"All Weather" Walker?

Sir Cingle · Oct 16, 2009

Here's a quick question for the Alden experts among us, which ably demonstrates my own ignorance: How "all weather" is the Alden All Weather Walker? Is this shoe sufficiently water-resistant that one could wear it in the rain or snow without fear of ruining it? If not, can anyone suggest a good-looking trad shoe that can be worn with a tie and jacket and is actually water-proof?

Unfortunately, given my New England home, there is so often a chance of rain that I find myself shunning my better-looking shoes in favor of a dull pair of Timberlands that perform well in the wet. I have Bean duck boots for serious snowfall, but I don't like the look of them with a tie and jacket, unless the weather is really inclement.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Max875 · Oct 16, 2009

I wore my All Weather Walkers in the rain one time and the leather tip on the sole curled away from the crepe sole on both shoes. Alden resoled the shoes at no cost to me. I don't wear the shoes in wet weather anymore.

Patrick06790 · Oct 16, 2009

A few years ago I picked up two Alden plain bluchers from Sierra Trading Post. They have a Vibram sole and are perfectly serviceable in all but the sloppiest weather. Not very dressy, though a step up from a Timberland.

You can always get a pair of Tingleys (see, Uncle Mac, I have been paying attention).

Another option might be having an older pair of shoes resoled with Dainite.

https://www.bnelsonshoes.com/dainite.asp

Mazama · Oct 16, 2009

Max875 said:
I wore my All Weather Walkers in the rain one time and the leather tip on the sole curled away from the crepe sole on both shoes. Alden resoled the shoes at no cost to me. I don't wear the shoes in wet weather anymore.

Wow! So much for "all weather" from Alden.

It strikes me that truly "all weather" shoes need a combination of attributes to protect wearers from the elements. They should have:

1.A bit of height (e.g. a chukka or other low boot style);

2.Be water resistant, durable and maintainable upper (leaning, to my thinking, toward more of a boot type leather as opposed to calfskin);

3.Use a method of attaching the upper to the midsole that does not wick moisture inside the shoe (a weak point in many constructions wherein something as seemingly minor as tread material can cause a problem);

4.And feature a weather resistant midsole and outsole that does not absorb moisture and provides traction on a variety of surfaces (which implies non-Trad synthetic materials).

English-style country boots - the Victorian/Edwardian era's response to the attributes listed above, including the 100+ year old Dainite soles - appear to combine all of those attributes. But without reports from people who've worn them in inclement weather it's hard to know which brands and models just have "the look" and which actually offer real world performance.

I got a good price on the rubber soled - but IMO non-clunky - Alden Ashtons this summer. I recommend them as comfortable walking shoe with a semi-Trad look but I don't know if the leather and construction will prove to be truly "all weather".

BTW, I think some of the original, more basic Russell Moccasin offerings done up in an appropriate leather - e.g., the 7" double vamp Hiker model made up in traditional water resistant Horween Chomexcel, Navigator or Driftwood leathers - offer relatively lightweight foul weather footwear in a traditional American style that takes a bit of polish. They'll set you back $350-$400.

Sir Cingle · Oct 16, 2009

Great suggestions, Patrick. I don't know about Tingleys, though. But I'll look into the Alden bulcher with Vibram sole. And a sole replacement sounds interesting, though maybe more involved than I would like.

Any other ideas, folks?

Why does Alden call the shoe "All Weather Walker" if you cannot, in fact, wear it in bad weather? For a company as careful and fastidious as Alden, this seems like an odd marketing choice.

joenobody0 · Oct 16, 2009

Patrick06790 said:
You can always get a pair of Tingleys (see, Uncle Mac, I have been paying attention).

I'm thinking about picking up a pair of Tingleys for the rain, but I'm a little resistant to putting the rubber over shoe, well... over my whole shoe. Is the rubber over shoe hard on the leather finish? It would seem like if you got some sand between the over shoe and your shoe's uppers, that it could grind into the finish rather badly.

