I'm trying to decide between the Alden Indy 403, Wolverine 1000 Mile and Red Wing Iron Ranger. Is the general recommendation going to be the Alden Indy? This is going to be an night & weekend around the house and about boot. I'd like to see some pics of some of your boots if you have a strong recommendation.
Alden Indy vs Wolverine 1000 Mile vs Red Wing Iron Ranger
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I saw this article today about the boots mentioned above.
http://joshuafitforbattle.blogspot.com/2011/08/boots.html
http://joshuafitforbattle.blogspot.com/2011/08/boots.html
Have not tried the 1000 mile, but own the Alden 405s and RW IRs in Amber harness. Indy hands down for fit and comfort. IR are made of a thicker, more durable leather, but that adds to the weight. I probably have a bad fit, but I've been trying to break mine in for over 2 years. They're yard work boots now. No break in needed with the Indy's, comfortable from the get go. Worth the extra $$ for me
I've tried on all three and would certainly say that the build quality is better on the Aldens. I also prefer the look of the aldens but only by a small margin. I really wish the Red Wing Beckman's came in a EE fit. If they did, I would choose them over all three of these options. That is based solely on personal aesthetic preference though.
I have all three... Alden's all the way
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My size in AE's are 12EEE...I contacted shoe mart about getting the 403's in a 12EEE and they said that's a special order. Do they not usually sell them in a 12EEE?
Did you tell them how you arrived at that size? You may not be a 3E in the Trubalance last.
the 405 is readily available in EEE. the others are orders. check alden sf, they tend to stock EEE 403s
I won't vote until this thread has pictures.
Don't own a pair of Alden's, because I think that the moc toe is unattractive.
I like my 1000 miles, they are at the shoe repair guy for a raptor half sole right now.
I have a pair of Iron Rangers on the way, should arrive tomorrow. I can report back after I've worn them for the rest of the week.
I like my 1000 miles, they are at the shoe repair guy for a raptor half sole right now.
I have a pair of Iron Rangers on the way, should arrive tomorrow. I can report back after I've worn them for the rest of the week.
That surprises me about the moc toe. That's my favorite part! I've never been a fan of plain toe shoes/boots. I think they look nice at first but I don't like how they look once broken in. My eye automatically goes to the creases b/c they are so plain otherwise. With a moc or cap toe I don't feel like the creases break up the look as much.
I'll be getting my iron rangers tomorrow 
I chose those over the thousand mile ( only a $30 difference at the prices I encountered, not enough difference for price to sway my decision), because I thought the IR's looked more rugged. After searching the net, I came across this gentlemen who beats the living daylight out of his 1000 milers and they've held up just fine. A wipedown and polish job and you'd never know they were beaters. Therefore durability shouldn't really be an issue. The Indy's are nice looking, but I hate the "moc toe" since it just looks like they stitched a horseshoe shape on a plain toe boot. I'd much prefer if it had the raised profile of let's say a RW classic moc toe, with the slimness of the Indy boot. But that boot was never one of my choices since they're too pricey for me. The RW Beckman, despite its simpler appearance is supposed to be able of handling quite a beating if I may add. From what I've gathered, it's the most durable out of the IR and 1000 mile. I've rambled for too long though, and completely forgot that you didn't necessarily ask for all that from a boot. Go with whatever pleases you most aesthetically and fit wise. Whatever you choose should last for a while. Heck, at $250+ they better.
I chose those over the thousand mile ( only a $30 difference at the prices I encountered, not enough difference for price to sway my decision), because I thought the IR's looked more rugged. After searching the net, I came across this gentlemen who beats the living daylight out of his 1000 milers and they've held up just fine. A wipedown and polish job and you'd never know they were beaters. Therefore durability shouldn't really be an issue. The Indy's are nice looking, but I hate the "moc toe" since it just looks like they stitched a horseshoe shape on a plain toe boot. I'd much prefer if it had the raised profile of let's say a RW classic moc toe, with the slimness of the Indy boot. But that boot was never one of my choices since they're too pricey for me. The RW Beckman, despite its simpler appearance is supposed to be able of handling quite a beating if I may add. From what I've gathered, it's the most durable out of the IR and 1000 mile. I've rambled for too long though, and completely forgot that you didn't necessarily ask for all that from a boot. Go with whatever pleases you most aesthetically and fit wise. Whatever you choose should last for a while. Heck, at $250+ they better.You must be referring to that Crane guy.
That's the problem with the internet.
If you look, you can probably find a guy who also is turning 200,000 miles on his Yugo. But it's not typical, not expected, and also not likely to happen for you. I have a 1000 mile boot, and the leather sole is never, ever, no matter how you take care of it, going to hold up as long as a vibram rubber sole. The only way a leather sole will even come close to matching a vibram sole in lifespan is if you are very diligent about maintaining and treating it. Who wants to spend that much time maintaining a sole?
But.... people chop down trees with axes, shave with straight razors, and sand entire floors by hand. But I think these are good analogies to choosing an unmodified pair of leather soled W1K milers for their durability.
One stead week of walking around in my 1000 miles in sun, rain, and a light flurry made it apparent pretty fast that the leather soles were not going to last even a year without constant diligent maintenance. I am really looking forward to getting them back from the shoe repair guy with their new vibram 1/2 sole installed... And the iron rangers I ordered are scheduled for delivery today!
