$1050 and 6 months ...aaand they're falling apart (Alden Indy)
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- Опубліковано 10 лип 2024
- Pick up some Rose Anvil Kilties for your boots here - bit.ly/3bLBhKL
VIDEOS MENTIONED:
Making the boots Indiana Jones should have worn - • Making the $655 boots ...
Stitchdown Shoecast - • Rose Anvil's FINAL Tak...
Alden Indy cut in half review - • Why the Indiana Jones ...
$1000 cordovan Alden unboxing - • Giving $900 Alden Indy...
Alden 3 Month wear review update - • 5 likes, 13 hates of $...
Anti-Poacher Boot (Barefoot) - • Why African anti-poach...
Shop Tour - • Behind the Scenes: How...
Unboxing Jim Green Barefoot Boots - • Unboxing barefoot boot...
ROSE ANVIL CHANNELS:
Rose Anvil - / @roseanvil
Rose Anvil 2 - / @roseanvil2
Rose Anvil Builds - / @roseanvilbuilds
ROSE ANVIL EMAIL LIST:
Limited Edition - forms.gle/Q6osghGZ99WirJgb9
ROSE ANVIL LINKS:
WEBSITE - roseanvil.com/collections
INSTAGRAM - / rose_anvil
PATREON - / roseanvil
CREDIT:
Making Leather board - • Sundry leather Board ...
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
00:28 Alden Indy Flaws
05:12 Cordovan Indy Flaws
06:09 Issue #1 The Eyelets
06:38 Issue #2 Non-Gusseted Tongue
07:34 Issue #3 Overall Durability
10:23 Issue #4 Outsole Construction
13:50 Issue #5 Heel Patches
15:09 Issue #6 Comfort
16:31 What is there to like?
22:28 The Final Verdict
26:05 What's next in the Alden's Saga?
#alden #aldenindy #indianajones - Навчання та стиль
Pick up some Rose Anvil Kilties for your boots here - bit.ly/3bLBhKL
I have some for my iron rangers. The eyelets were cutting into the tongue a bit too much for my liking so i got some to take most of the impact and they’ve worked great. The tongue probably would’ve been fine but I didn’t wanna risk it.
Let's rename this channel the Alden hater channel. Unfair hating by the Mormon mafia.
I’ve been enjoying my no show kilties in three pairs of service style boots all year. They work well smooth or rough side out.
I did add a hole for the laces to thread through higher up on the boot due to a personal preference to keep these from shifting more to one side.
I will get them again when I can add to my heritage boot collection without being served with divorce papers. Priorities and all
Thanks for the great content
I'm trying to make a buying decision and Indy is so far the only option due to the orthotic quality of the last I'm being told by a podiatrist, and of course padding under the metatarsals or the ball of the foot, that I'm being told 50% is gone by age 50, combined with being a former Marine infantry, and active life I could use as much padding as possible?! Is their something better with the same last? It's all about the last is my stumping point all else makes sense. Any help is greatly appreciated and kudos on the amazing channels!
@galvanizedgnome What exactly do you mean by "Mormon mafia"?
Been waiting for this, it’s criminal that tried and tested brands who have earned our trust are cheaping out like this. For this price it’s simply inexcusable.
vote with your wallet. i won't buy sucker hipster boots
Seriously, most brands that get to this point of recognition seem to ultimately form a bell curve of quality over time. 👎
The incentive for short term profits for the company/shareholders could really explain much of this. Same reason why cutting labor costs results in better short term profitability while actually hiring, training, sick days from over work, often costs more then just treating the employee more fairly.
@@JohnnyTaxonomy Not all companies. Red Wing Heritage boots like IR, Blacksmith, Moc toe, are still identical to how they were made 75 years ago and still union made here in Minnesota. I'm sure companies like Nicks, Whites, Wesco and most other companies at that price point are staying consistent, too. I think even Thursday is making improvements rather than cutting costs. If it weren't for this channel, most of us would have no idea that Alden has been cutting corners, even with their "best" boot, for decades.
