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Shocked at the way the sole is wearing in just a month of wear. I'd be raging if it happened to a pair of boots I purchased at that price, or any price to be honest!

As an Alden fanboy, I completely agree with all the complaints. I hope they change there ways. My 30 year old Alden’s look better than my new ones. I now buy Vibergs instead.

Someone give this man a medal for trying his damndest to not say “this boot sucks” when he’s proven multiple times that it does.

30 days of wear and the heel stack has a gap, as well as the commando outsole peeling off? Yikes, for any price point.

Actually amazed at what they let slip through QC. If these were Iron Rangers, I would've returned them with those blemishes

When I was looking for a pair of cordovan longwings, I immediately looked to Alden. But after some research, I ended up buying a pair of vintage Florsheim and having them professionally restored and resoled. Quality was just way better back in the day

Holy cow, I had the same issue!!!! I got a pair of these in snuff suede for my birthday at the beginning of October, have been wearing them 3 days a week or so to the office, and the heel is already peeling away on the edges. Took them to a cobbler last week to get them re-glued and re-nailed properly.

Weston, I've experienced the same issues with my speacial-make-up, barrie-lasted Alden Indy shell cordovan boots. Alden is well aware of these issues because I found blogs and videos showcasing these issues from a decade ago. Alden refuses to correct known issues...

Great video: your honesty is commendable! I came to the Alden side after many years of window shopping and lusting from afar. I’m on my forth pair and that nostalgia I once had in joining the Alden Army as begun to wear down (pun intended). Although I’ve only owned Barrie and True-balance lasted shoes/boots, I must say my plain blucher boots on the Truebalance lasts are definitely my most comfortable Alden boots. Putting all that aside, the three videos in the Alden series thus far have put a damper on my love affair with Aldens. Given the extensive amount of other offerings from other brands these days, I’m no longer sure I will evolve into an “Alden boy”. Much like you perfectly stated: Yes, they’re beautifully styled and comfortable boots, but may no longer justify their price…for [me].

I love these long form videos! It's really cool to get deeper into the details, very cool

it's nice that somebody with this large of a platform is making the critique. Alden has zero excuses for all of the issues.

Your honesty, in-depth research is greatly appreciated... BIG UPs!

Thanks for the in depth review. Appreciate your detail and honesty.

Love the in depth second channel video, keep em coming

The rise and fall of these boots have been surprising. I remember a decade ago when these would be at the top of many lists.

Loving this kind of in depth stuff

Thank you for this complete honest review, and yes it is your opinion but the fact the price is where it's at, i will not waste my hard earned money on a boot that is not well built. No fake anything, no issues with quality. Untill that boot gets better, with no price increase, then hell yeah. I really do want this boot.

Great video! $900 is a custom boot territory, way too much to have blatant leather blemishes and sloppy sewing. I don’t think you should wear them for the full six months, there are other boots that would be cool for you to do full wear tests, especially if at one month those boots are already coming apart. I have a pair of Thursdays that have over 1000 miles on them of hard manual labor that aren’t coming apart like that.

That last/width demonstration was great!

The outline experiment was very cool. It's interesting how important the moc stitch is dressing up the boot despite the wide last.

These long wear videos are awesome! It's so helpful knowing what I'm getting into before buying something.

That overhead explaination was worth its weight in gold. I'm pretty new to the boot world, and your videos are so helpful!

I really enjoy your honest approach, man.

I love the honest yet thoughtful opinion on each aspect of these boots these.

I really liked this video. The comparison of the footprint between the Alden's, the Jim Green's, and the dress shoes was great and really helped your explanation. I would actually be considering the Alden's from that, if it wasn't for the longevity worries you brought up later in the video. Please do make more videos like this. I loved the personal talk about your opinions on the boot design.

I fell in love with the Alden Indy a few years ago while searching forums for shoes/boots to fit my hard to size feet. This last is clearly well developed as befitting a company this old. But I'm so glad I did research before trying to buy a pair. All the data I gathered on my own indicated Aldens wood generally look great and fit great. But also that I risked spending a lot of money on a boot likely to come with defects and subpar materials that my feet would likely destroy. It was also clear that Alden as a company is in desperate need of an overhaul in customer service, marketing and manufacturing processes. Their footwear has so much potential so it would be nice to see the company turn over a new leaf.

Awesome video, thank you for doing this review! I can't wait to see the 6 month video!

This channel convinced me I really wanted a pair of Indy boots. Really one of my dream pair...

In before the Alden fanboys try to take over the comments. ..Not that I'm really expecting a wave of comments. For the most part Weston has a really supportive community, especially on this channel.