Intrepid · Oct 16, 2009

Alden Chukka Boot

You might want to consider the Alden chukka boot. Dark brown kudu, on the Barrie last.

Please look at the OCLS site, under dress shoes. They are $350, vs $405 for the "all weather walker".

They are absolutely waterproof, rubber soles with enough traction to get through the snow. May not be dressy enough for you, but the impervious finish, and ankle protection make them worth considering.

They seem to be as formal as you need in really crummy weather. When everyone else is wearing their ******* indoors, your chukkas furnish just as much protection, and are decent looking even with a jacket and tie.

Sir Cingle · Oct 17, 2009

^Cool. I'll check out the Alden chukkas as well. I must admit, though, that I'm a little skittish about wearing an "expensive" shoe out in terrible weather, even if it can handle it. Thus maybe the Russell idea is a good one.

I don't think I can handle galoshes, if only because I spend a fair amount of time switching between indoors and outdoors in a given day.

Flanderian · Oct 17, 2009

Sir Cingle said:
Here's a quick question for the Alden experts among us, which ably demonstrates my own ignorance: How "all weather" is the Alden All Weather Walker? Is this shoe sufficiently water-resistant that one could wear it in the rain or snow without fear of ruining it? If not, can anyone suggest a good-looking trad shoe that can be worn with a tie and jacket and is actually water-proof?

Unfortunately, given my New England home, there is so often a chance of rain that I find myself shunning my better-looking shoes in favor of a dull pair of Timberlands that perform well in the wet. I have Bean duck boots for serious snowfall, but I don't like the look of them with a tie and jacket, unless the weather is really inclement.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

As all-weather as ya wanna be!

https://www.shipton-usa.com/boston-brown-723-0.html

I obtained a pair of these last year. Fine shoe, pretty much waterproof with an aggressive Commando lug rubber sole. Goodyear welt. Fine with country suits and jackets. Perhaps a bit too rustic for worsted. Unless it's winter. Unless it's Boston.

If you're willing to give up the waterproof upper for one that's scotch grained calf, you can have one of these with a Dainite sole that's less aggressive and more closely resembles a double leather sole.

https://www.shipton-usa.com/oakley-brown-brogue-2666-0.html

Trad to the bone! :aportnoy:

Nico01 · Oct 17, 2009

I've been eyeing these as a cheap rainy-day shoe. Aldens they ain't, but what with the olied leather and the crepe sole, I imagine theyd stand up, and at 140 bucks its not terrible if they don't.

Intrepid · Oct 17, 2009

Alden 947s

Those J Crew chukkas look like a good possibility. They appear to be quite similar to the Alden chukkas, at less than half the price. Gum sole vs commando sole on the Alden, but you could get two of the J Crew, for less than one of the Alden chukkas.

Back to the All Weather Walker that Mr Cingle originally referred to. It would seem that if you could only get one pair of Aldens, that these would certainly deserve consideration.

While "all weather" may refer to anything up to a light mist, they seem to be tremendously versatile, not cheap, but worth the price. My impression is that Alden concentrates on only one thing, and that is making top quality American Classic shoes, with little attention to marketing glitz. (A good Madison Ave ad agency would probably screw up their entire line. "You people need to be more up to date; put in some square toes, etc"; eg a recipe for disaster in the market they seek, limited but intensely loyal.)

947s have been around for a long time, and my guess is that a bunch of guys from the production line were sitting around, and suggested to management that these shoes be called "all weather walkers". (Could have seemed like a good idea on a hot summer day.)

However, consider the possibilities: (Depends on personal taste, and the zeitgeist where you live). but possibilities for the 947:

>OCBD, and Bills.

>Football game;OCBD, Bills, shetland sweater, and Barbour Beaufort.

>A lot of business dress requiring jacket and tie, as well as "business casual".

>Blazer, Bills, OCBD, Sam Hober rep tie for cocktail party after the game; and church the next day. May not work where you live, but passes for being well dressed in our small town.

Sir Cingle · Oct 17, 2009

Thanks for the further suggestions. The Shiptons look particularly intriguing: that's one heavy-duty rain shoe.

