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I like your videos, but there are some biased and incorrect information in this one.. Kudu leather is definitely softer and more supple than CXL leather. I have several kudu shoes/boots, and they are softer and lighter than the CXL, and required no break-in. I'm also not a fan of your and other American vloggers' efforts to idealize the construction of GS boots. It only shows incompetence and activism. The fact that all parts of the shoe are leather does not have to be a sign of a higher quality GS shoe or their construction compared to e.g. AE Higgins mill boots. The manufacturer combines various materials in order to produce a shoe with such features that he knows from experience that his customer demands and appreciates. Not everything is motivated to save on materials. By the way, the leather is heavier and less flexible also due to the fact that the skin of an older animal is used. Such leather is of lower quality and is also cheaper. And GS does not provide such information anywhere. For example, the leathers that GS used for their Edward Natural Minerva or Cap toe British Tan Calf boots are very hard/stiff, inflexible, and even after 1-3 years of wear, they do not soften and are not really comfortable. I wouldn't be surprised if it was a second grade hide from an old animal. In these cases, I don't really care how "quality" the construction of the shoe is. Most of the shoes/boots I have are from Tricker`s, AE, GS, Loake and Sanders, but I have also tried (and returned) boots/shoes from other manufacturers (see below). And it is interesting that boots from Tricker`s and other English manufacturers are mostly lighter than GS, while their construction is just as strong, they are tankers, using the highest quality materials. I feel that you American vloggers only present popular manufacturers with strong marketing, thus limiting yourself to comparing only about 10 American manufacturers (GS, AE, Caswell, Parkhurst, Alden, Nicks, Red Wing, Truman, theoakstreet.., or low-quality Thursdayboot ).. Under this influence, you often spread simplified stories, for example, obsession with the stitch density, all-leather construction, singing the praises of CXL leather, etc. It would not hurt to look, for example, at English or Italian production, and recognize their great tradition and quality. Anyway, thanks for your video reviews and fingers crossed!

Like you, I would love to see more leather soles. Also, I wish they would offer more Badalassi veg tan in the other models. If they made a veg tan Brass boot with I leather sole, I would buy that in a heartbeat. Thanks for the review. I hope you have a worn in video of this. Thanks. 💙 ps. I have the Brass boot in Dune and the Longwing in Dune. The Longwing really shows off their excellent craftsmanship. 🕊️

The Trickers Robert derby also makes a similar style to the Lanark 3 .

Yeah, if the AE store was going to make the effort of helping you get a lighter pair, that’s on them to make sure they have it right, even if some time goes by. If it sold, they should have told you so.

Get the Jungle Kangaroo leather in holiday sale; that's my first Diesel boot, and I couldn't be happier.

Another excellent video! When revenue is low, employees lie to make the sale. Here's a thought. Are you willing to pay AE $700 USD for 1980's shoe quality standards? There are more frugal buyers in the marketplace than the buyers willing to spend $700 USD without hesitation. Demands by buyers effect how a company will adjust itself to survive. Mike

Love your videos! I have a pair of 1992 Richmond Burgundy long wings that were practically brand new for $25! I absolutely adore them. Thank you for all knowledge in regard to Allen Edmonds as it has taught me a lot. I have about 5 pairs at the moment! I tend to look for good used condition shoes on places like eBay as, even though I’m only 23, I prefer traditional welted shoes whereas AE’s current catalog is slowly turning into more cemented constructed shoes.

Love your videos. Thank you for the hard work.

What an absolute score, bro. Congrats. I have a pair of late 80s McAllisters in the black polished cobbler and I can say that they even fit a little “better” than modern counterparts.

