Grant Stone Diesel Boot Review (2022 Update): The Best Smart Casual Boot? 

Very awesome review….really like the rugged yet smart casual look of GS diesel! Thank You for a follow up renewed review

I am always a fan of a Grant Stone video! As a note for people considering the boot, the heel and counter skiving is in no way a cost-cutting measure. In fact, some of the most expensive boots in the space, like Edward Green, and Viberg, skive the heel in this way. It is largely a choice of aesthetic and fit. Outside of a few work boots that benefit from a bulbous, and uber stiff heel, this is uncommon, and not practical for this style of boot. I think a note or correction is in order, as these kinds of false claims mislead newbies getting their first boots and misrepresent the quality of a superb boot.

Come on nick, how could you let this be posted? Heel counter cover not being an extra layer on top of leather is NOT cost cutting at all, and is completely unnecessary on a boot like the diesel that is not built for work. Building it like the reviewer suggested would just make the boot unnecessarily bulky. I would take the cost cutting portion out because that is just untrue

Well I'm an old timer and had a lot of different boots but I bought a pair of the Cap Toe green Kudu's from GS which are very similar to the diesel boot... The construction is top notch, let me repeat, top notch, the cleanest looking build of any of my other boots... As someone else said here, the leather is outstanding and thick, these boots are a little on the heavy side but they wear like iron.... Excellent pair of boots...! Very good review....!GG...IN

Nice review Troy! Well done.

Good job. Really sold me. I think this" is " the front running boot in the 3-400 dollar price range. Can hardly go wrong.

Love my navy cxl Diesels! Very comfortable under foot from the start, good grip on the outsole over pavement (in my SoCal weather though). They’re good looking( yes, a bit more streamlined than other heritage brands)and they feel substantial too. I also have their Ottawa boot in natural kangaroo and it’s just gorgeous! Overall really good brand

Just got my pair and they look amazing, and feel so smooth already

I have 5 pairs of Grant Stone’s so far, and all are extremely well built. Nothing but excellent quality, even with my one pair of “B stock” shoes. Great QC that’s definitely superior to all of my pairs of AEs or Alden’s.

Much needed update , u have been forgetting Grandstone a while !!

I just bought a pair of Diesel boots(Essex tan) in a sale. Just after a few days of wear they are breaking in nicely and are very comfortable. I had considered the Thursday Captain as the perfect boot for my feet. These are far better.

I have two diesel boots now, dune and essex leather and I really like them. They aren't as comfortable as the AE Higgins Mill but they feel like there are really well made and solid. There is some pinching near the tongue for my boots and the bottom doesn't flex quite as well as some other boots. These are a great value and are just very well made boots. Love the wide sizes as I need a EEE. Wish they could come out with a service boot version with a cap toe (maybe brogue too) in wide sizes and some more leather varieties. Please do more videos like this! Alden Indy update next? Alden Jumper boots? Viberg service boot? can't wait for more content!

I love my Diesels, you're right about the facings. For me they come a bit too close, my only con but that's my ankle/foot build. I don't really like dainite anyways, too slippery when surfaces get wet. The arch support is very good in these. My foot feels better when I switch back to my Stones after wearing other brands.

I have the bourbon suede diesel boot and absolutely love them and honestly wear them with jeans and also wear them in my office a lot. The suede is so nice and comfortable and is holding up really nicely. IMO not have a double layer counter is fine for this type of boot. The quality is up there with out better than other heritage boots I’ve had (Red Wing, Thursday, and even Alden).

They are definitely not cutting corners with the heel counter cover, there is a thick leather heel counter behind there and an additional layer of leather to cover the heel counter would make the heel look too bulky for the rest of the boot. They designed the boot this way for the look but that doesn’t take away from the durability at all. There are different boots for different purposes.

I've owned a pair of the Diesel boots with the veg tanned uppers for more than a year now and they are excellent. Break-in was easy and painless, they still look good after a year of use, and they have had zero quality control issues. In fact, I like them so much I plan on getting a second pair soon with the CXL uppers. It should be noted that, along with my original pair of Diesel boots, I also have two pairs of Nick's boots, a pair of Oak Street Bootmakers Field Boots, and a pair of the ubiquitous Red Wing Iron Rangers, so I have some experience from which to judge the Grant Stones. Therefore, I can confidently recommend Grant Stone without reservation.