@@NS-hs6ltabsolutely true. I work in an auto factory and we burn through workers faster than you can shake stick at! It’s terrible. What the UAW is doing right now is totally warranted. Our wages have not kept up. I actually make less money now than I did 15 years ago counting for inflation! It’s really sad. It’s easier to cut costs and build on the cheap
I'd be pissed if a $100 pair of boots failed in 6 months of general use...
My 40 dollar work crocs lasts at least a year before the sole starts failing
@@TatsukiHashida Wait sorry,,, work crocs?
No kidding. My 200$ Keen work boots literally still look like new after a good clean. And this is after an entire summer of heavy abuse on construction sites, and hiking countless kilometers through mud, swamp and bush as a surveyor.
This is why I still buy Dr. Martens. $160. Wear them out. Throw them away. Buy new shoes. I am not spending $1,000 to buy shoes, and $200 for the recrafting service.
I own Indy Boots. I own Allen Edmonds. I own Florsheim. I own Timberland. I own Stacy Adams. I own Tony Lama. I own exotic skins. For me, the end game is comfort. My cheapest shoes are just as comfortable as my most expensive shoes. My $28 Reebok feel just as good, if not better, than my most expensive shoes. Beyond basic comfort, the value is what you're willing to pay, and the return on investment is style. That's it. I wear Stacy Adams when I want to look like a pimp. I wear Sears Diehard when I need steel toes for a construction site. I wear Indy Boots when I wear a leather jacket and fedora.
@@chinatownboy7482absolutely second you on the Reebok ones. Far more comfortable anyway.
What’s funny is this boot became legendary and extremely profitable based on Harrison Ford’s insistence his character wear them rather than the planned Red Wings. That was based on his experience using them in work as a carpenter. If they can’t withstand six months of real world use, that shows how much they’ve gone downhill, while at the same time rising dramatically in price. Can’t imagine a young carpenter in 2023 choosing these as work boots, even at half the price.
These days the construction standards are different, you need steel toe cap boots, anti slip sole, ankle protection, you can't get on a site wearing these designer boots lol.
@@fs5866 Best part is a good pair of steel toed boots is only like $150-200 and it'll last you 5-6 years with most jobs actually giving the employee the money to buy a pair so in the end you have like 4 pairs of slightly worn boots in your closet.
Well these are far from what you would wear to work today. These have become dress boots.
Either that or Harrison was doing light duty stuff. Maybe finish work?
Much like the quality of the Indiana Jones movies, the boots are of the same declining quality. How apt.
I worked for Alden, my father ran Alden in the 80’s and 90’s and my mother worked in the office. My dad would be so upset seeing the quality go down so far.
How do you know your father didn’t make decisions that pushed the quality down?
@@DanielJohnson-ec8rkding ding ding
That's a shitty thing to comment on. You're crapping on his dad's legacy, brother. Not necessary. Do better
@@DanielJohnson-ec8rklol
thank you for exposing the industry.. amazing how much companies feel like they are obligated to rip their gullible customers off
That's capitalism
@@Softw4re "That's capitalism"
Capitalism will allow stuff like this to be exposed and companies like this to improve or die as people go to other producers who will make a quality product (I'm a Jim Green fan myself). I'll take that over a government sponsored monopoly any day.
Well said.
no stilly it's anti-capitalism. capitalism isn't about ripping customers off.. it's not a sustainable business model but what do troll Lefties know about anything.. soft in the head@@Softw4re
@@Softw4re Nothing wrong with capitalism.
At that price point, how come footwear doesn't come with a guarantee? You pay that much, you expect far, far more than 6 months out of them
Because everone will use them differently
@@MrStreetninja007what kind of an excuse is that? You can shoot a zippo lighter and claim their guarantee and they’ll still honor it. That’s like fifteen dollars compared to the thousand plus price tag these boots are asking for.
@gamerguy6990 you see any boot company offering gurantees? No you dont not even exclusive pnw work brands that can take a beating
@@MrStreetninja007
Warranty's
@@Australiaisupsidedown case by case basis
The sad part of being an indie leather crafter is watching so many people funnel money into substandard products. When I worked Customs for decades I used to see it imported daily. It was just so tragic. I remember distinctly encountering batches of Louis Vuitton, Gucci and other designers, thinking they were knockoffs and having to contact them to confirm. Basically the reply was "Yes, we are crafting bonded leather products lined with synthetic junk and priced at a 1,000% profit margin." What can a person do. *shrugs* Brands are just not what they used to be.
