Alden Shoes: First in Durability, Comfort and Design

What is Alden?
When you think of fine, well-designed leather men’s shoes, the first name that comes to mind should be Alden. If it isn’t, you may want to consider becoming familiar with their work. For the uninitiated, let me fill you in on a few key points. With one of the biggest names in handcrafted men’s shoes, Alden is a family owned American company based out of Middleborough, Massachusetts and has been consistently manufacturing quality men’s shoes since it was founded in 1884. Alden uses a technique referred to as welt construction to ensure that each shoe is both durable and comfortable with lateral stability for better ankle and knee support. They are also known for avoiding shortcuts. Alden uses only the best leather from Horween Leather Company to perfect their product. Horween uses a method called vegetable tanning that is largely out of practice due to the fact that the process takes a long time to complete. Many designer brands will skip the tanning process to save time and money. Alden and Horween Leather Co, however, embrace the art of producing genuine shell cordovan. Though the process takes a total of six months to complete, the soft yet durable leather far surpasses anything mass-produced.

Popular Styles
The most well-known style of shoe produced by Alden is the Alden 405. These boots are better known as “Indy Boots.” This is because of their popularization by Harrison Ford when he donned them in three Indiana Jones movies. Alden 405 boots were manufactured for several decades before their time on the silver screen and the subsequent Hollywood fame. Alden 405s were originally manufactured as work boots and designed to be comfortable and durable, emphasizing breathability for all-day wear. They’re made with cowhide leather with neoprene cork outsoles for added structure.

Another bestseller is the Alden 975. This oxford-style men’s dress shoe is truly the embodiment of craftsmanship. The 975 Long Wing Blucher series is crafted with genuine cordovan, meaning the leather is vegetable tanned and hand finished over the course of six months. Like all of Alden’s shoes, the 975 comes with a tempered steel shank that lends itself to maintaining ideal structure for the shoe while providing support for the wearer.

One more style I’d like to draw your attention to is the Alden men’s 681 – Full Strap Slip On. This calfskin slip-on penny loafer offers the most comfort you can hope for from a dress shoe. For its minimal heel, it provides great ankle and knee support. The sleek calfskin upper makes this shoe a perfect example of both form and function, making them an excellent addition to your shoe collection.

Best Retailer?
With Alden shoes, you’re paying for quality. With the amount of time, craftsmanship, and close attention to detail that goes in to making such uniquely durable, comfortable and fashionable shoes, it can be expected that you’d be paying for excellence. The experts at The Shoe Mart will help you find the right shoe for you. The Shoe Mart also offers free shipping as well as a ninety day return period for shoes with no sign of wear. For information on the best in Alden quality and other brands, contact TheShoeMart today!