If you find something you want and you don't jump on it when it's available, you lose. Waiting until the next sale shouldn't be a strategy if getting something so hard to find is at issue. I agree completely that the store shouldn't jerk you around and/or lie, but you also should have bought what you wanted when you knew they had them. You can lighten them up with some acetone to strip off much of the factory finish and re-dye them in the shade you actually want. It's not hard nor expensive to do. Only when you get into patinas does it get challenging. That having been said, I'm done with Allen Edmonds dress shoes. The last pair of Strands that I bought were atrocious. Not factory seconds and not on sale either. I bought a pair of navy blue shell cordovan Strands and a pair of suede Strandmoks. The Strandmoks were fine, but the shell cordovan Strands looked like they were made by an amateur. Flaws in the cordovan, crooked stitching and crooked seams. It's unfortunate, but they just aren't the company they were years ago and their quality and workmanship have gone down the toilet. I have several pairs of Allen Edmonds I got new back in the 80's and 90's when they were known as a true luxury brand and something any well dressed man would aspire to own. As you pointed out with your 1987 McAllisters, they are no longer the same shoes. I actually do like their new line of casual shoes with the sneaker soles (the slip-on's and not the oxford styles) and I have several pairs of them in both suede and leather. I particularly like the Randolf slip on sneakers in both the penny loafer form and the bit loafer form. Have them both in a few colors. Same with the Hayes and Sebastian. I'm completely satisfied with the quality of these shoes and they are hands down 10 times better than the similar looking offerings from Cole Haan, Aldo or other similar brands. I also bought them on sale. Doubt I would pay full retail for them, but they are worth it when they are $250 or below. I paid less than $200 for all of mine but 1 pair. I have switched to TLB Mallorca, Carmina and Crockett & Jones for my dress shoes (oxfords and loafers) now. TLB Mallorca, in particular, is a major bargain when you can have a pair of their main-line shoes made to order with your choice of leather or suede and your choice of soles, stitching, etc all for just over $400 and the Artista line for under $500, plus the quality & finishing are downright amazing. I think Alden had the right idea.......keep quality the same and raise the prices. It would be an interesting exercise to see you do a side-by-side comparison of your 1987 McAllisters and a current day pair to show the changes and obvious differences in quality. It really shows in the stitching and finishing.

Great video, just bought these. I am about to check if you did your follow on year review right after this video.

I love my Grant Stones. The only thing I don’t like is the eyelets.

Knows bros call out! Love it. That guy is hilarious

My brown CXL Diesels are super broken in and I have no heel slip. They are my best all day, 20,000 step a day boots. I have a new pair of Vibergs that may beat them, once they break in, but GS is incredible value. I think the all leather construction just takes time. Totally worth it. The only GS product that I have that is resisting break in is the tan calf cap toe boot. That is a stern leather. My saddle tan Diesels broke in very well. The forest kudu cap toe can pinch my toes but I have that issue with most cap toes. I just think it’s a pinch point for me.

Totally agree with the heel slip, I have the black cxl with leather outsoles. i really have to have them snug. If it's too loose my foot shakes around and if too tight it's just uncomfy

Top notch. I'm glad GS recognized your reviews and sent you these boots.

I have the same 2 pairs of Grant Stone boots as shown & discussed in this video, the Edward & Diesel boots in Natural Minerva & Navy CXL respectively. My GS Field boots are in dark burgundy Kudu. I ordered the Edward first, 1/2 size down from my Brannock size and they pinched in the toes, had to exchange for 1/2 size larger, my true Brannock. I ordered the Field boots next in my true Brannock but they were significantly loose. I could not exchange them since they were purchased as a B Grade but they fit well using a foam insole and thick socks. The Kudu leather was soft & supple. It's odd that you found them stiffer than CXL. I have had no difficulty or discomfort breaking in any of them, although that's still ongoing. In conclusion, FWIW the GS Floyd last (Field, Brass boots) is considerably more roomy than their Leo last (Edward & Diesel) and it was a mistake to assume that I needed the same size in each type. I purchased both the Field and Diesel boots as B grade and it is virtually impossible to identify any defects in either. GS B Grades are superb value at around $240/pr., just make sure you know your correct sizing as they are final sale.

I want to mention one thing - you said no other manufacturer puts as much leather in the construction as Grant Stone does at this price range. I would argue Parkhurst is comparable, and maybe even better in some regards (e.g. external heel counter cover is actually a cover).

Another great video.

I'm surprised you found the Kudu tougher to break in than CXL. Both the reverse Snuff and Storm Kudus were more supple than CXL to me, although all are quite soft and comfortable, especially compared to GS's calf and Minerva offerings. Only the suede and Kangaroo options are softer in my experience. Haven't tried the bison but I hear that is also very soft.

Leo is one of the most comfortable lasts for me. And GS us one of my top 3 favourite brands , solid bang for the buck. Especially their B grades which are brilliant. I have multiple pairs from GS and pretty much enjoy all of them.

Nothing works with denim. Denim is the worst looking material if you want to look nice denim is perfect for labor

Wait you said this video was a sponsored video but then you also said #3 @ 2:13 you said “is this my favorite pair of GS boot you bought so far.” I’m confused. Did you buy these or were they given to you? Not a big deal but I had to play it a few times because I was confused. Thanks in advance!

