Alden Indy Boot Review: The Indiana Jones Shoes

Note: This article will serve as a dual Alden 403 review (Brown Chromexcel) and Alden 405 Indy boot review (Tan Cowhide).

Established in 1884, the Alden Shoe Company is the oldest in New England. Since its founding over 100 years ago, Alden has made its signature shoe, the Indy, the same way. This brand reminds you just how important a good pair of boots used to be. It was founded during a time when boots had to be ultra durable and resoleable, as people walked just about everywhere they went.

If you've ever heard of the Alden Indy boots, you probably know them as the Indiana Jones shoes. The legend goes that once Harrison Ford was cast, he insisted on wearing the boots from his days as a carpenter – his trusty Alden 405s. The company even renamed the boots in the 80s after the titular character. It's a great piece of trivia, and we'd be lying if we said it didn't add a bit of excitement to the purchase.

Is the Alden Indy boot worth the buy? Keep reading our Alden Indy boot review to find out for yourself.

Alden Boots Available at The Shoe Mart

Before we jump into our Alden Indy 405 and 403 reviews, check out some of the latest and greatest boots from Alden available from The Shoe Mart.

The Leather

While the Indiana Jones shoes have traditionally been sold as the 405s, the 403s made of rich, lustrous Chromexcel are often misunderstood. Chromexcel is a type of full-grain leather, which is generally seen as the best leather you can buy for a pair of well-made boots. It's made from the top layer of cowhide, is super durable and develops a great patina as it ages. The method of tanning and processing imbues the leather with a wide variety of waxes, oils and greases such as beef tallow and cosmetic-grade beeswax. Before it leaves the factory, it's even treated with neatsfoot oil made from cattle's rendered shin and feet bones. All this processing makes the leather ultra moist and rich, with a pristine color coveted by many.

Chromexcel can be quite sensitive to scratches, but after a minute or two with a horsehair brush, you can buff them out. Is it possible to occasionally put deep scuffs into this leather that you can't buff right out? Of course. That's why if you're attached to your Indys' aesthetic, you'll want to take good care of them.

The Sole

The outsole of the Indiana Jones shoe is made from neo-cork, which is harder, far more durable and less likely to slip than stacked leather. Many find neo-cork to be an excellent compromise between leather and rubber soles. They look more "classic" than rubber and have more grip than leather.

There are three layers to the sole of Indy boots: the neo-cork outsole, a cork midsole and a vegetable-tanned leather insole. A triple-ribbed steel shank for a firm backbone and arch support is down the middle of the sole embedded in the midsole.

Finally, all Alden boots, including the Indiana Jones shoes, are constructed using Goodyear welting. This is widely considered one of the best ways to create a shoe that retains durability through the years, is waterproof and capable of being wholly rebuilt once the soles wear down. And while the laces may not last a lifetime, their looks make them worth replacing every so often.

The Value

Value is tricky to nail down because it's completely subjective. If you can't afford to spend $600 to $700 on a pair of Indiana Jones shoes, they won't have good value for you. If you can afford it, and you love how Indys look, fit and age immaculately — and you're prepared to treat them every once in a while so they last over ten years — then they are an excellent value.

While there may be more affordable alternatives with similar looks, very few can offer the extreme comfort, style and long-lasting durability of 403 and 405 Indy boots. There have been many knock-offs and cheap imitations, but there's nothing quite like the genuine article.