That description of “burnt caramel” is so accurate. My pair of this make up is also 3 years old, but the have turned into a burnt orange. This was my introduction to Badalassi, and I just fell in love with veg tan leather.
I conditioned mine with Obenauf's heavy duty LP which did darken them to a similar burnt caramel and made them significantly more supple and less creaky.
@@Bootlosophy haha.... definitely couldn't figure out. At this point I have 6-7 B grades and all of them are at par with my A grades. They literally look as good as new each time I've picked them up.
These look great -- love that color they've taken on. I just got my first pair of leather soled shoes (first since I was a kid, anyway), a pair of Grant Stone loafers. I'm loving them so far--I've worn them enough to get rid of some of the slipperiness, but probably haven't even gone a total of 50 miles in them yet. I'm hoping they look as good after 1 year as these boots of yours look after 3 years. To my fellow leather sole skeptics -- get a pair, you won't be sorry.
I can’t imagine how many boots you have owned lol. However, I think you have gotten a lot of wear/versatility out of these boots. Also, 110 boots!!!! I’m curious how your store them. I don’t feel so bad about my 6-7 pairs of boots now 😂😂😂.
That is a nice color after patina. I recently acquired a pair of custom MTO boots from a Chinese maker in the same Badalassi Carlo Minerva leather, but in its yellow color. Having arrived, the yellow is much richer and a bit more, well, yellow than I'd expected based on the pictures, which seemed quite close to natural. I'm very curious to see how it will patina over time as there's basically no documentation of boots in this leather in this color online as far as I can find.
Love the Badalassi leather. I have a pair of GS Ottawa in natural minerva and its worn in beautifully. Although its a calf leather, it's a tough wearing leather. Feels like armor for me feet.
I have put a significant amount of wear on mine. Such fantastic boots. The uppers have developed to almost have a colour gradient from the untouched collar to a saturated toe that shines and shows tiny scuffs and watermarks. It's almost like the scuffs are laminated into the leather. I got scared about the toe wear and installed some triumph toe taps.
I bought my first pair of grant stone the other day in natural waxy commander. I hope the leo last fits me better than trumans 79 last. Love your videos!!
Love the detailed care tips you pepper into your videos. Super helpful. I've been eyeing this boot and color for some time now, and just waiting for a sale.
The toe tips wearing out is common amongst grant stones and a personal turnoff for me. I have three variants of Grant stone soles and they’ve all worn down to a mm or so at the tips. I think it’s because the last doesn’t have much toe spring. You are right Tiek though, it does stabilize at some point but it still makes me nervous. Aside from that, those boots look absolutely beautiful.
I've had a pair for 18 months or so. I rarely wear them as I just don't find myself in situations much for something leaning to the dressier side. I really wanted to try the Badallasi and leather sole at the time. I also have the field boot in the same leather which I wear more frequently but boy do they announce your arrival. 😂
Teik, I hope your surgery went well! I don't like the heel counter seem and can't get past how the quarters are cut out behind the heel counter. Strisewise mentioned it in a video.
Ive got the Grant Stone Brass Boot in saddle tan. Im surprised how much darker mine are than yours, though maybe I shouldn't be since i wear them hard everyday at a dirty job that dries them out causing me to clean and condition them somewhat often
Great video as always Teik, thanks for all your insight. I had a question if that’s ok? I have been setting my Natural CXL boots in the sun to tan, do you think I should give them some Venetian or just a good brushing after a few days of sun?
How would you compare the Diesel's fit against Parkhurst or Truman's 79? I wear the same size as you, 8.5D on the Brannock and I have a 8D in the Diesel, in Red Wings etc. My Diesels are pretty much perfect length and width wise and fit like a glove. However, I personally prefer the firm handshake feel but I can't quite achieve that on the Diesel because I only have around 1.5 to 2cm of lace spacing left when tightened. I suppose I just have a low instep. Had a bit of a discussion with customer support and they said that I probably won't fit into a 7.5D or E, so I should try tongue pads or kilties instead. I suppose at the end of the day the fit isn't bad since fitting like a glove vs firm handshake is really just a matter of preference.
@@diablolrm90 I think both Parkhurst and Truman give a more “firm handshake” feel. To me GS fits really well but is more “comfortable“ if that makes sense. My favourite fit is Parkhurst, but it’s not for everyone
You can try some leather insoles as well (got mine from Dale's Leatherworks). That helped me with my slightly oversized 9D Diesels. I also have a pair in 8.5D and another in 8E that both fit perfectly, even with my low instep. I find that my Parkhurst (602 last) in 8.5D do fit more snugly in the toebox, but I have to lace them slightly tighter to prevent heel slip (probably due to my low instep). Thankfully the quarters don't look too close, though. Hope that helps!
I have a pair of Alden 405’s in calfskin. I don’t get a firm handshake fit. I use tongue pads and a thin insole to get a more firm fit. However out of all my boots the Trubalance last is the most comfortable. Not even a contest when comparing.
Out of curiosity, why don’t you want toe taps? Is there a functional reason, or just aesthetic preference? I’ve got a pair of GS in the same leather, but it’s the wedge shoe. They’re a few weeks old, so fairly new, but already I love the way the leather is forming to my feet and taking on depth of color. I catch myself just admiring them sometimes - must look odd to people walking by!
@@benmendoza4640 I could if I bought it 🤣🤣🤣 Reviewing boots obviously cost money because you have to buy the boots, so I tend to review the boots I’ve liked enough to buy them at some stage. Sometimes I’m lent or given boots to review but atm I’ve not got any more GS on my buy-next list
I had to sell both my GS because I just cannot figure out my size in the brand. I am a 9.5 ee in every other brand, but this brand oddly increases the length of the boots when you go up width. This makes the brand difficult if you have wide feet.
@@BootlosophyGood advice. I have a pair in 8.5D which fit perfect as well as a pair in 8E that also fit perfectly. My 3rd pair is a 9D, threw in Dale's medium thickness insoles and they also fit very well.
I typically wear 9.5ee but I found GS 9EEE to be slightly long a wide. Not sure if I should try 9E as going down a width also reduces length, or 8.5EEE.
Do the boots squeak when walking?. I have two veg tan boots both squeak. Dublin and tan Essex. I hate squeaky boots. Only thing that solves it is liberal amounts of talcum powder.
Were it rubbing on the inside that u don’t like smother with mink or near foot oil wear and let them dry out I was feeling the stitches from red wing iron ranger when I first got them on my heel on my sock Nice wet coat mink oil Never again gets even stichs supple If anyone has leather seats I just minked oiled my 10 year old Honda black leather seats I just did other day with neat foot The mink did better job On dryer leather parts of leather and lasted longer The bears foot did good on steering wheels but seats felt much niceers either mink The automotive stuff stinks Leather is leather - use wat we know works best Fyi my car has black seats so was not worried about color change. But for first 2-3 day look like ur seat a black glass lol then after couple days gets absorbed So u have deal with seat looking like u just coated them with motor oil But that’s part of the fun The automotive leather conditioner have more silicone then conditioner I picked up my gramps he sat in back seat I made a turn he almost slid across back row lool He like wat u do this seat And I look at seat I can’t see any change in color That silicone for u l😂
