Thanks for this. I almost considered buying a commando sole shoe. Now I will choose the all leather Aldens instead.

Can't say I've had this problem with my Aldens, but you're right: this is unacceptable.

Great video but your saving folks money with honest reviews keep it up.

"This doesn't happen to Vibergs." Lmao. Sure.

Awesome video......Sean, thank you. It's a shame that $600.00 boots would fall apart so quickly. Especially from a brand like Alden......

Unfortunately even the best brands can have a bad run. But based on my own experiences, some of the problems described can be the result of your normal wear. For example-the popped stitching. I had a similar experience in a pair of AE dress boots in nearly the same spot. After some investigation I found it was the way I rested my feet under my desk chair-I’m fidgety and that portion of the boot would get caught in a metal lip under my chair legs. The problem was exasperated by the close positioning of my gas and break pedals and a small lip that would also sometimes catch. I’m not saying it’s not a poor quality product or that you’re not treating your boots properly; I’m simply saying you may be inadvertently causing the damage or making the situation worse.

I was honestly thinking of pulling the trigger on those, thanks for for saving me the aggravation.

try Grant Stone boots {especially their signature "Diesel line"} . The construction and materials they use are Impeccable and for half the price compare to Alden.

I wouldn't pay 600 bucks for a pair of suede boots, whatever the brand but yep, this is pretty bad. I guess you don't get what you pay for anymore. Looking around the net, a lot of prestigious brands seem to be dropping their production standards & riding on their past glory (it's often due to behind the scenes takeovers &/or management changes) Caveat emptor.

Thank you for posting this. It’s the truth which we need to hear

I've had poor experiences with American made shoes. I have posted a similar video on a pair of Allen Edmonds shell cordovan that i waited several weeks for. They were defective out of the box. So yesterday I decided to go to Alden NYC. The 3 pairs I tried had sole/heel defects. I just couldn't bring myself to pay $700 for what I hoped would be the pinnacle of American dress shoe.

We miss you brother !!!!!

Thank you very much,very honest guy. I am going crazy about Alden these days.but when ever I wanted to invest in a pair.i am thinking a lot about the sole.it should be durable more than the upper leather.why not a full peace of Vibram rubber. Again Thanks a lot for this video.

Shame to hear but thanks for being honest, more important than anything else

What did Alden have to say about this? Did they replace them?

This has happened to a number of my Commando Soles as well unfortunately and is a common occurance. I would love to see them update, but please never to a Dainite sole. The lug pattern and material of the Alden Commando Sole is VASTLY superior to Dainite in wet/icy conditions. I have years of experience with both soles on various models/brands and can attest to the Alden superiority traction even if lacking in construction. Your boots are fine and should not need resoled in their current condition. You can use a tiny dab of Shoe Goo on a toothpick to apply around the delaminated areas to re-adhere the rubber piece to the outsole. Be sure to clamp it or weigh the shoe down with shoe trees in to keep the shape so you get a solid bond. Also be sure to Nanospray that Snuff suede.

I love your boot videos

I want these badly but I have same views as you do just picked up the 6 inch bobcat vibergs and at 550 canadian $ they are 100 times the boot Aldens are

Wow not good, I have a pair of Dayton steel toe work boots I were 10 hours a day for 5 year now and they get used hard and they are holding up great no issues at all

It's a shame, they used to make a top-quality, American-made product, that lasted forever, but they seem to be in serious decline.

I was just about to buy them ,no more

Wow my redwings are half the price and are still going strong after a Canadian winter

Please do more videos!!

Ive had the same issue with my Wolverine 1000 Mile Evans boot with a rubber/leather sole. It starts delaminating. I contacted Wolverine and they sent me a second pair out. That pair ended up having same issue within a couple days. I contacted them again and was told I should send to a repair shop then they would cover like $25 of the repair job. Total joke. Last pair of Wolverine 1000 Mile boots I’ll ever buy. My other two 1000 Mile pairs with all leather soles dont have this issue, but the complete joke of Customer Service turned me off to the company.

It almost seems like you have knockoffs or something. I have a half-dozen pairs of Aldens, including boots with Commando soles. I wear the hell out of those boots, and I just could not ask for them to be any better. I don't question your honesty or your intentions, but it's unfortunate that you'll have the net effect of steering folks away from an American artisan business that makes some of the nicest things on the planet.

Could you do a review on your leather couch

Have you contacted them? You should!

You just broke my dream, I just bought a pair of these boots in cordovan, I didn't received it yet and I already feel I've been scammed. Anyway, thanks for your review. I will return the boots and get the money back.

What a bizarre way of making a midsole. No clue why you'd abandon the leather at the toe, and just put that soft foam bit there. Also for six hundred smackers, you'd expect a higher end brand outsole.

Really want alden indys but keep seeing shitty build quality and the stitching is so close to the edge on bottoms total crsp shoot on build quality not worth it will buy another pair of vibergs or Nick's or jo's or wesco Shane on alden makes me sad

When we gettin more videos

The leather-rubber Commando sole is suitable for collectors who mostly use their boots as photography subjects for Instagram posts. Suede uppers are also for collectors, not for everyday wear. Alden makes excellent quality shoes and boots. The boot of this video is a special makeup produced to the retailer's own specifications. I suggest consumers buy Alden's stock model 405 Indy boot, which is produced using durable work boot-calf leather and the incredibly long lasting Neocork sole.

Bummer man that sucks

What does B+M say about this issue?

Its the Ford Pinto of American boots, just an example Made in U.S.A. doesn't always means better quality.

Damn , I would be furocious I only buy shoes with dainite soles ,my preffered brand is crockett and jones Just as expensive as alden ( at least here in europe ) but quality guaranteed

I only buy vintage Alden products, specifically cordovan dress shoes. I wouldn’t go near their boots

Wow what ashame Alden!

What was the response by B&M?

Did you see the video of Rose Anvil cutting apart the Alden? Garbage.

Are you alive?

Looks like you never put conditioner

It is a dress shoe though.

This is not representative of Alden, Brick and Mortar is to blame and not contacting either manufacturer for a resolution before going to social media is your choice. There should also be more of a distinction made between Alden and Brick & Mortar here....they're an affiliate.