That's the problem with the internet.
If you look, you can probably find a guy who also is turning 200,000 miles on his Yugo. But it's not typical, not expected, and also not likely to happen for you. I have a 1000 mile boot, and the leather sole is never, ever, no matter how you take care of it, going to hold up as long as a vibram rubber sole. The only way a leather sole will even come close to matching a vibram sole in lifespan is if you are very diligent about maintaining and treating it. Who wants to spend that much time maintaining a sole?
But.... people chop down trees with axes, shave with straight razors, and sand entire floors by hand. But I think these are good analogies to choosing an unmodified pair of leather soled W1K milers for their durability.
One stead week of walking around in my 1000 miles in sun, rain, and a light flurry made it apparent pretty fast that the leather soles were not going to last even a year without constant diligent maintenance. I am really looking forward to getting them back from the shoe repair guy with their new vibram 1/2 sole installed... And the iron rangers I ordered are scheduled for delivery today!
Yes that's the guy. However, I wouldn't hold a leather sole against the overall quality of the boot. Of course it's going to wear down fairly fast, but what is more important (at least to me) is that the upper remains in a serviceable condition. But as you said, the leather sole does wear down quickly, and if you're sole-less in 3/4 a year I wouldn't buy them either. I received my iron rangers today and they're stiff as a board. However after looking at them closely and trying them on, I'd take em over the 1000 miles or Indy's (I've handled the 1000 miles before ... Never the Indy's, but not a fan of their version of the moc toe) 10 times out of 10. Good luck with your iron rangers. I was going to add a layer of pecards but I really love the amber harness they already have!!! Still debating that...
As for overall quality, I'm pretty happy with my 1K miles. However, I'm wearing my new iron rangers right now, and I can give you a comparison... I agree with you on your major points.
Even when brand new, the W1Ks fit very, very well for my foot and were very comfortable. The horween chromexcel is a really nice leather. The boot feels unsubstantial though. Part of this is the single leather sole. Part of it is the softness of the leather. The W2K is light too. It is also an inch lower in shaft height than the red wing IR. However, I really, really like them and have them in for a vibram 1/2 sole to be put on so I can wear them in bad weather without having to worry about leather sole or worry about slipping.
Now, the iron rangers, brand new, are very uncomfortable. They are too tight around the ball and instep, they hurt around my calf, and my feet are throbbing when even sitting here. BUT, it is clear that the Iron Ranger will be my motorcycle boot if I keep it. They feel bulletproof. While the W1Ks don't feel delicate or insubstantial, they don't feel as serious as the IRs. I feel like these IRs can take a beating with an iron crowbar and probably won't mind it.
I feel like my Wolverine 1000 miles would not take nearly the same abuse.
So, I like and am keeping them both... well, not sure if I need a wider boot in the IRs, but I'm going to wear them inside at work tomorrow before I decide. Is anyone interested in a very lightly worn pair of black iron rangers, size 10 D if I decide that they are just too narrow?
Oh, I have a pair of size 10 1/2 red wing steel toe 2233 boots that are not even broken in yet.. just a few specks of red deck paint that you don't even really notice. I stained the deck with them on, then realized they are a 1/2 size too big.. but it was too late to return them. I will let them go for very cheap if anyone from this forum is interested.
Even when brand new, the W1Ks fit very, very well for my foot and were very comfortable. The horween chromexcel is a really nice leather. The boot feels unsubstantial though. Part of this is the single leather sole. Part of it is the softness of the leather. The W2K is light too. It is also an inch lower in shaft height than the red wing IR. However, I really, really like them and have them in for a vibram 1/2 sole to be put on so I can wear them in bad weather without having to worry about leather sole or worry about slipping.
Now, the iron rangers, brand new, are very uncomfortable. They are too tight around the ball and instep, they hurt around my calf, and my feet are throbbing when even sitting here. BUT, it is clear that the Iron Ranger will be my motorcycle boot if I keep it. They feel bulletproof. While the W1Ks don't feel delicate or insubstantial, they don't feel as serious as the IRs. I feel like these IRs can take a beating with an iron crowbar and probably won't mind it.
I feel like my Wolverine 1000 miles would not take nearly the same abuse.
So, I like and am keeping them both... well, not sure if I need a wider boot in the IRs, but I'm going to wear them inside at work tomorrow before I decide. Is anyone interested in a very lightly worn pair of black iron rangers, size 10 D if I decide that they are just too narrow?
Oh, I have a pair of size 10 1/2 red wing steel toe 2233 boots that are not even broken in yet.. just a few specks of red deck paint that you don't even really notice. I stained the deck with them on, then realized they are a 1/2 size too big.. but it was too late to return them. I will let them go for very cheap if anyone from this forum is interested.
All three are good boots. However, the Indy has a rain/weather friendly sole right out of the box. The neocork sole on my pair shows virtually no wear after 10 months. All three are made of quality leather, and come in various widths and sizes.
Given your intended use, I'd go with whichever one you like looks-wise between the Wolverine and Alden.
Given your intended use, I'd go with whichever one you like looks-wise between the Wolverine and Alden.
