Oops, mixed up my state abbreviations - Grant Stone's US HQ is in Michigan, not Missouri! Shop the boots: bit.ly/35BLZC6 Time stamps: 00:00 Grant Stone, the brand 01:16 Grant Stone Chelsea aesthetic 02:31 CF Stead Waxy Commander leather 03:37 CF Stead Waxy Commander leather care 04:07 Grant Stone boot sole 04:47 Grant Stone Chelsea boot fit & sizing 06:18 Grant Stone Chelsea boot price 07:16 Grant Stone Chelsea pros 08:17 Grant Stone Chelsea cons
Thanks for saying something positive about China. I moved to Shanghai from Ireland in 2003 and it’s a great place with great people. When we criticise the government here we call it Beijing to differentiate it from the Chinese people. Of course we don’t say it out loud in public!
Another fact is that most Chinese people support the CCP government in general although they criticize it here and there. And in terms of critique, their points of view are not what the West often picks up (not the ideological foundation but rather technical aspects of governance).
Consumers are willing to overlook a few human rights violations and a little bit of slavery as long as it happens somewhere else and results in a competitive product 😎
@@yashgarg6743 unless you’re some apple exec, which I highly doubt since you’re commenting on a video about budget boots, you really don’t know if zero components are sourced or made in China, aside from your choosing to take some salesman’s word at complete face value 😂
@@yashgarg6743 you’re assuming there’s no slave labor involved in iPhone production, which is patently false. Look up “fairer phone” and stop being ignorant lol
Best boot reviews on RU-vid. I really like that waxy commander leather. I just picked a pair of Grant Stone’s Ottawa boots (split toe). The quality for the price is incredible.
Very nice review, Nick! I recently took the plunge and bought a pair of Grant Stone Diesel Boots in Earth color. Love the leather and its characteristics. I followed Grant Stone’s recommendation and sized down to 9.5D from my regular 10D which I am in all dress / casual shoes. When the boots arrived, I felt like my foot was floating inside the boots. I got in touch with Grant Stone’s Customer support team and they advise for me to go down to size 9D, which I did. This size fits a lot nicer and I am working on breaking them in as we speak! Completely agree with your comments on quality and craftsmanship. The boots are considerably heavier than compared to Thursday or Red Wing’s. Very beautiful boot and I look forward to many years of its service
Thanks for your mini review, Oleg! It's so frustrating how even if everyone agrees on a particular sizing method, there will always be people for whom it doesn't work out. Like I'm positive I'm true to size in Thursday's Duke, but everyone else sizes down haha
Nick, yes; great point. Thursday CS team claims that all of their boots are made on the same last, which in my experience of owning Vanguard, Cadet, and Captain, I am positive they are not. However, Thursday team did confirm that Duke fits larger than the rest, which I suppose to each their own!
Great review as always, been looking forward to this one as I'm a huge Grant Stone fanboy. EE-EEE should fit these comfortably if they're willing to size up 0.5 or 1 a full size. Wide boys represent. That little bit of extra length won't bother a lot of people and it opens up a lot of styles for us.
Thanks Nick. I quite like it as an in betweener. Been a bit overwhelmed by white leather sneaker reviews online recently so nice to see some ‘proper’ footwear being reviewed. ;)
Agreed that China got the rep of poor quality, but only because the western country want to cut cost and decided to use cheap materials and less skilled labour. If they are willing to make a tiny bit less profit, and just increase the production cost by a little, you can get quality stuff from China, just look at their craftsmanship with jade and Ceramics, may be they don’t have the technology for sports car, mechanical watches...etc but fashion pieces isn’t exactly rocket science.
King F I have gotten made in US boots, redwing and Allen Edwards and been very disappointed. I believe the American companies don’t hire craftsmen anymore, they just get employees. This not include the boots from the northwest. I believe those are craftsmen with some pride not a build quota.
@@jeffreygoss8109 Exactly, you can find shit stuff made in the states. The whole notion of made in America when speaking of quality itself is a little silly in my opinion. Plenty of places roll out junk or slip in QC.
jeffrey goss I know what you mean, I have a couple redwings and viberg, I would say they are still good, just a couple QC issues, which I could accept if they are factory seconds or when they are discounted, but when we are paying full retail, I do wish they pay closer attention to. And my friend order a custom boots from nicks early this year, even after the try on boots, they still send him a left boot that’s one size larger, although nicks just replace him a new one, the whole processes took extra 2 months. Of course to be fair, we still getting better quality from US made goods in general, especially the services, but these brands has to stop thinking customers would just happy to pay a premium price tag because it says made in the US
You've been on a chelsea kick lately nick! I'm still praying blundstones send you the right ones this time haha remember you'd be either a 10 or 10 1/2 and the half in AUS sizing is more for width than anything else but goodluck! And good vid!
