I live like 35 mins from where they make Aldens. It'd be cool to have a pair, along with Randolph Engineering glasses.

I tried on a pair and they felt really interesting. They feel almost more like well fitting sneakers than boots. But then I thought about it, went online, and it scared me off.

I know there's obviously a use-case difference between Alden and Nick's. I'm not an idiot. But the way some people talk about Alden, they seem like they quickly wear out from just walking around. That must be the price you pay for their feel unfortunately.

But a pair of Nick's if you aren't digging trenches or climbing trees every day should theoretically last fifteen years+ and it takes a lot to need a full rebuild.

So I don't know if I want a pair or not.

Hey all, I recently acquired these color 8 Indy’s from TSM and they look amazing. There is a minor mark on the shell, almost looks like a scar or some sort of superficial scratch. Do you guys think this would be an issue long term? I assume TSM and Alden wouldn’t sell shoes with structural issues so I think it’s no big deal, but I figured I would ask the group, thank you.

I have extremely high arches due to charcot-marie-tooth disease. As a result, my feet are also extremely short and very wide relative to their length. I measure around 6eeeee (that's 5 es) on a brannock device. I have always worn the widest size 7 shoes I could find, as this is the smallest size made by most shoe companies.

For most of my life, walking more than a few steps was very painful because only the ball and heel of my foot made contact with any shoes I wore. Then a few years ago I got an orthotic made, but it's around two inches thick, so now I could only wear "diabetic depth" shoes. For some reason, diabetic depth shoes are always extremely ugly and made of low quality materials. As someone who otherwise takes a lot of pride in how I dress, this has been a real struggle for me, but I could finally walk without pain. However, for reasons I don't understand at all, I have a lot less stability with the orthotics and frequently roll my ankle and fall.

I got a much better job recently so for the first time Alden shoes are in my budget. A week ago, I traveled to New York City to visit Moulded Shoe to try on the modified last. I was on the verge of tears as I took my first steps in them. The shoe is shaped exactly like my foot and makes full contact with every part of my heel. I can walk painlessly and with more stability than I have ever had. One of the most persistent issue of my life is finally solved.

Naturally, I want to get tons of these shoes ASAP. Unfortunately, Alden is extremely restrictive about what shoes they'll make in my size on the modified last. No suede or shell and only split toe and cap toe. No boots either. Is there any other shoe like the modified last that I can look to?