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    ALDEN

    Footwear
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    • M
      mowgli222
      Raw and Unwashed
      Joined:

      @derivative666 Thank you very much..

      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • K
        khaki8
        Joined:

        I called the factory once for that kind of info…they were very helpful.

        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • seawolfS
          seawolf
          Mod Squad
          Joined:

          Alden 9901.  A perfect match for my Chief uniform.

          Black Shell, Barrie last.

          “Good design is actually a lot harder to notice than poor design, in part because good designs fit our needs so well that the design is invisible” - Don Norman

          @zeebeeleather

          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • derivative666D
            derivative666
            Joined:

            Very smart looking

            "honorable mention to the bearded giant aka derivative666 for being a stand up dude & not changing with the seasons since i've been around these parts" Monday

            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • D
              denimeric
              Joined:

              Very,very nice shoes seawolf!

              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • seawolfS
                seawolf
                Mod Squad
                Joined:

                Thanks gents! I'd been wearing the Navy issued dress shoes for 10 years and they were terribly uncomfortable. Now I've got actual support and a steel shank. Life is good with good shoes on, and I love the Barrie last. It feels like it's made for my feet.

                “Good design is actually a lot harder to notice than poor design, in part because good designs fit our needs so well that the design is invisible” - Don Norman

                @zeebeeleather

                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • GilesG
                  Giles
                  IHUK Crew
                  Joined:

                  It never ceases to amaze me how the armed forces all over the world expect their men and women to wear shite.  Our troops in Irag were spending fortunes of their own money to get clothing that was actually fit for purpose….

                  "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • seawolfS
                    seawolf
                    Mod Squad
                    Joined:

                    yes, that, and the fact that I know what a good pair of shoes feels like, and I can never go back to whatever shite they're selling at the uniform store. For years, I thought my feet just hurt after standing for a while. I always hated Converse All-Stars as a child because my feet would be so miserable. It didn't occur to me until much later that the reason I don't wear many off-the-rack shoes is because they lack the support that I need. Honestly, my first pair of real shoes didn't come until about 5 years ago when I bought my first pair of Wescos. Then I started to really care about the quality of the things I was wearing. Then came Iron Heart…. yada yada yada. It's all been downhill from there 😛

                    Back to your point though.... I think a lot of our uniforms are pretty good. The people that make decisions about what we wear at least offer a trial period to a chosen few to test out new uniforms. They also consider feedback from around the Navy which sometimes results in change for the better. All of our uniforms by law, have to made in the USA which lends a certain measure of quality to our gear.

                    My Service Dress Blue uniform is actually made by Brooks Brothers. It cost a bit more, but I don't wear it very often, and when I do I want it to look GOOD! Also, I figure I'll get at least 9 years of solid use out of it no problem (assuming I don't grow into it)  🙂  so it was worth investing a little more into a better quality uniform.

                    “Good design is actually a lot harder to notice than poor design, in part because good designs fit our needs so well that the design is invisible” - Don Norman

                    @zeebeeleather

                    last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • madmondayM
                      madmonday
                      Raw and Unwashed
                      Joined:

                      super late congrats.

                      😞

                      i'm very proud of what you've dedicated yourself to as service members tend 2 get sh!t on despite all they sacrifice.

                      head high, middle finger higher

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                      • G
                        grandmasterben
                        Joined:

                        I know that alden is kinda seen as a joke quality-wise amongst various forums, do you guys think its blown out or proportion and that they at least make good dress shoes?  I'm not looking for any essays, just some general thoughts… ill be damned if cigar shell bluchers don't look nice as hell!

                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • seawolfS
                          seawolf
                          Mod Squad
                          Joined:

                          Thanks Monday! That means even more coming from a Marine 🙂

                          As for the quality, I've never had an issue. They make awesome dress shoes. End of story.  I've never bought a collab makeup so I can't speak to that level of quality, but Alden of New England has never let me down.

