ALDEN
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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. -
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.
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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!
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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.
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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?
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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
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@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.
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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!