Good review. For me it all about the last. GS is not best for me. Only boot I need E width to be comfortable. Probably my fault but I can't stop my tan Essex diesels from squeaking in the sole after got them wet.

Whites is having a clearance on their whites reserve boots. They're the same dress/casual style. You should check them out, you may really like them.

Hello, curious what you think of these Goral sneakers...The Mellor II - Maryam Tpr Verde. I think its Horween leather.

I feel like it was disrespectful to GS by comparing it the Leo last to AE 1757 last. The 1757 last is the worst among so service style boots.

HELLO, FYI, TRUMAN BOOTS HAS A BEAUTIFUL, OLIVE WAXED FLESH AVAILABLE NOW...slightly different style and a cap toe, however, i think they are excellent boots.

I just bought a pair of shell cap toe derbies from Moulded Shoe on the Modified last. It fits well for my spade shaped foot. You are absolutely right about the Barrie compared to the Modified. I had to actually go true to size on the Barrie because when I went 0.5 down, my toes were crushed, the heel was a bit tight and the shoe just felt short overall. I am glad you have pointed this out because it flies against common thought around sizing the Barrie.

I forgot to mention that this version of the boot contains 2 speed hooks. I much prefer having speed hoots on a boot to none at all. Just want to make sure people are aware of this improvement.

The Lisbon had some changes at some point, like shifting the quarters a bit, so while it could be sizing variation I think the Lisbon 2.0 is supposed to have more room at the instep than the 1.0

These are on sale NOW. April 2024 - 379 USD

Nice video pal well detailed. 8:43

The insole is the low quality split portion of the hide. It is NOT fibre nor leather board. Though there is an easy solution. Just go to your cobbler and let him cut and put a soft chromexcell insole on top of it or some thinner high quality full grain soft leather. It won’t wear down then and it will be even more comfortable. The midsole and heel stack is leather board.

Yeah, that is a really nice leather. I'd like to see it on a few years. What a nice boot. Enjoy!

Kept coming back to this particular review video on this exact boot. Well, let’s just say it worked as I just pulled the trigger on a pair myself! Thanks for such a detailed review.

It’s not the leather it’s the wax finish. Your aldens are in different leather so you do not see it on them as much. Good review You point out all the necessary last details. I just found this last for myself. One other last that works even better for my feet is the 365 E but 1/2 size smaller than 378

Love the color of mine - but I feel the tongues are a bit short for me…

I agree that isopropyl alcohol is fine to remove finish. I use it to remove the plastic topcoat on Alden shell cordovan. Takes a little elbow grease as well, but worth the effort. As you know, you can achieve this burnish simply using shoe cream on a pair of walnut shoes. Seems like that’s what AE did since the finish is so temporary. I’ve done this many times and I usually end up removing it because it looks too dramatic for me, but if you like this look it’s easy to reproduce on your own. Safir “marron” will get you there, and “cognac” is a lighter version that also works for lighter highlights.

Grant stone rules period

Hey, I did something really cool with my AE park aves in olive green. Do you have an email address to send a pic?

The insoles are split-grain leather, not leatherboard, so they’re still genuine leather, just not full-grain leather

I like the use of the phrase efficient last. I've found that for me it's the RM William, and the 55 lasts. I look down at the boot and wonder how my foot comfortably fits. The boot looks small.

Just came across this video and I'm glad I did. I didn't even realize there were multiple generations from this line. I have the Hopkinson in black that I bought in Feb 2016. I did pay the $495 price for them, mostly because I happened to be in NYC that day and there was no sale at the time, but 8 years later I still have them and they still look/feel great. My only slight regret is that I didn't just pay the extra money and get the shell cordovan Park Avenues. Not because I'm unhappy with the Hopkinson at all, just that Horween shell cordovan is the shoe grail for me and they were already getting pretty close in price.

I agree I’m not a fan of the crepe sole. Resole with a leather outsole and it would look super clean.

Thank you for the great video! Have you considered the Parkhurst Niagra Navy leather?

Really glad you are back Mr. C.S. Honestly I was a bit devastated when your channel disappeared. There were several of your videos I’d refer back to when thinking about a next purchase or to understand a certain last. Hope you have a blessed New Year.

I have GS Field boots. They came with a crooked tongue on one boot too, so bad it doesn’t cover the inside of 2 speed hooks. It’s not really a comfort issue though so gotta live with it.

I love grant stone BUT, some of their boots welt can be to big making them look like clown boots. I have 3 pairs. The tan diesel I had to return because of that fact.

I may have made some errors about the sole and welt in this video that I will likely address in a future video.