The Alden 405 Indy Boot is not a workboot.

[Matt Deckard]

I learned this from Alden about 30 years ago when I bought a captoe dress boot and a longwing that were in the Foot Balance line. The Alden 405 has lost its heritage. It's an orthotic shoe meant to be the casual alternative to an orthopedic line designed in an era where dress shoes were the norm. softer leather for casual wear and grainy footbed to hold orthotics in place. The S shaped Thomas heel was to give it an outflare for pronated feet. It, like all the other foot balance shoes designed in their day was not made to the specs of the standard Alden shoes, as Alden wanted to make them a more reasonable price for the orthopedic market... cotton linings and all. The Orthopedic market didn't have as many makers doing orthopedic shoes that weren't custom in the 30's 40's and 50's. Transforming the casual orthopedic shoe into a workboot is why the 405 (Indy Boot) being shoehorned into the workboot world is not easy to do.

 

[大馬伕]

The story is that Harrison Ford wore them when he was doing carpentry. Which is probably true. Only I have never seen any other carpenter, or trades person, wearing them. They're just too expensive for trades workers. Most electricians, carpenters, plumbers, roofers, etc., are wearing work boots which costs 1/3 or 1/2 what Alden boots sell for.

 

[TLW '90]

The story is that Harrison Ford wore them when he was doing carpentry. Which is probably true. Only I have never seen any other carpenter, or trades person, wearing them. They're just too expensive for trades workers. Most electricians, carpenters, plumbers, roofers, etc., are wearing work boots which costs 1/3 or 1/2 what Alden boots sell for.

There was a point when they were priced reasonably, and in an era where most boots were hard wearing I could see somebody who was say a finish carpenter ( not sure the extent of H.F'S job ) wearing them to get a desired level of comfort in a package that passably resembled what you'd expect a seasoned professional carpenter to wear.
This was a time when the average person might still make certain assumptions about a carpenter you hired if they showed up in sneakers or tennis shoes.

 

[Edward]

There was a point when they were priced reasonably, and in an era where most boots were hard wearing I could see somebody who was say a finish carpenter ( not sure the extent of H.F'S job ) wearing them to get a desired level of comfort in a package that passably resembled what you'd expect a seasoned professional carpenter to wear.
This was a time when the average person might still make certain assumptions about a carpenter you hired if they showed up in sneakers or tennis shoes.

I would be very surprised if the price hadn't been markedly inflated by the discovery of a whole new fan market after 1981.

 

[Bfd70]

That HF thing is 45 yrs old. Back then it was probably common for a man to have 2 pairs of shoes. Also, “worked as a carpenter” and “was a carpenter” are two different things. Was he pounding nails on some job for 6 months while trying to be an actor or did he hold a union card and spend 7 years on job sites? My example may be unclear but just because i took out the trash today shouldn’t make me in my legend a sanitation worker. Fwiw Indiana jones is my favorite movie

 

[TLW '90]

I would be very surprised if the price hadn't been markedly inflated by the discovery of a whole new fan market after 1981.

I've never watched any of the movies, but I'll bet it probably wasn't till some of them came out on VHS that the boots were identified by a large sector of the fanbase and not until that info could be shared to all so even those without a VCR could know.

That is to say I'm guessing the " Indiana Jones boots " probably didn't become popular because of those movies until the internet age.

 

[Edward]

I've never watched any of the movies, but I'll bet it probably wasn't till some of them came out on VHS that the boots were identified by a large sector of the fanbase and not until that info could be shared to all so even those without a VCR could know.

That is to say I'm guessing the " Indiana Jones boots " probably didn't become popular because of those movies until the internet age.

It'd be interesting to know. I've seen an evolution in costume knowledge on Rocky Horror, and there qere definitely marked changes in broad knowledge with vhs, the web, and ultimately dvd for the details. I remember things did go around by word of mouth pre web. Brand names moreso than specific details in some cases.

 

[ChewingWax]

I've never watched any of the movies, but I'll bet it probably wasn't till some of them came out on VHS that the boots were identified by a large sector of the fanbase and not until that info could be shared to all so even those without a VCR could know.

