Variant

Model: 405 Leather: Horween Brown Legacy Sole: Neocork Last: Trubalance

Fit

Length: Slightly Long

Width: Perfect

Review

One of the classic boots that exists in this world of ours, the Alden Indy 405 boot is the original (even if it's been upgraded to have a leather lining instead of canvas over the last 3-4 decades). The Horween Brown Legacy leather is fantastic, rugged stuff—it takes nicks and scratches eagerly but quite handsomely. The Alden neocork sole—while I don't find it as comfortable as Alden's leather soles, or even their commando—seems truly indestructible and is MUCH gripper in off-road conditions than I expected. And Alden's Trubalance last always delivers. I've started sizing my Indys and other Trubalance boots a bit "big" per their standard .5 sizes down from Brannock recommendation, but I absolutely love it. While it can feel a touch long at times, it's really no issue, and feels better (for me, at least) than a boot that's a little too snug. I love wearing these with mid-thick socks, feeling good and locked in, and just getting out there. One of my most comfortable boots, at true to size.

Variant

Alden 975 longwing Blucher Leather: Horween color 8 shell cordovan Outsole: double leather Last: Barrie

Fit

Length: Moderately Short

Width: Slightly Narrow

Review

One of Alden's most famous models, the 975 longwing is just a perfect shoe. The only issue for me: on Alden's Barrie last, I sized them too small (by .5 sizes I'd say—these are a full size down from my Brannock length) and then got married in them, which means I can't ever get rid of them. But they still work well enough! While I don't wear them around town as often as I used to, if I'm wearing a suit, most of the time I'm wearing these. They work well enough with very thin dress socks, but anything thicker would be unthinkable.

Variant

Alden "Roy" plain toe boot Last: Trubalance Leather: Snuff suede Outsole: Double Waterlock

Fit

Length: Slightly Long

Width: Perfect

Review

The most comfortable boot I've ever owned. The combo of the snuff suede and the double-waterlock leather sole, and of course Alden's Trubalance last, make this the boot I wear so often if I'm going to be walking 5-10 miles a day on pavement—i take them on pretty much every trip to a city I've ever taken. As for sizing, I really like my Trubalance boots sized true-to-size (even though it's already a very accommodating last). While I'll slide around a touch more than I'd like in thinner socks, mid-thick to thick socks really, really do the trick and provide as comfortable of a ride as I could ever find. This particular boot is out of production currently but any plain-toe boot on Alden's Trubalance last should fit pretty much exactly the same.

Variant

Model: Birkenstock Boston Leather: Iron

Fit

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Review

Birkenstocks deserve their reputation as legitimately comfortable footwear—this was my first pair in almost 20 years and they new feel like two lost decades. Mainly used in summer, and with socks around the house in winter, I've found sz 44 (or true to size) to work absolutely perfectly. You could consider them a touch long, maybe, without socks—but the last thing you want with Birkenstocks is to have too SHORT of a footbed, and to risk stepping on the heel as you walk. And they fit CHUP socks beautifully come winter. The last and overall shoe are just so accommodating, my advice would be: don't overthink it. And DEFINITELY don't overthinking sizing down. Just don't do it.

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Variant

Model: Viberg x Standard & Strange x Stitchdown Midnight Gasfire Boondocker Leather: Horween petrolio reverse chamois Outsole: Dr. Sole Raw Cord full sole Last: 2040

Fit

Length: Moderately Short

Width: Slightly Narrow

Review

These things have been heartbreakers. I love them. I actually designed them! And I try to wear them as often as possible, but that's been difficult because...I sized them too small. At 11D brannock the boots fit, but only with thin socks (not my favorite for Vibergs), and even they there's more friction and pressure in certain places than I'd like. If I could go back and do it again, I'd have gotten a size 10.5 E in the 2040 last, and I imagine I'd be a much happier person. OH WELL!

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