Yeah it's similar in some ways, Alvin! Glad you liked it with the chinos, I don't always wear two outfits for a video but it seemed important for this one
Ordered them. Question about care... I searched to find recommendations and neither Carmina nor Truman recommend such a strong brush. I like the idea of restoring uniformity to the finish but I’m concerned the brush you recommend may pull the nap of the suede “up”. Any more guidance on this?
I would just like to say that because of your boot review I bought a pair of Thursday Boots. They are well made but concerning the captain model, they seem almost impossible to break in. Those souls are really stiff.
Glad you got a good pair of boots! That's odd you're having a hard time breaking them in, how long have you worn them? I give it a good dozen wears before worrying, but these tips might help stridewise.com/how-to-break-in-boots/
@@Stridewise thank you for responding to my comment. Okay, you are right I should give them more time. I bought them to wear to the VA hospital because that is a situation where you are dealing with big money earning professional doctors and nurses. So I want to dress appropriately. But I don't have to walk very far to the public buses and they take me right to the front door. I will try to do a little more walking in then. Thank you. 👍🇨🇱
Great videos and amazing boots! What do you think about the elastic? I hesitate about buying Chelsea boots because the elastic can fail, leaving the shoes useless, even though they are Resoleable; what do you think? Is that not something to worry about? Thanks a lot
I bought these boots and loved the look. I tried my hardest to break them in, but they cramp my toes too damn much and give me blisters on my heels. Not sure if it's just these boots or all Chelseas.
The obvious question is: how do these compare to the Taylor Stitch chelseas you reviewed a few weeks ago? Similar, rugged, aesthetic at similar-ish price points.
Oh wow. The leather is a bit better quality on Grant Stone butu Taylor Stitch is taller and has a more modern, slim fit/aesthetic. The leather's a tad thinner too, if that matters!
I just got these boots today. And honestly, I’m kind of bummed about the leather. It just looks really dull and kind of dry. Not waxy at all. I wanna try fixing that, but not sure what to use. But if I do try fixing them and I can’t, then I won’t be able to return them.
What makes these worth the price over Thursday Chelsea's? Which specific model in your opinion is more comfortable for long walks and have a larger toe box?
I have a pair of grant stone Diesel boots in eee and can tell you they are roomy! I am also considering these vs Thursday's chelseas.... I think the Grant's are more roomy and a heavier boot ... My Diesel's are super heavy.
Chelsea boot-wise, it cannot beat RM Williams or Carmina. Didn't like their leather two years ago, but seems they move to Horween and other famous tannery for most of the boot these day.
Is "heft" a diplomatic way of saying, "damn, this sucker is heavy."? And would these boots take an insole well? I have enough leather insole GYW boots. I looking for something relatively light with *gasp* J&M level comfort. Great channel...super informative and well-produced.
Nah they're not heavy, not like Vibergs. They're just substantial? But I wouldn't say heavy, no. I wouldn't say there's enough room for an insole but talk to Grant Stone about your sizing options, they're pretty informative. Glad you like the channel, Duff Man!
Thanks for the review! You mention these boots can be dressed up, but the waxed suede seems distressed (haven’t seen it in person), would you say it’s suitable for business casual occasions? Or is it too rugged? I’m also looking at these GS Chelsea but in Chromexcel … 🤔Thanks!
You know, they can do OK as business casual but 'dress up' might have been a stretch :) CXL would be dressier, the french calf the dressiest. but they're too chunky for a suit. You want suit chelseas, get Carminas :)
I like the review, it is a brand that I would consider due to your reviews. Also, I am considering Oliver Cabel. The iPhone is assembled in China, generally high regarded premium product.
Does it feel hurt on the vamps parts of the boots ?, as chelsea boots dont have lacing system. My uncle had Jl. Sriwijaya Fortuna shoes (one of the finest shoe makers in Indonesia). He throwed it away and gave'em to his butler, he felt it hard to breal in so he let his butler to use them 😂
Can't compare the Chelsea's, but can compare a laceup on the Leo last with same sole, and would say they're actually quite close. You don't get the absorbing insole like the Comfort Craftsman but they're definitely great to wear for a full day on your feet.