I've made a couple pairs of boots using only premium materials: full grain leathers, high-quality brass eyelets, ritza thread, vibram rubber, etc.; with tradition hand-welted Norwegian construction, and the material cost per pair was around $135; paying retail prices. I don't see why Alden would cut corners when it comes to materials, since that's the cheapest part of making a boot, right? I wonder how much money they actually save by using lesser materials. I hope the savings are going toward better wages for their employees, at least. It's such a shame to pair cordovan leather with junky eyelets, split leather insoles, compressed cardboard, low quality control standards, etc. It's almost a waste. And the fake Norwegian welt strikes me as such an absurd thing to do. I'll never understand why people like fake stuff only for the looks.

I love the idea of these long-term review videos

You are spot on. I have many of the same issues with my 405's

Thank you for making this video actually talking about Alden with a critical eye

this is the best breakdown of the alden trubalance last i've ever seen, LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!

Good review. I got them in light brown 405. I found them a little bit loose on my foot. I did add insoles and it helped with the wiggling a bit. Thanks for your detailed reviews on Alden.

I would love to see a video of Weston talking to Bedo's leather work about the Indy boot

I have owned a pair of Alden Indys as part of my work boot rotation (essentially a finish carpenter). Bought them off eBay ($250)about 10 years ago practically new condition, re-soled twice so far. Very comfy workbook, no end-of-day fatigue, and I like the older style (they’ve been around since 1930s, I think). They are falling apart internally and hopefully can have my cobbler replace the heel-counter with real leather, and all the other leatherboard parts on the next re-sole. However I would never pay current full retail price, but rather spend that $$$ on some PNW boots (JK, Nick’s, White’s, et. al.).

Love it or hate it, I appreciate the honest review. Zits, warts and all the good stuff too.

Can't wait to see the long-term follow ups

Learnt a lot! Thank you Rose Anvil :D!

I mentioned it before I really like what you're doing I enjoy your channel I enjoy all the information and definitely inspired me to save up to get me a good quality boot I've only been to afford Walmart boots and such maybe this year will be the year appreciate you thank you so much keep up the good work

Looking forward to the podcasts!

As someone with an 8.5 EEE I envy all y’all that have narrow feet. I can’t find a damn thing that fits properly. I can pretty much only wear Ecco brand.

I've had these boots for over 10 years, worn every so often, and they are in excellent condition. Someday I will send them in for refurbishment and have brand new boots. Nice review.

I have had numerous Alden Indy boots in my collection for 20 years and agree with you on your assessment. I am a "D" width in all my boots from various makers. Indy boots after the leather breaks in stretches to the point the laces are almost touching when laced. I end up using tongue pads, thick boot socks and some type of thin inserts to keep some separation. Even buying a "C" width is the same situation but just takes a little longer to happen. Got rid of all my shell Aldens as they just were too dressy for casual wear but still have a few pairs of the 403 and 405 boots. I have a big collection now and rotate which means I should be good in keeping the ones I have due to low wear time. Prices are crazy for the boots now and were kind of high when cheaper. The Indy is fine for an office setting or casual wear if in a rotation. Not a serious outside boot but more of a city boot. Also, the tongue sliding around is another issue on a boot. Still like the look and will keep what I have already bought but will not buy more.

I love the conversation you've started with Alden. Looking forward to having you on Full Grain Podcast

I was pretty neutral on this debate, but honestly I was shocked by the amount of wear these boots have after only 30 days! This would be ridiculous for any boot at any price. When you got them there was a huge mark on the inner lining, now the sole is coming off the toe, the heel is coming off, the stitching for the sole is worn through. This is basically a defective boot and I think you should get Alden involved here and see if they can comment on the boot or maybe give you a new pair so that you can try again.

i was looking on jcrew the other day and saw a boot called the "kenton pacer boot". it caught my attention as i feel like it's very very similar to the indy boots, for half of the price. When i did some more research, it seems that alden makes boots for jcrew, and have done lots of collaborations with them. they even have a limited edition chromexel one, but the standard ones leather seems to be tanned by horween. Would you be interested in cutting it in half, and seeing if it's a close alternative to the indy boot, for under 300?

Awesome video, excited for the 6 month check in.... and eventually a cut in half! Break the hype!

It isn't unfair for people to have a high expectation of something they're paying $900 for. It seems like Alden is using people's natural response to justify such an expensive purchase to their advantage, even if they don't market their boots that way. I've had flip flops that held their form better after a month of heavy use.

Thanks for making this video a couple of months after I sold off mine on ebay for 130 bucks. I Originally paid around 750 and wore them for 5 years, till I decided I don't need them anymore. They were really pretty. The high point was the lustre of the shine, which came very easily after just a few brushes. Conditioning was a bit tricky, because some white residue resulted from the cordovan cream. But the seams were bursting and the leather soles wore through. I'm happy I had them, but equally happy I sold them for such a high price, I was quite surprised.