                          “Good design is actually a lot harder to notice than poor design, in part because good designs fit our needs so well that the design is invisible” - Don Norman

                          @zeebeeleather

                          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • derivative666D
                            derivative666
                            Joined:

                            @seawolf:

                            As for the quality, I've never had an issue. They make awesome dress shoes. End of story.  I've never bought a collab makeup so I can't speak to that level of quality, but Alden of New England has never let me down.

                            Alden is definitely not a joke. You cannot compare a dress boot/shoe to a pair of whites, Viberg's or Wesco. The comfort level of Alden is incredible. Every pair that I have had (7 pair) have all been comfortable, durable and beautiful. IMO their is no classier shoe then an Alden Cordovan Longwing. As far as the "Indy boots" the comfort level is outstanding. Zero break in time and I have never had any quality issues.    I have put plenty of miles in them trouncing around the woods.

                            "honorable mention to the bearded giant aka derivative666 for being a stand up dude & not changing with the seasons since i've been around these parts" Monday

                            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • louisboscoL
                              louisbosco
                              啓蒙家
                              Joined:

                              @grandmasterben:

                              I know that alden is kinda seen as a joke quality-wise amongst various forums, do you guys think its blown out or proportion and that they at least make good dress shoes?  I'm not looking for any essays, just some general thoughts… ill be damned if cigar shell bluchers don't look nice as hell!

                              interesting.. as part of the discussion, i'm just wondering if those people see it as a joke for it's quality by itself, or compared to other brands such as c&j or others?

                              "Loyalty is a two way street. If i'm asking for it from you, then you're getting it from me."

                              • Harvey Specter
                              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • madmondayM
                                madmonday
                                Raw and Unwashed
                                Joined:

                                NP seawolf u deserve those cudos.

                                on to Alden

                                my issues were never with the quality or lack of quality of Alden, it was always the way they dealt with customer service. i support people i "think" i like & as such haven't bought an item from them since a friend had issues with them.  It came down to my not wanting to support a company who didn't stand with the product they produce or even worse put me through the ringer to address a concern i have with a product i spend my money on.

                                with that said, i still have 2 pairs &  they are my "nice" or "dress-up" footwear . . . which means i never wear them

                                head high, middle finger higher

                                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • summ3rhaysS
                                  summ3rhays
                                  Joined:

                                  @grandmasterben My one pair of Alden are the Indy boots. I would highly recommend and I've worn mine often for 2+ yrs. Zero issues or complaints.

                                  IG: summ3rhays & Indigobleed

                                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • tigerpacT
                                    tigerpac
                                    Joined:

                                    I've never heard the quality being described as a joke.  I have 3 pairs and they're among the best.  Now the customer service… that's another matter.

                                    last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • arrowA
                                      arrow
                                      Joined:

                                      to my knowledge, no other US shoe maker uses steel shank for support.  Please correct me if I'm wrong.
                                      To me that is the key in providing the comfort.  Even the suede chukkas feel solid.

                                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • GilesG
                                        Giles
                                        IHUK Crew
                                        Joined:

                                        By shoemaker, do you also mean bootmaker?

                                        If so, Wesco use a Non corrosive steel shank

                                        "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

                                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • S
                                          superfuzz
                                          Joined:

                                          I think there have been some issues with Alden quality control since they have blown up over the last few years or so. I've never had any quality problems. But it had been a few years since I bought a pair.

                                          Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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                                          • A
                                            aho
                                            Joined:

                                            I wore my 405's through an abusive two years straight as my daily work beater pair (including two Chicago winters, salt and all) and aside from needing a complete resole, haven't had any major issues with them. In that time however, I did go through 4 pairs of their waxed laces (which really do suck), and had some bending on the speed hooks which were easily fixed when I took them in for the resole. The leather is surprisingly durable and I honestly didn't take care of the boots at all in those two years!

                                            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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