Buying anything branded and at such high price is basically paying the stupid tax.
Buying a name.
I’d buy an Indy leather craft way before name brand.
@@HeywoodthepeckerwoodI mean, a name is important to build long term trust. But when the name becomes more important than the product, then it is probably time to find a lesser known brand.
Yeah but thats not exactly an apt comparison. Gucci, LV, high fashion, has never been quality. It occasionally is quality, but only because of using expensive materials.
You have to shop/vote with your dollar, saddly us laymen can't always see the cheaper material on the inside until we take it to a cobbler for its first re-sole and they tell us what we actually bought. Thank you for showing us the inner workings of these "iconic" boots.
Don't worry, Alden is a dress shoe company, and I doubt you own a single suit.
@@seppukusushi2848 I'm literally in a suit in my profile picture. You're very perceptive, my friend.
@@TheTrump Profile pictures don't mean anything. I'm a Tree Frog. I'm talking about the criticism aimed at Alden. It reeks of zoomer hipster neckbeards who play a stock "working class" character in real life while they work in an office and demand that a dress boot with superior styling, handwork, and comfort be as rugged as a firefighter boot. Rose Anvil is a hack shill who is being paid by Grant Sone, as well as other boot makers.
24:49 exactly. Fans of Alden have to demand more of their favorite brand, rather than do mental gymnastics to defend them.
I can't believe how cheap they went. Thursday has a little advantage with being made in Mexico, but the fact that they're a third of the price & have better materials is wild. Red Wing, for all their faults, is half the price with better materials
Can you point me to Cordovan boots from Redwing at 500 USD please
@@SirJeanLucAsec applies to all their boots, not just the Cordovan
@@Collin_J I mean, using the 1000 price point is biased if you don't compare the cost of the leather. But i guess we would see less clicks if the video would use the 600 USD price tag for cow leather in the title
whites mp, grant stone, allen edmon, @@SirJeanLucAsec also mp boot in chromeexel is all youd need, they have better qualitry control over getting rid of loose grain leathers then cheaper brands boots, being just that theyre a expensive brand is all
Yeah, but who cares how “nice” the leather is if they fall apart after 6 months. Arguably that just makes it even worse. Nothing like wasting premium leather on a poorly constructed boot.
My Indies fell apart similar to your Alden's. I basically doubled the price by having Bedo's Leatherworks recraft the boots with a Vibram sole and all leather components in the sole. Hopefully this corrects the poor quality of a new Alden. So far, so good.
Bedo did the same for me with my brown leather Indy pair. It's actually a video on his site!!.
360 storm welts. Better Vibram sole. All leather. This is how they should be made.
At that price you shouldn't have to do a damn thing.
Yeah and you spent a further $500+ having Bedo fix it. See you didn't get the final verdict at 24:20 where he literally explains how you guys are getting robbed on a cheap made pair of boots, and then defend them, fixing the issue buy spending even more money in a cobbler. These issues should be happening 3/4 years later not 6 months in. I've had sneakers/trainers last longer than these... It's a disgrace.
Thanks for your excellent review, Rose Anvil. You are never convince the die hard "fanboys" and defenders of the Alden Indy, but very informative for those who care about construction, materials and value. Keep up the good work, not just about this boot, but others as well.
Well you didn't have to pay the Bedo tax, there are cobblers with no wait list that do work as well as he does for less, like cobbler sunny, or dan frappier in canada.
Your point is well made besides that.
I own a much older pair of Alden's Indy boot, when they were made better -- and even then I'm not sure they're made as well as they were originally -- but I think once they became widely known as the boots Indiana Jones wore, it sounded the death knell of this boot. I had no idea that Alden's 405 boot was Indiana Jones' boot before the internet, and I doubt many other people did either. But all it takes is a few people in the know to post it online, and the information can spread quickly and become common knowledge. Once people knew where Indy's boots came from, lots and lots of them wanted a pair, and Alden suddenly acquired a large customer base for this type of boot that hadn't been there before.
