Source
r/goodyearwelt•
optional22

Moto Unboxing

Review

Album, for the impatient.

This is the website link, for the curious.

I just got these a few minutes ago, so I don't have much to review. I'll do a real review after a month or so with these things just so I can have a good feel for them.

Basically, I wanted an Alden Indy, but as I read more and more about Alden, the less and less I liked. When I stumbled on Moto a while back, I liked the pictures I saw far more than the Aldens. The toe stitching actually raises the leather up creating a cool effect. The natural CXL looks amazing so far. They have a pre-patina'd look to them before they even have a day of wear.

There's a small gash in the welt and a missed stitch but nothing major. There's also an odd pin point hole in the heel cap, but it looks intentional. It's on both boots, and I'm not sure what the purpose of that is. Regardless, it's hardly noticeable.

My concern with buying these was the size. These are a Moto size 3, which is what they told me to choose when I emailed them. My Brannock size is roughly a 9.4 US in thick socks. These do feel a bit large for me, however. I'm not sure if I'd fit into a Moto 2, but regardless, I posted the fit in the album. Let me know what you think. I just don't want to have an odd natural flex point.

Edit: New album showing the flex point and some bonus shots just because. I think it will be just fine.

Edit 2: Close up of the welt and leather, and here's the insole.

Posted Apr 8, 2015, 1:54 AM UTC · edited

2721
6t5g10D•

I think the moc toe construction is different, this almost looks like a rolled seam construction creating the raised effect.

3
optional22OP•

It is rolled upwards unlike the Alden Indys.

1
sklark23Pistolero•

It is like the single handsewn (some are machine stitched now) toe construction where it is a single piece that is pinched and sewn like some indys, mocs, red wings, etc. Different than the tradition multi-piece pattern that most moc toes use

1
Neurophil9.5D, LLBean, Rancourt, RW, Rider, Meermin, need mo' shoes•

I was under the impression that red wing moc toe boots were true handsewn (not moccasin construction obviously). I have a par and I'd bet money the toe stitching isn't false.

1
sklark23Pistolero•

I am talking about the structure of the toe stitch. Instead of two pieces of leather stitched to create the moc toe where you can actually separate them like on this model it is just one piece of leather that is pinched and sewn like here The pinch is almost always (EDIT: I say almost because I can't confirm that there are not people who have figured out how to machine do it but everyone I have seen does it by hand) hand sewn due to how it is made, you can find a bunch of alden videos on how they do it

2
sklark23Pistolero•

Ahh I see where I very poorly worded my first comment. Alden machine stitches some of their indys, the faux moc toe, not the true moc toes

1
6t5g10D•

The stitching is real, but red wing does not handsew the toe seam.

Moccasin construction and handsewn toe seams are two mutually exclusive constructions.

1
Neurophil9.5D, LLBean, Rancourt, RW, Rider, Meermin, need mo' shoes•

sorry I wasn't being clear. I know it wasn't moccasin construction of course, I just wanted clarification on the handsewn toe seam.

1
TheresWald0•

The pin homes on the heel are likely lasting holes, from where the leather was stretched over the last. Nothing to worry about really.

2
optional22OP•

That's interesting. I've never seen that done before. Is there another brand that has that?

1
TheresWald0•

I don't think it's specific to a brand. I think it just depends how the leather behaves while being stretched over the last, and is the result of a different method to stretch it. I bet other examples of the same boot may not have them. There was a post on here a while back where someone was specifically asking about the holes, but I can't find it.

2
wantsomepie•

I have a pair of MOTOs (which I still haven't done a write-up for yet...) with this as well. Definitely lasting holes. I've seen lasting holes on Quoddy, Alden, Carmina, Meermin, and other brands in stores and from pictures around the internet. Some companies try really hard to hide them or will cover them with another layer of leather, but many just leave them as is.

2
301s•

What's the weight of the leather feel like or is cxl pretty much the same across all brands?

Edit: Also that doesn't look like new pair of nat cxl boots to me. It has a lot more of those dark undertones than I can recall seeing in other pairs. Very cool.

1
piriecaChief Enabler•

That is very typical of Moto's style. I remember a post about their hand-dyed shell. Looked delicious

2
optional22OP•

It's very thick and heavy compared to Viberg CXL. I was very surprised by the weight as they're probably my heaviest boot to date.

The leather is so thick it doesn't even crease when it flexes - it just rolls like shell would. And they do hand dye it to add patina. It's definitely CXL however. It feels and looks like it up close and has the same ultra waxy water resistance.

2
Conquerorsquid9.5 D Red Wing\Wolverine 744•

Thanks for posting these! I really like them. If you don't mind me asking, how much did they cost? And how long did it take you to get them?

1
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
subsonic87•

Out of curiosity, what turned you off about the Aldens?

1
optional22OP•

A few things.

  1. [Didn't like the side silhouette, especially that stitch that runs across the shaft of the boot.] (https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0184/4436/products/Innsbruck_Indy_Side_1024x1024.jpg?v=1359587602)

  2. Didn't like the look of the old beat up ones after years of use.

  3. Heard many horror stories about the pricing/quality of Alden in general.

2
brandall10•
  1. Interesting... this is specifically why I like the standard Alden Indys, as opposed to say the JCrew variantion which is more traditional: https://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/shoes/AldenForJCrew/PRDOVR~18428/18428.jsp?color_name=Dark-Brown&srcCode=GGBS00006_99101826704&sisearchengine=197&siproduct=18428&noPopUp=true&source=googlePLA&gclid=Cj0KEQjwxpipBRCap8PR2Om7vq4BEiQA6V7OVYvGIqjSBJfu_nj7dHoh4mHOv913TmEHQ6AqSxKE-QcaAkBV8P8HAQ.

To each their own. These are cool, but the Alden's are dead-on perfect for this style of boot IMO, which I believe is why they're a modern classic.

1
optional22OP•

I disagree with you, but respect your opinion.

1