basil
Temple Guard
Posts: 104
|
Post by basil on Dec 26, 2011 14:54:53 GMT -5
I'm thinking about getting a pair of 405's anyone have a pair? Are there any good reviews of them out there?
|
|
|
Post by tex1272 on Dec 26, 2011 16:23:35 GMT -5
Alden 405s are THE boot. I bought mine from them in October of 2000 for $200 (!). I have been careful with them and only replaced the laces just a few weeks ago. If bought a pair now I would get the 403s.
|
|
basil
Temple Guard
Posts: 104
|
Post by basil on Dec 26, 2011 16:54:25 GMT -5
What's the difference between them?
|
|
fifthchamber
Treasure Seeker
"Damn....I thought that was closer..."
Posts: 454
|
Post by fifthchamber on Dec 27, 2011 0:28:35 GMT -5
Colour is slightly darker on the 403's and the inside trim is different as well....Leather I believe inside.....
The design is essentially the same, although the 403's have Chromexel leather (darker) rather than the 405's Waxhide leather...
I like the 405's..Since those are the originals....But, the colour is a touch off still for Indy so the 403's fill that niche....Essentially..Prices are the same for both from Alden..
(My 405's will arrive in 3 days...LOL...Can't bloody wait!)
|
|
|
Post by deinonickus on Dec 27, 2011 1:08:32 GMT -5
All the Alden Indy boots have leather inside linings now.
I just got a new pair of 403's. They are darker than the light brown that was being turned out for a while. With a little pecards and some heat I darkened them up nicely, and I like the color better than my 403's.
I always have to replace my laces, seems like those things snap like twigs. How have yours lasted that long?
|
|
|
Post by tex1272 on Dec 27, 2011 21:27:30 GMT -5
Well it's hard to believe but they were buried in my closet from 2002 til about late 2009. I purchased some more Pecards got shoe trees and worn them ever since. During Thanksgiving one of the laces finally broke. I emailed the Alden shop to see about buying a new set and they sent them for free!
|
|
|
Post by Pennsylvania Jones on Dec 29, 2011 22:42:41 GMT -5
I like the 405's..Since those are the originals....But, the colour is a touch off still for Indy so the 403's fill that niche.... I really hate this point of view. Since when was the name more important than Screen-Accurate color? Why aren't we all buying HJ Poets instead of Penmans? Steven
|
|
patchcamel
Treasure Seeker
"Don't call me Junior"
Posts: 307
|
Post by patchcamel on Dec 29, 2011 23:38:00 GMT -5
I like the 405's..Since those are the originals....But, the colour is a touch off still for Indy so the 403's fill that niche.... I really hate this point of view. Since when was the name more important than Screen-Accurate color? Why aren't we all buying HJ Poets instead of Penmans? Steven I believe even your scale puts prop accurate above screen accurate, so does that mean you hate your own scale?
|
|
fifthchamber
Treasure Seeker
"Damn....I thought that was closer..."
Posts: 454
|
Post by fifthchamber on Dec 30, 2011 3:09:28 GMT -5
Yeah...Gotta say it..Your "scale" covers nearly EVERY reason one could give for wanting a pair of Aldens...Whether the name says "Alden" or not...
They're most definitely "spirit of Indy", since they're the most comfortable walking boots I've ever worn, "Close enough", well, of course..These and perhaps several other brands..."Indy Style"...Yup...These and Red Wings I would suggest..Both classic boot companies still turning out exceptional products.."Screen/Prop accurate"....No doubts...
So, using nearly every one of your scale of "good" for Indy gear, the Alden boots work...
Now, what exactly were you complaining about hating?
Besides all of which, if you'll have a look at my recent post on the 405's, I STILL chose those over the 403's and came away with THE colour I wanted (and see on screen pretty much..Minus dust)....So...Umm..Yeah..Not much to argue about at all eh?
Regards..
(And thanks Frank for making the same point I just made in a far neater turn..)
