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Post by Indy 500 on Feb 19, 2007 13:26:02 GMT -5
I had contacted Carolina Shoe concerning the Carolina Husker boots. Below is a personal response from Greg Crouchley, the president.
It turns out Indiana Jones is one of his all time favorites! They are willing to set up a temporary website just for fans to order custom shoes!
"Sent: Monday, February 19, 2007 8:05 AM
Subject: Re: Carolina Husker Mid Mens Brown
I have looked into this and am having trouble find exactly what boot this is. We have carried a 364 and an 864 both in stock and on line in the last 5-6 years here at Carolina. The number 164 has been applied to several 'interim' shoes over the years (short runs, not stocked, or made up for large retailers). Also, the 3564 mentioned below does not correspond with our factory records so it might have been a version of the shoe we imported from China.
I am wondering if you could email me some pictures of your shoes. Armed with that, most of us will recognize the product by the internal numbers and be able to check if the patterns and lasts are still stored. Usually, we drop a shoe when the volume drops below 5000 pair per year, as I suspect the shoes you have did, due to their dated looks and lack of 'modern' comfort features.
Regardless, if we can identify the shoes and we have the equipment, we would love to make some up specially for IJ fans. The movies are some of my all-time personal favorites also, so be certain that if we can do it, we will! We would probably post up a temporary website where fans could order for a month or so, then we would run this small batch of them through the factory all at once. For a small special project like this, we can deal directly and simply, bypassing all the time and costs associated with working through normal web or store - based retail.
At some point, depending on what we find, I will direct you to Luke Sessa, our director of what we call our 'Carolina-Built For You' make-up program, so I have included him in the cc on this email.
Thanks for wearing Carolina and taking the time to track us down and present this challenge to us!
Sincerely,
Greg
Greg Crouchley, President
Carolina Shoe Co.
(a division of HH Brown Shoe Co.)
107 Highland St
Martinsburg, PA 16662
814-793-3786
************************************************************
Sent: Monday, February 19, 2007 9:56 AM
Subject: Re: Carolina Husker Mid Mens Brown
Greg thanks for getting back to me.
Good to meet another fan of the films! There are lots of us with a passion for the trilogy and enjoy Indiana Jones as a hobby.
The best way to proceed would be for me to give you links to the forums that deal with the Indian Jones gear and clothing. There are photo comparisons of your boots and the Alden model 405. There have been many discussions of the outfits and props used in the movies and I know there will be a resurgence of interest due to the up coming Indiana Jones number four being filmed.
We know that Alden 405 boots were the ones used in the three original films and your Huskers were very close to that model except that they had the steel toe (which I needed for my job). Unfortunately, the Aldens run around $300.00 so there is a need for a more economical alternative. Now if your company could produce a non-steel toe clone of the 405, you would be placed in "deity" status!
We would love to have you become a member at the forum as and contribute to the never-ending search for "the look".
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Post by GCR on Feb 19, 2007 13:39:15 GMT -5
WOW!!! Nice work, 500!  I just bid on a pair of the huskers on Ebay, but it'd be great if Carolina releases a new style with an even more "Alden / Indy" look to it! Well done! -GCR |
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Post by indianatone on Feb 19, 2007 13:43:55 GMT -5
Not only did you get the president's attention on which boot is being used but you may have inadvertently steered the formation for a modified Carolina Husker to look even closer to an Indy boot down the road.
Very Nice Work, Indy500!
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Post by Nicht Storen on Feb 19, 2007 13:58:39 GMT -5
Very nice work indeed. I 'd love to see a modified Husker without a steel toe. Heck, I'd settle for the steel toe version as I am in dire need of new boots.
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Post by pitfallharry on Feb 19, 2007 13:59:11 GMT -5
That is great news. I hope this does go as planned and that they do setup a site for us to order custom boots. I'm wondering though if we'll still get a good deal on the price. There are some of us here that have gotten these boots for $24......which is an awsome price for boots.
If I can get some in a size 13 with the option of having the steel toe taken out that would be great.
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Post by IndyBlues on Feb 19, 2007 17:08:08 GMT -5
Impressive,......MOST impressive. I would love to see the final result. Keep working with Mr. Crouchley, so we get a great look alike, with modern features. Would be awesome to have a pair of Alden like shoes, with some usable soles. Excellent job!
'Blues
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Post by Indy 500 on Feb 20, 2007 8:33:58 GMT -5
Second response from the president of Carolina Shoe:
"Ok, I see them. This is the '364' boot. Alden boot has a leather welt in what we call 3/4 construction with a nailed-on heel. I would change our boot to a 3/4 welt, but plastic, like the Carolina boot only in tan color, similar heel, and add some hooks to the top of the lacing. Then we can find a similar color leather, If we tweak the collar area, we should have a similar boot for MUCH less money. We will sample up a pair and see how it looks. It will not be an exact copy, but it will be close...Alden's are great footwear, I have several pair of my own."
Greg
*************************************************************
Sounds good Greg.
