The Boot Indy wished he had

[Prof.Wex]

Hey guys,

While searching for a pair of Alden's I found a place called

www.alden-of-carmel.com .

this company has Alden make them The Indy Boot but with a traction sole. they have 2 that Ive seen so far. I'm still browsing the site. I'm about to order this pair.

www.alden-of-carmel.com/index.cfm/Shoes-Rugged_High_Lace_Boot_174.htm

this next pair is more expensive but man are they nice.

www.alden-of-carmel.com/index.cfm/Shoes-Cigar_Shell_Cordovan_180.htm


these are the Indy boots Ive always dreamed of owning. The only reason I never wanted the Indy boot was because of the sole, but these are definitely what Ive been searching for.

Sincerely, Prof.Wex

[Stefana Jones]

Great find Prof !

Thanks for the scoop.

[GCR]

Very cool find indeed, Wex!!!

I've seen some folks get their Aldens resoled with better treads in the past, but to be able to buy a pair that have the built in tread right from the start would be a big help. Are either of these boots the actual Alden 405's with different soles? Or are they just based on the 405 but are actually a different design and / or color? I couldn't tell from the pics if they were indeed the exact same model as Indy wore or not.

Oh, and while these boots both look nice, I have to say that price seems a bit steep.

Still, cool find!

-GCR

[Prof.Wex]

Hey guys,

From reading the site, these are indeed the Indy boot ( 405's ) made by Alden from the get go. These are special made by Alden Co. just for Alden of Carmel. but the ones I'm ordering are only $30 dollars more than the standard Indy boot. These boots are made from a thicker leather so that they will be more rugged and last longer. I just emailed them to make sure they have my size. i cant wait to get these boots. I especially like the darker color.

Sincerely, Prof.wex

[Ragingblues]

I have the boots you're describing when you say they're like Indy's, but with a better sole:







They were so nice I even bought a second pair later on!


Ken

[GCR]

Yeah, what you get for that extra 30 bucks seems reasonable enough, but I think it's the base price of the regular Aldens that I find hard to digest. I honestly can see no point to spending more than $150 at MOST for a pair of boots / shoes. I've seriously thought about buying Aldens in the past, but I just cannot bring myself to do it. ESPECIALLY when one considers the DRASTIC increase in the price of Aldens over the last 10 years.

The Aldens were MUCH cheaper when I first started out in this hobby back in the late 90's. Granted, being Aldens they were still not "cheap", but the price wasn't anywhere near $300 bucks. The interest generated by the gearhead community is what made Alden up the price so much over the years. Other shoes in their catalog have not experienced any significant jump in price during that timeframe.

Anyways, sorry for the rant. They do look like great boots, and I agree about the color, it's very nice shade of brown. I can hardly wait to see some of your pics and read your review!

-GCR

[indianadirk]

They also sell this indy boot.
www.alden-of-carmel.com/index.cfm/Shoes-Cigar_Shell_Cordovan_180.htm

575 Dollars !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kt. Templar]

Aldens are very nice boots. They are in a completely different league to the kind you find in most 'mall' shoe shops or even most shoe shops, full stop.

However, $300 is a lot to pay for a pair of boots. It is a shame that the Carolina's disappeared as they really filled the budget niche very nicely.

I was lucky, I got a pair of Aldens at a very reasonable price second hand.

The only silver lining is that, in the same way as with the current fashion of military style shirts, it may be that the fashion designers have picked up on the upcoming movie and there may be a tiny chance that shoe manufacturers may yet produce a brown boot with a moctoe to cash in.

Of course the other option is to start a "gear" savings account and put in a little bit each month, beats taking out that second mortgage!

[pitfallharry]

Yeah, I really like that first pair but once I get up that high in price I'd rather spend the money on a jacket or a hat. You've got to remember a Jacket and a hat aren't going to be subjected to as much "wear and tear" as boots for the obvious reasons.

Still, I'm guessing for a boot over $300 these puppies could take some abuse.

