r/grantstoneboots

Brass Boots in Maduro shell arrived!

I just got my first pair of chelsea boots ever. I already owned 7 pairs of service boots (cap toes, plain toes and even one pair of wingtips) so I wanted something a little different to compliment my collection

My three main options were to get a pair of side zipped boots, moc toes and chelseas. The idea of having a pair of boots I could just slip in or out, whenever I wanted to quickly get ready to go out made me choose the latter

Once I set my mind in getting a pair of chelseas, I had to choose what brand/model did I wanted. I separated them in 3 categories: dressy, casual and work. I was not looking for dress shoes right now, so I discarded those, and I work in an office environment so I don't need a wedge sole and casual boots can be "work boots" for me

Among the casual chelseas options, there is a big variety of prices and quality levels. Thursday has some models under $200, and although there are a couple of those that look pretty nice when new, I've seen pictures of them after a few years (or even months) of wear and I don't like how they've evolved. On the other side of the expectrum, you have brands like Briselblack from Indonesia or White's (their latest leather stacked heel models, not the one with the wedge sole which I consider a work boot) that offer models that I love in the $600 to $700 range, so a little bit out of my range right now

Then I looked at the mid range price options, $300-400 (even some under $300). I must say that I really appreciate the minimalistic chelsea patterns, wholecuts or those with the seams right under the elastic panels, so brands like Meermin and Grant Stone immediately had my attention, Parkhurst and BLKBRD too

For a matter of affordability, I was leaning towards the Meermin and BLKBRD options. Meermin being the only wholecuts that I know of in this price range, and BLKBRD for their customization options (I was thinking about a Dr Sole half sole and teal waxed Mohawk uppers). However, I couldn't stop thinking that the Grant Stone Chelsea in Dark Oak Roughout was exactly what I wanted... If it were a little cheaper 😄

And then it happened! I received one of their B Grades update emails, clicked on it to check them out, and there it was

Dark Oak Roughout Chelseas in 8EE

$260

I have to say, I own a pair of Diesels in 8D. It was just my second pair of heritage boots and I didn't even know my Brannock size then, so that's how I found out that yes, I am a size 8.5, but in E width and no D. Don't get me wrong, these fit very well and they are very comfortable, but I can only wear them with thin dress socks. So I knew that my next pair of Gran Stone boots, either on the Leo or UK last (Floyd is a completely different story because how much extra volume they have in the toe box), would be on an E (Leo) or EE (UK) width

That little width difference is a lot. Again, my Diesels in 8D are very very comfortable... But these Chelseas are on another level. Right out of the box, they feel like they are broken in already. I must say, that I can feel just a tiny bit of heel slip in my right foot (although both my feet are 8.5E, my right foot is a bit narrower than the left one), but I'm sure that as soon as the sole is fully broken in, it will dissapear

If I hold them with my hands, they feel almost as heavy as the Diesels (which are way heavier than they look), but on my feet... They feel almost as light as flip flops 😄

The upper leather is super soft, so as long as you put your finger in the pull strap, your foot will slide inside the boot very easily

Of course, I still haven't taken these with me for a long walk, but I'm looking forward to it. That's how comfortable they feel right now

About the smell, not too many boot reviews include details about this, but for me it is a big part of the experience of owning leather goods. The best smell experiences I've had with leather are with water buffalo leather (Craft & Glory from India), chromexcel (White's) and rambler (Parkhurst). These have a very nice woody smell that reminds a little to the rambler leather, although not as strong as in those

Finally, I want to say that the quality of these is amazing as usual with Grant Stone, and the fact that the only possible cause that I found for these to be qualified as B Grades is a little scratch in the toe box of the right boot, an scratch that's basically imperceptible on a roughout leather unless you get to look at them from really close, is even more amazing

Grant Stone B Grades are the best value for your money in the heritage footwear world, and is not even close

Underwhelming response. I don't use these as work boots and don't shovel anything in them. I hike and do some light yard work. I work from home lol. If this rubber can't sustain rocks underfoot during occasional hikes, what is their purpose?

Picked up the Brass Boot CXL #8 B grades for 220 with a coupon. Couldn’t be more happy.

Just got a mail introducing the unlined derby. The link then takes me to some very lined shoes. Am I missing something?

Hey everyone! I have had my Grant Stone Brass Boots in #8 cxl since probably November now. They are lovely and I have worn them virtually everywhere! Recently my big toe has "pushed out" the side of a shoe enough that I feel some occasional discomfort. If I had to describe it I would guess my toe is on the edge of the insole and the upper/welt. Any recommendations to make it more comfortable? Should I throw in an oversized insole? Should I just call it and hope it sort of goes away? Any tips appreciated!

Have had these for just about a year and only wear them once a week or so. I do some light yard work but otherwise they just get used casually. I've seen others complaining about the rubber splitting on their pairs as well. What's the deal?

I’m getting ready for my first cull of the collection, so I had to take some photos of the boots with the good camera. So why not a comparison? Grabbed some used Edwards on Ebay in Natural Minerva, I guess they are about a year, or two old , and well along the aging process. These things are freeking bright, wear them in the sunlight, and they will see you coming a mile away. I like it ! For comparison sake the Saddle Tan Diesel Boots (4-5 months old but worn a lot), and Tan Essex Brass Boots (about a year old also one of the most worn of the crew) are there.

To my eye , the Saddle Tan is obviously darker, a bit more brown in color (no bueno) , the Tan Essex is a bit more pale colored, not quite as vibrant, atleast not at this time. I guess we will see how they look in a year, but the Natural Minerva has dethroned the tan Essex as my favorite in color. In feel the two minerva’s feel simular, very stiff, or structured leather, while the Essex is very soft and malleable.

Indoor photos aren’t the best, but I’m not gonna walk outside with 10 pairs of boots to take photos :)

The Crimson CXL is such a great, do-it-all color. These are one of the best RTW heritage boots on the market, if the lasts work for your feet

7 years of wears. Second set of soles

There's this dark spot on the toe box of my Natural Chromexcel boots. I think it was caused from bumping something. I'm pretty sure it's not from a spill. I tried brushing or rubbing but it won't come off. I can't pull up the leather from underneath because the toe box it very stiff. I tried using hair dryer and a spoon and it lightened a bit but there's still a noticable black mark. What can I do? Should I try cleaning it with saddle soap? I dont want to over do it. Thank you.

Beautiful boots in hand - looking forward to getting some good wear into them !

I customized my grant stones with some kilties. Next laces. I am still deciding what which laces I want, I was thinking leather.

I just wanted to share my two year old Diesels in tan Essex leather. They are not everyday boots since I do have others I rotate through but they are definitely one of my favorites among a collection that includes Wolverine 1000 Miles, Red Wing 1907s, multiple Jim Greens, Helm Zinds, vintage military boots, Thursday Captains, and a few others I can't think of at the moment. The color these have taken on over two years of use is amazing. During that time I've used a bit of neatsfoot oil to purposely darken them slightly and mostly Venetian Shoe Cream to give them a tiny bit of shine and that's pretty much it. The Diesel is damn near a perfect boot as far as I'm concerned. From the design to the last to the outstanding build quality, if you can only get one boot this would not be a bad choice at all.