Great follow up review. Yes the eyelets converge toward the top with mine too but using leather laces (instead of the waxed cotton) will remedy the lace slippage issue.

The heel counter panel is a non issue. Most shoes (even more expensive legacy brands) are made like that with the counter stitched to the quarter at the edges.

finally a new boot review.

Great well-rounded video. Appreciate the heel counter cap insight; Didn’t realize that about these boots, but good to know/ keep in mind when making purchasing decisions. Definitely agree that these (as well as other GS articles)are a great value for the money. On the weird angle of the boot shaft opening comment- I don’t have that issue, but then again, I have decent size ankles. I’d think that a set of kilties will fix the issue for anyone who encounters it. Perhaps, even a thicker pair of socks will suffice

Great review, I love my Diesel's. They feel more substantial, I guess than my other boots. I did stick with the leather laces though in my Crimson's.

I found the Grant Stones boots to be comfortable from the first wear

Great review and the boots look good on you. Good products can come from anywhere nowadays.

I really enjoy my GS diesel boots, the only drawback to me is the small tongue but overall an amazing boot. Lately I've picked up a couple pairs of Parkhurst Allen boots and they compare to the GS but the tongue is much better and doesnt shift to one side like the GS and I feels the Parkhurst uses better outsoles but at the moment both brands are at the top of my list and will pick up more of both brands!

Also commenting that GS has excellent quality. Some of the first wingtips I've seen that don't screw up the wingtip bit in front and have it flapping around.

I was on the fence between these and some AE Higgins Mill but after a few reviews I am giving the Grant Stones a try. Just ordered them. I hope they look as a beautiful in person as they do online!

I have many boots from Redwing and Truman, the Grant Stones get the most compliments and I had no break in periods with them. I have the Chelsea in Roughout and 2 Brass boots. Don’t let the “Made in China” deter you from buying this boots. On the Chelsea I order the 11.5 and it fits like a glove. On the brass boots I did 11 and I’m glad I did. They fit perfectly regardless of what socks I wear. I wear them for 10 hrs a day on my feet with no discomfort.

Spot on review. I Pulled the trigger on the GS Diesel Boot in Dune a couple months ago. Quality was great, stitching was meticulous. Attention to detail was spot on. A few cons: cxl scratches so easily, just taking off my boots I had to be careful not scratch them with my nails while loosening the laces. I also had a hard time using the speed hooks with the waxed laces, especially with the last set. You either had to tie the boot tight which hurt your ankle during the break in process or the boot was too loose causing some heel slip. Maybe it’s just me, and my weird EEE sized foot. To me, it took several wears for it to be more comfortable. Overall, I like the boot, and I believe it was worth the $340 spent. Now, I am debating on the GS brass boot Moc toe Or the Redwing 875/1907

Picked up a pair from them in Walnut CXL for $240. When they have a sale, you have to be quick on the trigger.

Don't mind me I'm just here for the Cartier at 0:15

What pants are you wearing in this review (black with red selvedged trim)? Thank you.

What was the width size of the displayed crimson pair in this video? I'll guess E? My 8.5E in saddle tan is comfortable but quite roomy, and I'll be trying a D width next.

Did you have any heel slip when you first got your diesels? Did it go away?

Can anyone recommend a resole-able walking boot that looks more like a jumper boot than a hiking boot or trainer. I usually do 15 -20 miles at a time.

Grant stones 👍 The best mid price boots you can buy.

Love grant stone...honored to be 1000th like 😂

Great review, what are those pants though? They look fantastic with the boots.

Thanks for this informative video! I wear a size 11 in nikes very comfortably. What do your recommend i do for overall sizing? And is there a good way to figure out the width i should order? Thanks in advance!

The cxl leather looks supple. I wonder if you have seen the snuff suede diesel one in person. Eyeing the suede one instead since I have a cxl boot from somewhere else.

green-one is captivating

But how does it stack up to the captains? Show like a verse battle to me

I have 5 pairs of Grand Stone and I’m extremely satisfied with every single pair. One thing I would like to clarify is that Grand stone does use a real piece of leather on the heel counter so it’s leather over leather and you can confirm that at one of Rose Anvil vids where he cut a pair for Diesel boots. I’m actually moving away from Red Wing & Alden and going full Grand Stone. I can care less they’re made in China, everything we use here in USA is practically made in China. This is a free market and I buy whatever I want with my money.

Great video guys, but I’ll have to stick with RedWing , nicks or whites.

