As the son of a Chinese factory owner, I really want to thank you for your clarification on quality Chinese goods. Sure there are a lot of crap factories out there, but there are still many good people from my parent's generation(and soonly from my generation) who are sincerely proud of the products we made.
Agreed. The iPhone is as high quality as anything made. I’ve found the important thing is the manufacturing process, not the country of origin. My only concern with some outsourcing is that workers are paid properly and treated well.
I was eyeing Grant Stone for a few weeks. Did a fair amount of research on them as a company, their methodology and read a lot of reviews posted about their footwear. I ended up taking a plunge and ordered Diesel Boot in Waxy Commander leather (Earth). I am a regular 10D in Brannock and so I originally followed Grant Stone’s advice and purchased 9.5D in this model. When they arrived, I tried them on and felt like my foot was fitting in comfortably but had some float space. I ultimately sized down to 9D and it is a much better fit all around. I was very impressed by how agile and responsive Grant Stone Customer Service folks are. Josh is one of the owners/ founding members, and he personally corresponded and even called me to discuss fit, leather properties, etc. Exchange took 1 day to arrive to my place in FL. Very, very happy with these folks overall. Will be ordering Ottawa boot next
I can't help but smile while looking at these videos, and I am literally not interested in mens boots or whatever that was. hell, I'm not even male. Just this passion and style, quality of video and information that does it for me.
These are polar opposites to Red Wings in terms of break in. It takes a month for RW. These are almost good to go from factory. Probably a combination of wider toe and soft CXL leather.
I've literally never heard of anyone REALLY criticize Grant Stone. Sure there may be some people on Reddit who find a tiny bit of glue or having a tiny portion of the stitching being off. Even they sometimes admit that it's very petty stuff that doesn't matter. But this is like the only boot company where there's NO REAL complaints. Thursday Boots? I've heard people complain about them. Meermin? I've heard people complain about their CS. Allen Edmonds? Quality control complaints. No complaints, excellent construction, and premium materials, all at the $350 range. I've even seen their products cut in half. Grant Stone seems too good to be true.
I have two travelled loafers, natural and navy CXL, and their cap toe boot in tan. I legitimately expect them all to last me for most of my lifetime. Sizing is generally half size down from Brannock, and they will consult with you on sizing. I really hope this video earns them business. They are probably the best dollar to value ratio in the entire GYW business.
Great review! I really enjoy new content format. I bought a pair of “B grade” Diesel boots in Chromexcel for about 50 percent off (170 shipped) and could not be more happy with them. They have a little splotch on the sides but it was so minor it took me a few wears to notice. The last also works wonderfully for my duck feet and fits a lot like aldens Trubalance. Very comfy. Their QC seems very good as I’ve had seconds of redwings with stuff like missing sections of welt stitching pulled out. Normal sizes go quickly, but if you have smaller or bigger feet than most, definitely worth checking out!
I feel that what has to be remembered is that it is not the factory that specifies the quality of the product- it is the company selling the product to the consumer that decides tries to achieve the greatest profit margin
Thank you for a solid review. I just bought a pair of GS Ottawa boots in Crimeson cxl and one thing I agree with is that they are finished really well. The second thing is that the leather is really nice (to me) and they look like a work of art because of the way they were designed and all their lines. The first pair I got was a little big so I ordered a pair 1/2 size smaller to see which one fits the best because I ordered the same size as my Thursday/Cole Haan boots that I own. To me, the Ottawa boots remind me of the tanker boots by Alden and I would say that the Ottawa boots look better than the Indy’s. I found GS a year ago but I held off on buying because I did not see the Ottawa back then. Now that I have the boots I think they look awesome.
Own a lot of good boots from various US and some Japanese. Have a couple pairs of the Grant Stones and have to admit, they are better made than the Alden Indy boots. Really surprised at the quality and materials of GS products. If I had to do it all over again, would only have bought the Whites MP boots, Grant Stone and Truman for lace up boots. Started years ago with Red Wing Heritage and Alden boots only. Own a lot of others that are just a little or lot too much for basic and casual wear. Truman boots for just a little more money is a superior boot over the same style Red Wings. Grant Stone is as good or better than Alden for sure. For a tougher boot, the Whites MP boots or a Nicks without the logger sole are perfect.
How do these compare to iron rangers? Bought some IR and love everything about them especially the fit with the roomy toebox. I wear them to work, retail. Would these be good aswell for that?
I have a pair of Diesel Boots and a pair of the Field Boots. Grant Stone quality is incredible. Their closest rival in price IMHO is Truman in that mid-upper price range. And, their quality is as good or better than Alden and certainly at a much better price point than Alden. They really don't make a boot to compete with the PNW makers like Wesco, Nicks, White's or Franks. But, they definitely give Viberg a run for the money in the dressier service boot category.
Hey Carl! Been waiting for you to put out a video on these guys! I am seriously impressed with what I see from them. Their "Diesel" might very well have to be my next purchase. I'm thinking I want to try veg fan leather tho because I don't have any yet!
Great review! I am wearing my new color 8 GS Diesels. They are outstanding. Better than AE and on par with my Aldens (I have 6 pairs). These guys punch well above their weight. Not sure why I waited so long to try them.
Great review. Have you considered sharing the “heel to toe drop” measurement for those looking at more of a minimal boot? Do you know what it is on these?
I need the shock absorption of inserts. So it's a Dr.Scholl's Custom Fit orthotic + a thin Poron insert on top for any Leather'n Cork Heritage Boot for me.
Just saw a 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.