Thanks for all the work you do this is really helpful. I was considering these, but not anymore. I do have some Crockett and Jones and was wondering if you’ve done any reviews on their boots I haven’t been able to find any of them being cut apart

I really appreciate this video.

I have a pair of the 403's purchased off of Ebay and then sent them to Aaron at Revive Shoe repair for a resole. they are now worth the price someone paid for them new... But I will say, I have not seen any flaws in my uppers and the leather is so much nicer than any of my other boots. (Iron Rangers, 1000 miles and Thursday)

Can you do the most famous allen edmonds claim to fame higgins mill ?

I have skinny ankles and a low instep, so I use an insole in most of my boots. I also have a pair of Rose Anvil kilties to help take up a little space. The Red Wing Merchant is the only heritage boot that feels like it was made for my foot. No insole, kiltie, or thick socks required.

they are gorgeous boots!! i feel like yes, they are on the dressier side but they look extremely nice and its not a silly dressy. some things look silly when too formal but they are gorgeous and it shows. could make almost any outfit immediately nicer. edit: for the price?? nah 😭 especially for the build quality oh my god like just for the aesthetics yeah but damn nahhh

I've become more and more aware of just how tight shoes tend to be these days, so its an interesting observation how these shoes manage to be wide yet still appear sleek.

Great episode mate🍻

Very insightful information. I now understand why my Indy boot is more comfortable than my Alden longwings. Wider toe box, less swueeze on the toes.

Your editor keeps making me laugh

A series for motorcycle boots/shoes in late winter/ early spring would be amazing

I do like a boot price bracket and teardown to show the materials. It would be a very interesting topic to talk about on both ends of the spectrum. I feel like if someone found a fairly old indy boot. Just some TLC and then a resole for more leather would be fine

To your point about the width - my Brannock width is a D, but because of my foot shape I'm actually closer to EE if you measure my foot with a measuring tape. I'd wager that a lot more people have much wider feet than they think they do, so going from a super narrow last like a Thursday or a dressier boot or a sneaker to something with more room in the vamp and toe box is naturally going to feel a lot more comfortable.

Didn’t these used to be $400? Was thinking of getting a pair back then but now I definitely won’t!

Great video!

Love these videos.

the first video is spot on. this 3rd video just confirms it.

I'm adding a comment during the ad sec because I want this channel to live

You're so right about that nasty foam pad under the heel. So many companies do that, even in dress shoes and its always annoying. The first thing I do when buying new boots/shoes that have these is rip them out. I suppose its for the people that think that foam under your foot is a good idea and comfortable. On the skinny ankle thing I feel you so much. I'am 5cm shy of the 2m mark in body height and have long legs. Skinny around the ankles and apart from finding shoes that are wide enough at the ball and being long enough overall in most higher cut boots I have the problem of too much room around the ankle and lower calf and can never tighten those down. Quite annoying. I think its a quite similar problem as with bicycles: most lasts are scaled up from the average sizes which the companies do the most research on, but sizing is not linear in this way unfortunately. In my youth there was a good supply of vitnage combat boots floating around for little money, which I gladly wore. The quality of those things was oftentimes outstanding. The leather quality alone. Had a black altama army boot from the mid 80s for a long time, you hardly find leathr like this on much more expensive shoes today. A highlight was a 1943 swedish army boot which could be attached to skies. Superb leather, double layered leather outsole, stitched construction with wooden pegs and metal fittings on heel and toe plus metal nails in the sole for grip. Its really a shame what has become of footwear these days on the whole - a giant mountain of petro plastic waste.

I got into watching your content, while I was researching to buy more sustainable shoes. During researching, I started to learn more about barefoot shoes. Now I have gone away from Allen Edmonds to Vivobarefoot, and I think I made the right decision, for me. Keep up your great content!

Indeed a brilliant Last, even better, really nice socks!

I took my Army issue dress shoes on my Mormon mission for two years and had less problems that these Alden's did for 30 days. This is a crap boot just based on the sole alone .

Awesome review, thank you so much. I’ll stick with my Thursdays, Red Wings, and my fave, Grant Stone.