I think that in the end, the people who run the company just _couldn't_ resist the urge to up their profit margin by making a boot that looked exactly the same, and satisfied the Indy cosplayers and others who just wanted the Indy boots, but cut corners, and cheaped out on the build quality. They sell more boots, and make more money, and what do they care if the boots are a poor shadow of what they originally were? Even more sadly, people who bought these now wildly overpriced boots can't stand having their balloon popped, or being told they got gypped, become apologists and defend their purchase in order to avoid admitting they were suckers.
And just think: if Harrison Ford had picked another pair of boots back in 1980, the Alden 405 would have just remained a little known work boot, still being marketed to real working men who needed a tough, hard-wearing boot, and it might still be as good today as the pair Harrison Ford fell in love with back when he was struggling actor working side jobs as a carpenter.
As someone who has been ruining my arches and ankles for 40 years, I have been slowly getting into boots to stop my feet from hurting. Found I need high arch support and over the ankle leather support. Got recommendations for Alden's and PNW boots. I'm so glad I went with Nicks.
Can't go wrong with Nick's or Whites
they are cutting corners to reduce cost and keeping the price high, using the brand name. it’s great that you bring this to light. in my opinion this is fraud.
"skimpflation" is a word I learnt today, and these define it to a T.
It’s called selling out.
They cut so many corners it has become a damn cirlce.
I would really be interested if people from Alden or other companies are watching your videos. It would be at least interesting to hear their statement about all of those aspects you pointed out.
50 years ago I bought a pair of Scarpa boots for £60. I wear these still today for trekking and they are as good as the day they made. The reason - prime materials throughout. The full Vibram sole has been replaced twice in the period that I have had them. There can be no justification for shoddy material and an exorbitant price.
You're giving Alden the credit they truly deserve. Not excuse for substandard materials at that price point.
They need to sell you boots just above cost (heh, such as it is) so you can do more Indy-builds.
I wouldn't be surprised if Alden contacts YT and says this is fraudulent and gets this video demonetized and removed.
Alden: "Am I out of touch? No, it's the UA-camrs who are wrong."
You need to send these back to Alden for a recraft and then that can be critiqued as well. This can be the boot that keeps on giving!
So, have you reached out to Alden for comment? I would love to hear their response after seeing this video.
I think one thing you could do is develop a “bend test” for leather. I want to see if leatherboard is truly less resilient than the original leather when it’s bent. It could work with a lot of materials for testing resilience.
No need to test it. You try to bend leatherboard and it developed creases, and deep ones at that.
@@user-un5xj1wl6p So there's your test..... if an insole is leatherboard, take it out and bend it until it develops a crease. Then bend a piece of leather of the same thickness the same amount. Show the results, likely to be "leatherboard creased after two bends, leather did not crease after 12 bends". And you just need to do the leather once as its results can be reused against each new review pair.
This Rose Anvil guy is getting paid by Grant Stone, Chinese competitor.
@@seppukusushi2848 these are exactly what he says regardless.....shit
seppukusushi2848 The proof is right there . He can stay silent the whole video and you can see that it’s junk . Grant Stones are higher quality you can see it when he cuts the boot in half regardless of who is paying him or not .
This channel is a nightmare for boot companies who try to rip people off. But a godsend for boot companies who actually take pride in their products.
Been wearing my Jim Green's daily for about a year and see barely any wear and tear
Which Jim Green boot model?
@@luke14946 razor back fudge color ones
I own three pairs of Alden Indys. They are comfortable, but have quality control issues. I admit being disappointed by the cheap components they have built into these boots. I’ll never buy another pair. I admit to being a flatlander type of walker, so l haven’t seen the deterioration of components you’ve seen. When you reviewed the Seidel Leather I was surprised to see you wearing those boots, but now I appreciate that you were giving them a fair review. I don’t know how anyone could argue that those cordovan boots are worth the price. Good job, Weston!
Great materials and craftsmanship makes a big difference. I had people still asking if my Nicks boots were new after wearing them for two years. Compare that to my cheap Aldo boots that were worn out after a year and basically in pieces after two.