I wish the reviews would simply mention arch support each time. Would only take 30 seconds

Is that true about their counter cover? If you removed it there would be a hole in the side of the boot? Rose Anvil cit one in half and it looked solid all around. Thanks for the review. I am awaiting my delivery of grant stone chukka kudo that I recently ordered.

What is your brannock and what size do you wear in these? Great review

I'm not sure what you're talking about with the throat of the boot - I've got a number of pairs of GS boots and never had any issues like you describe (closure, discomfort or laces coming off). Also doubt there's any cost-savings in what you're describing with the heel cover, and would guess they'd describe something more functional as the reason for their pattern. I'd never noticed what you're describing, but can't say it makes any difference at all in fit, feel or quality, at least in my experience. I have a pair of Ottawas that has at least 600 miles on them, and they've been fantastic. Every pair of my Grant Stones is as good or better than the best of my Aldens, which is pretty amazing.

The fake Dainite soles are harder than Dainite? Zoinks! That's gotta be one stiff sole.

Nice sable black Bravestars

Would you wear these in the snow?

You can get the Crimson in a cap toe from GS.

Excellent informative video, thanks. Does anyone know how these compare to the Iron Rangers? There is a Red Wing store by my house so Ive seen those but have heard lots of positive things on these? Just wish I could try them on before buying. Old school here & didn't to play the shipping game w. GS unless they are def. worth it

comparing Grant Stone to Alden is a bit ridiculous. I own the black GS diesel and the Turbulence Alden indy. The Grant Stone is far and away better constructed its not even close, cut through of both on Rose Anvil show this to be true. I would prefer it to be made in the states, but a much better boot.

Does the heel counter pose an issue over time though?

I'm a old man and growing up everything was made in America, you didnt have to ask where they were made! Pants,shirts,shoes and cars,now it seems nothing is made here and just wait til these suppliers decide to stop selling to us .

If you can hold-out until Black Friday, Grant Stone offers a really sweet 25% off discount, but it only kicks in at $400+, so you basically have to buy two pairs. Still, that’s great value

Hi man and thanks for a good and honest review, listing both positives and negatives in a frank manner, and I like your style of presenting. Question to all diesel wearers including the reviewer: what size do you wear vs your Brannock size and how much space do you have at the end of the boot past your toes? :)

Heres the thing with made in China, if the company tells them to make it with whatever kind of materials and construction they'll do it. If you tell them to use top quality materials and assembled a certain way they'll do it. The thing is alot of companies tell them to make whatever at the cheapest cost possible so that's what they do. The American companies are still the ones to blame as their the ones telling them the make it on the cheap. Blame the company not the country of origin. That's one thing people don't understand, they see made in China and immediately think garbage, but that's not he case in some instances like this, the fact the company is based in China and they can watch over the production of their boots is amazing and them being made in China helps bring you a quality product at a pretty good price compared to other say USA made companies. First they don't have to pay employees high wages like here in the states, and they can probably get quality materials at a cheaper cost. Cheaper don't necessarily mean junk. Everyone thinks that USA means the best of the best and that couldn't be farther from the truth. (Talking about American customers here) it use to be but people don't have pride in their work like the used to here and it's sad and when you don find that American made and they do take pride in their work and it is an amazing product that means more $$$$$$$ and not just a little bit, take a wax canvas chore coat I've seen made in America ones sell as high as 6-700$ compared to other companies that also make great just as good products sell in the 150-250 range and be just as good of chore coat. I've never owned a pair of Grant stone boots but definitely going to get a pair after such good reviews I've seen by a few people I follow and tell the truth about products. Ps, I've seen better stuff come out of China over the past few years than stuff made here in the States, and that's no lie. It makes me angry that such poor work ethic and crap being produced here and charge a premium and it be junk

Can anyone pls advise how these size compared to Redwing Beckmans?

I'm interested in these boots, but living in Italy 🇮🇹 I've some doubts about my right size. I own 2 pairs of Wolverine 1000 mile in size 7US - D. What size would you suggest me for Grant Stone Diesel boots? Thanks a lot 🙏 🇮🇹.

wouldn't you say its comparable would be the Higgins Mill?

Just saw another cobbler who did a video of a GS diesel boot resole. He showed that the boot has paper/synthetic material between the insole and the cork. Very disappointing. I was under the impression that GS didn’t use synthetic materials in their construction

Nice video! Just to let you know. I started a Grantstoneboots subreddit back in Feb 2023. We are just over 1100 active members and you should post your video's there. I would love to have ya. Trying to hit 1500 active members before the subreddit turns 1yo. Anyways, love to have you as part of the GS group if you're not already a member. Thanks!