Way too expensive for a pair of basic boots esp. since there is not $900.00 worth of material and build quality. Better off with a pair of Jim Greens

"Skinny dainty little ankled boy like me" 🤣 i know the feeling

Weston….before i had found your channel earlier this year…i was wearing $120 timberlands and had just ordered some Made in England Docs…..now i have a pair of Indy 405s and the White’s drifters collabs on the way. Lol These companies owe you money. I KNOW that a lot of people don’t think the Indys are worth it….but i really wanted a pair and so far i love them. 🤷‍♂️

There is something very entertaining about watching rose anvil vs Alden. I can watch this all day lol

You mention the supination/pronation problem that you had. I encountered that as well on diferent shoes. I had this on boots where it was just on one shoe, sometimes on both and so on. Its sloppy manufacturing and not aligning the last and soles correctly. Its just like giving the boots/shoes a correct stand. A shoe/boot should have contact with the ground under the ball area and the heel should be on one plain with the forefoot and be completely flat on the ground. Oftentimes that is not correctly done and the shoe will rock back and forth on the front edge of the heelblock. That is in most cases quite uncomfortable for the wearer at the front of your heel. In german that is called the "stand" of the shoe. When the shoes missalign your foot it will also misallign your knees and waist area, which will in time give you knee pain most certainly or in the worst case fuck up the gristle in your knees prematurely on one or the other side.

You're heart's in the right place; I can tell you really didn't want to hate these but again, at that price point the quality should most definitely reflect that. Understandably Alden's not going to be a happy with the negative feedback, but hopefully that will force them to reconsider their pricing model, go back to the drawing board and make appropriate changes.

I do a lot of urban trekking around cities when I go on holiday (10-25km per day) and Indys are the only boots that don't give me blisters.... plus they are dressy enough to go into nice bars and restaurants. I supinate badly so all my boots (numerous brands) heels need to be replaced regularly. I think all my stress points go to the heel so I don't seem to wear boots out in other areas

I don’t need work boots, but the AE HM and Alden Indy give me the work ethic when I am dressed down.

Those boots look so good

i would enjoy in depth reviews over other clothing items (pants, jackets, etc) and see your take on quality and longevity

Almost time for the 6mo review 😮

If Thursday comes out with a cordovan boot I'm all over it

I enjoy my Grant Stones boots - appreciate them even more after watching this video.

From what I gather, they are built like a Thursday boot at double the price of Thursdays made in USA boots. It shows that you’re really paying for the name and legacy. Hopefully they can make a better boot at the same price but probably not. I hope you do Viberg for next years Patina ThunderDome since they are built like a stitchdown Red Wing at thrice the price. I guess they have to pay for all those machines.

Own the same boot but w speed hooks and within first week of wear, same thing happened w mine, the commando sole at the toe started to peel back… had to purchase boot glue to seal back up. If only this were posted 6 months ago!! 😭

I have always wanted a pair of Indy's. Now, after seeing this video, I am not so sure. At $900, they should not look this bad after 1 month or so. Reguardless, if they are a city or country boot, they should not look this bad after the this small time of usage. I guess Alden thinks their reputation should make up for their lack of using better material. Nice review Weston..I will be curious to see the 6 month review.

I love my Alden Indys, but I got them used and cheap so it was a great deal. I love the look and the comfort for daily use.

I have same thing on my soles. I have 4 pairs. The rubber has come unstitched and I mostly wear to the office in winter!

That wear after a short time is inexcusable. I know they're less dressy but I've worm my Red Wing Blacksmiths for what must be 1000 miles now, I've walked up mountains in them when I've forgotten my hiking boots. The stitching on the sole has worn through but the sole is still on their tight and they certainly don't have the heel issues like these, and they're half the price.

I remember just a few years back Alden was one of the top recommended brands.

One thing you failed to mention was the wide variety of widths and sizes that Alden offers, many people purchase Aldens simply because no other companies make decent shoes/boots in those sizes. Not even Allen Edmonds offers such a variety.

I bought a pair of Alden dress shoes this last year. They are very well made, and quite comfortable. I have come so so close to ordering some Indy boots so many times, but the price tag is really what holds me back. I would probably wear them as an office boot, and I have no doubt that they would be perfect. I'm wearing my Grant Stone diesel boots right now for about half the price, and I love these. Kind of hard to justify the jump in price. Maybe should check out viberg or Oak Street.

I really like my Jim green African Ranger .. for the price and upgraded the insoles I added it’s a great boot for everyday use . Especially in Crazy horse leather which I love !! I have some Custom Recrafted shoes and boots .. I was considering a Indy boot .. but not at 900$ maybe the vintage pair is crafted better ?

I've owned many brands and have spent a lot of money of a pair of boots but I just can't seem to convince myself about a pair of Aldens. As time goes videos like these just solidify my decision. I will still with other brands.

The best last ever created is "Munson last" by senior officer of the United States Army Medical Corps Edward Lyman Munson. Corcoran boots still use it. Check out Munson very informative book "The soldier's foot and the military shoe; a handbook for officers and non-commissioned officers of the line", Fort Leavenworth, 1912