The darker brown color on the 364 is popular with the fans. Most don't like the "pumkin" color Alden used on the 405 and there are many posts on darkening the leather.
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Post by Ragingblues on Feb 20, 2007 9:47:07 GMT -5
This is truly a great project you kicked off Indy500!  The Huskers were one of the two greatest close-enough boots, and now it seems you are going to be able to "kick them up a notch" (pun intended), and make them even better! Just having the previous design remain available would have been nice enough, but this is a major step up for us all. Even those that own Aldens (not me), may decide that they need a pair of boots with more practical soles, or an extra pair for another use. Shelling out almost $300 for Aldens (especially a second pair) is not an option for most of us, so I applaud your efforts. It's also very cool to hear that the company president is an Indiana Jones fan. There are so many more out there that have no clue this sort of hobby even exists. Congrats on your work, Ken |
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Post by pitfallharry on Feb 20, 2007 19:44:15 GMT -5
So when will we know more about the project and if it's moving forward?
What are the chances we'll be able to buy a custom boot for under $50? I'm guessing they'll either be below a $100 or maybe a little over.
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Post by Indy 500 on Feb 20, 2007 21:18:49 GMT -5
His last email said that he was going to do up a sample, so I assume that is what is in the works so far. You guys are getting copys of all the correspondance between Carolina and myself.
His assistant, Luke, should be taking charge of the project and setting up the temp. website for ordering. I have no clue on timelines and prices at this time. I did stress that a non-steel toe option and dark color is preferred.
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Post by pitfallharry on Feb 20, 2007 22:25:17 GMT -5
Cool. Thanks for the update. I wasn't sure if you'd heard anything since the last e-mail that you posted over at COW.
If this all works out and these aren't to expensive I'll probably jump at the chance and get a pair.
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Post by GoneSolo on Feb 20, 2007 22:35:09 GMT -5
Get your original huskers while you can. They might be collector's items one day. Thank you for keeping us posted 500!
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Post by pitfallharry on Feb 20, 2007 22:51:23 GMT -5
Get your original huskers while you can. They might be collector's items one day. Thank you for keeping us posted 500! I dunno.....that just depends on IF they're in mint condition. I mean would you really want to collect a pair of "close-enoughs" someone wore for years? Nothing like the smell of authentic "Gear Sweat" to add value to a pair of boots.  |
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Post by Kt. Templar on Feb 21, 2007 3:25:17 GMT -5
If the question comes up can you suggest they allow smaller than the Huskers size 6.5, mine are a fraction too big and I know that Canyon needed smaller too.
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Post by indianatone on Feb 21, 2007 11:46:53 GMT -5
That is a great point, KT. |
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Post by pitfallharry on Feb 21, 2007 12:32:36 GMT -5
Well, it sounds like since they're going to be custom boots that you should be able to get them in any size you want....within reason. I doubt you'd be able to have some made in sizes for my kids.......then again....Who knows. I and others like me who weren't able to get the boots back when they were originally offered owe Indy 500 a extra special thanks for getting something like this going. With these being custom boots I now have the opportunity to get them in my correct size and without the steel toe.....possibly. |
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Post by indianatone on Feb 21, 2007 14:50:43 GMT -5
Where in the correspondence does it say these boots are going to be custom?
They may be altered to better represent an Alden, not customized per order. The lack of steel toe would be good but it wouldn't kill the things to remain steel-toed either. They're not uncomfortable with the steel toe inside.
Regardless of how they get reengineered, it is nice to see the company is willing to pump out a few of these once a year so as not to let the style die. That in itself deserves some kudos for Indy500 taking a moment to get the president's interest and at least preventing a great boot from disappearing altogether. Nicely done, Indy500!
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Post by pitfallharry on Feb 21, 2007 15:29:34 GMT -5
Where in the correspondence does it say these boots are going to be custom? They may be altered to better represent an Alden, not customized per order. The lack of steel toe would be good but it wouldn't kill the things to remain steel-toed either. They're not uncomfortable with the steel toe inside. Regardless of how they get reengineered, it is nice to see the company is willing to pump out a few of these once a year so as not to let the style die. That in itself deserves some kudos for Indy500 taking a moment to get the president's interest and at least preventing a great boot from disappearing altogether. Nicely done, Indy500! Well, I guess "custom" might not be the right phrase to use. If the end up doing this and setting up a website for us to order I can't imagine them not offering a larger selection of shoe sizes than they had before. The steel toes might be comfortable for you but we all don't have the same feet. I'm not the only one who doesn't want the steel toe either. A steel toe boot makes sense for someone working in a field where they need to protect their feet.....not for daily use though. All they have to do is setup a sight similar to Wested's jacket site. You pick out the shoe size and check the option if you do or don't want the steel toe. The boot would come in one color. I'm guessing the dark brown since it seems to be the favorite. |
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JEEP
Treasure Seeker
Prof. Henry Jones Jr. Equipment Afficianado
Posts: 322
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Post by JEEP on Feb 21, 2007 15:49:52 GMT -5
This is great news!
I am really looking forward to seeing how this develops.
