Feet Up! The Work Boot Thread

[smoothsailor]

looking good djgo-cat-go. Don,t want to steal your glory, but I did the same with mine, way better than the original

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[Ernest P Shackleton]

I received some Alden Indy boots last week. Construction was quite disappointing.

I've heard this a few times lately, and I guess their rebuild station is notorious for quickshot work. Anyone else heard that? I don't want to slander them and be inaccurate.

 

[pawineguy]

I've heard this a few times lately, and I guess their rebuild station is notorious for quickshot work. Anyone else heard that? I don't want to slander them and be inaccurate.

My personal experience has been that rebuild has been ok, actually very good, but as a whole I think they have had some quality struggles since they became a hot item again. I've gotten shoes that are absolute perfection and worth every penny, and other pairs that have gone back because of quality issues. YMMV

 

[djgo-cat-go]

looking good djgo-cat-go. Don,t want to steal your glory, but I did the same with mine, way better than the original

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No worries, it's not about glory, just sharing my enthusiasm on a big improvement on the shoe, but Wow smoothsailor, just wow. Who did this for you? Your based in Groningen right?

 

[Richard Warren]

To be clear, they are new Indy boots, no. 405. The stitching around the sole seems to be in the wrong place (closer to the edge than you would expect) but my real concern is that the heel on the left shoe is not well attached with a visible gap between heel and shoe on one side first visible and appearing on the other side after a day or so of wearing. The heel part of the shoe body now can be "wiggled" from the heel just a little by hand.

For all I know they might send out 1000 great pairs for every questionable one. Personally I'm 2 out of nine with Alden shoes that had significant problems in the last few years.

 

[LouisBailie]

It has been a long while since I posted anything on FL. I would like to share some pictures of my customized Redwing Beckman 9012s. Since it was needed to resole them and put new heels on the monsters. I always wanted a little different look on them, since i didn't like the original roccia sole and redwing heels, so I asked my cobbler to put on a double leather sole, stacked leather heel and finish it with Vibram Chevron soles and heels.. I asked for a slightly curved heel, and polish the finish of heel and sole to a high sheen.. The result is dramatically different and so beautiful, I feel like resoling all my Redwings!! So, what do you think?

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I like the full block heel better than the tapered or curved ones, with those vibram 705 soles and heels more stable.

 

[LouisBailie]

I have had 2 pair of indy boots and 3 other pairs of Alden into the factory for repair/rebuilding and all came back in excellent condition, faster turnaround than estimated and at or under estimated cost. A much better job than B Nelson out of NY.

 

[Atticus Finch]

Some you frequent flyers may recognize this carpet. It's on the floor in Atlanta Hartsfield airport. My Georgia Boots and I are stuck in never ending holiday flight delays and I'm beginning to despair that I should have just walked to Wisconsin.

AF

 

[LouisBailie]

To be clear, they are new Indy boots, no. 405. The stitching around the sole seems to be in the wrong place (closer to the edge than you would expect) but my real concern is that the heel on the left shoe is not well attached with a visible gap between heel and shoe on one side first visible and appearing on the other side after a day or so of wearing. The heel part of the shoe body now can be "wiggled" from the heel just a little by hand.

For all I know they might send out 1000 great pairs for every questionable one. Personally I'm 2 out of nine with Alden shoes that had significant problems in the last few years.

Call Alden and leave your number for the lady to return your call. She will take care of that and any other problem you have, she has even taken care of eBay Aldens I got that were a little screwed up.

I do know that alden does have seconds that show up at the shoe mart and eBay with problems you mention, they were heavily discounted when sold. If you by chance got a pair of those, they will still repair them for a min cost.

 

[LouisBailie]

I sent 5 pairs of alden boots in at one time thios spring , to get the hooks replaced..

Alden called and told me that the heels on the 2 pair of shell cordovan boots I sent in were showing minor signs of separation between the rubber lower heel and mid heel blocks. They suggested I allow them to replace them with their newer leather rubber heel, at no cost, within the same time frame quoted to replace the hooks with eyelets.

It does not get better than that in my estimation.

 

[smoothsailor]

Djgo-cat-go, thanks. Its done by brass Tokyo , at the time i didn,t dare to send them to Delft . Good to know we are able now. Ja ik ben in groningen, jij?

 

[djgo-cat-go]

I like the full block heel better than the tapered or curved ones, with those vibram 705 soles and heels more stable.

stable walking or stable estethically?

 

[Richard Warren]

Call Alden and leave your number for the lady to return your call. She will take care of that and any other problem you have, she has even taken care of eBay Aldens I got that were a little screwed up.

I do know that alden does have seconds that show up at the shoe mart and eBay with problems you mention, they were heavily discounted when sold. If you by chance got a pair of those, they will still repair them for a min cost.

Thanks all for the advice. I bought them a from a reputable Alden dealer from whom I have received nice Alden shoes in the past, and paid I believe $512. I actually like the look (a somewhat specialized taste), the fit, and the comfort of the shoes. If the heel connection does go bad, I may try to get them repaired locally, not really a big deal. I just saw this work boot post right after I got them (while admittedly feeling some disappointment) and thought I would throw my two cents worth in to point out the benefits of closely inspecting items received through the mail and indeed being prepared to return them if appropriate, which I chose not to do. What I see as a problem others may not notice and others may scream at in horror. In my somewhat experienced but still humble opinion these boots should not have left the factory or the store and a good return policy/customer service is not really a substitute for a well made product to start with.

 

[LouisBailie]

stable walking or stable estethically?

walking

 

[LouisBailie]

"these boots should not have left the factory or the store"
The QC person at the factory may speak a different language and have very different standards that allow them to pass initial inspection, also remember some times leathers moves/shrinks after the shoes or boots are made.

 

[Sheepdog149]

Got my Chippewa 27911's in the mail today -- they fit like a glove!

 

[the cappuccino kid]

Nice "dh66!" Today, I'm wearing my new Frye Sutton mid lace boots:

I swapped the factory laces for a pair of custom horsehide laces

They look amazing. I googled "Frye Sutton mid lace boots" and the result wasn´t anything like yours.
Perhaps it´s the high shine and delux laces that does the trick?
Best whishes

 

[Sheepdog149]

They look amazing. I googled "Frye Sutton mid lace boots" and the result wasn´t anything like yours.
Perhaps it´s the high shine and delux laces that does the trick?
Best whishes

I must say, the online pic doesn't do them justice. They're nicer in person. Thanks!

 

[tropicalbob]

Man, somebody's having a nice Christmas! This is the first I've seen of the Suttons, and I'm really impressed. I see that Frye has done away with my favorite boots, the Jackson Engineers, so I've been looking at those Chippewas, which seem like an alternative. How is the sizing on them?

 

[Sheepdog149]

tropicalbob, how are you sir? I wish you & yours a merry xmas. Ya, I've picked up a few boots lately... I've been on somewhat of a boot/jacket buying binge =) The wife is starting to give me dirty looks ;D I got lucky with the sizing on these Chippewa Brown Bomber Boots (27911)... I have wide feet, so I ordered them in 9 EE... I'm a 9.5 EE -- but I read reviews, stating that these run about a 1/2 size bigger... The 9 EE fit me like a glove -- very comfortable, supple leather. They're not safety toed, but that's okay... For me, they're just knock-around jean boots.