Shoes that look better with age...

[doczein]

when I got my 405's they were the first shoe right out of the box that fit me perfect. No tightness, no looseness... just perfect.

I'd return them for the next size or letter up.

They should fit perfect.

i'll probably end up selling my 10D (anyone interested?) pair and put a deposit on a pair of ultimate indy's size 10E since i'm in the market for those anyways. but thanks for the advice.

[Johnny_5]

I don't understand the difference between ultimate indys and the traditional. They both look the same to me...

[amlai]

I don't understand the difference between ultimate indys and the traditional. They both look the same to me...

The main obvious difference is that the 405s (traditional Indy) has a smooth neoprene sole on the bottom and the Ultimate Indy has a commando sole on the bottom. Other differences, that are less obvious, but will be appreciated by people who like well made shoes is that the Ultimate Indys are built to a much higher quality standard, with more refined stitching and a fully leather heel / midsole. Oh, the boots are leather lined instead of canvas lined. The leather is also thicker.

A major benefit of this is that for the people who like to customize their boots, the Ultimate Indy should be more amenable to things like putting on a full leather sole.

[Tarmac]

the regular Indys are nearly orthopedic-level shoes, a line which Alden makes which are middle-tier. They are not made to high standards, that's why they are about $100 cheaper than regular dress alden shoes.

the ultimate indys are made to alden dress shoe standards.

It's debatable whether a leather sole is better than synthetic, but it at least costs more. The main difference for me would be the leather inner lining. cloth lining on shoes sucks.

[coleslawyum]

^^Of course this doesn't mean you can't build up a good patina with a pair of regular 405's as evidenced by the picture above. I really like the regular Indy's, as they have become quite comfortable over time. The Ultimate Indy's are definitely an upgrade, with dress shoe features.

On a side note does anyone know if Grenson makes the Paul Stuart shoes?

[denimdestroyedmylife]

the ultimates must weigh a lot more than the regular i would think

[rnrswitch]

The regulars already way a ton. I still think the "ultimates" ain't so "ultimate" at all. Much ado about nothing.

[denimdestroyedmylife]

The regular 405s feel a hell of a lot lighter to me than say Alden cordovan high lace boots with the commando sole.

[shoreman1782]

On a side note does anyone know if Grenson makes the Paul Stuart shoes?

Grenson makes some Paul Stuart shoes. The narrower lasts and more casual shoes will not be Grenson.

[coleslawyum]

Some shoemaking videos.

Thanks shoreman.

[Irritated Onion]

Some shoemaking videos.

Thanks shoreman.

Not sure if you or others have seen them, but MarcellHUN has some really great videos on shoe making. Not sure if he has a forum account here (though I know he posts on styelforum), and makes some absolutely stunning MTM and bespoke shoes (and RTW iirc). He works out of Budapest, Hungary, and imo his videos are definitely worth watching.

http://www.youtube.com/user/MarcellHUN

[WhiteShark]

would you mind to share the info...you can pm me ...

thanks in advance

For those of you who don't use toothbrushes made with gold plaited fibers, heres a good price on the standard Indies. Cheapest on the market. 270$ plus 11$ shipping. He ships internationally, shipping varies from 15-25$. Heres the place: Giesche Shoes of Geneva, located in Geneva Illinois They stock D width, but any size can be ordered. call and ask for bryan. (630) 232-2317 Hours he's at the store Tues., Wed., Fri., and Sat. 9:30AM to 5:30 PM CST. Thursdays 12-8 PM CST This guy's specialty is the Indy Boot. He's been wearing them for 10+ years himself. Heres his collection! If you buy from him, be sure to let him know, Adam Ouellette directed you. HIS SERVICE IS AMAZING! He's also thinking about doing a Cigar shell cordovan run soon.

These are about 10 years old These are about 7 years old These are 6 years old These are only babies at 3 months old

As far as the dark color on that pair I posted, he treated them regularly with pecard leather dressing. That is what gives them that dark color. Heres another shoe with the same treatment. Don't forget to visit the ever popular Indy boot "porn" gallery. It took me a helluva long time to make it... http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/AldenShoes/?start=60

[dibadiba]

hey all. does anyone know the best way to re-attach the inside walls of a shoe back together? I bought some shoes second hand (posted a few pages back) and while the exteriors are great, the insides are falling apart.

[Chicken]

wowzers. between these series of pairs, airfrog's and harrison ford's, it makes me wonder if regular indys are just meant to be beaten to death.