|
|
|
Post by Pennsylvania Jones on Dec 31, 2011 19:51:22 GMT -5
Alright, if everyone would please stop making fun of my scale, let me explain my point of view. My last post here was just my opinion taking the form of fact. I admit that that post was asinine. What I was thinking at the time was something along the lines of this: "The modern 405s aren't dark enough to be the definitive boots. And yet, even though the darker 403s are available, TWO ALDEN BUYERS who are prominent posters on this forum both seem to have eventually brushed them off simply because it doesn't have the authentic '5' in its number. They buy the 405s because they have the authentic name, even though the 403s are exactly the same, only with a more accurate color? Has everybody gone nuts?" That's just me, but, obviously, it's not everyone. And I just noticed that other posters here DO have 403s. I guess my point of view just differs from Fifth's. He can enjoy his 405s, but to my eyes there's no picture on the internet of the modern 405s that looks dark enough to be the 100% accurate holy grail everyone says they are. Unless they are and they just photograph horribly, or everyone's comparing them to this picture: But then again, it's easier to scuff up darker-dyed leather to be a lighter color than it is to darken lighter leather. So perhaps even these boots could've been dark brown like in this picture: Whatever the case, different people will just like different things. Though I'm beginning to think I'm the crazy one who likes the unauthentic 403s. Also Fifth, my scale doesn't work like that. It really is a scale: Spirit-of-Indy: Based on an early term used on this forum, this describes an item that is in no way accurate for Indy Gear, but would work in a pinch. (EG: A typical white work shirt) Close Enough: Based on another, more popular term, this describes an item that has some, but not all, of the required features of Indy Gear. (EG: A Cabela's Safari Shirt) Indy-Style: This describes an item that has all of the required features, but is off in precise specs. (EG: A WPG) Screen Accurate: This describes an item that is at least 90% accurate to the original prop, differing only in minor things like material used and such. (EG: An AB Shirt) Prop Accurate: This describes an item that is 100% accurate to the original prop. (EG: An NH Shirt) Steven
|
|
fifthchamber
Treasure Seeker
"Damn....I thought that was closer..."
Posts: 454
|
Post by fifthchamber on Dec 31, 2011 20:46:26 GMT -5
So you're saying I'm silly for not buying the 403's instead of the 405's?
If you look at the photos I've posted above, and my comments on them, you'll see that as far as I can see, the 405 leather currently being used is VERY close to the same colour as the 403's....With Pecards that colour is made even more so...So why WOULDN'T anyone want to buy the 405's over the 403's? Since they're both the same price, and are essentially the same shoe, the ONLY difference between them is that one is "Prop Accurate" and one only reaches "Screen Accurate" on your scale...
I don't get what you're mad about honestly...The new 405's are dark enough to easily work as Indy boots as is...With work, and a lot more use and dust, they'll be exactly like the photos you've posted yourself above...
Indeed...The boot shot in the van up close on the pedals should settle you entirely, since that colour seems to have been the under colour of the boots even back then..And although that colour is STILL lighter than my current 405's, it does show how much work went into darkening the shoes and making them look older (something I won't be doing..)
I don't see why you're upset though...The 405's are the same shoes Indy wore....They also now seem to come in a darker leather colour that equals the 403's as close as I can see (although it may just be MY batch...Of course)...And BOTH are the same price..So it's entirely up to the buyer, no? What was your issue?
|
|
|
Post by Pennsylvania Jones on Dec 31, 2011 22:52:48 GMT -5
I think you missed the point I was trying to convey. All I'm trying to say is that even though anyone can like the 405s, I myself just don't. I was also trying to explain my perspective at the same time, so that's probably where I went wrong.
The reason I was (keyword: WAS) upset in that post was simply because:
A: I don't like the way modern 405s photograph, even with the pics you've posted. B: I like the appearance of the 403s better. C: I put my stupid foot in my mouth.
Let me make it as clear as possible: I APOLOGIZE FOR MY POST!!!
In fact, I really ought believe you. I'm totally serious. You own the 405s, and I don't even have any real gear, unless you count my Stetson. What do I know about these boots?
Steven
|
|
fifthchamber
Treasure Seeker
"Damn....I thought that was closer..."
Posts: 454
|
Post by fifthchamber on Jan 1, 2012 1:35:01 GMT -5
Don't worry dude....
I was just puzzled by the tone of your post...
Honestly, now that I'm holding them, I can't really see any difference at all between the 403's and the 405's (as mine are anyway)...They look identical...
Regardless....I don't think your complaint is with me, and perhaps was made in a strange way, and that's pretty much the end of it for me!
Regards..And have a good new year!
|
|
|
Post by tex1272 on Jan 1, 2012 2:54:42 GMT -5
With Pecards, sun, and wear, they will gradually darken up beatifully!
And yes Happy New Year everyone!
|
|
fifthchamber
Treasure Seeker
"Damn....I thought that was closer..."
Posts: 454
|
Post by fifthchamber on Jan 1, 2012 3:00:03 GMT -5
Yeah...Agreed...
Even had they been the more "pumpkin" coloured boots, they'd have darkened nicely with Pecards, sun and wearing...
I don't know if the boots I got are a new type of colour leather for Alden or just some that got dyed closer to the 403's by accident...But they certainly weren't what I'd expected colourwise..
Maybe it's just a luck thing...I could use some good luck after last year...
|
|
fifthchamber
Treasure Seeker
"Damn....I thought that was closer..."