I'm still surprised that people get mad at these videos. I have two Alden boots bought a couple months apart and they both split at the toe and heel at about the 6 month mark. I work in a cubicle. You guys should do an upgrade package, kind of like what Roush or Saleen used to do for Mustang.
Thank you for this, I'll never waste my money on Aldens 👍
Can't blame Alden for cutting costs where they can to try to recover from their CFO embezzling, I guess?
Shareholders Demand, cut cost, jack price, trade on name until that's shot to hell, liquidate, repeat ad nauseum
Yes you can. Why should customer pay for company fuck ups?
Yeah, I remember hearing about that woman stealing from the company.
@@hankhillsnrrwurethra It's a family owned business.
@@adamr63 Even more shameful.
WOW! I had these on my "to get" list...no more! Thanks for the honest review!!
I appreciate the follow up. Such a shame about these. You’ve been extremely thorough but extremely forgiving of their shortcomings. I really really love the look of these but in light of the materials, Thursdays are a better deal for $199 and the sole won’t come off in 6 months…
Thursdays do have a know issue with the sole coming off.... maybe it's fixed know, idk.
@@excessemail2344 I've never had that happen to a pair of Thursdays, even in 3 years. But if it happens to $199 boots, you are more understanding. When it happens to boots that are over $1000, it's inexcusable, especially after only 6 months.
Would be interesting to see what you think of Parkhurst Niagaras. Would loooove to see whats underneath, Rose Anvil style.
Let me second that!
It's way better than these POS. All leather bends insoles and middles, full grain leather heel counters and leather heel stacks.
The ‘rare shell’ versions are even more astronomically priced!
STOP Saying that you may have gotten a bad pair!!!
I have the exact same issues on my pair too. Alden is aware of these issues and chooses not to fix them.
We need a planet full of people like you.
I owned a pair of Alden and wore the hell out of them as a furniture mover. Walk sometimes a few miles per day a few days a week all the problems you listed here I experienced. They were very comfortable once they broke in though.
I bought nicks moc toe about a year ago, and they’ve taken an eternity to break in, but it was well worth the wait
Oh man. For a shoe that I have seen mentioned so much as a common recommendation (I was never a fan of the style) this is not just a letdown. I feel like they have been thoroughly exposed. 6 months and falling apart. Comparing this 600 dollar boot to something like Nick's ...
It's videos like yours that will forever change the industry and lead to high quality footwear.
You are doing God work with this channel.
Your videos will help others set the bar for quality for those that appreciate it and help others from getting scammed!
This is a really good advert for Redwing Iron Rangers at less than half the price 😂.
This thoughtful critique squares very well with my own experience with several pairs of Alden’s. The faulty glue, especially. I’m done.
I think if you have spent 600 dollars on a boot and have been a fan for years, it will be hard to say I've been wrong all this time. It was the same with Common Projects, and other expensive high profile brands.
Hey Rose. You’ve been putting out a ton of content. Don’t burn yourself out. I was fine from before just seeing something once a week. Take care.
I bought a pair of Alden plain toe boots a couple years ago. They seem to share most of the build, although it's a Barrie last. But it has the foam toe, 360 degree welt, and no doubt the non-leather insole and heel. The leather of mine is beautiful (calfskin), and the fit is really good. I don't wear mine and hard as you wear yours, so they're holding up pretty well. But I got them at half price (under $350). For THAT price, ok.
I think even for that price its inexcusable tbh.
350 is a steal, except not in the way you think.
I hear ya. I was curious about the quality (before first Rose Anvil bisection), had a bonus, so splurged. I can't say as I regret it. They are plush, light, handsome, and sturdy enough for my lifestyle. One of my favorites.
also thank you for side by side comparison of the insoles. That is tremendously valuable information as someone with wide feet.
I’ve had a few pairs of Alden Indy boots, had similar disappointing results. If I’m gonna spend $600 I’m going with Nick’s, or I’ll just buy the Iron Ranger, it’s tried and true, and it just works and is a better price point
So neat you figured out the secret of the famous Alden Indy last. Worth watching for that. These boots get so much deserved criticism-but in the end even that seems to add to the interest in this boot, to its mystique, and ultimately to its sales. Such irony.