That is to say I'm guessing the " Indiana Jones boots " probably didn't become popular because of those movies until the internet age.

Are you intentionally not watching the movies so that you can say you haven’t seen them?

 

[TLW '90]

Are you intentionally not watching the movies so that you can say you haven’t seen them?

No, they just don't really appeal to me.
Come to think of it I did see that crystal skull one once, but if I'm not mistaken it was considered bad by a lot of fans.

 

[Fifty150]

It's an orthotic shoe meant to be the casual alternative to an orthopedic line designed in an era where dress shoes were the norm.

Transforming the casual orthopedic shoe into a workboot is why the 405 (Indy Boot) being shoehorned into the workboot world is not easy to do.

I can't even begin to imagine, how anyone would consider the Alden to be a work boot. I have moc toe work boots. They look nothing like an Alden. No tradesperson or blue collar worker could possibly walk into an Alden boutique by accident, then accidently spend over $700 on a pair of Indy Boots.

I have Alden boots. Never once, have I put them on by accident, then climbed into a trench or walked onto a job site.



Whatever Alden Indy Boots are, they are clearly not a workboot. For me, it's a comfortable shoe. A luxury item, which costs way more than I am comfortable with spending on a pair of shoes. It has it's merits. I like the leather. I like the leather insole. I like the cork sole. I even like the 4 speed hooks. A very comfortable fit on my feet, in my Brannock size.

 

[One Drop]

Whatever their origins, no one considers them to be a work boot these days, they are, as far as I can tell, considered a Heritage style casual boot. Harrison Ford''s by now well known history of having worn them for his carpentry work and insistence on featuring them in the IJ movie doesn't change this.

Like many articles of clothing and footwear that have remained or since become popular or fashionable since their original incarnation or heyday,, they no longer serve their original function in any meaningful way. I'm not seeing how these boots are being shoehorned into anything but the luxury heritage boot market.

 

[Fifty150]

Whatever their origins, no one considers them to be a work boot these days, they are, as far as I can tell, considered a Heritage style casual boot.

There are probably some customers who are buying it as an orthopedic device.


At the price, it's certainly a "luxury" item.

 

[Fifty150]

Here is an interesting perspective on Alden pricing.

 

[JC225]

I thought I would chime in here on this thread because I have owned a few pairs of 405's over the years (and in my opinion), they are not what I would call a "Work Boot"! Now, if your work is conducted in an environment where you are well dressed and or not outside in the elements while digging trenches, you are probably going to be ok.
They certainly are not affordable, but are very comfortable and will do you well if you decide to drop that amount of cash.

Like others have already stated, these are sitting in the closet right next to the rest of my dress shoes.

 

[Fifty150]

There's quite a discussion over the pricing of these shoes. Are The Alden Indy overpriced? Depends on perspective. Depends on your risk tolerance level. Are any luxury goods worth their price? Hand bags, watches, cars, clothes, jewelry......... How do you compare the spot price of silver to Tiffany and Co.? It's a ridiculous statement that for the price, Alden is cheating you out of $5 worth of leather in the heel stack or midsole, or whatever the prevailing gripe is.

 

[Fifty150]

The Alden Indy Boot does use a real leather insole. That is what they last the shoe onto, and what you're standing on. Your feet will break in to the insole, and it will have an impression of your foot.


The controversy is the use of recycled leather in the heel counter, heel rand, midsole, and heel stack. I get it. People like real leather. They are sold on the idea that real leather is better. The recycled leather material is lighter, and provides more flex. This may have it's merits in an orthopedic shoe, so that your feet don't hurt. As for the structural integrity of the shoe, mine have not disintegrated, melted, or otherwise fallen apart. I've never seen an Alden Indy simply crumble apart. It appears as if the shoe holds together just fine, as built, and is able to be resoled repeatedly.

Red Wing Iron Rangers have a leather insole, but do not have a midsole or heel stack. The rubber sole is sewn directly to the welt. The rubber heel block is nailed to the bottom of the shoe.