Posts: 454
|
Post by fifthchamber on Jan 1, 2012 10:02:03 GMT -5
Stephen... Just so you can see what I mean about the similarities between the colouring...Here, this is a comparison with some I found online, and with mine...Of course, these are the boots after two Pecards (with hot air drying)... I think even you'd have to agree that with some dirt (well...A LOAD of dirt..) these would be almost spot on for the Indy boots in the films, and certainly for the Alden 403's? No? These are some found in a Google search...Brand new by the look of them, and apologies to whomever's photo I've used, but just to prove the point...Look at the colour? And these are mine; Can you see what I mean by the colouring being a near match? Regards..
|
|
|
Post by trdaggers on Jan 1, 2012 11:12:36 GMT -5
I've had these 405's for three months and wore them everyday for 12 hours. They are darkening nicely. Attachments:
|
|
fifthchamber
Treasure Seeker
"Damn....I thought that was closer..."
Posts: 454
|
Post by fifthchamber on Jan 1, 2012 21:01:41 GMT -5
Daggers, the one on the left is the same colour I'd assumed that I'd be getting with my 405's....(They are BOTH 405's right? Not two pairs swopped out to show the difference?)...Slightly lighter brown/orange hued colouring....
Mine are the same colour as the 403's from the start, which makes me wonder if Alden are thinking they can cut back on the 403's and just stick with the 405's in a darker tan leather...Since that was the only real change now that the insides are both leather too....Doesn't make much sense to have two models out that are so close eh?
Or mine were a fluke....Since Alden still make the boots in a rather limited batch, I can see a mistake (Like the "Pumpkin colouring one) in dying leading to darker boots for a short term...
Funky..Who knows eh?
|
|
|
Post by trdaggers on Jan 2, 2012 9:13:17 GMT -5
They are a matched set. Must be the lighting.
Gailen
|
|
|
Post by deinonickus on Jan 2, 2012 13:07:15 GMT -5
Daggers, the one on the left is the same colour I'd assumed that I'd be getting with my 405's....(They are BOTH 405's right? Not two pairs swopped out to show the difference?)...Slightly lighter brown/orange hued colouring.... Mine are the same colour as the 403's from the start, which makes me wonder if Alden are thinking they can cut back on the 403's and just stick with the 405's in a darker tan leather...Since that was the only real change now that the insides are both leather too....Doesn't make much sense to have two models out that are so close eh? Or mine were a fluke....Since Alden still make the boots in a rather limited batch, I can see a mistake (Like the "Pumpkin colouring one) in dying leading to darker boots for a short term... Funky..Who knows eh? Not disagreeing it's a fluke, but my new 405 boots are dark, just like you are describing. Hopefully this is the new coloring for the 405. I like the undertones better than my 403's.
|
|
fifthchamber
Treasure Seeker
"Damn....I thought that was closer..."
Posts: 454
|
Post by fifthchamber on Jan 2, 2012 20:56:04 GMT -5
Demon...
Not at all, if this IS the new colour they're using, I think they'll have a LOT more happy customers...It's a good thing!
Although if that IS the case, it probably means them stopping the 403 line, since they've decided to make the 405 the same colour and leather lined...
We'll see! But I'm with you, I hope this is a new decision for the colouring! Looks to me like they've nailed something that's a great compromise between the worn in on-screen boots and something you can wear with a nice suit!!
Cool stuff...
|
|
|
Post by deinonickus on Jan 2, 2012 22:05:42 GMT -5
Groovy. Wouldn't mind seeing the 405 line ending, since there are such similarities now. With the 404 and 405, I wouldn't need others (plus leather soles exceptional, but pricey, offerings). I need to get some pics up of my new 405's now that I've been on a few hikes since christmas. Oh, and it's Deino, not demon, like this: Regards, Nick
|
|
fifthchamber
Treasure Seeker
"Damn....I thought that was closer..."
Posts: 454
|
Post by fifthchamber on Jan 3, 2012 2:29:18 GMT -5
Whoops....My bad...Sorry about that...
Deino...
Nick...I'm Ben by the way, a pleasure to meet you! ;-)
And yeah, if they've done the 405's in the same colour you and I got, then there is very little need at all for the 403's eh?
I guess we'll see in time!
Regards..
|
|
|
Post by trdaggers on Jan 3, 2012 9:12:24 GMT -5
In order to make my Aldens SA I wear a different shade of sunglasses. Gailen
|
|
fifthchamber
Treasure Seeker
"Damn....I thought that was closer..."
Posts: 454
|
Post by fifthchamber on Jan 3, 2012 20:46:42 GMT -5
Dusty ones I presume?
I gave up using my eyes, and now rely WHOLLY upon video taken by my girlfriend in bad lighting conditions, since that's the only way ANY gear ACTUALLY looks spot on for the movies...Heh..
Meh...I think SA is a rather silly thing to aim for..."roughly SA" is fine, but any ONE scene meant different kit in the movie, so you're always trying to hit a moving target with a very small arrow...Not worth it in the main eh?
Glad to see you agree!
SA.....Don't blink!!
|
|