I like your new format, but I think you do talk a little bit too fast recently particularly in this video. It's a little bit hard to get what you're saying specialy for those who do not have English as their first language. Thank you for great video as always.!
У меня Cap Toe Boot в стандартной полноте D, Подъем для русской ноги маловат. Сюда бы кожу растительного дубления на внутренний слой, было бы хорошо - получились бы идеальные ботинки!
Great review. So they ship them from China to US and give US free delivery and returns. I feel like us international folk are subsidising this😕....not just Grant Stone but across the board.
It's factored into the price of the shoe, and it's a US Company so it's completely understandable. Grant Stone charge a flat USD$50 shipping internationally with DHL Express (which is cheap, especially under the circumstances) at the moment which is about the only way of getting anything out of the US within months - takes under a week to Australia.
truly factored in would be free worldwide shipping like the sneakers in the last review (admittedly they weigh less) I'm fine with paying for returns but a better deal on the initial shipping would be nice. Helm by far the best at USD 25 to Australia and Herrings are very good too for UK footwear.
@@johno1104 I understand where you're coming from, but I haven't bought a shoe from the US yet that has had free shipping other than Meermin (and that wasn't the US) during a promo, and I think USD$50 through DHL Express is a pretty reasonable price - cheaper than other companies I've purchased from at least. Considering the costs of sending such bulky items internationally, and having a target demographic in your country of origin, I think it's reasonable to not factor it in. It may be cheaper to ship them out of China, but given my experiences with their shoes and boots, the QA is absolutely top tier and probably managed from both the manufacturing side of things AND the warehouse once they get to the US. Overall though, it does suck for us as you lump substantial shipping, GST, and then currency conversion onto the price and you've suddenly gone from a $200-300 boot to $400-500+. Kinda why I've got so many pairs of RM Williams.
@@japesss I have asked for and received discounts for shipping...."well, if I have to wait 8 weeks for you to make the boots express shipping at the end of that is rather pointless. Do you have a slower, cheaper option?" I was actually wavering on the Helm Zind but the USD 25 shipping sealed the deal. You just look upon the company favourably. A US company would only have to add a few dollars to all boots and then could banner "free worldwide shipping" (doesn't have to be free returns internationally) I don't know about you but I spend hours researching to ensure I get the right size and even when I've been wrong I make them work with a boot stretcher or insoles rather than the pain of returning internationally. I have returned with Amazon and it was AUD 60 to send boots from Sydney to US. Oh and Cultizm where I purchased Vibergs charged me AUD 14 for shipping....that's my lowest.
@@johno1104 I hate paying shipping, but paying for international shipping is just something you need to factor in, which you're clearly already doing. > You just look upon the company favourably. Yeah, because they make fucking amazing boots for the price. This isn't something new. Basically every retail and direct to consumer business charges for international shipping.
Notice he said it has the quality of like a $300 - $500 quality boots. I've check and made comparisons and you get what you pay for. Lets begin with the leather. The leather that Alden uses is top quality. The leather Grant Stone uses is inferior in quality in their lower end product. The Alden leather is softer, more supple, better grain and will not show the wear and tear of a less expensive leather product. The GS uses thicker and less supple leather. Inexpensive leather usually shows premature wear and deep creases. Makes the shoes look aged when in fact the shoes maybe a couple of months old. I'm not knocking the company. The company is a newcomer and I believe that as the products matures (improves) the price will reflect the quality. But to compare to a high quality shoe makes (Alden) at this stage is premature. The cost of the higher end product reflects the materiel used, the processing of raw materials, the crafting and designed work that intimately result in a quality product. The product and the company are not there. Yep, just imagine sitting in your rice cooker (Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Nissan) and closing your eyes and telling yourself you are behind the wheel of a Mercedes S550. Get the best or stay home.
They use many of the same leathers from the same tanneries, and Grant Stone actually has more strict clicking than Alden, so if in the same leathers, Alden is notorious for loose grain while GS is well known for very tight creasing (check out Nick's own review of his CXL Indy). Alden uses leatherboard heel stacks whereas GS uses full leather. Grant Stone has more strict QC which is especially apparent when looking at welt stitching and joins. Just saying...
That's been my experience too. Many of these brands like Thursday and GS have used the internet to grow their product. Although they appear good at first they do not hold up in the long run.