Maybe someday......when I win the lottery. ;D

[IndyBlues]

I saw these awhile back, Mola Ram had sent me a link to them. I really wanted to get a pair, but like GCR stated, the price is outlandish. Now, I would still probably buy a pair, especially the first link. The color looks spectacular, and alot less "dress-ey" than the standard 405.
Ah well, some day. I may sell a few gear items to pick a pair up. Especially a pair of boots you can wear for years.
'Blues

[Marc]

575 bucks for a pair of boots???!!!

Ok, I honestly believe that these cordovan boots are worth it, but I just can't bring myself to pay this amount (probably because I simply don't HAVE it). The color looks absolutely s.a., cordovan is an awesome leather, and the leather sole under the textured rubber is absolutely top notch. But still, 575 bucks plus shipping, plus taxes... that's round about 720 bucks. Granted, I've spend more than that on (one) hat in the past (different story) but for a pair of boots?! - Heck, I could almost get a DM for that money...

Regards,

Marc

[Prof.Wex]

Hey Guys,


So these boots are expensive, I agree with everyone, So how about these.

www.johnstonmurphy.com/catalog_detail.aspx?CNAME=Footwear&SNAME=New+Arrivals&PLOID=55433

I just got back from the mall, I'm wearing these right now, Ill take some pics and give a review after Ive worn them a bit. They cost me $152.95 tax and all. They come from Johnston & Murphy. You can check their site to see if there is a store in your local area. These are the nicest close enoughs Ive found to date. They are Veal Wax leather. I'm not sure what Veal Wax is but these are gorgeous boots. Get them while you can, they are new arrivals.

Sincerely, Prof.wex

[Prof.Wex]

Ok,

Here are a couple of pics, right out of the box.





Now I'm no boot expert, but these seem to be top quality. Ive only worn then a few minutes and for some reason they squeak when I walk. Its actually a bit annoying, I'm assuming that they'll stop squeaking once Ive broken them in. Ill post more pics after Ive worn them a bit. in the mean time can anyone comment on why boots would squeak, and will they ever stop. ;D

Sincerely, Prof.Wex

[pitfallharry]

Oooh....I like those, Wex. Nice find indeed!

The price isn't to bad and there near the price of the J Crew's right now. Actually, I think they're lower.

Like you said I think the boots squeek because they're new. I'm guessing it's due to the leather.

I would hope once they brake in the sound would go away.....If not then forget about sneaking up on a bad guy! ;D

[GCR]

HOLY CRAP!!! Awesome find, Wex!!!

Those boots look great! VERY Alden like with a decent tread as well. And while the price isn't bargain-basement cheap, it's not ridiculous either. They look amazing! How about a few shots under a pant-leg? I'm curious to see how they look when worn.

Thanks for sharing these, I might have to spring for a pair...if I can scrape up the dough...and that's a big IF these days. ;D

-GCR

[pitfallharry]

I guess they only come in one color. I kinda hoped they'd have a little bit darker color. Kind of like those Alden's in the previous posts.

Oh, well.......I might try for a pair of these as well.

I would like to know how they look with the pants.

[GCR]

Excellent shots, thanks Wex!!!

So are these babies comfortable? Do they feel like they can take (and deliver) a good ass-kicking?

Any chance we could get a more detailed look at the treads?

Do they give you any "ankle bite"?

Thanks again for posting these pics and sharing this find, Wex!

-GCR

[Prof.Wex]

gcr said:

Excellent shots, thanks Wex!!!

So are these babies comfortable? Do they feel like they can take (and deliver) a good ass-kicking?

Any chance we could get a more detailed look at the treads?

Do they give you any "ankle bite"?

Thanks again for posting these pics and sharing this find, Wex!

-GCR

Hey GCR,

Yes indeed these are very comfy and will probably only get better with age. I believe they are as tough as they need to be, they definitely feel like they could take and give a good beating. They don't rub my ankles at all, these feel great. By the way, I normally wear a 10 and 1/2 wide, but when I tried my size they were a bit loose so I went with a 10 Medium. so I guess this means they run a tad big. I recommend going to the store and trying them on.