The Iron Ranger for women, and all of the women's models, does not have a leather insole. They use a synthetic lasting board, topped with poron and a leather sock liner. Then layers of recycled leather under the welt to build up the outsole and heels.

The Iron Ranger Traction Tred uses a synthetic lasting board, topped with poron and a leather sock liner. The boot is stitched to a rubber midsole, then a rubber wedge sole is glued on. I have a pair of Allen Edmonds Park City boots which are built in the same fashion. Just like Thorogood, Wolverine, Carolina, Sears, or any other moc toe, wedge sole work boot.

​

Wolverine 1000 Mile Boots use a synthetic lasting boards, topped with a little foam, and half a sock liner. The shoe is stitched to a leather midsole. The heel stacks are fiberboard.

Not apples to apples comparisons. 1000 Mile Boots and Iron Rangers, like Alden Indy, are referred to as "work boots". Although work could be liberally defined as selling bumper stickers at a used car dealership. I have never seen any of these shoes being worn for building trades, in plant operations, road construction, forestry, or anything like that.


Are they too expensive? Are they ripping you off? When you spend $$$**X, did they cheat you out of $5 worth of leather? Is there a reasonable expectation that your shoe should be layers and layers, and pounds of leather, like a Pacific NorthWest boot? Is it acceptable for a shoe to incorporate a little technology to make the shoe lighter and more comfortable? For the record, none of these boots are known for catastrophic failure. They are known to last for many years, and good enough for several resoles.




Ultimately it's a personal decision on what you want to spend, and how you perceive the value of your merchandise.

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[MishawakaBrian]

I can't even begin to imagine, how anyone would consider the Alden to be a work boot. I have moc toe work boots. They look nothing like an Alden. No tradesperson or blue collar worker could possibly walk into an Alden boutique by accident, then accidently spend over $700 on a pair of Indy Boots.

View attachment 676596​

I have Alden boots. Never once, have I put them on by accident, then climbed into a trench or walked onto a job site.



Whatever Alden Indy Boots are, they are clearly not a workboot. For me, it's a comfortable shoe. A luxury item, which costs way more than I am comfortable with spending on a pair of shoes. It has it's merits. I like the leather. I like the leather insole. I like the cork sole. I even like the 4 speed hooks. A very comfortable fit on my feet, in my Brannock size.

View attachment 676597 View attachment 676600 View attachment 676598 View attachment 676599​

I can't even begin to imagine, how anyone would consider the Alden to be a work boot. I have moc toe work boots. They look nothing like an Alden. No tradesperson or blue collar worker could possibly walk into an Alden boutique by accident, then accidently spend over $700 on a pair of Indy Boots.

View attachment 676596​

I have Alden boots. Never once, have I put them on by accident, then climbed into a trench or walked onto a job site.



Whatever Alden Indy Boots are, they are clearly not a workboot. For me, it's a comfortable shoe. A luxury item, which costs way more than I am comfortable with spending on a pair of shoes. It has it's merits. I like the leather. I like the leather insole. I like the cork sole. I even like the 4 speed hooks. A very comfortable fit on my feet, in my Brannock size.

View attachment 676597 View attachment 676600 View attachment 676598 View attachment 676599​

Hello. I’m new here and I have to disagree on the work boot thing.
I bought my first pair about 30 years ago and didn’t accidentally were them anywhere.
I did wear them on purpose to many job sites,hikes and camping excursions.
About the only time I didn’t where them was when I was playing ball or it was below 20 degrees.
I had the soles redone by Alden once and another time by an old boot maker in Oregon.
He put vibram soles on. I will say they were an upgrade for winter traction.
They finally gave out two years ago and I did pony up 700 for a new pair.
I’ve been a caretaker for a 50 acre partially wooded farm for the last couple years and I can wear them 24 hours a day. Slog through just about any ****.,cut timber and repair fence line and when I do take them off my feet do not hurt.
I guess all I’m really saying is that for me they get the job done. That and if they last half as long as my last pair it’s money well spent