Very fair and informative review. I wouldn’t buy this boot for $200, no way and I own $900 dollar boots.
I doubt you own a single suit.
I own a pair of unissued German Army Paraboots only cost £65 UK pounds and there out last your $900 boots by Years
I wear White's and I would pay $150 for Alden, not a penny more.
@@chicagoan6342 I wear whites and vibergs for work and when I hunt, although modern hiking boots with gortex are more waterproof and more comfortable. I wear Aldens and Crockett and Jones as dress shoes and dress casual. The mistake all these zoomer critics are making is judging a dress shoe company by hiking boot standards. Tougher doesn't always mean "better" because if that were true, then boot shoes, loafers, and many other dress shoes would be considered junk.
Here's an interview with the owner of Grant Stone, the company that everyone is saying is better than Alden. he praises Alden for their quality and style. Start at 24:34 ua-cam.com/video/rc_FNKoT974/v-deo.html
Those are not even to the quality standards expected from a $200 boot let alone a $600 one.
Nicks have a last based off the Munson last they call their Thurman last so for anyone wanting better materials and construction but want a wider, more anatomical shape for your foot I recommend checking them out. Oh and nicks are about $400 less and about 400% better in just about every way.
phenomenal and informative video, great work Westin!!!!!!!
I have had a pair of Loakes Roehampton for about 4 years, and they still look very new. I'd love them to look a bit battered, but they seem to be built of sturdy materials.
This is why I love both your channels. I have Whites, Nicks, Thursday's and Red Wings that all cost less than these boots by a pretty good amount. The White's packers, just used for hunting and some suburban deep snow, date from 1996 and have been resoled 3 times including one rebuild. Their in better shape than those by far.
I have some red wing boots my father bought me as a teenaged child around 2000. Other than needing new laces and insoles, they're still suitable for wearing though none too pretty
I had to smile when I read your reply. Of the boots I own, my Nick's Anthems I think are the best built and are my favs. But I wear my Iron Rangers and Blacksmiths more than any of the others. And they don't look great either.
@@PeterAngles-jq7gr
Hey man! Love your content! I've learned so much from your cutting boots in half videos! Have you considered cutting up some of the english northampton maker's boots? I would be really interested in seeing how something like a Tricker's stowe boot would compare to the american counterparts!
Me too. I must've bought 6 or 7 pairs of English handmade shoes and boots over the last ~30 years, and I still have all of them except one, which I ruined by my own stupidity. Once you buy Cheaney, Tricker's etc you never go back.
I have Indy boots I purchased in 2016 that are still going strong today. I don't oil them as often as I should, but I have worn them harder than you have over the years and they still are in amazing condition. I've taken them through rainy days, mud, sand and lot of dirty puddles and the only sole I have on the bottom of mine is Leather, with a Vibram heel. I have only had to change my heel once, but that was my fault from excessive heel drag.
That is truly sad how today has changed so much in quality compared to how it used to be. Really great video though and saved me from getting another pair from them, which I was seriously considering. I wish I would have bought another pair back then as well, especially seeing how it is currently.
Thanks for taking the time to be honest and share your opinion on so many brands.
Thank you for this honest, thorough review.
I can hear the steam coming out of the Alden fan boys ears....
The upgrade build was really awesome
Props on just giving your honest opinion despite all the pushback and grief. ❤
Weston, Alden definitely coming for you. Keep up the outstanding job!
What I think makes Alden unique among the brands that have fallen off a cliff in quality is that private equity is not involved. Goes to show that even family ownership is not a guaranteed defense against following short time market-driven thinking into the toilet
If they were following short term profit, why didn't they just outsource like everyone else did?
Outsourcing is obviously the most popular way of slashing quality to improve profits but there are other methods@@seppukusushi2848
I try to stick to brands that are extremely open and truthful about quality and materials used. Nicks, Jks, are just some that coke to mind
I’ve worn Red Wing 1155 boots for I think probably 25 years and they have always been super comfortable to me and hold up quite well for working in the paper mill industry. I’d love to see you make a video on them!