/Jakob
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Post by indianatone on Feb 21, 2007 15:56:55 GMT -5
The method of how the shoe will be ordered is kind of self explanatory, hence the president's comment of setting up a "temporary website where fans could order for a month or so, then we would run this small batch of them through the factory all at once."
What I was trying to communicate in not so many words is that the boots are not so bad if they decide to just run them off - as they are with no changes - for a month or so. If that includes keeping the steel-toe, that's fine. (Yes, we've all had steel-toed boots that hurt out feet and I'll say it for the hundredth time that the Carolinas are surprisingly comfortable - even with the steel toe.) I wear them all the time and I have been to places much harsher than beyond the computer screen over the last year or so. Hiking, working, walking, etc. They have been my daily footwear since I got them and my feet were never tired nor did the steel cut into the sides of my foot the way the others did.
It's doubtful they'll run off an option to choose with or without the steel toe since it's still a small market (though it'd be great if they did) and there isn't a ton of money to be gained by doing it. The fact that they're willing to keep these alive is terrific and it's great to see a company so responsive like this for a marginally small market. I'm really impressed that the president did not "cha-ching" Indy500 by running quotes and numbers at him for how to go about building a shoe through Carolina.
So if it's cheaper for them to just consider doing a run of the existing Husker in short bursts with no changes, that in itself is a great gesture.
I've seen 10d, 10ee, 11.5d, 12ee, etc. I don't think they never had your size in stock, just that you're not seeing it now with the vendors who currently have any of the remaining stock.
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Post by pitfallharry on Feb 21, 2007 16:26:31 GMT -5
I've seen 10d, 10ee, 11.5d, 12ee, etc. I don't think they never had your size in stock, just that you're not seeing it now with the vendors who currently have any of the remaining stock. No, I figured back when the were available originally they had my size. I was talking about the current selection. By the time they marked them down and I found out about it my size was already gone. I was looking at either these or the J Crew / "Duxbury Ruggeds" like RB owns. Yeah, at the very least if all the end up doing is another run of the same boots that's fine. It sounds like they aren't going to do that though and they're open to trying to make them a little bit more like the Aldens. Since the originals were designed as workboots and that's why they had the steel toe I don't see them putting the steel toe back in if they're going to make a batch for people using these boots for something that doesn't require a steel toe. I would think that would cut the cost of producing the boot and make them cheaper. Yeah, your right there isn't a point to having an option of the steel toe or not. Just don't even put one in. I'm sure you would have bought the boots without them if that's the way the were originally offered. All of this is up in the air right now anyway. At the very least if these boots are offered again to then that's great. I've got a brand new pair of boots I'm prefectly happy with. If they end up offering these Huskers in my size without the steel toe at a decent price I wouldn't let them pass me by. My wife will kill me but I'll have 3 sets of boots. |
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Post by GCR on Feb 21, 2007 16:55:15 GMT -5
My wife will kill me but I'll have 3 sets of boots. Well then, Harry, you'll just have to decide which pair you want to be buried in. ;D Seriously though, I don't care one way or the other if they have the steel toe or not. If it's cheaper to leave the steel toe out and that savings will get passed on to the customer, then I'm all for it. If it would alter the design too much to leave out the steel toe and in the process make the boots more expensive, then leave it in. No biggie either way. Carrying on the Carolina Husker production for Indy fans who want a good close enough boot is great, but creating a new style, based on the husker, but that more closely resembles the Aldens, would be better in my opinion. The two are already close design wise, so I bet it wouldn't take much to alter the design in order to provide an actual, affordable (say, $150 or less, preferably less) boot that could pass for an Alden when worn with pants and viewed more than 2 or 3 feet away. I have a bid on a pair of Huskers on Ebay right now, but even if I win them (keeping my fingers crossed) I'd still love another pair of boots, if they were more screen-accurate. Price is the biggest concern. I hope Carolina doesn't try to take advantage of this small market with crazy pricing to try and squeeze as much profit out of this as possible. I'm not saying they would, either, but you never know how some vendors will behave when it comes to dealing with this crowd. If the boots cost anything more than $150, that will kill it for me. That's half the Alden pricetag, and anything more than that I couldn't justify in my own mind. At that point it'd make more sense for me to just keep on saving my pennies for the Aldens themselves. Anyways, excellent work, Ind500!!! Glad to see this project is moving along -GCR |
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Post by pitfallharry on Feb 21, 2007 17:16:21 GMT -5
The thing that will kill it for me is if these end up over $75 and they include the steel toe.
Unless they have to alter production equipment I can't see how it would make the shoe more expensive without the steel toe.
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Post by Indy 500 on Mar 4, 2007 4:38:05 GMT -5
Status to date:
The ball is in their court and I am waiting for them to announce the prototype. The website should follow that.
If I don't hear from them by COB Monday, March 12th, I will send them an inquiry on the status of the project.
Indy500
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Post by pitfallharry on Mar 4, 2007 10:07:56 GMT -5
Cool, thanks for the update Indy 500. |
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