actual use and it's unlikely that I'll be getting any more.
Indeed, my 360° Goyser-stitched boots from other makers have been super-durable and confidence-inspiring so far, but even my less-robustly-constructed handmade shoes/boots haven't given me any concerns, despite the soggy Norwegian climate. I'm not sure whether the Indy heel is properly repairable, since the tacks move without any resistance in the holes. It just doesn't seem like that great of a construction method to me in the first place.


Thanks for the replies.

The $700 is not all lost. You may be surprised how much people will pay for second hand Alden Cordovan boots.

More power to you for you can visit Vass frequently. When you buy from Mr. Vass, you get factory direct pricing. Not so for Aldens, in which the retailer gets a 50% retail margin.

 

[Bonggoy]

Has anyone heard anything from Alden of Madison Shell allocation last year? Did they received their LWB allocation yet?

 

[budapest12]

In my view, most of the allure of Alden is about getting some of the best finished cordovan for shoes and boots. While Alden's construction is decent, it is common for flaws of this sort to appear. Alden does repair or replace this type of shoddy work gratis in such cases, and that's a fine thing. However, it's not reasonable in my opinion to beat the living heck out of these shoes and boots, expecting there to be no wear and tear. Eventually, heels will separate, stitches will come loose, and soles will deteriorate. In some cases this will be faster than other brands, in other cases, slower. These things happen will all shoes over time.

You can debate the relative value of Alden to other brands until the cows come home. Alden is a decent brand. I do not think their reps would ever say they make the absolute best shoes out there. Although some on this thread might make that contention. Alden makes solid products. But do not mistake the shell cordovan pricing premium for an all around handcrafted, bench made, or bespoke level of quality. They're machine made shoes with a degree of handwork produced in the USA.

You should be ostracized and ridiculed for your eminently reasonable views on all this.

 

[Bonggoy]

That's the one I want.

Oo, Oo, Oo honey

 

[halfnhalfnhalf]

Quote:
Yes, definitely. Especially if you are a 9.5D and have lots of whiskey, ravello, and cigar shell. And if you PM me before you list anything.

 

[halfnhalfnhalf]

I found little opportunity to wear these Unionmade Laguna Chukka (Trubalance, Bison leather) when they looked like these



After a fine resoling job by Pioneer Renewer SF, the look offers more flexibility and I've worn them more. Plus the added comfort of the TB last on a 6 eyelet platform.

Holy crap. You made a silk purse from a sow's ear. Mighty impressed.