For this article, we found ourselves in the wild suburbs of New Jersey with JD Sasso (make sure to follow him on Instagram). He is the king of all things, Alden the great American shoemaker established in 1884 in Massachusetts. They have been known for producing high-quality footwear for a long time, and even Indiana … Read more
In retrospect, Indiana Jones’s actions and reputation as an archeologist do not age well when you consider all the artifacts and ancient tombs he’s destroyed, but the one aspect of the character that did age well is his style. From his 3-piece Brooks Brother suit to his signature Herbert Johnson fedora, many people look up … Read more
Famed Alden collector JD Sasso joined us for this journey through the best Alden boots on the market. New England was once home to numerous shoe manufacturers but today, there’s just one still standing: Alden. Being one of the last bastions of traditional American shoemaking, this company has a special and deservedly vaulted place in … Read more
Collectors are a special bunch of people. Their passion is infectious and they’re always pumped to share their knowledge and experience with anyone who’ll listen. Dale, a military intelligence analyst and boot aficionado, fits this description to a T. With a collection tallying over 75 pairs of Goodyear welted leather boots. His knowledge and enthusiasm … Read more
Dressing up with boots today can be a risqué endeavor. While people think all boots with suits make you look like Keanu Reeves, there are certain dress boots that can really elevate your look. (By the way, Keanu Reeves is a badass and can wear whatever he wants.) So to help you avoid any mistakes, … Read more
More and more American brands are outsourcing their production overseas, and look, that doesn’t necessarily mean their products are becoming lower quality. Good and bad products are made in every country, and the producers’ nationality has a lot less to do with it than their business practices. But that doesn’t mean there’s no reason to … Read more
It is surprising how many boot companies don’t offer wide options for their boots. It makes more sense when you realize that these businesses need to make new lasts — foot-shaped blocks of wood used to create the fit — when they want to offer wider sizes. Creating new lasts is incredibly laborious and expensive, … Read more
Alden Shoes of New York, one of the premier Alden retailers in the world, has been serving faithful customers for over 30 years from its prestigious location in mid-town Manhattan on Madison Avenue. I was fortunate to have a lengthy conversation with one of its founders and co-owners, Mr. Ralph Bonato, about the origins of … Read more
For many, finding a pair of boots that work with their style is an easy task. A majority of guys just want a black or brown boot that can carry them through a rainy day. But for those of us who are tired of the classics, finding that perfect boot can be a bit of … Read more
Editor’s note: This article is an op-ed. The views expressed herein and in the video are the author’s and don’t necessarily reflect the views of Stridewise, LLC. Claims, assertions, opinions, and quotes have been sourced exclusively by the author. When it comes to my boot collecting habit, I can’t help but get philosophical about it. … Read more