Thanatos

Well just a little update on the Alden Problem. I got back from a nine day vacation and still no email reply from alden. With my first shoe problem I got a call from the manager a day after I sent the email.

And for the person a few pages back who said he doubted my faulty stitching pictures are from a new pair of shoes, he's right, its after two days light wear. Out of the box the stitching was missing a couple holes. I was quite livid receiving my third pair of faulty aldens so I just figured I would live with the slight fault hoping It wouldn't get worse. It did.

Well it looks like I'll be looking into shoe repair places around the SF bay area. Anyone know some good ones around Walnut Creek?

Yes they were like that when I received them. Perhaps one or two stitches have loosened since then but they were bad when I got them. And I was fitted at the Alden shop so I don't think they're too tight, just snug. I have medium wide feet and the shoes are an E width. Also, the other shoe is fine.

Edited just to mention that aldens customer service has been excellent. Only the CQ has been, shall we say, lacking.

Fuck Alden. There, I said it. They must have some serious QC issues because I don't know what the flying fuck is going on. Remember the issues I was having 10 or so pages back with my second pair after the first had some fault? Well I just got my third pair! Special order none the less straight from the factory after a two month wait. And guess what? Fuck alden, thats what...

I really just don't believe it. I'm supposed to send back my other pair in exchange for these. I'm thinking of just driving back to the store and having a word with the owner there. I think I might just take these to a shoe repair shop and see what they can do on my dime.

Does anyone know of a reputable shop preferably around Walnut Creek, though I'll go to the city if I must.

So a quick update on my defective 403's. Alden called me a day after I sent them an e-mail, complete with pictures, explaining my situation. The man I talked to was very kind and apologetic and explained that he believes both pairs probably came from a defective batch. He will, of course, replace it, but there's a two month wait before the next one in my size is ready. I guess by the time I have the defect ones nicely broken in I'll be sending them back. Oh joy.

When did you pay and how many days are you waiting for satisfactory product? so far?

It's been three weeks since my original trip. Guess I'll contact Alden directly and explain the situation to them and go from there. We'll see what happens.

So I seem to be having really bad luck with Alden. I got the 403 from the aldenshop in SF and after wearing around the house a few hours I noticed a defect on the inside of one shoe making the leather scrunch up a bunch in one spot making it quite uncomfortable. So after talking to aldenshop on the phone I drove back to the store and returned the shoes while they ordered another pair sent directly to me. I received this new pair a few days ago and after wearing not more then a few hours have noticed this...

...on the outer right shoe and this...

...on the inner left.

Really? I've heard of Alden having some quality control issues but two pairs in a row? The thing is I really loves these shoes so I'm not giving up on them yet. I suppose I have to go back to the store now? Or should I send them an email with these pictures and see if they want me to send them back? I really don't want to drive to the city just to return these shoes. I'm pretty sure these are costing me more than 500 when all is said and done.

Suggestions?

I have both the 403 and the 405. My 405 is the older version with the duck lining as opposed to leather lined. the difference in the thickness of the two boots is pretty substantial! The chromexcel is definitely thicker. I would say the difference between the two is that the 403 gets scuffed easier than the 405. You can oil them or polish them up easily but I feel that the 405 looks newer longer. Durability is probably a little better on the 403 just because it's thicker, but you'd probably never wear all the way through either one unless you work in a quarry or something.

The only other thing I can add is that if you find your size in the 403 you might want to consider grabbing it now. Alden is so back-ordered on these things that any new order will take as long as 18 weeks to come in according to my guy at the Alden shop.

And that answers that! I'll definitely be going with the 403. I might be heading down to San Francisco this weekend so I'll see if the shop has any in my size. If they don't, where would be the best place to order online?

If you like the look of the 403 better, get the 403. The 404 with the heavy soles really seem to be suitable for winter harsh weather, and may look out of place in spring or summer. The kudu is a heavily waxed leather and does not need much, if any conditioning or treatment to keep it in the same condition as it arrives in. As for durability, both pairs will easily last you 10+ years if you do the proper maintenance (don't let the leather dry out, try not to wear them two days in a row, resole if the soles are very worn down, etc.).

If you want an all purpose shoe, get the 403. If you live in Canada or something and need a rough and tough boot, get the 404. There isn't really an difference in durability between the two. Go by what you think you will wear more often.

Thanks for the reply! I actually mixed up the numbers though. The two I am considering are the 403 and 405. The 404 would be overkill and I don't really like the lug sole or color. So how does the Chromexcel durability compare to the regular Indy leather? How about leather thickness?

So I've decided my first quality boot purchase will be the Alden Indy, But can't decide between the 403 and 404. I like the look of the 403 better, and I hear good things about the leather, but how is Chromexcel durability compared to the regular 404 leather?