😱 Man, the boots we got as conscripts were old (they had been used before, repaired and desinfected etc.) but they cost around 200-300€. And after a year of basic and further training crawling, "hiking" all you can imagine for infanterists to do, in the alps during winter and summer, they looked better than these. Way better. nothing fell apart on ours.
I bought a pair, and have them for over 20 years now. They still are in perfect shape (haven't used them that much, but i used them during the occasional winter, so they had contact with moisture, salt, cold temps... And nothing is broken yet. (And that's for a fifth of the price you paid for the ones in the video!)
And for that price i think you can get measured shoes/boots to your feet already.
Any plans to review a pair of Tricker’s boots?
Wear my Red Wing Iron Rangers for walking the dog (many miles, rain, etc) everyday. Have done so for a couple of years. No re-sole yet - but getting close - and they are still fine. Condition them with mink oil or dubbin, and would buy another pair of Rangers in a Nano-second. Not cheap - but not pricey ! Expensive does not necessarily mean great.
Love the channel!
I have a pair of Rangers as well and they're worlds away from Alden as far as build quality. I just wish they had a leather midsole
Aldens are a dress shoe company. Red Wings is a work boot company. It's like complaining that my bespoke suit isn't as strong as my Carrhart jacket.
@@seppukusushi2848Bullshit. They're still grossly over charging for the materials, and dress shoes should last longer than 6 months with regular wear. Sit down, fanboy
Appreciate your honesty
I’ve had mine for 10yrs - not constant use, but at least once a week. They’ve held up well like my Alden shoes….
I can't believe they wore out so fast. I wear Carolina metatarsal boots 6 days a week sometimes for 12+ hours and they have held up better in 4 months. I've only had to swap out my laces because I'm a welder so they caught fire and I swapped them with kevlar laces and they're good to go.
You should send them over to Trenton & Heath to have them repair/upgrade them. It'd be a cool collab. 👍
Fantastic video, dude. :) VERY insightful and appreciated.
Great work team, thank you.
My Alden Indy 405s fell apart exactly the same way after only a few years of frequent but not daily wear. Super disappointed with them. I find them to be comfortable and they look great until they fall apart. I have a pair of Black Alden Cordovan dress shoes, which are far superior in their quality and seem to last much longer. I have been tempted to send my Indys off to Bedo's for a rebuild to at least make them wearable again.
Appreciate your honesty. Curious to see if Alden responds. Alden’s have never been on my “boots to own” list. Keep up the good work.
Love ya work! Using UA-cam as a platform for consumer advocacy is perfect. Hell yeah we consumers hold the power within the market.
Your channel reminds me of an Australian company/magazine called CHOICE. Which is an Australian not for profit consumer advocacy organisation. They pull apart, test and review all sorts of products bought in Australia, all the big brands.
Keep up the good work! (more Aus boots plz :D )
I appreciate the thought and work you put into this. I love the style and the look of these boots, but I'd much rather spend $200 on some Thursdays knowing what I'm getting isn't the best of the best of the best. $1000 for the cordovan Aldens, or even $600 for the regular Indys...not a chance! For that money I want a boot that will last me a lifetime and all the cobbler has to do is replace the heel stack and the outsole when I thrash it.
I have a 20yrold pair of timberland 6 inch premium work boats .. that I did construction and warehouse work ..and snowplowing .. shoveling snow in.. I’ve wanted a pair of Indy’s .. I don’t think the vintage ones are much better .. looks like I’m going to look at other options
I have a pair of 15 yr old whites. Wore them in all weather for years before I got a pair of winter boots. Replaced the soles maybe 6 times. Love them better than my tennis shoes.
Love the videos. While I am older I am not very fashion forward. In my limited boot research I question a company that does not have safety toes in the line up:-)
Would love to see you review Crockett and jones
I just checked out their website and they have a boot called the *"Indiana."* Looks nice, but I also chuckled to myself.
Love this review. For this price these shoes should be flawless.
I’m so glad you did this video and other ones like it even earlier. Alden boots have always been aspirational for me and now that I can’t afford them. i do have other Aldens older Aldens and they are very durable and very well-made. Not boots but shoes.