I got a pair and although they feel very comfortable and nice, the leather developed loose grain within one month. I noticed some other people having the same issue

As much as I like GS boots, I will buy US made boots all day long

Do these have a Gusseted tongue?

Pretty big strike not using an actual Dainite sole. The rubber they use on their sole probably costs pennies.

Where is a leather loop on boot’s back to aid in putting on boot?

Are those my Higgins Mill boots? I can’t tell the difference with the exception of the imitation Dainite soles.

Whst color are those

I’m a 14 would 13 work lol?

Not sure if anyone is had a similar experience to me but I didn't have to pay any sales tax when i ordered from their website. I live in Cali btw which has very high sales tax. The price of the boot was all i had to pay and shipping was free!

Totally didn't know about the faux counter. I went to check rose anvil's video and he didn't mention it.

wait, they only go up to size 13? thats too bad

There's nothing more American than venturing into China in the 90s (Merely a dozen years after the Cultural Revolution) and building a business here. As someone who's doing the same thing now, that was ballsy AF. I can't imagine what it was like three decades ago. That's the American spirit.

Didn’t hear nick complain about the facings closing too tight, perhaps he should take his buddy to the gym with him and try to put some meat in those legs 😂

People need to forget this concept that "made in China" means cheap. China has been in the manufacturing business for 40 years. They can make top quality products like Grant Stone or Apple or the they can make cheap stuff for Walmart. It completely depends on the OEM specification.

I’m for supporting domestic market when you can. With that said. It’s comical when people comment how everything from China is crap. They type this comment on a device that was made in China.

I think calling them Alden quality is an insult to Grant Stone

I’ll stick with my cordovan Allen Edmonds…

Dont blame China for making them, blame the greed the USA has to make profit anywhere they can. Thats where anything cheap comes in.

wheres nick :(

See..... Great boots but for the price you can't beat Thursdays

Let the china convo go already. China makes so many products you all use and have never said a word. Let it freaking go

Con: the name. Diesel. It's cheesy. (I realize that doesn't matter at all. It's just a name, who cares? ... I find it to be cheesy though)

I wouldn't regard kangaroo leather as exotic, commonly used in footy boots

I think he has skinny ankles lol

I know GS doesnt shy away from the Built in China thing, but many of us consumers do. These companies need to get smart and think to the future and do the right thing. I pay hundreds more to Truman, Nick's, Whites, Red Wing, and Parkhurst and feel good about it

These guys (Grant Stone) are kind of terrible at having common sizes in stock for their popular boots (including this one). Not a great way to run a business

sorry, made in china is nothing to be proud of. They look good, though

Finally a company willing to let Chinese manufacturing produce quality. Given the opportunity i find Chinese craftmanship high quality compared to the US.

Nice looking but its a pass for me

Chinese buy American

Expensive for Chinese made.

I will stick with my Thursday boots at $200 and made in Mexico . .

These are not compelling for a couple reasons. 1. At that price, you find several other boots from manufacturers that make you feel a little better about the coin you're spending. I.e. fair pay for their workers, etc. 2. If they increase prices, then the appeal of a made in China boot at a high quality but reduced cost is diluted. But if they decrease prices, it becomes even more apparent that the worker in China is getting the short end of the stick in that deal.

You're so missing the point when it comes to talking about the made in China element. It's about exploitation. The Chinese can make great boots, but they deserve the same wage as an Italian or us citizen (for example) for the work being done.

the reviewer's tragic hairline made me not buy these boots

2:41 "It actually feels like a point of pride. Wyatt's connection to owning slave labor was once through his father. But now Wyatt, too, can be proud of owning slave labor from marginalized religious prisoners and imprisoned political dissidents." Not the point you're trying to make, buddy.

But it's made in China! I can believe that it is quality. But I can't believe that sending my money to china is better than sending it to the US pacific northwest. Buy American. Let's face it, none of the boot fashionistas with 60 pairs in their closets need to save a few bucks by finding a factory that pays its workers less. The money spent in America continues to be spent in America and benefits us all. The money spent in china will support evil global domination and suppression of freedoms. And that's not hyperbole, it will all end up there even if the first recipients are good guys.