The regular 405s feel a hell of a lot lighter to me than say Alden cordovan high lace boots with the commando sole.

and once you get used to work boots like white's, regular indys feel like sneakers.

[WhiteShark]

Wow. Guess I don't want a pair of Whites. It took me 2 years to get used to aldens...hahaha.

Here's some more thrashed Indy Boots.

Not mine. The Old pair is 6 years. The newer pair 2-3.

The oldest Aldens currently known. This is an extremely historic pair of boots. In 1981, after Lee keppler saw raiders of the lost ark, he went on a personal quest for the boots, after being told many times by the raiders costume designer the boots were red winds, he tracked down fords reciept to a shoe store in CA called fredrics. There on the reciept, it was obvious he bought a pair of 405's. This pair is 22 years old, and had 2-3 owners. And is now retired just recently. They were used in the making of an indiana jones fan film, they were donated to the producer by the man, lee keppler, who discovered the boots..... www.treasureofthetemplars.com

[WhiteShark]

one more.

Ignore the crappy j crews.

[GregNYC]

Don't forget to visit the ever popular Indy boot "porn" gallery. It took me a helluva long time to make it... http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/AldenShoes/?start=60

Great gallery! I plan to spend a lot more time there! Do you have Chicken's rappeling photo?

[Chicken]

^ you have my approval to use any of my pics in your awesome gallery, whiteshark.

[GregNYC]

My pics too - I told him about the Superleather pics. And there are Leicalad's great helicopter pics as well!

[fattybfat]

whitesharks: what a wonderful posted you got up there!! it makes my eye shine !! never been a big fan of alden but those are awesome

[Heritage.]

Some shoemaking videos.

Thanks shoreman.

Interesting videos. They really illustrate the class divide between those who will wear these shoes and those who make them.

I'd love to see a video like this from a Chinese factory and an American factory.

I'd also like to see the homes of the workers in each, compared with the homes of the buyers.

[Chicken]

Some shoemaking videos.

Thanks shoreman.

great thing to watch. i wish they went in even more details at certain points.

thanks coleslaw.

[rnrswitch]

I hope those shoes aren't sold as "hand made." Seems pretty automated to me. I would like to see how a cobbler made shoes in the mid 19th century. Not that any are made that way anymore though. Definitely doesn't look like a great job to have.

Still, some pretty nice looking shoes in the end and definitely a decent amount of craftsmanship is involved.

[edmond]

hi guys help me please

im planning to get a special pair of wesco jobmaster's is their sizing the same as white's? thank you so much

please guys i know ive searched

[SLAB]

great stuff WhiteShark!

[coleslawyum]

great thing to watch. i wish they went in even more details at certain points.

thanks coleslaw.

You're welcome. I think most shoes are made in this assembly line fashion. I think that bespoke is probably the only you get more hands-on and less machinery. I agree with the post above. Its interesting to see the class difference between maker and consumer, but thats with every luxury product based industry.

Ed Here's what I wear for Wesco's Jobmasters: 8.5 D and for White's Dress Packers 8.5 D. Hope this works for you.

WhiteShark- Awesome pics.

[Mich]

and once you get used to work boots like white's, regular indys feel like sneakers.

I actually find my pair of White's to be more comfortable compared to my Indy's.

They're on par with RW's

Some great shoe-pron on this page.

[HumanError]

Whiteshark, sweet gallery there, brah. Nice to wake up to, and why, for me, the standard issue Indy is tops. I dig their simply utility; that's the whole point, in my mind. And, yes, they should be beaten to death. I don't need a dressier version. That being said, I have a pair a Tom's snuff suede Indy's headed my way. Suede is a different game. They will be the substitute for those Buzz Rickson M43's, which the good people at BR refuse to produce past size 9.5.

Question, that link to Danner a few pages back- there was a brown brogue, "Hayakawa" it was called. Can't be found in the US, I'll bet. Right?

Whiteshark, you should try to get that gallery to Harrison Ford. Shouldn't be too hard. Just find out who reps him, get his publicist's name, and send the link or hardcopy. I'll bet Ford would find it amusing, that the boot inspires such devotion.

[amlai]

As far as the dark color on that pair I posted, he treated them regularly with pecard leather dressing.

I was going to guess that it was the pecard leather dressing. I've used it and it does darken the boots some, but I didn't think that it would darken them that much.

[edmond]

thanks coleslaw!

wjhat can you guys say about these??

horsehide wesco jobmaster king 134,000 yen .. expensive pair..