But simple reality is things change and you know people keep talking about Edmunds not being what they used to be. Well guess what . I think Edmunds have retained their quality better than Alden not that they’ve been totally faultless.
I purchased the grant stone diesel boot. And I am very impressed with the quality very impressed with the quality. I don’t think I would’ve done that without your videos. Very grateful for what you do.
This is a great channel. I don’t know if anyone has ever heard of project farm, but they do the same thing with a variety of products. Before I buy anything, I watch project farm to see how the product I choose, stacks up to the competitors. I also occasionally watch this channel because I also am a boot guy. I don’t know if I will ever spend $1000 on a pair of boots. And if I had an opportunity, I probably wouldn’t. Good work, exposing this company for unethical business practices.
Wow! I can’t imagine the disappointment someone would have with these! In contrast I was so disappointed when my Thursday boots started falling apart after a year. I could have had it far worse. 😳😳😳
$1050 seems crazy amount for those. My $250 Danners are two years old and going strong up here in the very wet Rain Forest. And they have that Rugged Pacific Northwest Logger look. We do keep them greased up pretty heavy though. :)
Over 10,000 steps a day and my Danner (Logger 917) are still good after a year as well. (One of the more comfortable pair of boots I've ever owned as well) Though I have heard their craftsmanship can be hit or miss.
That's why I love my Nick's moc toe boots They are super comfy once I finally broke them in 👍
You should send those to Bedo's Leatherworks and let him replace the welt and soles. He does a ton of Alden rebuilds and improvements. Would be a cool Colab.
After 5 years of heavy use, my $200 Allend Edmonds higgins mills looks rock solid and in better shape than my iron rangers and your $1,050 boots haha
The real question is when will you do Allen Edmond's Higgins Mill boots. Being from wisconsin and a thrid generation wearer of their shoes/boots I want to know if they're still built well or if they just started slacking on production like a lot of the other dress oriented companies.
Seconded. But I think there are enough synthetic materials in AE's boot construction now that RA's review would not be favorable at all. (Wearing my pair today)
Love my Higgins mill boots!
Thanks for saving me money. I was considering Alden once.
You're providing a service for Humanity 🙏🏿 Thank you!!
If I bought a 30 dollar pair of sneakers and they were falling apart like that with this little use I'd be disappointed! That's crazy.
If the steel shank is poking me in the foot, that boot is worth exactly 0$.
Well, you saved me some money. Thanks for doing this stuff man.
Thanks for showing us what's behind the curtain.
You should tear down the J. Crew Kenton Pacer "Carpenter" boot and do a comparison. It's a made in Honduras 405 copy that can be had at sub $200 on sale.
I have 20 pairs of boots and my black shell cordovan Alden x Snake Oil Provisions boots are the only ones I am seriously disappointed with. Two speedhooks are loose and spin and the tongue slides to the side every few minutes. None of my other boots do that. They look cool and are comfortable, but I won't buy another pair. Ever.
This is so useful. I might have just bought an Alden if not for this.
I've been looking forward to this!
I think Parkhurst’s Niagara and Grant Stone Brass or Ottawa Boots are much better-not even just for the price. The lasts are also pretty anatomical-combination last like the Indy. I am not sure if you have done a Parkhurst, but I would love to see you do a review.
I bought the Parkhurst Niagara in Navy Blue. It’s construction quality is perfect, it’s an incredibly beautiful boot. But the last design still can’t match the Indy Boot for comfort. But if your feet don’t give you problems then get the Parkhurst, it’s money well spent.
I have two pairs of the Ottawa boots. 🤌🏽 Grant Stone boots are fantastic!
Their lasts are far from being anatomical or a good fit for normal toes, but their build quality and finishing is probably better.
My $300 redwing blacksmiths have endured moderate wear for 5 years now and look and feel just as good as ever. This is embarrassing
Meanwhile my year-old Grant Stone boots are perfectly fine... dirty and scuffed but holding together 100%.
Man, I am super happy to have bought my White's. I watched a ton of your content before buying my first good boots.
White's 👍👍👍👍