I'll agree that the Alden All Weather Walker is versatile, despite its obvious non-all-weather shortcomings. But that's a very unfortunate name, if in fact the shoe can't hold up in inclement weather.

127.72 MHz · Oct 17, 2009

Oh, well I've worn my all weather walkers, (both pair) more times than I could possibly recall in the rain and the the toe leather has not even begun to peal away from the crepe sole.

Hence I continue to wear my all weather walkers in the pouring rain. Although what would I know about rain living in the Pacific Northwest?

After you had Alden resole them, at no cost to you, did they offer any suggestions?

Max875 said:
I wore my All Weather Walkers in the rain one time and the leather tip on the sole curled away from the crepe sole on both shoes. Alden resoled the shoes at no cost to me. I don't wear the shoes in wet weather anymore.

eagle2250 · Oct 17, 2009

I'm not sure that I've had my All Weather Walkers long enough to offer an assessment but, to date, I have had them out in the rain twice (once in a pretty steady drizzle and the second time in a light mist. Standing water was on the ground in both instances.). While the leather darkens as it gets wet, it does return to it's original appearance as it dries. The upper leather shows no evidence of curling away from the plantation crepe sole. And perhaps most importantly, my feet stayed absolutely dry in both instances...to my mind, that is what constitutes an all weather shoe! It remains to be seen, how my pair will stand the test of time but, I'm confident they will do just fine.

Max875 · Oct 17, 2009

I'm glad to hear that others have had better luck with the plantation crepe/leather tipped soles in wet weather. The folks at Alden did not offer me any suggestions (but I didn't ask). Now I typically wear Tingleys, Bean Boots or heavier Vibram soled shoes for the wet weather here in New England.

Patrick06790 · Oct 17, 2009

joenobody0 said:
I'm thinking about picking up a pair of Tingleys for the rain, but I'm a little resistant to putting the rubber over shoe, well... over my whole shoe. Is the rubber over shoe hard on the leather finish? It would seem like if you got some sand between the over shoe and your shoe's uppers, that it could grind into the finish rather badly.

No such problems here. My biggest hurdle was the word "rubbers."

jdb2 · Oct 18, 2009

No problems for me

About five years ago, I bought a pair of Alden All-weather walkers based on comments here on Ask Andy (Manton was the key to persuading me). They are the best shoes I've ever worn, even though I've had some from different brands that cost a lot more. I now have three pairs, and alternating through the week, wear them every day. I live in Boston and, while usually based in a hospital, often have to walk outdoors when it is raining, snowing, icing, or even on rare occasions sunny.

I've never had a problem with the soles, and my feet have never been wet, cold, or hot for that matter. My only concern was the dull finish, despite waxing and polishing with Kiwi, Meltonian, and/or Allen Edmonds. Once I read Ron Rider's notes about shoe care on the Franco's site, using Lexol, I have been able to maintain a beautiful finish on them despite the weather.

I wish I could find more shoes that provided such comfort, good fit, and perhaps more versatile style, but so far these are the best all-around shoes I have ever found. I hope that's helpful.

Sir Cingle · Oct 18, 2009

^Yes, thanks. Perhaps the All Weather Walker is more weather-proof than we thought; we may have evidence of merely one bum pair. It seems that there are lots of bad-weather shoe options, and thus I really must ditch my boring Timberlands in favor of a more interesting pair!

127.72 MHz · Oct 18, 2009

Just a thought. If you're on the fence about wearing your all weather walkers in the rain why don't you look into a pair of these?

I have a pair and there is no doubt that this sole can take all the water you can dish out.

Best of luck,

Sir Cingle · Oct 18, 2009

^Does this shoe have a waterproof upper?

"All Weather" Walker?

Sir Cingle

Max875

Patrick06790

Mazama

Sir Cingle

joenobody0

Intrepid

Sir Cingle

Flanderian

Nico01

Intrepid

Sir Cingle

127.72 MHz

eagle2250

Max875

Patrick06790

jdb2

Sir Cingle

127.72 MHz

Sir Cingle

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