Diesel vs Iron ranger? Any pros/cons to each? Newbie boot guy here & so far they seem very similar other than toe cap on Iron Ranger. Any feedback is appreciated.
hey Carl, i bought this boot based on your and stridewises reccomendation. i am a dickhead and stained the boot by using the wrong leather care quality but my local cobbler dyed the uppers black for me and now it is badass again. sorry to drunk comment you but you and the best on youtube and i love you
I'm planning to buy this... Carhartt wedge boots soft toe...and it's actually a very big amount of money for someone who lives in Mexico...so, if there's anyone nice enough to tell me if there's better options for a 150 dollars budget?...like those timberland yellow boots or the doc martens?
Thanks for a great review. Could you comment on sizing? I own a pair of Thursdays Captain in 8D, that was a mistake I should have gone for 8.5. I could not exchange them as I don’t leave in the US. It took me a while to break them in. Thanks.
Why wouldn’t you wear these hiking? I’ve been wearing Carminas (jump boot) and Allen Edmonds (Dalton and Patton) hiking lately and I love them for it. I get odd looks but who cares. Is there some reason not to? They clean up perfectly afterward and pick up some nice patina as well. I’ve worn my IR’s for hiking too but they are way too heavy for long hikes. Leather with leather soles are super light and if you’re not scaling stone and are mostly on soft earth, they are hard to beat. Think mocassins. Native Americans know what’s up. I ask also because I was looking at getting the Diesel specifically for hiking. Love this review, thank you Carl!
I suppose the reason I wouldn't wear them hiking is because they don't have a padded top or a ton of grip. It entirely depends on the kind of hiking you do, but around here we have mostly rocky terrain and I've come to rely on those creature comforts.
I have several pairs of Allen Edmonds boots, and several pairs of Grant Stone boots, and I would totally agree with your assessment. The Grant Stone boots are just better.
Totally different boot than Nicks, less structured and more dressy. But for a dress/casual boot it is very solid, more so than Allen Edmonds, Wolverine, or Red Wing. I have worn all of the above.
@@memefeed2147 Since there is cork under the leather insole, no. It molds to the shape of your foot. Totally unlike my Thursday Boots in which the foam insole has flattened and now wears as hard as boards.
I will take GS over Alden Madison and Allen Edmonds EVERY day of the week. I wish they would make more in a more causal looking leather. 90% are a bit above causal from me so I only have 3 pair.
I've been very lucky with my multiple pairs of AE. Haven't noticed any of the quality concerns that were brought up here. I just got my first pair of Grant Stone Reverse Sky Kudu Loafers and they are beautiful. Slightly missed the channel on some of the sole stitching but I don't care about that. Otherwise they are perfect as far as I can tell!
What can I say? I phones are made in China as well. It’s not the country that matters for those companies who made products, it’s the profits out of it. In exchange of that, you get the lower price for equal quality of goods. There is no patriotic in business.
I just wish they gave the customer a deal being manufactured in China. I’d at least expect them to use actual dainites. I’ve seen dainite copy’s on Thursday’s just chip away. For that price I’ll go American made. Even some of the new comparably priced guys like oakstreet boot makers who I think make some of the best quality for the price point. Seems like a decent boot but it just doesn’t make sense for me. I’d definitely be interested at say 300 dollars.
Carl Murawski it will be interesting to see how that strategy pans out for them down the road trying to jump right in competing with some a bit more established American made brands. Again it looks like a quality boot, but I would imagine most people may go with oakstreets lakeshore boot in natural cxl on sale for the same price. This boot is almost identical.
Alberto Suastez oakstreet bootmakers makes pretty similar style of boot with real dainites for around 400 and less during the holidays. Horween cxl, 360 welt, made in (Chicago) USA and they have great quality control.
Their Dainite copy is very different and possibly better than Dainite. It wears softer, and more flexible. It is thinner also, so much of the sole thickness is actually from the leather midsole and single leather outsole, not rubber. It's like getting Alden for $300 and change, worth every penny.
thinking things all things made in china is bad, and similar to thinking are black people are bad. we know its probably because what we saw in the past or what we heard, and its true that the history is kinda showing it. however we are lucky that we have someone like Carl who would give it a chance, and proving there are hidden gems.
They actually recommend sizing 1/2 down on the leo last...I have found that to be true in about 4 pairs of shoes I own by them. I do go up in width to make sure there is a little extra room
Sorry, but I'm not paying $370 plus tax for a pair of boots where people are paid $250-$280 Dollars a Month. It's Not Happening. Id rather Pay that to an American Company that Pays a decent wage and a self sustaining wage, not on where people have to live in Poverty or 12 shacked up in one APT. Now if you would of said $150 for the pair, that's understandable because of the low wage they pay. But not no $370, While people are paid $2 bucks and hour. That's Supporting Slavery.
Yes, but I am making money with my pc and I have no control or where my computer was made and I need a computer. The point is that shoes made in china where everything is way cheaper, should not be the same price as shoes made in America whom we pay decent wages, pensions and benefits to those boot makers here in the USA. You comment is foolish, you may have fooled a few, but your not going to fool me. Also Computers are not made in America, If they were I would buy it if it had same specs as my pc. Good Try, But not falling for it.
Nice boots, but I’ll pass. My interest are goods made in the USA, not necessarily because of superior quality, but more of my dedication to the American craftsmen.
Yeeah. You lost me at "Made in China." No thanks. Doesn't matter if there are a few "honest" quality control factories there. We need to send that entire country a message not to cut corners in manufacturing.