Sincerely, Prof.Wex

p.s. I might also say, originally I was just going to try these on, but when I saw them, my wallet flew out of my pocket like some kind of magic trick. ;D i knew I was going home with them before I ever put them on.

[Ragingblues]

Those have some nice looking bottom tread, a better color to them than new Aldens, and the price is better. The boots I posted are one of my two pairs of the classic Indy close-enough boot: J Crew Duxbury Ruggeds. Sadly, they are not currently available, though their newest version looks very, very much like it.... just costs alot more. These were routinely on sale for less than $50 a year or so ago.

Nice find on your new boots Profwex. I could never bring myself to pay that much money for boots, even though it's a huge savings over the Aldens. But, I can certainly see where other people might feel differently. I personally have no use for work boots without any tread on them, so even though the Aldens themselves are waaaayyy too expensive, I wouldn't buy them if they were on sale for $50.00 either.

Congrats on finding them and having them start to break in so quickly as well.

Ken

[pitfallharry]

Oh, yeah I like those a lot. Those would go perfect with my Oak Creak or Izod pants.

I'm willing to bet they age nicely as well.

I guess I'll just have to take my chances with the sizes if and when I order some because we don't have those stores here in Ft. Wayne.

[Indy 500]

Profwex,

Put in some dark brown flat laces and they will change the whole look of thoes boots to vintage. I did it to a pair of Chippewa close-enoughs and boy what a difference!

[bendingoak]

marc said:

575 bucks for a pair of boots???!!!

Ok, I honestly believe that these cordovan boots are worth it, but I just can't bring myself to pay this amount (probably because I simply don't HAVE it). The color looks absolutely s.a., cordovan is an awesome leather, and the leather sole under the textured rubber is absolutely top notch. But still, 575 bucks plus shipping, plus taxes... that's round about 720 bucks. Granted, I've spend more than that on (one) hat in the past (different story) but for a pair of boots?! - Heck, I could almost get a DM for that money...

Regards,

Marc

this is not the first time I've seen this. Why people will spend money on all kinds of things ( Gear) but won't spend money on thier feet ( one of the most important parts of your boy to take care of).

Sorry to call you out on this my friend.

[Marc]

No bad blood due to having a different opinion than me John!!!

It's just... I think I can have them replicated in Cardovan AND made to meassure for far less...

Regards,

Marc

[bendingoak]

Oh, I knew you and I could disagree my friend. No worries at all. I just have seen people harp about paying for boots but will shell out big bucks for other things. It doesn't make sence to me. My feet are very important. Having sprain both my ankles last year ( not at the same time , 2 months apart). You start to think very highly of shoes/boots. I'll drop the dollars on them but on the same hand I'm with you . If you can find them for less , why not.

[Prof.Wex]

Hey Guys,


I just wanted to give my review of these Johnston and Murphy boots now that Ive had time to break them in a bit.

First: I always, and I mean always buy every brand of shoes in a size 10.5 wide. However with these boots I found the 10.5 mediums to be far to big. I went down a size to a 10 medium. At first They felt a bit tight in the toes, and loose in the heels. But now after wearing them all day they feel great, They seemed to conform to my feet. I don't even want to take them off, they are so comfortable.

Second: These boots are lined with sheepskin, even the removable insoles are covered in sheepskin. Because of this the boots will squeak when new, but after you wear them all day the squeaking goes away completely.

Third: The color is really much darker in person than in my pics. they are in fact a dark burnt sienna color. even the color on the Johnston and Murphy website isn't accurate. They are much darker.

All in all these would make a great alternative to the pricey Aldens. the list below is to help people decide what price range is best for them. although these prices could change at anytime.

Adens.........................$300.00
Jcrew's Redwings..........$200.00
Johnston and Murphy....$140.00
Sketchers...................$74.00

Sincerely, Prof.Wex