New Alden 405's!

[fifthchamber]

Heya Guys and Gals!

I'd promised to post photos of the Alden's I'd ordered for a self Christmas present...They arrived today and I have to say, I'm highly impressed by what I bought...

They're 405's...But interestingly the colouring seems a lot darker than I've seen shown in other peoples photos...I'm thinking that perhaps Alden have darkened the dye to fall closer in line with their 403's? These are lovely...

I've Pecarded them once, and used a hot air dryer to soak and lock the oils in better, and they're close to where I want them to be...

Anyway...Here are the photos! Hope you appreciate them as much as I do!





And after the Pecarding tonight..



Regards and a Happy New Year to all!

[Kt. Templar]

I've become reticent to encourage people to buy Aldens, they are just so darn expensive.

However, they are great, and if you can get some serious wear out of them then it's worth it. Congrats!

[patchcamel]

Very nice Ben, these are next on my list. How is the fit? I had read once that they tend to run a little big and it was recommend to order a size smaller than your normal size.

[tex1272]

I know for me 10 years ago wheen I wrote the Alden Co about size they suggested ordering a half size smaller which I did. They fit great and still do. But recently I have read over at COW that many have been satisfied ordering their true size. I am sure that they would exchange them if they didn't fit the way you wanted. I would also recommend getting a set of shoe trees for them when you do get them.

[fifthchamber]

These are my usual size 9.5's....They fit perfectly...I'd suggest doing that..Order your size..(Although I haven't had the experience of several pairs to be able to say for sure if that pattern holds everytime..).. I'd been worried about size too...But the 9.5's are spot on..No trapping, and still enough room to "flex" in....

KT, yeah...Expense was high...Buuuut, I do get a shoe that I can wear for the rest of my life pretty much..So I figured it would be worth the cost...And they do justify the price when you put them on..(Like most things clothing wise eh....)...

Regards..

[fifthchamber]

And Tex..

Entirely agreed...Shoe trees are next on my "to do" list...(Couldn't afford them + the shoes this time out...LOL)..

[indydude18]

Hey fifthchamber

Killer boots! I'm digging that darker color!

BTW, are those Todd's pants?

[fifthchamber]

Yeah, they're Todds...The best pants I own...And I own Magnoli and Wested's too... But the Todd's beat both for comfort, and styling in my opinion...(With the small exception of the large waistband slots..)

[fifthchamber]

And yeah...It's not JUST me thinking they're a touch darker eh? I'm glad to see you can see what I see?

If you see what I mean....LOL

[fifthchamber]

Ah...And since I've managed to find some downtime, here's a full gear shot of the shoes and everything else I have now...

[tex1272]

Great gear you have there! But in that pic I couldnt see the shirt. Is it a Wested?

[fifthchamber]

No..That shirt was my Magnoli....I'm not such a fan of Wested's shirts really..I prefer my Mags or my Azuma..

[kwad]

Awesome boots!
I also like the new color much better.
Are they fully leather lined (like the 403's)?

[fifthchamber]

Yeah...They are...Exactly the same as the 403's really...I was thinking Alden might be trying to bring them closer together so they can stop all production on the 403's...Focus it all on the 405's again?

Or it could have been a one time dye thing?

I know Alden have a wide selection of colouring since the process is more handmade..So they still get batches come through that are darker, lighter or whatever...So maybe this is one of those?

I dunno....But they're bloody lovely boots..

[fifthchamber]

I'd posted this on another thread...But it's valid here too...

This is the boots above after two Pecards and air drying...




And this is a photo of a pair of brand new 403's....



And I see no difference at all between them...

[indianasloan]

I have to agree. They look the same. Fifth you remind me of a good friend of mine.

[basil]

They look awesome. Make me want a pair more and more.

If you don't mind me asking where did you get them from?

[fifthchamber]

Basil..

I'm in Japan, so where I got them from is probably beside the point to you, but I picked them up in Shibuya...There's a nice store called "Beams" there, and they sell Aldens under authority from Alden themselves... There aren't many shops out here who sell Aldens and even fewer who sell boots rather than the slip on shoes or business shoes...

Indianasloan, thanks mate....If he's in Japan too it might be me... ;-)

Regards..

[basil]

Ah my bad I thought that you got them from a website.

In Toronto only one store carries them but they are out at the moment.

[fifthchamber]

Yeah, given the current exchange rate, I'd have preferred to do it online too.. But since that's not really possible I decided to pay upfront..

Once you see them it's really hard not to buy them too.. Funny that..

Have you tried Leather Soul or Alden themselves? I think the San Francisco shop has an online store?

[basil]

I know the Alden shop has them but want to try the sizes in person just so I know how they fit.

[fifthchamber]

I ordered my "true size", the same as shoes I had that I loved the fit of from before...(My Timberlands)..And the size I got was perfect first choice out...

Depends on how much room you like and how worried you get about these things eh? If in doubt, order a half size up and wear thicker socks perhaps? (I agree, not as good as going and seeing yourself)..

You could visit the shop and ask them if they'll size you with some other Aldens to get a feel for the "Alden fit" and then order online from a site perhaps?

[niagrawhipco]

Nice boots! I've had my Alden's for a few years and I love them!

[Noah]

The color looks great! Just about identical to the 403's. Congrats!

[fifthchamber]

Thanks Bud!

Yeah eh? I really hope Alden have decided to keep these colours as "standard" for the 405's...I love em'!